Samantha Lienhard's Blog, page 157

Screenshot Let’s Play: Tales of Zestiria – Part 26-50

Updated: Dec 20, 2015 @ 6:29 PM

Looks like the first 25 parts of my Tales of Zestiria screenshot Let’s Play was a bit too much. The editor explodes if I try to add more text.

Let’s see if this can carry us through the next 25! And if there aren’t 25 more parts? We’ll use the remaining space for Alisha’s DLC and other fun activities. Right now, I’m really enjoying Tales of Zestiria.

Part 26 - It's Sidequestin' Time!

Last time on Let’s Play Tales of Zestiria, we did some sidequests, found lots of iris gems, and tried to figure out malevolence (again). This time, we’ve still got plenty of sidequests…

Starting with Gododdin!

We return to the village and find Slenge awake. However, he seems a bit distracted.

Forsea, however, got there ahead of us and knows why Slenge is shaken by his dealings with the false Shepherd Malfore.

Great. Malfore knows who Slenge is, and he’s blackmailing him.

Well, not exactly. They made a deal. If Slenge turns over control of the fake Elixir market to the church, they’ll leave him in peace.

They’ll also buy their ingredients from Gododdin, so the village with have a legitimate source of revenue. Even if it’s still contributing to a bad cause.

Our party is okay with this, and Forsea agrees to become Lord of the Land.

She also gives us some more cheery news.

Really? After all that, he’s going to die? Geez…

We also have some new Lord of the Land options from Forsea.

Gododdin is fine… or as fine as it’s going to be, so we leave and continue exploring side areas for quests, treasure, herbs, and skits.

Such as this skit, about rabbits, which Sorey and Rose both proclaim to be “yummy,” much to Dezel’s horror.

Sorey offers to cook a delicious rabbit for Dezel, but the seraph refuses. Since Rose and Sorey still intend to eat one themselves, he does the only thing he can.

Aww, Dezel’s really an animal-lover, isn’t he?

By the way, I forgot to mention it last time, but I’ve begun to encounter one traditional, hated RPG enemy…

MIMICS! Oh yes.

Add in the Lord of the Land Boon that refills treasure chests, and Mimics have ambushed me all over the place. They’re tough, too!

This bout of exploration is pretty great. I’m strong enough to beat those mini-boss enemies I skipped earlier, AND I have all my seraphim abilities now so I can access new areas.

For example, remember the inaccessible shortcut to the Bors Ruins from Lamorak Cave?

Ta-DA! I beat the mini-boss ahead of it, too.

But let’s save that for now and take the long way back to the Bors Ruins, for added exploration.

…

…

…

Back to the shortcut!

It feels strange to be in Hyland again. The little town of Marlind is doing well, Griflet Bridge has been fully rebuilt, and–

Alisha! I thought we’d never see you again!

We tell her about our search for the trial shrines, and she gives us a good piece of information.

This is a video game. What are the chances a major character tells us about a ruin that’s NOT one we need?

Lady Maltran has gone ahead to check it out. Hmm… I’ve been wary of Maltran ever since that story we heard about her and the hellions…

Alisha’s still being treated like crap by Barlow, like being sent out to inspect bridges even though she’s a princess and a knight.

But she’ll endure for the sake of her people.

She’s also pleased Sorey has found a good Squire, though Rose isn’t pleased when Alisha compared her to Sorey. (She then apologizes, to Sorey’s dismay.)

Now, we could go check out the new ruins, but we still have sidequests. Back in Ladylake, we find a pickpocket–a hellion pickpocket. We intervene so we can purify him.

The guard objects, and Rose blackmails him, saying she knows why the pickpocketing problem is so bad. While they argue, the kid escapes.

Rose and Dezel chase after him, and the guard confronts Sorey.

The people jump in on Sorey’s side, however, so the guard relents.

I catch up with the others. Rose wants to follow the boy, to see if he’s still a pickpocket dsepite being purified.

She also explains just what she insinuated the guard was involved in when she mentioned the pickpocketing problem.

Harsh… though after how those other kids were slaughtered, this feels mild in comparison.

The boy goes to a hideout, but Rose still isn’t satisfied. She needs to know whether he’s in it of his own free will or not.

Lailah objects, but we promise to only follow and observe.

The gang of kids comes out, and they’re all laughing and boasting about how they’ll steal stuff. And they’re barely malevolent at all.

Okay, I think we’re on track again. Since these kids believe they need to steal to survive, they’re not malevolent despite their cruelty.

It’s clear the boy isn’t being bullied or manipulated. When the gang arrives at the sanctuary, the game gives me a choice.

Wow, the first real choice since we fixed the bridge!

I decide to report them, but Rose objects. She runs to the kids, who scatter, and gives the boy a lecture. It doesn’t work.

Then she agrees to turn them in.

Wait… did the assassin really think a stern talking-to would change their ways?

Oh well. We discuss the situation with the priest, and… oho, what is that?

When he hears the iris gems are important to our quest, he’s more than happy to hand it over.

So many Shepherds! It’s pretty cool.

We theorize why there aren’t that many Shepherds around anymore.

Rose wins for best theory.

I wonder if we’ll ever actually find out, or if it’s going to remain vague? If they’re linked to Maotelus, surely we’ll learn something…

Next, we go to visit Alisha, but she’s not at home.

She’s hunting down spies now? Alone?!

Well, since she was accused of being a spy, it might be personal.

Oh? Interesting.

Mikleo says it’s not true since he’s never heard of it, but I’m not convinced. Origin Village, eh? Hmm…

We stop at the inn, and Sorey asks Lailah if she could have been the Lord of the Land.

Wasn’t the “personal journey” with a Shepherd to smite malevolence? Besides, if every seraph is expected to be a Lord of the Land, and not be allowed to travel or enjoy life, that’s pretty harsh…

We also have a skit about the pickpockets.

Dezel doesn’t buy that excuse for an instant.

Do you know that feeling from personal experience, Dezel?

Next, we head up to the ruined village where we saw the “ghost” hellion the last time we were here.

