A lot of rockers are getting older, and you can tell. Not so with Heart and “Red Velvet Car.” Most of the songs on this album definitely do not feel like old Heart, as they decided to go with a folksier feel, but this is still Heart, and they still know how to rock. Vocals are as powerful as ever, and their guitar work is still intricate. Don’t worry, old Heart fans, there still are some sounds like the classic track “Barracuda.” “Wheels” is a fantastic song that really brings on a great bass line and powerful voices. The deeply emotive “Hey You” is a fantastic track. Overall, this is a great CD and is a must buy for any lover of Heart or great classic rock in general. The only downside is that the rock only lasts 35 minutes.

For fans of: Aerosmith, Steve Miller Band, CCR
Tracks to download: ‘Wheels’ ‘Hey You’

Beautiful. Stunning. Emotional. There, I wish my review could be done. I am not lazy; it is just that that is the perfect description of the newest game from developer thatgamecompany. Unfortunately, I have a senior editor breathing down my neck, trying to fill content on his page (sorry, Percy), so I will attempt to describe something that shouldn’t be described in detail.

“Flower” is a game in which you control the wind and make flowers bloom. “What?” you say. “Sounds stupid.” I thought so too, but then I played the game, and it blew my mind. The object of the game is to make a desolate landscape come alive in a world of color. Considering we live in St. Louis, this world of color is possible, but difficult to find. “Flower” runs in 1080p, and you can tell. There are few objects in this game, and the designers really went crazy trying to get everything to look gorgeous, and trust me, they nailed it. I honestly have not played a better-looking game, and that is saying something considering all of the new games that have been coming out.

The gameplay for “Flower” is also something that, while simple, really makes you salivate and crave more. Yes, you control the wind, but it is done using the Sixaxis (motion sensor) capabilities of the PS3 controller, which are quite good. Unfortunately, most forays into using the Sixaxis capabilities have been lackluster at best. Fortunately, “Flower” not only uses the Sixaxis for its main control; it perfects it. I am usually slightly conscious of having a Wiimote in my hand whenever I am playing, but with “Flower,” I barely felt that I was even in the real world. The controls are, in a word, perfect. You hold a button to make the wind move, and then you tilt your hands in order to make it change direction. It is not clunky in the least. It feels like you are the wind, soaring from hill to hill, trying to find that last flower so that you can make it bloom, thereby activating a sequence in which whole parts of the world turn into an explosion of color.

Which brings us to emotion. I do sometimes get emotional during games, as I mostly play games with intricate story lines that really bring you close to your character, but I will admit that I have never felt such a range of emotions in such a short time as I did when playing “Flower.” The game starts with no story line and no cues about what to do. And then, all of a sudden, bliss. You are zooming along in a world, making flowers bloom, and you feel relaxed. There is no world to save, no one is trying to kill you, and there is a moment of sheer happiness. This is honestly the first game to make me smile without cracking a joke, and that is an excellent thing.

As I progressed through the levels, the world turned dark, and I honestly felt scared. What was happening? Why was the world turning like this? The world turned into an uglier yet still beautiful place where there were few flowers and lots of broken electric lines running all over the place. I am not going to say anything else about it, but just be prepared for emotions.

There is a one problem with “Flower,” though, and that is gameplay time. It only lasts between two and four hours, and there are only six real levels. Fortunately, I find myself firing it up whenever I need to smile, so I find the replay value to be fairly high.

Just a final note, the only way to purchase “Flower” is through the Playstation Network, and only if you have a PS3. It is $9.99 and totally worth it. Actually, now that the PS3 is getting a bunch of exclusive games that are showing off the capabilities of its awesome graphic and processing powers, “Flower” would almost be worth buying the PS3 to play. Anyway, if you are a PS3 owner and have not played “Flower,” please download and play it. It will probably be one of your most justified $10 purchases you have made in a long time.

