What FC Has Been Playing This Week

The first week of school has always been a bit strange for me. Sure, I'm pretty smart, but since my B-day is right at the beginning of the year (August 30, to be exact), I've always had a truckload of games to keep me from my early homework. And with my new PSP, this year is no exception.

So, what have I been playing lately? Well, when it comes to the DS, I've mostly been spending time with Neku. No; not the European guy from Grand Theft Auto IV, but that potty-mouth kid from The World Ends With You. By now, you should know more than enough this came, but I can't stress too much how innovative this RPG is. From the dual-screen combat to the extra stats you gain from NOT playing the game, this title's littered with weird design features that you wish were utilized more. On top of that, the level grinding's quite addictive.

But enough about me. Here's what my friends have been playing!
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First of all, there's Dani's recent addiction to Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness. Now, before you go say "girly easy game lol", let me warn you: This little farm simulator can be BRUTAL on you! Unfortunately, she didn't tell me much else. I hope she survived the onslaught of cattle!

Ling is also playing Harvest Moon, but with a little-known action-RPG called From the Abyss on the side. In his words, it is:

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a Japanese RPG dungeon crawler.This game is a lot like (Etrian Odyssey). The game has a real time battle system so no random encounters. You also map out the dungeon floor. So far I'm on the 4 Abyss (Abyss is like a level). You can customize the way your characters looks. The main character can absorb monsters and gain their power. Story: You are a some solider from Rubenhaut and monsters are invading. You are asked by the queen to go into the Abyss fight off monsters. This game is ok. Not a must buy.

Speaking of Etrian Odyssey, that's what N-Gamer has been playing lately. Here's what he has to say about this challenging pen-and-touch-screen gem.

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EOII is a classic Japanese dungeon crawler RPG (one of the last that's really worthwhile playing). This, concisely, means that you walk around in the game encountering random battles, have the standard RPG dialogs and turn-based battles.
The thing that makes this RPG stand out is the mapping of dungeons, which you have to do yourself on a map shown on the bottom screen of the DS. Another thing EOII is recognizable for is the difficulty. It lies far above most games and in the realm of say... (the original) Ninja Gaiden. Most players will furiously toss the game out and return it within a couple of hours of buying it, but if you're one of those people that like challenges you'll see the beauty of the game. Finally, the customizing of your 5 player active party is huge. From avatars, to the immense amount of classes and skills.
This game will drain your free time without you knowing and will easily have you playing 50+ hours untill you reach the credits. A recommendation to all fans of Japanese RPG's.

Jub is playing Elite Beat Agents.

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Rhythm game in which you attempt to tap cercles on the bottom sceen in accordance to the music played. This helps the Agents guide the characters through their appropriately themed missions.

Just can't get through hard ROCK mode, UHG CURSE YOU DIVAS!!! Also I may play a bit of Osu! Tatakea! Ouendan!! but that's more of a maybe...

Dragonpike is playing Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings.

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The game looks slow, but it speed up. It's more of a RTS Tactical game, the system takes a minute to get, but it's worth it. I hope to beat it by next week.

Finally, Jag has been addicted to WoW.
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So, fellow FC'ers, what have YOU been playing lately?