Sound the trumpets! Hit the lights!

Yes, lay your eyes upon it, ladies and gentlemen. I am one of the trillion who waited at midnight to retrieve 2010's most anticipated title to date! I will also be typing up the HookedGamers review of Final Fantasy XIII.

I won't be starting the game until morning, but I thought I'd share with you my anticipations of the game, before having to throw all bias out the window and getting down to the hardcore gaming.

I have heard mixed reviews regarding Square-Enix's newborn baby, and it's really made me anticipate it more. The traditional followers of the JRPG, at least a good bit of them, are complaining about the game for one reason or another. My personal opinion on that? Awesome. Flat-out awesome. There is nothing I love more than a game which receives criticism before even hitting the gate. That way, the expectations are somewhat lower than they would be, otherwise.

There are a myriad of skeptics out there, who have come to expect a certain type of game in the series. I am not one of them. I never go by a set, list of rules for any game, save a game like Madden, since football already has rules. I will watch the trailer, I will read previews and opinions, but when the $59.99 leaves my wallet (or debit card; I hate carrying cash), my slate is clean. Spotless. It has been given the ShamWow treatment. This is probably what made me differ from the mountain of JRPG fans who were against White Knight Chronicles. You guys were expecting something different, and were knocked off balance with a different game. That's not how I operate. That type of thinking is what will make you feel like you wasted your money, oh, about 70% of the time you buy a new release.

The only new release I've hated since I bought my PS3? The Saboteur. I could not even last more than about 5 hours into that one. The driving system was ridiculous, and the wall-climbing was a bit - how can I put this - sorry, ridiculous is the only word that comes to mind. I know I shouldn't use it twice like that, but what can ya say?

But I digress - my original point was that I am excited about this release, but it is important that those who purchase it try to ShamWow their slate as well. The gameplay is obviously going to be somewhat different than previous Final Fantasy games, but that should only bother you if you hit the Playstation button on your controller expecting a non-linear experience.

This is a new generation in gaming. This is Final Fantasy's first 1080p offering. Let's expect some experimentation, and try to get our money's worth!

Ready...

Set...

Hit the button.