So I'm getting used to Final Fantasy XII's battle system (see post below for more on that), and I gotta say...as great as I thought this game would be before, it's exceeding even those expectations now.

First of all, this game's battle sequence isn't entirely action-based. It's still turn-based to a degree, but it;s a vastly different from the Final Fantasy titles of old. The turn-based mechanics are disguised by a free-roaming camera, real-time enemy movements (and AI!) and a more fluid engine that resembles those used in MMORPGs to give the illusion of action-based combat.

Still, the formula, combined with an intuitive Gambit system and the License boards, works brilliantly, so much so that going back to the battle systems of old FF titles almost seems dreadful.

Almost.

That said, it pains me to think how long this game's going to take to complete. Nearly eight hours into the game, I'm almost at level 10, and apparently I have quite a way to go. Granted, I'm taking part in the game hunting side quests as much as possible, but as it stands...I've played eight hours, but feel as if I've already logged in about 20.

But that's okay, because as far as I'm concerned, most games are far too short today. And if it takes me fewer than 40 hours to beat a Final Fantasy game (the first time through, anyway), then I'm left disappointed.

For as long as it took to come out, for how disappointed I was in the series' change of direction with the online-only FFXI, I'm more than happy to report FFXII is every bit as good as everyone said it was. It's no FFVII or FFX, but it's no FFX-2, either.

Just wanted to throw around some random game-related blurbs now that the holidays have died down.

Getting Used To: Being the Final Fantasy whore I am, you better believe I picked up FFXII with some of my Christmas money (since I didn't get it as one of the many gifts I received). And though I still marvel at the aesthetic beauty of the series and find myself deeply immersed in the epic nature of the stories Square Enix weaves with these games, FFXII takes some definite getting used to.

And it's all because of the battle system.

Square Enix did away with the turn-based system that had been a staple of the series from installments 1 through 10, replacing it with a more MMORPG-like action sequence. Battles occur more in real-time and you can move your character during battle. This is likely a hold-over from the online FFXI, and though I have a feeling it will eventually become second nature and lend itself nicely to a spectacular game, for the first few hours it takes a bit of adjusting.

For the time being, I miss turn-based battles. I don't, however, miss random battles. I'm glad those are gone.

What should've been: Finally got my hands on Mortal Kombat Armageddon and have been impressed yet again. After years of mediocrity and stagnation, Midway finally figured out how to bring us the blood-soaked Kombat we craved.

And in Armageddon, we finally have the definitive MK fighter. I'm not really convinced this is the last game in the series--though the promos and the opening sequence scream as such--but at the very least, Armageddon is the Mortal Kombat game Tirlogy should've been.

Every MK character ever, tons of playable modes and unlockable extras (as ridiculous as Kombat Kart sounds, it's actually quite fun), and a nifty little fighter creation mode--not to mention the involved and refined fighting system. No MK game has ever been perfect, but Armageddon is the closest the series has come since MKII.

Finally Found the Hidden Gem: Remember all the love the game press had for PlayStation2's Shadow of the Colossus? Well, between none of the stores in my area having copies and a general "eh" feeling among those I knew who'd played it, I hadn't really given it much thought. But, like FFXII, I picked the game up with my holiday money and have been floored by the game.

If you can find this title--just $20 now that it's a Greatest Hits title--by all means do so. It may not be innovative in terms of it never having been done before, but in a game market flooded with derivative, ultra-violent action titles (not that there's anything wrong with that), Shadow is a breath of fresh air, and any self-respecting gamer will appreciate the mental strength that goes into this title.

I daresay this is a must-have if you've missed out until now. Better late than never.

EA in need of a revamp: Dear EA Sports,

Let me just say that aside from your golf and NASCAR games, I don't really enjoy your sports games anymore. 2K Games has clearly outclassed you in basketball, baseball and hockey, and you got so scared by the obvious quality of ESNP NFL 2K5 you gobbled up both the NFL and ESPN licenses all to yourself.

But I still love your NASCAR and Tiger Woods PGA Tour titles.

That being said, having played the 07 version of both games, I think a serious overhaul is in order. Tiger Woods 07 is virtually the same game as 06, just with a team feature and more courses, while you've been using the same formula for the past three NASCAR games.

The work-your-way-up-the-ranks formula worked as is brilliantly the first time out; now it needs tweaking, cause it's starting to feel old. Also, it might help if you had EVERY Nextel Cup driver in the game (like, say, Clint Bowyer?).

Just because you're the largest third-party game publisher in the world doesn't mean you can get complacent. You never know when the next 2K might come along.