As with the others, we’re strong enough to beat it now.

Your soul can become a hellion? How? Is it like a progression, like how fully-corrupted seraphim become dragons?

We backtrack through the forest next, opening new paths and finding treasure (and Mimics). Also this… weird blue rock stuff… which doesn’t trigger a skit.

Was this an early Discovery Point and I forgot it?

A brief skit also mentions how powerful Gramps is.

Hmm… Ekseo-level seraph, maybe?

Okay, now HERE’S something worthy of a Discovery Point!

…It IS, Zestiria, don’t lie to me.

(Why does it exist if no one in the game will comment on it?)

Gramps is back in Elysia now. He gives Sorey grief for leaving home, we return his pipe, and Lailah suggests we take some time to relax.

After I talk to all the NPCs in the area, I go to eavesdrop on Lailah and Gramps a bit.

Lailah addresses him as Sir Zenrus. They seem to know each other from back when she traveled with the other Shepherd.

What happened to him, I wonder?

Hey… That Shepherd in the Earthen Historia scenes looks a lot like a long-haired Sorey. And Gramps adopted Sorey and Mikleo?

What if that Shepherd is Sorey’s father? (And Mikleo’s? And what if Lailah is… maybe I shouldn’t follow this train of thought any further.)

Mikleo wants to ask them about it, but Sorey says they’ll reveal it if it’s important. (Yeah, Lailah has never kept a secret from you or anything.)

Meanwhile, our lead from the forest told us to go back to the aqueduct to find Alisha, so we head there just in time for a confrontation.

She presents her case, but they’re very upset with her. Apparently this suspicious guy was trying to negotiate peace with Rolance.

No one told Alisha because… they hate her. And because her lack of information make her come to the wrong conclusion… they’ll hate her more.

Yeah, Alisha really gets dealt a lousy hand.

They leave, and leave behind an iris gem for some reason.

It shows how close Lailah and the previous Shepherd were. This distresses her.

We have one more sidequest to do, because I missed Rose’s clue when we were in Pendrago. I return to Pendrago and sleep at the inn to learn about “the howling season.”

…That’ll do it.

It’s a tough boss battle, but we finally purify the… uh… talking cat seraph, Morgrim. She has a different perspective on human & seraph relations than most seraphim do.

Yet she agrees to bless the city, using the sacred inscription as her vessel, so that’s fantastic!

On my way out, I can’t help but notice these people. Two priests and two distinctive NPCs, one in white and one in black.

Who are they? What is the prince doing that worries them?

After all these sidequests, I can actually check up on two in Ladylake, so I head there to find the pickpocketing children (yes, they’ve already been let go) and Alisha.

The children are now being taken care of by adults who gave them actual honest jobs, as well. Aw, now that they see they can survive without stealing, surely they’ll–

…Okay, Dezel’s right. These kids are jerks.

Oh well, we did what we could. Let’s go find Alisha, then, and… Wait a minute!

These four again?! How are they in both Ladylake and Pendrago? I shall definitely keep my eye out for them from now on…

We reach Alisha’s house, but as we draw near, she’s talking her maid what happened after her false accusation against the liaison. They forgave her, but she had to apologize and beg. We also get a little more insight into her political situation.

Alisha’s father belonged to an offshoot of the royal family, but her mother was a commoner. This is why the other nobles don’t respect her, and why she tries so hard to prove herself.

She’s distraught over what happened, so we decide to leave her alone for now.

Well, that’s that! You know, Dezel’s really growing on me. I didn’t like him when he joined the party, but between his love for dogs and bunnies and his over-excitement over finding rare bugs (I didn’t share that skit), he can be oddly adorable despite his hostile exterior.

Next time I played Tales of Zestiria, we’ll head for the ruins and the second trial!

When I first started this LP, I tried to keep each part short. Lately, I’ve made the parts longer, such as this one. Do you prefer screenshot Let’s Play segments that are long or short, and why?

Like what you see enough to play Tales of Zestiria yourself?

Buy Tales of Zestiria from Amazon

Buy Tales of Zestiria from Play-Asia

Buy Tales of Zestiria from Steam

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Holiday 2015 Video Game Shopping Guide

Need help with gift ideas for the gamers in your life? Shopping for Christmas or winter birthdays? Maybe you’re just looking for game recommendations for yourself.

No matter why you’re here, I’ve prepared a video game shopping guide for this year’s holiday season!

Adventure/Visual NovelNintendo 3DSIf you know a 3DS owner who wants to get into the Ace Attorney series and doesn't mind digital-only games, the Phoenix Wright Trilogy is the best way to go.



This collects all three original games into a single package and is the perfect starting point.Available from the eShop


Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

Adventure/Visual NovelNintendo DSThe fourth Ace Attorney game isn't available on the 3DS yet, but you can still find the DS copy.



This is the best gift for someone who has already played the trilogy.Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia


Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies

Action RPGPlayStation 3While the original Tales of Symphonia for the GameCube is difficult to find these days, it was re-released (along with its sequel) for the PS3 as Tales of Symphonia Chronicles.



This game is amazing. Great story, fantastic characters... I recommend it to all RPG fans.Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia


Tales of Xillia

Action RPGPlayStation 3If you've already played Tales of Symphonia, or you'd prefer a more modern game, Tales of Xillia is an entertaining game with a great sense of humor and one of my favorite RPG characters.Buy from


Professor Layton and the Curious Village

PuzzleNintendo DSFor fans of puzzle games, the Professor Layton series is a must. Challenging puzzles, wacky stories, charming characters... and it all started here, with Curious Village.



Compared to later entries, Professor Layton and the Curious Village isn't as polished. However, Professor Layton is a series best experienced in order.Buy from Amazon


Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

PuzzleNintendo DSThe second Professor Layton game is an enjoyable game, though I consider its story the weakest.