“Final Fantasy X-2,” which only has female playable characters, won over skeptical fans with its dynamic remix of the Active Time Battle system. (Courtesy of Square Enix)

Click here for the counter-argument

There are a lot of things in life that I am passionate about, but few get my blood boiling as much as the fight over which type of role-playing game (RPG) is better. You see, there are the classic Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs), and then there are Western role-playing games (WRPGs). Games included in the JRPG section are the “Final Fantasy” series, the “Zelda” series, “Kingdom Hearts,” “Dragon Quest,” “Pokémon,” “Chrono Trigger” and many more. On the WRPG side are “Mass Effect,” “Oblivion,” “Fallout 3,” the “Diablo series,” “Baldur’s Gate” and “Knights of the Old Republic.” My friends and I argue about which is better at least once a month, and I think it is time I wrote down my side. If you want to read the counterpoint, please see Mr. Yang’s article, but if you want to really know which type of game is better, please read on.

One of the major differences that helps classify JRPG versus WRPG is the linearity of the story. WRPG stories are very nonlinear, and JRPG stories are linear. I actually enjoy this linearity. A linear story line lets you see all that the game has to offer in one go. You start the game, events happen in a certain sequence, usually tons of extras are unlocked that you can either get or not get, you beat the game, and you are done, having had the chance to see everything in the game. This is great! I don’t want to play a game that makes me play through multiple times just so that I can unlock all the fun extras. I honestly don’t have the time. I basically have to play each WRPG about 50 times to create 50 slightly different main characters that each lead me to unlockables that aren’t that fun in the first place.

Some people say that the JRPG’s linearity makes it hard for the gamers to connect to their characters. My response: Have you played a decent JRPG? Have you ever gone through “Final Fantasy VII” and not teared up at the end of disc 1? Have you made it to the end of “Final Fantasy X” and not felt yourself die a little after you see what happens? JRPGs normally have amazing story lines.

Let’s take a classic, “Final Fantasy VII,” which has, in my opinion, one of the best story lines ever written for a game. This was a story line so powerful that you felt in tune with Cloud as you made your way through this amazing game. You felt compelled to save the world from the evil that was Sephiroth. Has there ever been a memorable WRPG final boss? I can only think of the final battle in “Diablo,” but the game is named after him, so that doesn’t really count. Sephiroth of “Final Fantasy VII” will be imprinted in my memory until I die because the story line was so powerful.

And then there’s gameplay. In JRPGs a player normally has to level up the character to gain certain stats (exceptions are “Final Fantasy Tactics” and “Final Fantasy VII,” among others). In WRPGs, you usually get to pick which skills and abilities your character is going to earn with each successive level (think “Dungeons & Dragons”), but I actually don’t enjoy this control. Every game is different, so I don’t know which skill sets I will need for WRPGs. This really makes me mad because I usually end up blowing critical skill points on stuff that I don’t end up needing. With a JRPG, I level up and I get a new set of stats predetermined by the game. I love this because it takes less time, and I can’t really screw up my characters. ‘Nuff said.

There is also the issue of balanced parties. In a lot of JRPGs, you can put multiple characters in your party from different character types, such as fighters, mages, healers and so forth. In WRPGs I usually end up being stuck with one character who, because I normally play as a fighter, can never quite heal himself fast enough. You can hire non-player characters (NPCs) in WRPGs, but they are usually ineffective.

Some people complain that the gameplay in JRPGs is the same across the board. Statements like these lack knowledge and call upon false stereotypes. Just look within the “Final Fantasy” series, and you will see a plethora of gameplay types and story lines. Yes, the battle menu has stayed consistent over the years, but little else has. They all have different battle styles, summons are always called in different ways, the ways that you unlock abilities are drastically different, and all of the games just have different feels to them. I am sorry, but switching from “Morrowind” to “Oblivion,” all I noticed was a graphics update.
Finally, JRPGs make up some of the most respected games today. “Final Fantasy VII,” “Deus Ex” and “Ocarina of Time”—all three of these games have been declared the best games on their respective consoles countless times.

In conclusion, just remember that linearity is good, that JRPGs have some of the best story lines ever, and that WRPG gameplay can’t compare to the amazing gameplay of JRPGs. Have fun saving the world!

