[I have a friend. We grew up with RPGs together. In short, we don't see eye to eye on anything anymore. Found a sweet new game you think he'd like? Just by talking about it with him, he will automatically discredit the game. He hates a game already, just because you mentioned it to him. It sounds like the most unreasonable thing imaginable, and it is, but that's how he is. He's gotta discover it. Furthermore, he's close minded. I don't talk to him about games anymore, or try not to. There's no point. He's not really an RPG gamer anymore. Without realizing it, he let the RPG lover in him die the day he decided he'd never try new RPGs unless they were turn based, and unless he found them on his own. I really wish even part of this was an exaggeration, but it is not. Now, let us break down what we as gamers or fans of a particular genre need to practice EVERY DAY to remain true to our games:

One, we must try new games, either in general or of the genre we most like. We MUST try these, and not play for five minutes, drop the controller and say 'it sucks.' Persona three does not let me directly control my characters. I am not a fan of this by any means, but I still tried the game, and I like it a lot. WTF kinda shit is going 'oh, so it doesn't let you control all four characters? Fuck that game.' That's like being STOKED about a first person shooter, then realizing there are no rocket launchers, and deciding not to play it because of that. If we are fans of a game series, or games, we try new ones. The SECOND and I mean the SECOND we stop giving new games a chance, we aren't gamers. Give up the name tag. You don't own it, nor deserve it. My words are harsh, but filled with truth.

Two, we must not pre judge games too much. There are certainly acceptable things to decide not to play a game over. I'm not really into certain genres, so its' gotta be real good for me to consider it. That's natural. But I am also a fan of the RPG genre, and this is where I practice my preaching. I can't automatically not play an RPG JUST BECAUSE its' action based. No. That's ridiculous. Yes, I like turn based more. More strategy and things of that nature. However, I am very capable of liking an action based title, it just means I won't like the battle system as much.

Rule three! We cannot find an awesome game, our favorite game of all time, and then suddenly give up on new games. I hear the following often "Nine, you're slipping. You haven't played FF9 in forever!" "Nine, why aren't you playing FF9" "Nine, I don't see Final Fantasy IX in your Playstation." You're right, you don't. It's not in there. Why? I can't simply stop playing new RPGs just because I fond one that I like the most. If I stopped trying new games, I'd be ceasing the very thing that led me to discover FF9 to begin with!!! There are new games out there, a whole sea of RPGs, and I'm not being true to myself if I don't try them. Who knows? There might be a game that beats FF9

And with that, those are the guidelines, which you can disregard or engrave in your gamers' heart. I however, will continue following them, so long as I am an RPG gamer. I mentioned there might be a game better than FF9, I've come terribly close recently I've realized. What's more, the game is none other than an action based RPG! What happened? Why is the new Star Ocean, an action based RPG by Tri Ace, my second favorite RPG of all time now? I'll tell you why; its' because Tri Ace improved upon the Action base system. I am blown away that an action based RPG can be so much fun when it comes to the battle system! THIS IS WHY I KEEP PLAYING GAMES! THIS IS WHY I DON'T PRE JUDGE! Look what happened, I found an extremely great title from the last place I'd expect it; the Action base zone]

[Will this game outdo Final Fantasy 9? Will a game finally take the title from 9, the title of 'Nine's favorite RPG?' Time will tell, but I will say without hesitation that Star Ocean may do so. The first time an action based title actually makes my top five, and it's already done a fuckton of damage. It's number two now, and its' in a death match with the world of Zidanne, Garnet, Telnet and Steiner. How incredible. Really. Perhaps, if things continue this way, and SO TLH claims the title, perhaps a screename change will be in order. Perhaps The Nine will finally be able to rest in peace] -[AT9]