If you don't mind the plot holes in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright, you won't mind them in Diabolical Box.Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia


Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

PuzzleNintendo DSProfessor Layton and the Unwound Future is where the series really hits its stride. Considered by many people (including me) to be the best Layton game, it's an epic, emotional story with plenty of puzzles.Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia


Professor Layton and the Last Specter

PuzzleNintendo DSLast Specter begins the Professor Layton prequel trilogy, set before the original games.



Since it is first chronologically, Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a viable place to start the series.



It also includes a side RPG called "Layton's London Life" in all but the European versions.Buy from Amazon


Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask

PuzzleNintendo 3DSThe Layton saga concludes in epic form with Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy.



This puzzle-solving adventure sends you on a quest around the world to finally solve the mystery of the lost Azran civilization. It also is the final game to star Professor Hershel Layton.Amazon


Layton Brothers: Mystery Room

Visual Novel/Dating SimPC/PlayStation 4/VitaRecommendations of Hatoful Boyfriend require a disclaimer: this is not a joke!



Despite its ridiculous premise of a human student at an all-bird school finding romance, it is surprisingly interesting and deep. If you like visual novels, play Hatoful Boyfriend. It's not what you're expecting.Buy from Steam or PSN


Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star





The 1.5 Remix includes the Final Mix of the first Kingdom Hearts, Re: Chain of Memories, and the cutscenes from 358/2 Days.Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia


Alien Isolation

Survival HorrorPC/PlayStation 4/Xbox One/PlayStation 3/Xbox 360Survival horror has diminished in the mainstream market, but Alien: Isolation held true to the genre's core mechanics.



It's also very true to the atmosphere of the first Alien movie.



If you're a fan of Alien or survival horror, check out Isolation.Buy from Amazon or Play-Asia

Shopping for non-gamers?

I have a Christmas romance about Santa’s elves, available in a short anthology of holiday romances, Love Under the Mistletoe. If you’d prefer a comedy, don’t forget about The Accidental Zombie.

For more stories from yours truly, check out my fiction page.

Or, if you prefer a fairy tale adventure to my weirdness, check out a novel by one of my fellow authors at Kellan Publishing, The Curious Case of Prince Charming.

And to all fantasy fans, I recommend Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study and Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher series, starting with The Last Wish. (You can find my reviews for them here and here, respectively.)

Finally, if you played Hatoful Boyfriend and love Anghel’s route, do yourself a favor and read Absolute Zero. It’s a manga set entirely in the universe Anghel perceives. You know you want to see Dark Sorcerer Wallenstein again!

I hope this has helped you with your last-minute Christmas video game shopping! What video games do you recommend as gifts this holiday season?

Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share it with your social networks!

The post Holiday 2015 Video Game Shopping Guide appeared first on Samantha Lienhard.

Tales of Berseria, Holiday Star, and the GameFaqs’ Finals

Today’s blog post is a day early, partly because everything is happening today. So let’s take it one event at a time…

Happy 20th Anniversary, Tales series!

20 years ago today, Tales of Phantasia started a legacy that would eventually lead to me enjoying Gaius Tales of Xillia, falling in love with Tales of Symphonia, doing a screenshot LP of Tales of Zestiria, and watching my backlog grow under the strain of 20 years worth of games I ignored.

The next game in the series is Tales of Berseria. Here’s the latest trailer.

That looks pretty awesome. I no longer think Velvet is a vampire, but she definitely seems darker than the past few Tales protagonists I’ve seen.

Now if we could just have official localization news…

It’s Time for Holiday Star!

When I first saw Hatoful Boyfriend, I thought it looked ridiculous. So over-the-top ridiculous, I bought it as a joke, so I could say I played the “pigeon dating sim.” What I got, however, was far from a joke. Hatoful Boyfriend shocked me with how good it actually was.

And when I finished it, I couldn’t wait to read Anghel’s manga and search for information on whether or not the game’s sequel, Holiday Star, would come to Steam.

Well, it’s time. It’s here. Holiday Star is now available, and I am excited!

GameFaqs’ Final Round

Today’s also the day when everyone will cast their vote over whether Undertale or Ocarina of Time is the best game ever.

I’m not sure either’s really the best game ever (though I voted for Undertale, because it blew my mind again when I finally finished the pacifist route). In fact, I want to look at the tournament again.

What would have happened if all of my picks won? What would my “best game ever” (of the 128 games GameFaqs originally picked) tournament look like?

GameFaqs’ Best. Game. Ever. – My Whole Tournament Picks

(For the sake of efficiency, if I have to abstain, that vote will be determined through a coin toss.)

Round 2Round 3Division FinalsQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinals

As you know, my picks during Round 1 were very different than what actually won.

So instead of the actual Round 2 match-ups, we would have gone into Round 2 with something more like this:

Division I

Chrono Trigger vs. Persona 3 – My RPG bias is already apparent. In this case, since I haven’t played Persona 3, I’d vote for Chrono Trigger.

Batman: Arkham City vs. Final Fantasy X – Yes, I enjoyed Arkham City… but not as much as I enjoy RPGs. Even though it’s not my favorite game in the series, I’d vote for Final Fantasy X.

Portal vs. The World Ends With You – Ah, a battle of favorites! Two beloved games, the fantastic puzzle game Portal and the incredible RPG The World Ends With You. Although I love them both, one edges out the other by a little bit. TWEWY moves on to Round 3.

Kingdom Hearts II vs. Halo 3 – Even though I haven’t played Kingdom Hearts II yet, I’m really excited for the series right now, so I’ll vote for Kingdom Hearts II. Especially since I knocked the first game out of the running already.

Division II

Final Fantasy VI vs. Tales of Symphonia – I am sorry, Final Fantasy VI. I consider you one of the greatest RPGs ever. And yet… I still like Tales of Symphonia more.

Knights of the Old Republic vs. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Hey, this one was actually in the tournament! I vote for Knights of the Old Republic, for the reasons I gave during the real Round 2.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U vs. Mass Effect – Likewise, my vote here goes to Mass Effect.

Halo: Combat Evolved vs. Final Fantasy VII – And this one still goes to Final Fantasy VII.

