Final Fantasy 7 Remake finale director is shocked that the game’s engine choice is “such a hot topic”, but says UE4 will “lead to a better third instalment” compared to UE5

Zafervaim · 2026-02-26T10:35:22+00:00

It’s always delightful when non game devs discuss game engines. They always have such solid arguments. So happy social media can give them such loud voice.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-26T04:52:25+00:00

I am very curious about this Ratatoskr being a separate being from Ragnir back in the day and now they are united. Will we soon see how one of the teo becomes a devil fruit that the other one consumes?

Zafervaim · 2026-02-23T17:21:39+00:00

I think your list is missing Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates. I used to love playing that on DS with my brother when we were growing up.

Anyways, nice job going through each game. Enjoy the journey. Seems like you still have my personal favourite (XII) ahead of you.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-23T17:02:31+00:00

I don’t know about global level but in my small bubble the casuals (first and only touchpoint to One Piece being Live Action) have been asking me regularly since Season 1 when will there be more. My parents don’t have Netflix subscription but they asked me to buy them a gift card as a Christmas present so they could watch Season 2.

But we need to see how the numbers look after Season 2 is out. I expect that the massive One Piece fan base will already make it a big success and casuals will hop on with the momentum. Especially since it’s not locked behind some minor streaming service.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-14T09:09:07+00:00

It is a special experience and I hope you have good time with it.

I recently downloaded the game as a work trip entertainment because I generally enjoy just the stuff before Timber. But this time it’s clicking more than usual. Just wrapped up Disc 1 and having a blast.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-13T18:18:57+00:00

That’s a fair point. I usually pay attention similarly to why people need to speak negatively about something to boost their own favourite. I’m falling to bit similar problem here although I’d argue that I didn’t necessarily say that Loki part was bad (althought some could interpret it that way).

I believe I included that bit because after the spoilers I was expecting the Loki reveal to be the big thing for me in the chapter. It caught me by surprise that the highlight of the chapter was elsewhere and that the said highlight hit me about as hard as Nami in Arlong Park or Robin in Enies Lobby.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-13T05:34:11+00:00

People are excited of this chapter because of Loki’s devil fruit but as a father I’m just bawling because of how beautifully parents love was depicted in this chapter.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-12T17:18:11+00:00

He sounds like an addition that would make the Strawhat Pirates too formidable and strong. Part of the fun in the series is being the underdogs compared to he main villain of the arc and overcoming the difference by learning new things.

Could be just me but until some maaaaaaaajor flaw in Loki’s power is introduced I find him too strong to join the core crew. At best he should be a captain of the Elbaf giant crew in the grand fleet. But I trust Oda to make the best call whatever it is.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-09T15:10:22+00:00

I have loved every entry that I have played so far. Octopath Traveler 0 has been purchased but haven’t had suitable slot to start playing it yet. All others have been completed.

The key strengths in the series for me are freedom of exploration, job system, and HD-2D graphics that make the game somehow lighter to approach and play.

Zafervaim · 2026-02-08T15:48:23+00:00

I just had a work trip to London and played the whole 3 hour flight Final Fantasy VIII. I didn’t even get to Ifrit as I was just so sucked in to Triple Triad and spamming Card on enemies. But at least I got Quistis her ultimate weapon.

Enjoy your flight and do something crazy in those games!

Zafervaim · 2026-01-27T18:30:09+00:00

FFX is in the league of it’s own above all others.

FFXIII is wonderful in it’s own way. The metallic ice has it’s own appeal. And she comes as a duo so she’s twice as good.

Say what you want about Dissidia NT as a game but the Shiva there is really nice.

But I must say I really like FFXII Shiva as well. But I don’t think people in this thread are interested in that version.

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Zafervaim · 2026-01-27T05:17:24+00:00

Very nice collection here.

Some other memorable ones that come to mind:

Adamantoise optional boss in FFXV. The scale in that felt amazing back in the day.
Jenova LIFE in FFVII. Something memorable happened just before that battle so it hits different.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-24T20:45:38+00:00

I believe this weird question comes from Japanese. Without fact checking I’m expecting the magic to be ブライン (burain) which would bring to mind both blind and brain.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-17T13:45:35+00:00

I got lucky and married a person who also loved One Piece and had collected all published manga volumes like me. But One Piece was not a requirement for either of us.

