Finally returning to the monthly report of sorts, here’s what I’ve been playing, watching, and listening to, as well as what I plan to buy for the month of August… (I know, I’m late.) This month I’ll probably be busy almost exclusively with PSP RPGs, as well as my backlog to finish up the summer drought.

Playlist
Rez (PS2) - Played through the first three stages. I’d never really played this game before (in the proper environment, at least), so I’m really into it. The soundtrack combined with the visuals really reiterates why Mizuguchi is so awesome.

Soul Calibur III (PS2) - Sticking to my tradition of buying SC games at $20, I finally bought SCIII last week and have been enjoying it since. Awesome game, if you didn’t already know.

Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting (360-LA) - Pretty fun, lag notwithstanding. Arcade mode is fucking impossible, but maybe I’ll start working on that achievement again soon. (Ranked winning %? 33. Thanks.)

Valkyrie Profile Lenneth (PSP) - Awesome RPG, although it must be said that the PSP conversion from Tose is absolutely appalling. Definitely not what this game deserves. I love how sort of open it is, from the non-linear exploring and gameplay to the utter lack of help the user is given. Refreshing in this era of tutorials, for me at least. Four hours in and I still haven’t sent off the first Einherjahr (that’s what they’re called, right?)…

Dead Rising (360) - Just bought this today (er, yesterday), actually, and I’m having a really good time with it so far. The “use anything as a weapon” gameplay is pretty refreshing except for the ridiculous saving system (about 45 minutes in, character leveled up twice… death. Back to the beginning!), and the graphics look pretty damn good on my HDTV.

Backlog / To-Play
Tales of Eternia (PSP) - Finally imported the U.K. version! I’d been planning to get this game (even the Japanese version) since the PSP launch, and I finally stopped pussyfooting and bought the damn thing. I’ll probably get to it later this month.

Final Fantasy X (PS2) - I actually started playing this around the beginning of July again… then I bought an HDTV. Since then, I’ve been playing 360 and progressive-scan enabled PS2 games almost exclusively, but I think I’ll get back into FFX and have it beaten in time for the U.S. release of Enchanted Arms for the 360.

Every Extend Extra (PSP) - I should be getting a copy of this next week when a friend returns from Japan… Impressions to follow, or maybe even a GotNext import review.

Purchases
Ninety-Nine Nights (360) - Heh. Might have to go against the warnings of everyone and drop some money on this. Not sure why, but I’ve really wanted this game for a long time, and although the demo didn’t really do anything for me, the story might…

Enchanted Arms (360) - Finally. Might not be the best of the best, but it should be an enjoyable enough romp for a good part of September along with Okami, Valkyrie Profile 2, and Final Fantasy III DS.

Where is Lumines Live? MS hasn’t posted today’s “Xbox Arcade Wednesdays” title, and a surprise release of Lumines isn’t likely, but I can dream…

Other stuff:
Nip/Tuck Season 3 DVD Set
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Haruki Murakami

Until next time!

Listening “Hyphy Juice Remix” The Team