Division III

Super Mario Bros. 3 vs. Pokémon Red/Blue – Wow, a whole string where my Round 2 actually lines up with reality! I’d pick Pokémon Red/Blue again.

Portal 2 vs. The Walking Dead – While I loved the dark, emotional nature of The Walking Dead, it doesn’t approach the awesome humor of Portal 2.

Life Is Strange vs. Undertale – I haven’t played Life is Strange, but I highly doubt it’s as fantastic as Undertale.

Final Fantasy VIII vs. Super Mario World – As in the actual round, I would pick Final Fantasy VIII.

Division IV

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney vs. Diablo II – No contest. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Metroid Prime vs. Demon’s Souls – Tricky. This calls for a coin toss. Metroid Prime takes it.

Super Mario 64 vs. Resident Evil 2 – Ohh, this is also tricky. I love both of these games. Coin toss says… Super Mario 64.

Skies of Arcadia vs. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors – Two games I haven’t played but want to? …Coin toss time! 999 moves to the next round.

Division V

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. Suikoden II – Just like I abstained in the actual round, it’s time to flip the coin yet again. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Warcraft III vs. Final Fantasy IX – I love Final Fantasy IX.

Xenoblade Chronicles vs. Super Mario Maker – Sorry, Mario, but it’s time for Xenoblade to shine!

Banjo-Kazooie vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials & Tribulations – …Why did I do this to myself? Why?! These are two of my favorite games. And if I have to pick between the two of them……… *deep breath* Trials & Tribulations.

Division VI

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past vs. Final Fantasy IV – As in the real round, I will pick Final Fantasy IV and intend to play it.

Perfect Dark vs. Dark Souls – Huh. Uh… coin flip! Perfect Dark moves on.

Super Metroid vs. Dragon Age: Origins – Okay, so I haven’t played Super Metroid to properly judge it, but I really love Dragon Age: Origins.

Bloodborne vs. Valkyria Chronicles – Both of these games got in via coin flip, and that’s how the next one will advance. Here we go… Valkyria Chronicles!

Division VII

Shenmue vs. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars – Wow. I… I guess I’ll continue to pick Super Mario RPG, and (like FFIV), renew my vow to play it soon.

Shovel Knight vs. Chrono Cross – Hmm… ah… Chrono Cross. I will play it someday.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt vs. Resident Evil – Yikes… I still haven’t played Wild Hunt, but I love the Witcher universe. Yet Resident Evil is a classic. And if we’re taking the REmake into account… Resident Evil.

BioShock: Infinite vs. Paper Mario – Ahaha, no contest at all. I don’t care how good BioShock is, I will always pick Paper Mario over it.

Division VIII

Metal Gear Solid vs. EarthBound – Hmm… I did appreciate EarthBound’s quirkiness, even though I see flaws with it, so I think I’ll go for EarthBound.

Shadow of the Colossus vs. Bayonetta 2 – No contest. Bayonetta 2, hands down.

Mother 3 vs. Silent Hill 2 – I haven’t played Mother 3, so it’s a little unfair to judge this one. Until the day I play it, however, I say Silent Hill 2 is better.

StarCraft vs. Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward – I like StarCraft’s story, but not its gameplay. I haven’t played Virtue’s Last Reward, but will probably like its gameplay… Coin flip! (I’m literally flipping a coin, you know.) StarCraft gets to continue on.

Hey, some of my choices line up with what happened! But many do not, so let’s head into Round 3…

Are you ready to wildly deviate from what GameFaqs’ tournament actually looked like? Here we go!

Division I

Chrono Trigger vs. Final Fantasy X – Hey, this one was in the real Round 3! And now, like there, I pick Chrono Trigger.

The World Ends With You vs. Kingdom Hearts II – Maybe I’ll regret this once I actually play Kingdom Hearts II, but I’m sticking with The World Ends With You.

Division II

Tales of Symphonia vs. Knights of the Old Republic – Try to comprehend my love for Tales of Symphonia.

Mass Effect vs. Final Fantasy VII – Yes, some people say it’s overrated. But I say it’s a fantastic game in its own right. Final Fantasy VII moves on.

Division III

Pokémon Red/Blue vs. Portal 2 – You know, I’m not in love with the first generation of Pokémon. However, I am in love with Portal 2.

Undertale vs. Final Fantasy VIII – Man… if it was one of the other old Final Fantasies, it would be tough, but VIII? At least Undertale’s ending made sense, and I think about its characters a lot more. Looks like Undertale is moving on!

Division IV

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney vs. Metroid Prime – Do you have to ask? Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Super Mario 64 vs. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors – Hmm… I really like Mario, but people say I’ll love 999. Where’s my coin? Coin says 999 advances!

Division V

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. Final Fantasy IX – Sorry, Ocarina. As I decided in the actual round, you’re a great game, but you’re no Final Fantasy IX.

Xenoblade Chronicles vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials & Tribulations – Oh man. I love both these games. I love their stories. But… Trials & Tribulations once again comes out on top.

Division VI

Final Fantasy IV vs. Perfect Dark – It’s kinda funny that two games I haven’t played ended up against one another. For the sake of RPGs, I’ll pick Final Fantasy IV.

Still the best golem ever.

Dragon Age: Origins vs. Valkyria Chronicles – Maybe Valkyria Chronicles is fantastic, but I’m sticking with Dragon Age: Origins. Feel free to argue with me in the comments.
Division VII

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars vs. Chrono Cross – Coin toss! Just like in reality, Super Mario RPG will live to fight another battle.

Resident Evil vs. Paper Mario – Ugh. I love these games. I love both of them. They’re both fantastic. *closes eyes* Paper Mario.

Division VIII

EarthBound vs. Bayonetta 2 – EarthBound was fun, but it wasn’t amazing. Guess which game I considered amazing? That’s right, Bayonetta 2!

Silent Hill 2 vs. StarCraft – For both gameplay and story, I pick Silent Hill 2.

All right, let’s take a look at the Division Finals!

Has my bias toward RPGs become blatantly obvious yet?

