Thank Christ for Chocobos

After ten long years, Final Fantasy XV has finally been released. The Last Guardian came out too. Beyond Good and Evil 2 was also confirmed. What a year.

So, does Final Fantasy XV, like most other games in development limbo (see: Duke Nukem Forever), suck? Absolutely not. The game delivers on almost every promise and, as the opening screen suggests, is a Final Fantasy game for series veterans and those new to the franchise. While the game isn't perfect, Final Fantasy XV does so much right.

Your bros on the journey are the highlight. While Ignis may be a bit of a buzzkill, Gladiolus and Prompto are fun to be around and bring life to an open world that is largely devoid of compelling human life. Noctis and his friends are among just a handful of interesting people.

The combat is also a nice change from the traditional turn-based style that FFXIII began to move away from. It's not perfect as you fight the camera as often as you fight regular enemies, but it's more involved and faster paced than before.

Final Fantasy XV's biggest problem is that the game's focus on maintaining some sense of realism gets in the way of enjoyment sometimes. Paying for gas and refueling your car is just as boring in video games as it is in real life. Driving in video games is mostly fun because of the freedom to be as reckless as you want. Final Fantasy XV doesn't grant the player that freedom and anytime you need to use the Regalia turns into a chore. Get ready to fast travel. Also, the camera can be frustrating, especially in fights against bigger enemies.

Despite the game's missteps, completing hunts, finishing quests and finding new weapons makes the game fun to play. The story is super convoluted in a Final Fantasy way (especially if you have not watched Kingsglaive), but after ten years, this game was worth the wait.

Alola, Pokemon!

It's almost upon us. The time is now. The place is here anywhere where you can buy video games. Pokemon Sun and Moon will officially be released soon and there's plenty that I'm excited about.

Z-Moves are an interesting new twist to the battle system and I can't wait to see more of them. I'm a big fan of Incineroar's move.

The Alola region has a chance to be one of my favorite Pokemon locations. I haven't loved a setting in a Pokemon game since Diamond and Pearl, but Alola will probably change that. I'm a fan of beaches. Especially in games, because then I don't have to worry about getting sandy in real life.

Trials add a new element to Pokemon games. I hope they differ from each other in big ways, but I'm excited to have a different way to test a trainer's skill other than a gym leader.

For me, the most exciting thing about any new Pokemon game is, well, the Pokemon. There's so many brand new Pokemon that I love--like Salandit and Crabrawler--and Alolan versions of classic Pokemon are exciting as well. I'm a a big fan of Alolan Raichu, Ninetails and Sandslash. Alolan Exeggutor and Alolan Dugtrio are also there, as well. If you're into that.

It's a great time to be a Pokemon fan as Sun and Moon seem to be the most innovative entries in the series to date. With so many changes in one game, it's hard to not be excited for this entry.

When Midnight Releases Were Special

Midnight releases are a wonderful thing. Well, they used to be a wonderful thing. The first midnight release I went to was in 2011. I was picking up L.A. Noire with a friend. There was pizza, there was soda, there was about six people who picked up the game at midnight. It seemed like a rare occasion and was treated like one.

Flash forward to 2016 where nearly every game gets a midnight release at your local video game retailer. Because they're so common now, the luster of the midnight release has worn off. There's more people than ever, but less fanfare than ever. Sometime's you'll get the tournament set up for a midnight release for fighting games or sports games, but they are the exception. A lot of the excitement is dampened by the availability of digital versions and the realization that once you get the game home, you'll have to install the game and the day one patch.

Over the last two years, I've been to at least ten midnight releases. Almost every one of them ended with me falling asleep while the game and update install.

However, for those of us who need the physical versions of games, let's not forget the real heroes of the midnight release: the retail employee. They keep the store open past midnight just so we can we can get a video game as early as possible.

Gears is BACK

After playing every Gears of War game (yes, even Judgment), of course I was eagerly anticipating Gears of War 4. With some of the original Gears creators working at the game's new developers, The Coalition, I figured this entry would be a return to form for the series.

Now, after playing several hours of the campaign, horde, and multiplayer, I remember what I loved the most about the series: blowing things up, of course. 10 years later Gears still has some of the most satisfying third-person shooter elements and weapons that make you feel like a powerhouse of death and destruction. The story and characters are fun and the game is really nice to look at.

Most of the Horde mode's changes are welcome (like the fabricator), although I'm not a fan of some aspects. I'd rather fail three waves in a row any time than fight two Snatchers. Almost stationary, low-damage dealing bosses are more my speed. Kestrels, all day, please

Despite my love for the other game modes, multiplayer is where I truly realize how much I enjoy Gears of War. I still go back to it after my point-blank Gnasher shots fail to damage my opponent and he/she turns around and makes me look like an idiot. For me, Gears of War 4 multiplayer does it all. I laugh, I cry, I get scared, I get angry, I do some deep-thinking. It's like a full day's worth of emotions condensed into a five minute match. I think the fact that I keep coming back to play multiplayer--despite its flaws--shows either a.) how much I love the game or b.) how well-made the game is. Or maybe I just love punishing myself.

Nintendo Does it Again

As someone who was burned by purchasing a WiiU, I was pretty skeptical about Nintendo's NX console. I thought their unwillingness to show the console for so long showed a lack of confidence in their product. I even planned on playing Breath of the Wild on the WiiU.

That all changed when revealed the Switch console and a glimpse into the future of gaming. The Switch is everything the WiiU isn't. Seemingly no motion controls, no separate screen experience, and an unlimited range on the console's tablet controller.

The consensus among the people who have spent time with the WiiU is that playing games solely on the tablet controller is the console's best feature. The tablet is now, essentially, the next handheld device from Nintendo. The Switch combines the best of handheld consoles, which is what Nintendo does best, and working it seamlessly into your television, and it's glorious.

Seeing so many controller variations is the real highlight of the Switch reveal. Taking the tablet out on the road and being able to play Mario Kart 8, Nintendo's unannounced Mario game, or shoot some hoops with other players on a single screen is exciting.

What the Switch is offering makes the WiiU feel like a four-year beta test. If the final result works as well as advertised, the test may have been worth it for me.