Articles by Alex Donaldson

Now Platinum's Hideki Kamiya weighs in on the JRPG debate: "It's something that should be celebrated moving forward"
Now Platinum's Hideki Kamiya weighs in on the JRPG debate: "It's something that should be celebrated moving forward"

Another legendary Japanese creator has thoughts on the appropriateness of the term 'JRPG' - but it's a very different take.

news by Alex Donaldson on 04 August, 2023

The music of Final Fantasy V, VIII, IX, and XIII gets the red carpet treatment in an incredible new orchestral arrangement album
The music of Final Fantasy V, VIII, IX, and XIII gets the red carpet treatment in an incredible new orchestral arrangement album

Final Symphony 2 is coming next week, and aims to offer gorgeous new arrangements from four classic games.

news by Alex Donaldson on 27 July, 2023

Final Fantasy XVI Non-Spoiler fan FAQ - Your Questions Answered
Final Fantasy XVI Non-Spoiler fan FAQ - Your Questions Answered

We answer your burning questions about this rarest of things - a new numbed, main-line FF game!

feature by Alex Donaldson on 21 June, 2023

“We have a dream team on 16” - Final Fantasy XVI Developer Interview
“We have a dream team on 16” - Final Fantasy XVI Developer Interview

We sit down with FF16's Naoki Yoshida, Hiroshi Minagawa, and Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and talk finding new audiences, hopes, fears, and the identity of the hardest-working American on the planet.

interview by Alex Donaldson on 25 May, 2023

“It feels like the sort of bold change FF has needed for a while,” - Final Fantasy XVI Preview in Discussion
“It feels like the sort of bold change FF has needed for a while,” - Final Fantasy XVI Preview in Discussion

James and Alex sit down to discuss their thoughts, having played a hefty preview of Final Fantasy XVI

feature by Alex Donaldson and James Galizio on 23 May, 2023

Could there be a Final Fantasy XVI sequel? “We’ve left the door open a little,” says its Naoki Yoshida
Could there be a Final Fantasy XVI sequel? “We’ve left the door open a little,” says its Naoki Yoshida

If you're not done exploring Valisthea once FF16's credits roll, there's still a chance the land may be revisited.

news by Alex Donaldson on 23 May, 2023

The key to Final Fantasy XVI’s success is its story - but it’s also Naoki Yoshida’s biggest worry
The key to Final Fantasy XVI’s success is its story - but it’s also Naoki Yoshida’s biggest worry

Much rests on the shoulders of FF16 protagonist Clive - as a sole lead, he'll carry its narrative - which the game's creators feel is its greatest asset.

news by Alex Donaldson on 22 May, 2023

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review

While built around the framework of its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom cleverly recontextualizes the world and systems of this iteration of Hyrule. Through that it is fresh, thrilling, and one of the best games in recent memory. It's also every bit as ground-breaking as its predecessor.

review by Alex Donaldson on 11 May, 2023

Street Fighter 6 is a role-playing game, actually
Street Fighter 6 is a role-playing game, actually

While it remains true to its fighter roots, there might be a little something in the latest Street Fighter for RPG fans.

feature by Alex Donaldson on 03 May, 2023

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are almost definitive - but this is the missing content from other versions
The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are almost definitive - but this is the missing content from other versions

If these versions are based on the originals, what later additions might we miss out on?

feature by Alex Donaldson on 06 April, 2023

Final Fantasy XVI is a different take - and it's valid to love or loathe that. But saying it's 'not FF' is wrong
Final Fantasy XVI is a different take - and it's valid to love or loathe that. But saying it's 'not FF' is wrong

FF16 is certainly different to everything that came before it. But to say it isn't Final Fantasy is just ludicrous.

feature by Alex Donaldson on 01 March, 2023

It’s Final Fantasy XVI preview time - here’s everything we’ve learned
It’s Final Fantasy XVI preview time - here’s everything we’ve learned

As FF16 previews hit the internet, there's a lot of new information to digest.

news by Alex Donaldson on 28 February, 2023

The Best Final Fantasy games revealed - as ranked by thousands of fans
The Best Final Fantasy games revealed - as ranked by thousands of fans

Thousands of you had your say - and now he's the best Final Fantasy games, ranked. And since you chose 'em, you can't complain.

feature by Alex Donaldson on 22 February, 2023

Dragon Age Inquisition's Horse has been lying to you all this time
Dragon Age Inquisition's Horse has been lying to you all this time

We're not horsing around here - we've all been hoodwinked.

news by Alex Donaldson on 04 February, 2023

Former Sega Localization Coordinator blasts lack of translator credits in Persona 3 & 4 remasters
Former Sega Localization Coordinator blasts lack of translator credits in Persona 3 & 4 remasters

Translators have been left out of the credits of the new remaster - and some ex-employees aren't happy.

news by Alex Donaldson on 21 January, 2023

In Fire Emblem Engage, Horse Manure is the ultimate gift
In Fire Emblem Engage, Horse Manure is the ultimate gift

If you want to make your Fire Emblem Engage units know how much you appreciate them... have you considered some Horse poop?

feature by Alex Donaldson on 21 January, 2023

Marvel's Avengers to end later this year, with a final update in weeks
Marvel's Avengers to end later this year, with a final update in weeks

It's The Death of the Dream for Captain America, again, as his video game version faces the end.

news by Alex Donaldson on 21 January, 2023

Fans have already modded the most questionable romance out of Persona 3 Portable HD
Fans have already modded the most questionable romance out of Persona 3 Portable HD

If you thought that Ken romance was nonce-sense, good news: some fans have already removed it.

news by Alex Donaldson on 21 January, 2023

Sony deal bans Final Fantasy XVI and VII Remake from Xbox with "exclusion" agreement, says Microsoft
Sony deal bans Final Fantasy XVI and VII Remake from Xbox with "exclusion" agreement, says Microsoft

Will FF7 Remake and FF16 ever come to Xbox? Microsoft seems to think they won't, and blames Sony.

news by Alex Donaldson on 28 December, 2022

Square Enix removes console Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster screenshots, raising hopes of a font change
Square Enix removes console Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster screenshots, raising hopes of a font change

You might not need that magnifying glass after all, if Square Enix's recent changes are to be believed.

news by Alex Donaldson on 18 December, 2022

Crisis Core Reunion’s DMW slots changes are a huge improvement - except for in one iconic scene
Crisis Core Reunion’s DMW slots changes are a huge improvement - except for in one iconic scene

Crisis Core Reunion changes one major mechanic just a little bit - but the effect of that change is enormous.

feature by Alex Donaldson on 16 December, 2022

Forspoken’s demo showcases combat with deep potential, but poor tutorials do it no favors
Forspoken’s demo showcases combat with deep potential, but poor tutorials do it no favors

There's a lot that's not ideal about Forspoken, but there's also a lot it has to get excited about.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 10 December, 2022

Final Fantasy XVI Characters: meet the cast of FF16
Final Fantasy XVI Characters: meet the cast of FF16

Who are the new characters you'll be getting to know in FF16? Let's meet them.

feature by Alex Donaldson on 09 December, 2022

Final Fantasy XVI release date set for June 22, 2023
Final Fantasy XVI release date set for June 22, 2023

FF16's Summer date gets shored up to late June, right after E3.

news by Alex Donaldson on 09 December, 2022

Forspoken demo out now on PlayStation 5
Forspoken demo out now on PlayStation 5

Play Forspoken for yourself, and experience Frey's magical abilities.

news by Alex Donaldson on 09 December, 2022

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