Division I

Chrono Trigger vs. The World Ends With You – *braces for the raging storm* While the majority will disagree, I enjoyed The World Ends With You more.

Division II

Tales of Symphonia vs. Final Fantasy VII – Wow, I’m really making friends today. I cosplayed Martel. What do you expect me to pick but Tales of Symphonia?

Division III

Portal 2 vs. Undertale – This is… really hard. Harder than I expected. But I think… I still… have to give this to Undertale.

Division IV

Phoenix Wright vs. 999 – Maybe I’ll love 999 when I play it, but until then, I pick Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney!

Division V

Final Fantasy IX vs. Trials & Tribulations – Forget my RPG bias, what about my Ace Attorney bias? With childhood nostalgia set aside, I really do prefer Trials & Tribulations.

Division VI

Final Fantasy IV vs. Dragon Age: Origins – This is hard. How do I compare an RPG everyone says is great, but which I haven’t played, to an RPG I know is great? With a coin toss, that’s how! Dragon Age: Origins wins (but I’ll still play FFIV soon).

Division VII

Super Mario RPG vs. Paper Mario – And this is why I need to play Super Mario RPG soon, so I can properly judge them. But until then, I say Paper Mario!

Division VIII

Bayonetta 2 vs. Silent Hill 2 – Even up against my favorite survival horror series… the sheer fun I had with Bayonetta 2 shines through. Yes, that’s right. I pick Bayonetta 2 over Silent Hill 2.

Things are heating up!

It’s time for the quarterfinals, a much more exciting quarterfinals than the real one we saw the other day. Now my loyalty to certain games will really be tested!

The World Ends With You vs. Tales of Symphonia – Zetta sad though it may be, this is where TWEWY must fall away. Even over it, I pick Tales of Symphonia.

Undertale vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – This is a strange match for many reasons. Both games are funny. Both games have sad moments. Both are deeper and more brilliant than they appear on the surface. Undertale even references Ace Attorney. I am conflicted, torn, and confused… but I think I must pick Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Trials & Tribulations vs. Dragon Age: Origins – Likewise, I may love Dragon Age, but Trials & Tribulations is moving on!

Paper Mario vs. Bayonetta 2 – It’s another difficult, painful choice. But you know what? I’m going to do it. I’m going to pick Bayonetta 2.

Wow… these semifinals will be unusual, to say the least.

We’ve come this far with a ton of angels and lawyers, which is a little weird when you think about it.

Tales of Symphonia vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Phoenix, Edgeworth, I’m sorry. As much as it hurts, I have to pick Tales of Symphonia.

Trials & Tribulations vs. Bayonetta 2 – This is hard. They are such very different games, and both such excellent games. When I really think about it, I have to say Trials & Tribulations.

One last pick… here we go!

And this is why the real final round looks nothing like my final round. If all of my picks advanced in every match, we would end up with:

Tales of Symphonia vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations

And the final winner…

The game I would call “best game ever”…

The game I’ve already described as “perfect”…

Tales of Symphonia

Man, I loved that game.

What do you think of my picks?

Now, there’s still one more thing happening today. The final Smash Bros. presentation is also tonight, where we should hear more about Cloud and hopefully learn which character won the ballot!

Today is an exciting day! What do you think of the Berseria trailer? Will you play Holiday Star? What are your final thoughts on the GameFaqs’ tournament (and my pseudo-tournament)? Let me know in the comments!

Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share it with your social networks!

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Top 5 Upcoming Turn-Based RPGs

The recent news about the Final Fantasy VII remake has fueled arguments about turn-based combat. If even Final Fantasy leaves the style behind, some fans might worry there are no upcoming turn-based RPGs to look forward to.

Never fear! No matter what people claim, turn-based RPGs are not dead. And no matter what Final Fantasy does, we’ve still got plenty on the horizon.

So let’s take a look at what the future has in store.

Top 5 Upcoming Turn-Based RPGs
5. Bravely Second: End Layer

Coming from none other than Square Enix, the Bravely Default sequel is already out in Japan and will be released in the West sometime next year. I haven’t played Bravely Default yet, but I intend to before Bravely Second Comes out. I loved the demo’s turn based combat system, and many people consider it the closest thing we’ve gotten to a traditional-style Final Fantasy.

Opinions about the story are mixed, but I’ll judge that when I get there. For now, Bravely Second looks to be a great game for turn-based RPG fans to keep in mind.

4. Genei Ibun Roku #FE

You might be more familiar with this one by the name “SMT x Fire Emblem,” but doesn’t “Genei Ibun Roku #FE” just roll off the tongue?

I joke, but this went from being a game I couldn’t care less about to one of my most-anticipated RPGs after this past E3’s Nintendo Treehouse segment.

I’m not of a big fan of either Fire Emblem or Shin Megami Tensei, but what started as a crossover has transformed into a strange, unique thing. People generally seem confused about what Genei Ibun Roku #FE is, so I’ll tell you what it is: a cool-looking turn-based RPG you should have your eye on.

Skip to 18:25 to get an idea of what dungeons and battles will be like.

The next time someone demands to know what Genei Ibun Roku #FE gameplay is, or claims it’s not an RPG, show them that footage. I love what I saw.

I also hope its English title is revealed soon.

3. Cosmic Star Heroine

Cosmic Star Heroine has been delayed to 2016 since I named it one of my most-anticipated games of 2015, but this sci-fi RPG still looks fantastic from the regular updates Zeboyd Games gives. And unlike many indie RPGs, you’ll even be able to buy a limited run physical copy.

It was inspired by games like Chrono Trigger, Phantasy Star, and Suikoden, and Game Informer named it one of their favorite indie RPGs shown at PlayStation Experience. If that’s not enough to convince you, maybe this gameplay footage will.