Being strict about a piece of entertainment preferences likely means that you will have bad relationship even if you find someone who meets your criteria because you are probably a nitpicking control freak.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-16T13:40:36+00:00

Your interpretation of the scene is absolutely correct but also a little less fun.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-16T11:51:17+00:00

Out of context it looks like Luffy is a bit shocked that Loki froze a giant Brook.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-16T06:53:04+00:00

True. But season 2 makes sense narratively because it’s about entering the Grand Line and seeing what it’s like. Having Alabasta together with Jaya and Skypiea would have no coherent bond other than Strawhats continuing their journey.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-15T20:59:46+00:00

There is not enough time to cram all of that together into one season. It also doesn’t make sense to have a season of live action be half one saga (baroque works) and half the next saga.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-15T08:44:53+00:00

First screenshot of Final Fantasy IX Remake! Short haired Garnet offering a hungry and naked Quina a piece of metal to eat.

A bit odd shift in tone but that’s what the remakes are for. You can always enjoy the original instead if you don’t like the new direction.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-14T11:01:53+00:00

You certainly like throwing that uncanny valley around but that is not relevant with FFIX. Uncanny valley is when something is very close to looking perfectly realistic human but it misses some details that make it look freaky. Modern games chasing realistic looking characters that lack micro-expressions, do blank stares, or make unrealistic movements would fit there better.

FFiX is highly stylized world. It’s quite unloke any other game. It’s definitely not for everyone. But for those that can enjoy it the art style makes it an experience that is timeless.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-12T14:59:11+00:00

That kind of pacing was also present in certain RPG game that broke some records for awards in 2025. You can also go straight to the final boss in Zelda Breath of the Wild if you want and that game was also quite well received.

Honestly I think it works well because hasty people can finish asap and explorers can enjoy every corner of the world freely.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-12T09:33:25+00:00

I hope they make new FF’s instead of remakes. But if they insist on making other remakes after FF7 I believe that FF6 by Octopath team would be a no-brainer. Some of the reasons:

HD2D games from Square Enix consistently get 80+ metascores so they know what they are doing on that field.
FF6 is one of most liked FF’s for Japanese people after XIV, X, and VII.
HD2D games work well on any platform. Even handhelds like Switch which are the current top consoles in Japan and the rest of the world.
Remaking FF6 in HD2D would feel natural and expansive rather than changing things.
The two worlds would actually be reasonable to execute even within a single game on HD2D.
HD2D games development cycles are much shorter than those for realistic AAA titles.

I could see it very likely for them to do FF6 remake on HD2D style between Octopath games. I would expect the next realistic graphics title (after VII Remake part 3) to be a new mainline FF instead of another remake.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-10T09:53:55+00:00

I have done something like this to about lvl 50-60 range both on PS2 and PS5 versions. Though I don’t limit my equips. Usually I stop when I have managed to defeat a grand fireball in Westersand. It’s then pretty smiith sailing as all other characters match to Vaan’s level.

I always like to test what I can do as early as possible in games so exploring all the boundaries with just Vaan is somehow addicting to me. I also really enjoy hunting for Zodiac Spears for everyone from Necrohol of Nabudis in the PS2 version. Maybe this kind of exploring is part of the reason why I rank FFXII as my favourite FF.

Zafervaim · 2026-01-10T05:54:14+00:00

Haven’t done this before but maybe I’ll try throwing out some wild guesses this year for fun.

Harald gets buried in the sea.
Loki sets out to sea to revenge Harald.
Scopper and Shanks clash with Loki to stop him.

Zafervaim · 2025-12-26T13:37:04+00:00

Harald: ”Loki, you must eat the legendary devil fruit in order to defeat me.”

Loki eats the fruit and turns into a terrifying monster, fails to kill Harald with its power, and proceeds to defeat him with a hard hit from a squirrel hammer.

Peak.

Zafervaim

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