Click here for the counter-argument

Justin T. Austin and Debby Ryan pose backstage during a filming of “The Suite Life on Deck”. (MCT Campus)

The Disney Channel is known for being just plain bad. Please note, I did say Disney Channel and not Disney movies, which are actually good creations that are loved around the world for good reasons. On the Disney Channel, everything from “Hannah Montana” to “The Suite Life on Deck” is just another ploy for Disney to gain even more money while expending less and less. The exact same plots are used for different shows. I don’t know how many times I have seen Disney Channel show characters break into the White House, or break something in a museum or any one of 25 plots that involves them doing something stupid and not really getting in trouble. I understand that the Disney Channel is not original in the least. And yet I still watch it.

I am one of those people who become tired of thinking after a long day of school (or after a few tests on the same day). I get back after my 10-hour day, and I don’t want to have to think. This is where the Disney Channel comes in. I can honestly just sit down, flip on Channel 55 and proceed to not stimulate my brain for the next hour or so. This is great! Nothing else I know can do quite this. Say I start watching a comedy on another channel. I usually do not get blatantly obvious clues that a joke is supposed to be funny and therefore laughed at. The Disney Channel uses laugh tracks and only pushes approximately one joke a minute at me so that I can actually get it. Plus, Disney doesn’t really try to be clever, which would make me think even more. The Disney Channel uses one-liners and physical pain to let you know that “this is funny, please laugh at us, we are being stupid just for your general amusement.”

But what about video games, you say? Couldn’t I just pull up a video game and proceed to not think? Not really. If I am to the point where I am watching the Disney Channel, I usually don’t even want to pick up a controller, as that would just be too hard!

I am not advocating watching the Disney Channel if you are not in a mood in which you don’t want stimulation. Trust me: Bad things can, and will, happen (think of you becoming a zombie and drooling all over the place). But, if you ever just want to get away from of the buzz of school, honestly consider the Disney Channel as a good alternative to thought.

(MCT)

Rating: 3/5 stars

“Band Hero” is the latest musical game from Activision (makers of “Guitar Hero”). It is done in the “Rock Band” style, where up to four people can play any combination of drums, guitar, bass and singing. The game is designed with a younger audience in mind, and, therefore, this game has a different track list than usual, as the songs are all top 40 pop hits. This isn’t that bad though. Songs such as “American Pie” and “Pretty Women” are included. Also of note are three Taylor Swift songs.

I did not like “Band Hero” as much as I like “Rock Band.” I have some major criticisms about how the screen is set up when you are playing with other people. In “Rock Band,” how well everyone is doing is presented in a bar on the left side of the screen. It is easy to see where everyone is without disturbing your ability to see the notes. In “Band Hero,” this information is split up, so that each person can only see his or her own status. This is highly annoying because when someone is about to fail, you don’t know who it is. Also, if you want to see how the band is doing overall, you usually just glance at the star meter that is easy to see in “Rock Band”; but in “Band Hero,” it is nearly impossible to see how many stars you are going to receive because the star meter is really tiny.

The track list for “Band Hero” is also tiny. There are only 65 songs, and, while there are some good ones, there are not that many songs that I feel like I really need to play.

And then the drums. I don’t know who thought it would be a good idea to have the bass pedal notes be the same color as the background, but someone needs to be shot. The first time I played drums in “Band Hero,” I failed out in 15 seconds because I had no clue that the bass notes were there! There is one improvement in “Band Hero” with regard to drums, in that there is an “Expert+” mode in which you have to hook up a second bass pedal. This is great for those drummers who are bored from lack of challenge.

“Band Hero” does make some changes from “Rock Band” that are nice. You can now play any instrument with more than one person. So, if you choose, you can rock out with four guitarists, or four vocalists, or…you get the picture. This prevents the classic Rock Band scene in which two good guitar players fight over who gets what part, because the bass part is never as fun.

“Band Hero” also makes some improvements over “Rock Band” in some of the gameplay. The vocals are better because the game actually tells you what you are missing. Also, the guitar parts are the same difficulty, but the system for “Band Hero,” and the “Guitar Hero” games in general, is easier to play.