Now let’s move on to a game I’m really hopeful for…

2. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

It was difficult for me to decide which turn-based RPG should take the #2 slot: Mario & Luigi or Persona 5. Since I’ve never played a Persona game, and I’ve already got the Persona vibe covered a bit with Genei Ibun Roku #FE, I decided to discuss the latest Mario & Luigi (and sort of Paper Mario) game. Keep in mind, though, that Persona 5 is also a huge upcoming turn-based RPG.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam isn’t as major, but it is for me. While initially presented as a crossover between the two Mario RPG series, it now seems like it’s more a Mario & Luigi game with Paper Mario elements. And that’s fine by me. I love all of the Mario & Luigi games, even the oft-criticized Dream Team.

And while I felt significant worry over the Paper Jam footage, I’ve been assured since its European release that it is nothing like that taint on Paper Mario’s legacy.

From everything I’ve heard, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is a fun game with the series’ traditional action command turn-based combat (for example, it’s turn-based, but you can dodge attacks during the enemy’s turn) and excellent, humorous writing. I’ve even heard reference to plot twists!

And that’s great.

So, what made it to the #1 spot on my list of upcoming turn-based RPGs?

1. Dragon Quest

Err, “which Dragon Quest?” you might be asking.

Take your pick.

The most recent Nintendo Direct revealed the impending localizations of the Dragon Quest VII and Dragon Quest VIII 3DS remakes, considered by fans to be significantly improved over the originals.

Exactly when they will become available hasn’t been announced, but they’re two more turn-based RPGs to put on your list.

And then there’s Dragon Quest XI, which isn’t even out in Japan yet. Not only is it the newest entry in the Dragon Quest series and a traditional turn-based game like its predecessors, but it also does something really cool in at least the 3DS version of the game (and it’s what first caught my eye).

Yes, Dragon Quest XI is both a 3D RPG and a traditional 2D RPG. One report says you won’t have the dual styles for the whole game, but you’ll be able to switch between them at any time. That still sounds really cool, and I suspect the bottom screen will be used for other features after the game’s opening.

You know what this means? I’m getting into the Dragon Quest series.

For real, this time.

Bravely Second, Cosmic Star Heroine, Genei Ibun Roku #FE, Paper Jam, and Dragon Quest VII/VIII/XI: my top five (okay, seven) upcoming turn-based RPGs.

Add in the honorable mention I gave to Persona 5, along with anticipated games that didn’t make the list (such as Soul Saga, World of Final Fantasy, and Project Setsuna), and we’ve got plenty of turn-based combat in our future.

Which upcoming turn-based RPGs are you looking forward to the most?

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GameFaqs’ Best Game Ever Quarterfinals & Semifinals – My Picks

Here we are, in the quarterfinals of GameFaqs’ “Best. Game. Ever.” contest. Video games are subjective, as proven by my picks dropping like flies. Now that we’re into the quarterfinals (and since they’ll end during the weekend, I’ll update this with my semifinal picks as well), here are the games I’ll vote for.

Quarterfinals

Super Smash Bros. Melee vs. Final Fantasy VII – I’m shocked Chrono Trigger didn’t make it past Smash. My interest in Smash Bros. has not increased at all since the last round, so I’ve cast my vote for Final Fantasy VII.

It looks like a losing battle right now, which might be because Final Fantasy VII fans are still recovering from the latest remake news. But if Final Fantasy loses this round, I’ll be the unhappiest I’ve been since Tales of Symphonia and two Ace Attorney games were destroyed in Round 1.

Undertale vs. Super Mario 64 – …I can’t do it. Undertale is amazing, but can I pick it over one of my childhood favorites? Super Mario 64 holds beloved memories, but is some of that nostalgia? Yes, even in the quarterfinals, I abstain.

But whichever wins, it better be popular enough to crush Smash Bros. if it gets past Final Fantasy VII…

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Ah, the battle of the Zelda games continues, and this time it’s an easy pick! I will vote for the game I played and enjoyed, Ocarina of Time. (Even though I didn’t play it until the 3D remake.)

Super Mario RPG vs. Metal Gear Solid 3 – I haven’t played either, but since it’s an RPG I intend to play against a stealth game I probably won’t play, my vote goes to Super Mario RPG.

If nothing else, it deserves my thanks for stopping Resident Evil 4!

Come back in two days to discuss the semifinals. Who will you vote for this time?

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What’s Up With the Final Fantasy VII Remake?

Between the Game Awards, PlayStation Experience, and the past few days in general, there has been a lot of exciting video game news lately. Psychonauts 2, a game I considered so unlikely to exist I didn’t even list it as a pipe dream, will become a reality if it gets enough funding on Fig. Holiday Star and Aviary Attorney both received release dates (December 15 and December 18 respectively). Ni No Kuni 2 was announced (I still need to play the first one). Live streams were announced for the Tales anniversary and the Dragon Quest anniversary.

And Square Enix released new details about the Final Fantasy VII remake.

First, they showed a new trailer during PlayStation Experience.

Before I get into my criticisms, let’s focus on the positives.

In theory, I love the concept of this remake. It’s so cool to see Wedge, Biggs, and Jessie with modern graphics. Seeing the opening with Avalanche made it really hit me that they’re going to remake the entire epic Final Fantasy VII story.

But of course, most people were concerned with the combat system.

When I watched that trailer, I honestly couldn’t tell if it was action or turn-based combat. On the surface, it looks like an action RPG, but what’s up with the menu? If it’s a Kingdom Hearts-style command menu, why is “defend” an option? What sort of action RPG makes you pick “defend” from a menu?

Since then, the producer has said it is not completely action based, but has more action than the original. Later statements placed it somewhere lower than Kingdom Hearts on the action scale and hints that it will be some sort of hybrid to appeal to fans of both systems.

If Square Enix can pull that off, that’s amazing. Personally, I’d be happy with the option to switch, too! Then everyone could be happy! Let us have our turn-based combat if we want it!

This has caused so many fights, I don’t even want to discuss the game with the fanbase. People on both sides are being ridiculous. Fans of turn-based combat accuse the other side of being mindless Call of Duty fans who hate thinking and aren’t true Final Fantasy fans. Fans of action combat, meanwhile, accuse them of being blind Luddites who can’t let go of an outdated system and probably wouldn’t buy the game anyway.

