My Platinum update is currently active on RPGamer, I was just hired there both as Staff Reviewer and 2nd in Command of the entire Points of View section, finally decided to drop Economies in Transition, finished playing FFX-2, and Initiation Week begins this Sunday at midnight. It would appear the anticipated break from all things stressful will not be forthcoming.

Incidentally, for those curious about such things, I finished FFX-2 in 35 hours with a 73% completion rate - without a FAQ or any outside help whatsoever, I might add. I have yet to begin on the review, but I do remember a time in which a Final Fantasy's ending was the capstone of the plot, it's execution determining whether the entire experience would be remembered with fondness or not at all. Such days have since been lost to the ages, yet another verse added to the fading requiem of brighter times. That such commercialism and subliminal marketing has pervaded every level of entertainment, up to and including role-playing games from Japan, speaks volumes about the decaying vestiges of artistic merit. I suppose the lesson to be learned here is that nothing is sacred. At least, not any more.

Expect the full FFX-2 review soon.

Speaking of content, the FFX-2 review is currently 825 words and showing no signs of stopping. Indeed, it is shaping up to be more of an editorial than a review, but I plan on submitting posting it on RPGamer regardless. I am thinking it will be a rather interesting first staff review for me, seeing as how the other two staffers who have wrote a review gave it an 8 and 9, respectfully. We will just have to see how that goes.

As it turns out, creating a LiveJournal pretty much kills 90% of the updates to the site I normally do. Hopefully waiting for that other 10% of the updates will be worth it with the addition of my now-completed Final Fantasy X-2 review. After almost 1400 words and two weeks of editing, I would have to say it one of the best RPG reviews I've written.

Unfortunately, with the completion of FFX-2, I have officially ran out of RPGs to review. I'm pretty far in Kingdom Hearts, in the initial stages of Shadow Hearts, played about an hour of Icewind Dale, and have bought Gladius and Breath of Fire 3. Despite all of this however, I am currently enthralled with Jak and Daxter 2, Counter-Strike, and Dance Dance Revolution. Things could change, of course, but such events most likely will not transpire until I have beaten them all. Tough world, I know.