Now I don't know why they have been doing it, but recently square-Enix seem to have decided that Final Fantasy games on a hand held console should be R.T.S's (Real Time Strategies)...a concept that annoys and angers me.
Now for years I have loved the Final Fantasy series, as well as the 'Secret of' games, but since buying all the ones available on the DS, I have yet to play them longer than an hour as the gameplay is seriously lacking...and extremely tedious!
However, I recently got bought Rings of Fates. My partner did this as I had made it very clear I would not purchase this game. However, he bought it, and I was not amused, but decided to give it a go, less I hurt his feelings.
Now, as you may know, the Crystal Chronicles series is not great, but this is certainly a hand held Final Fantasy with a difference. yes there is real time fighting, however, there are no other aspects of an RTS, just how it should be. You control your character and navigate them through dungeons and cities, and in all honesty, I have played the game for 2 hours now, and have not been disappointed.
Gone are the days of poor gaming, and I welcome with open arms this new age of handheld Final Fantasy RPG's...yes, RPG's, as that is what they have now reverted back to, though its a shame it took them so long to get the 'formula' right.
So there you have it. Rings of Fates is not the game I expected it to be, and whilst the third installment of the FF series is that much better, this is a suprisingly enjoyable, real time RPG. Don't expect it to be easy either. It seems to be at first, but looks are deceiving.
So if you have avoided this game for fear of what it may bring, unlike its predecessors, this game does have something to offer you, and is a nice break from the poor games Square-Enix has given us recently...although I hear 'The world ends with you' has a lot to offer, though thats for another day.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for my review of Crisis Core, which I will write as soon as I am fortunate enough to own it!
Kristen Barghout
Blog: www.animezonecentral.com
Kristen is a professional programmer, with a keen interest in all things related to anime and video games. She doesn't just like certain genre's, she likes all genre's, and will always give an honest opinion.
Kristen can't always find the time to post my articles here, but if you visit her blog, there is lots of news and reviews, so please check it out.
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