Stop.

Turn-based combat isn’t outdated. Action combat isn’t stupid. Both are viable RPG genres, and there’s no reason to insult fans of one just because you prefer the other.

Tales is not Final Fantasy, and Final Fantasy is not Tales.

Personally, I wanted the Final Fantasy VII remake to be turn-based. I have nothing against ARPGs (if I did, why would I shower Tales of Symphonia with so much praise?), but I particularly love turn-based.

It depresses me when people refer to the genre as something old and outdated we need to move beyond. I wanted Final Fantasy VII to be a huge, epic turn-based RPG to prove it’s still viable in today’s market.

Plus, it’s Final Fantasy VII! Would you remake Uncharted as a first-person shooter? Advance Wars as real-time strategy? Tales of Symphonia as a turn-based RPG? No! A remake shouldn’t involve a genre shift, one of the reasons I point to REmake as the ideal remake model.

So the news that the Final Fantasy VII remake would probably have action combat disappointed me. But I could live with it. If it was a good ARPG, I’d give it a chance.

Then Square Enix announced the game will be released in multiple parts, each of which will be a complete, unique experience, because it is too big to release as a single game without cutting content.

What?

According to How Long to Beat, Final Fantasy VII takes approximately 40 hours for the main story and 91 hours for completion. These are just averages, so let’s jump up and say it’s a 100-hour game.

There are games with hundreds of hours worth of content and modern graphics. What makes Final Fantasy VII so huge it won’t work as a single release? If it is massive, why not release it on multiple disks? How will a multi-part or episodic Final Fantasy VII even work?

It might not be a bad thing. If the Final Fantasy VII Remake includes remakes of Crisis Core and Dirge of Cerberus, for example, I’d be on board with that. But if it splits the story into pieces (some people have suggested expanding Midgar into a full game), I think this is a devastating move.

Above all, Square Enix needs to come out and clarify exactly what they’re doing here. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts, now that you’ve heard mine. How do you feel about the Final Fantasy VII Remake?

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GameFaqs’ Best Game Ever Division Finals – My Picks

That’s right, GameFaqs’ “Best. Game. Ever.” contest/poll has reached the division finals. Which games will advance? Probably not half the ones I’ll vote for! We lost some of my all-time favorites in Round 1, and more of my choices fell away in Round 2 and Round 3, but let’s take a look at the games that remain.

Division I

Chrono Trigger vs. Super Smash Bros. Melee – The current vote percentages suggest this will be a tight race. I know Smash is a very popular series, but it just isn’t for me. Especially when it’s up against a fantastic RPG. I’m pulling for Chrono Trigger to make it.

Division II

Final Fantasy VI vs. Final Fantasy VII – A battle of two RPG colossi, here! I love both of these games, and this was a hard choice. Shh… in the end, I picked Final Fantasy VI, though I have little doubt Final Fantasy VII will win.

Oh, and don’t worry. We will talk about the Final Fantasy VII remake controversy soon, from the combat system to its multi-part release…

Division III

Pokémon Red/Blue vs. Undertale – The fact that I’m listening to Spear of Justice as I write this should be a sign. Pokémon is great, but sadly it isn’t Gold/Silver or Black/White that advanced this far to make me conflicted. Once again, I’ll vote for the funniest game I’ve playing this year, Undertale.

Division IV

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim vs. Super Mario 64 – I have no great love for the Elder Scrolls series, as has become apparent during this contest. Go, go, Mario!

Division V

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – This is a difficult choice because I suspect I would enjoy Symphony of the Night if I played it. And while I liked Ocarina, it isn’t my favorite Zelda game. I’ll probably vote for Ocarina of Time, but feel free to convince me otherwise.

Division VI

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past vs. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Like the Final Fantasy face-off above, we’ve now got two legendary Zelda games against one another! For this round… I will abstain, since I’ve yet to properly play either game.

Division VII

Super Mario RPG vs. Resident Evil 4 – Go, go Mario! Sure, I haven’t played Super Mario RPGs yet, but 1) I love RPGs, and 2) I do not want the game that began Resident Evil’s departure from survival horror to make it into the finals! Let’s rally for Super Mario RPG!

Division VIII

Metal Gear Solid vs. Metal Gear Solid 3 – Well… I enjoyed the story of Metal Gear Solid, but I know nothing about MGS 3. It looks like I’ll have to abstain once again.

Which games are you voting for in the division finals? Let me know in the comments below!

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Nostalgia: Two Worlds | One Soul Demo Screenshots

Back in August, we discussed Nostalgia: Two Worlds | One Soul, an upcoming cyberpunk game inspired by Ace Attorney and Zero Escape. Magna Studios contacted me with new information about the game… and new screenshots!

First, these new screenshots are all from the Nostalgia: Two Worlds | One Soul demo. The demo will feature 5 different endings and is planned for somewhere around January 15-20.

That will be a great chance to try Nostalgia and see how it plays, so I’m looking forward to it.

In addition to showing the main character, Alice, Magna Studios has also shown her little sister for the first time. She will play an important role in the story.

Another key part of Nostalgia will be language. According to the developer, knowing multiple languages might actually make certain puzzles easier for you. I’ll be curious to see how this works.

Here’s one potential puzzle.

The remaining screenshots hint at more puzzle details and even some story elements. Have a look.

MenuKnife_ScreenDescriptionPuzzle1Puzzle2SilhuotteVault

Nostalgia: Two Worlds | One Soul will be released for the Wii U and PC. Its demo should be available mid-January. What are your thoughts so far?

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Tales Countdown to December 15

Kor, from Tales of Hearts

On December 15… something will happen.

Something.

The official website for the Tales series, Tales Channel+, is running a countdown to December 15.

Thanks to Gematsu, I know the site is counting down “until something happens.”

December 15th marks the 20th anniversary of the Tales series, as Tales of Phantasia first launched in Japan on December 15, 1995. This countdown is probably for the last of the “massive surprises” promised for the anniversary.

What could it be?