There are also a couple of cool gameplay options. The classic Pro Face-Off is back, which is when two guitar players battle head to head. I really enjoy this option because it lets you settle, once and for all, who is the better guitar player. Also included is a party mode, in which you can drop in and out of the game without disturbing the other band members.

Last is an option that lets you create your own songs and then play them. Also included is an option to download songs that other people have created. And these songs are usually not just random mashing on the frets; there are actually some remakes of songs such as “Master of Puppets,” “Eruption” and the Zelda Hyrule Temple song.

Overall, “Band Hero” is a decent game that makes some peripheral changes, but due to some major problems is just not up to par with “Rock Band.” Maybe next time, Activision.

I recently went through my memory cards, and what I found was astounding. I’ve spent over 1200 hours playing Square RPGs. That’s equivalent to 50 days of my life. 50 days—that I’ll never get back—have been spent leveling up, killing monsters, and saving worlds. In the time that I played through “Final Fantasy X” (110 hours), I could have done millions of other things. But I didn’t. And “FFX” isn’t the only game in which I’ve logged over 100 hours. So, here’s your warning. If you don’t feel like becoming a college shut-in, do not take my suggestions. Go out and get a life. If you really want to continue reading, please do. I will see you and your pasty whiteness sometime next year.

10. “Dissidia: Final Fantasy” (PSP)

“Dissidia” is one big shout-out to the “Final Fantasy” fandom. Honestly, there’s no reason to play it if you haven’t played the other “FF”s. But to be fair, this RPG/action-adventure hybrid has been getting rave reviews. Play it if you have reason, otherwise, don’t bother.

9. “Dragon Quest VIII” (PS2)

“Dragon Quest” is one of the most popular RPG series in Japan. If you’ve never played any of the “Dragon Quest” games, “DQ8” is a good representation of what you can expect. Some may fault the series for being repetitive from game to game, but I actually don’t mind it.

8. “Secret of Mana” (SNES)

A spin-off of “Final Fantasy Adventure,” “Secret of Mana” is still a good game in its own right. If you have a Super Nintendo, it’s a must-play.

7. “Final Fantasy VI” (SNES)

“FF6” is a monumental game. With one of the better stories in videogames and a ridiculous number of controllable characters, it’s easily the second best game for the Super Nintendo, right after “Chrono Trigger.”

6. “Final Fantasy Tactics” (PS1)

A complete break from the other “Final Fantasy” titles, “Tactics” is still amazing in the fact that it has an amazing story line and an insane amount of customization. For fans of the “Fire Emblem” or “Advance Wars” series, this game is a must.

5. “Final Fantasy VIII” (PS1)

This is a controversial pick, but “FF8” is great because it ignored the standard RPG formula and tried something new. This game is less about how much you have leveled up, and more about how skillful a player you are. If you don’t like standard RPGs, try “FF8” sometime. It might surprise you.

4. “Final Fantasy X” (PS2)

The only “Final Fantasy” of note for the PlayStation 2, “FFX” really pulled it off. Square finally decided to implement voice acting, and what a game to do it in. Just a warning, if you have never played this game, be prepared to hate the main character.

3. “Kingdom Hearts” (PS2)

Disney + Square = Awesome. This game deserves a big WOW. Yes, it was designed for a younger audience in mind, but it doesn’t feel like it. If you can’t stomach the slower pace of turn-based RPGs, “Kingdom Hearts’s” action-packed combat might suit you better. (Plus, who doesn’t want to play a game with Donald Duck and Goofy as the main supporting characters?)

2. “Chrono Trigger” (SNES)

I don’t even know how to begin describing this one. It’s the best game for the Super Nintendo, and is the second-best RPG ever made. This game had it all. If you have never played “Chrono Trigger,” please, for the love of God, go play it.

1. “Final Fantasy VII” (PS1)

For RPG fans, this is no surprise. With one of the best storylines ever written, and some of the deepest gameplay ever, this is simply the ultimate in RPGs. If you haven’t played “FF7,” I would actually recommend buying a PS1 just for this game. My absolute favorite game of all time.