Recently, I've been putting in lots of time with some incredibly good, twitchy sort of games. Blast Works, Space Invaders Extreme, Shikigami 3 and Soul Bubbles are all really fun, arcade-type games. I am still working on mastering DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 3. It's a fun game but rather complex. I'm still trying to find my fighter of choice; unfortunately, my favorite DBZ character, Future Trunks, is the one I'm horrible with. We'll see.



I went to the game shop to pick up my wife's pre-order of Final Fantasy Tactics A2; I couldn't resist picking up a copy for myself as well. I am a weak, weak man. I loved FFTA; it was the first fantasy-based SRPG I got into (Advance Wars was my first turn-based strategy game). I'm looking forward to sinking a few weeks into the game and returning to the gang warfare mecca that is Ivalice. Having the Viera there is another plus. FFTA2 features a versus mode, so that should be fun.

Other big summer games
The other big releases for me this summer are coming out at a slower pace than expected, and that's a good thing. I cannot wait for Chocobo Mystery Dungeon. I love roguelikes and this game seems to have charm in spades. It could only be better if it starred Moogles rather than Chocobos. Guiding a Moogle gunner through a maze would completely rock. Next up is FFIV and Izuna 2. Both games arrive on the same day and both will be bought on release. I've never finished FFIV, so I'm really excited for that and Izuna is great. Shortly after these games, Windy x Windam, the 2D fighter starring Izuna. I ain't afraid to import. A few weeks later and Bangai-O Spirits. I am more excited for that game than any other announced game this year.

All of the promising games and I haven't even started thinking about September. At this pace, 2008 may surpass 2007.