The most likely guess is that this relates to the mysterious Tales of the Best (which I theorized about) or the upcoming Tales of Berseria, but could it be something more? Like a Phantasia remake, for example?

From countdown images found by Games Talk, it appears to be counting down the main protagonists in reverse order:

16 days left – Sorey from Tales of Zestiria (which I’m currently playing)
15 days left – Ludger from Tales of Xillia 2
14 days left – Jude and Milla from Tales of Xillia (which I highly recommend)
13 days left – Asbel from Tales of Graces
12 days left (today) – Kor from Tales of Hearts
11 days left – Yuri from Tales of Vesperia
10 days left – Emil from Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
9 days left – Luca from Tales of Innocence
8 days left – Caius from Tales of the Tempest

Those are all the images we currently know, but if the pattern holds, we can infer the rest:

7 days left – Luke from Tales of the Abyss
6 days left – Senel from Tales of Legendia
5 days left – Veigue from Tales of Rebirth
4 days left – Lloyd from Tales of Symphonia (which I absolutely loved)
3 days left – Kyle from Tales of Destiny 2
2 days left – Reid from Tales of Eternia
1 day left – Stahn from Tales of Destiny

Counting down the main characters takes us to Cress and Tales of Phantasia right as the countdown ends.

This… supports all the theories, really:

It could count down to Phantasia because it’s Phantasia’s anniversary, and mean nothing more.
It could count down to Phantasia because Phantasia is getting a remake or other special treatment.
It could count down through the protagonists because they’ll all be featured in a crossover like Tales of the Best.
It could count down through the protagonists because we’ll learn more about the protagonist not featured, Velvet from Tales of Berseria.
I could have the countdown entirely wrong.

Also, what the heck is “Tales of Dotmaker”? No one seems to think the countdown is for that, but what IS it?

Personally, I hope this is leading up to localization news (Innocence R!) or a remake of an older game. What do you think will happen on December 15?

And if you know what “Tales of Dotmaker” means, please tell me.

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GameFaqs’ Best Game Ever Round 3 – My Picks

That’s right, it’s time for round 3 already of GameFaqs’ “Best. Game. Ever.” poll tournament. From the original 128 games on the list, several of my favorites lost in Round 1 (alas, poor Ace Attorney), and more fell away in Round 2.

But a lot of great games are still in the running, so here are my personal picks for Round 3!

Note: at the time I wrote this, the first match was already completed.

Division I

Chrono Trigger vs. Final Fantasy X – As an RPG fan, I’m delighted to see how many RPGs have made it this far. This was an easy choice for me, as I simply consider Chrono Trigger the better game.

Super Smash Bros. Melee vs. Kingdom Hearts II – I tentatively cast my vote for Kingdom Hearts II, as I loved Kingdom Hearts and have a good appreciation for Chain of Memories so far, but I wasn’t too surprised to see it lose to Smash.

Division II

Final Fantasy VI vs. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Oof. Another painful match-up. I love both of these games. But while Wind Waker will always be special to me, it doesn’t have the same magic as Final Fantasy VI.

*still hoping they don’t mess up the remake*

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U vs. Final Fantasy VII – After my past votes this round, it should be no surprise that my vote here goes to Final Fantasy VII.
Division III

Pokémon Red/Blue vs. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – I’m not really a Sonic fan, so I have no regrets in saying I’ll vote for Pokémon Red/Blue in this match.

Undertale vs. Super Mario World – To be honest, I’m amazed Undertale made it this far. Sure I love it, but it’s not exactly mainstream. And up against a classic like Super Mario World… I’ll still cast a vote for Undertale, but I won’t be surprised if this is where it falls away.

(And I swear I’ll have a review ready soon.)

Division IV

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim vs. Metroid Prime – Skyrim has never interested in me, and I intend to play Metroid Prime in the future. So in a rare case where I’m voting against an RPG, I hope Metroid Prime wins.

Super Mario 64 vs. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – This is a tricky one. My memories of Super Mario 64 are better, but possibly tainted by nostalgia. My memories of Twilight Princess are more recent, but not as good. For its role in video game history, Super Mario 64 has my vote.

Division V

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vs. Final Fantasy IX – Is this the round where I vote against Zelda games? Although I enjoyed my time with Ocarina of Time, it doesn’t compare to my enjoyment of that great JRPG, Final Fantasy IX.

Donkey Kong Country 2 vs. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Despite my sorrow that SotN knocked Banjo-Kazooie out of the running, I prefer its gameplay style to that of DK Country 2. My vote goes to Symphony of the Night.

Division VI

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – I’ve never been able to complete A Link to the Past, and I’ve never played Dark Souls. I have an appreciation of both games, but… yes, it looks like I will have to abstain.

Soon…

Super Metroid vs. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Two in a row? I’ve heard good things about both of these games, but I’ve yet to play either. It looks like I’ll abstain from voting here as well…
Division VII

Super Mario RPG vs. Chrono Cross – Tricky, tricky… two RPGs I haven’t played… I predict Super Mario RPG will win this round, but I myself will withhold my vote again.

Metal Gear Solid 2 vs. Resident Evil 4 – I’m still voting against Resident Evil 4. I vote for Metal Gear Solid 2!

Division VIII

Metal Gear Solid vs. Shadow of the Colossus – It saddens me that EarthBound didn’t make it this far, because I would have voted for it over Shadow of the Colossus. In this match, I think I’ll vote for Metal Gear Solid for its story’s sake, though I have yet to play Shadow of the Colossus.

Metal Gear Solid 3 vs. Mass Effect 2 – Wow, there’s a lot of MGS on this list. Since I played and enjoyed Mass Effect 2, it’s my pick for this one… but I won’t be heartbroken if it loses, either.

What a strange Round 3 this turned out to be. At the start, I thought I wouldn’t have to go undecided for any this time, until I reached those last few.

The standings are curious, with some favorites I’d love to see win alongside games I have no interest in. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing Final Fantasy VI go all the way to the end!

Which games will you vote for in Round 3 of GameFaqs’ “Best. Game. Ever.” contest?

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