Ah the difference Blu-Ray makes. It's very pretty, with a lot more detailing in everything, from the backgrounds to the skin of the characters. At one point I was marveling at how you could see the veins in Reno's hands. They've also changed some stuff up- for example, the mess on Cloud's desk is now all scientific research instead of photos and energy drinks and Omnislash is better than ever. Masamune also now has a light saber-like sound effect. XD However, despite the substantial addition of lines for Rufus, the Turks, Marlene, Denzel and Zack, it doesn't add much --if any-- new knowledge to the compilation. They just pretty much do exposition for all the things that have been stated in the Reunion book and other sources through character dialogue. It seems like Square really wants to underscore how Rufus and the Turks are now good guys and Cloud is a family man.

Shippers will be glad to see new scenes with Cloud oh-so-dramatically rescuing Tifa (I know I grinned like a fool) and Zack giving Cloud a bit of a pep talk.

Despite rumors of an epilogue, there was no such thing- there was only a "Reminiscence of FFVII Compilation," summing up Crisis Core, Before Crisis and Dirge of Cerberus with scenes from each, much like the original "Reminiscence of FFVII" summed up the game for those who hadn't bothered to play it.

The anime version of "Case of Denzel" is really not that interesting- reading the novella is better, IMO. And Reeve's mullet is REALLY bad.

The FFXIII demo is super long- three whole stages with cutscenes- which it should be, considering it cost an extra 1000 yen! It's pretty amazing- the camera is super movable, and you can watch the battle going on in the city in the background as you make your way through the stages. The whole thing reminds me of Star Wars- even the bad guys are like stormtroopers. Gameplay was pretty ho-hum though. Not being able to access the menu between fights was annoying, and there isn't a huge area to explore with loads of NPCs or objects to interact with. Mostly I just attacked, trying to kill baddies as efficiently as possible (Ooh! 5 stars on this battle!) by choosing how many to chain together.

There are also trailers for Versus and Agito on the disc. Versus looks very interesting- dark and urbane. Fighting with magic cards in Agito is less intriguing to me, but the trailer was full of impressive graphics nonetheless. I wonder how long the wait for these two will be- even FFXIII won't be out until "Winter 2009" according to this demo, and we've been waiting for a couple years already. *sigh*

Title: Full Circle (Epilogue)
Fandom: FFVII
Characters: Cloud/Tifa, Denzel/Marlene
Warnings: none
Word Count: about 1000
Summary: Life and death are always intertwined. It's just the natural cycle of things...

 

( Full Circle (Epilogue) )

Title: Preludes to War (August)
Fandom: FFVII Compilation
Characters: Cloud/Tifa, ensemble cast, including some from BC and DoC
Genre: Drama/Family/Action/Romance
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual situations, but non-explicit)
Word Count: about 8800
Summary: What could have happened just prior to Dirge of Cerberus. For anyone who's ever wondered where everyone else was for most of the game.

( Preludes to War )

Yay! It's been so long, but I've been inspired to replay the game thanks to wheatear's nostalgic posts. My poor PS was so dusty, but still works just fine. (^o^)/ 
In the slums now, enjoying all the extra bits of conversation that just aren't in the game script. See, I knew Tifa was a good cook, but I couldn't remember why- until talking with Wedge in 7th Heaven. 
You know, we were just in Bic Camera on Sunday checking out the PS3 demo for FFXIII. And the graphics are just unbelievably gorgeous in comparison to this game. But I still had such a big grin on my face as that initial FMV played. Aeris sure had big bangs a la 80s! 
OK, back to the game. Husband will be back home early for once this week (Yay!) so I have to fit in quality playing time while I can. ;)

Title: The darkest hour...
Fandom: FFVII
Characters: Tifa, Barret, Denzel, Marlene
Rating: PG
Word count: 391
Summary: A missing moment from Advent Children. Grief, interrupted. Tifa drabble.

( The darkest hour... )
 

I've always thought there was a big hole in the fandom with the absolute dearth of Reeve/Rufus fics out there. Two sophisticated, urbane men who have a love of drama. Why doesn't anybody else see this?  However, all my energy is going into Full Circle right now, so I've put any possible ventures into yaoi-land on hold.

But the lovely wheatearposted this link, so I just had to try it. Automated drabble-land, here I come:

Title: Get a beta, already
Fandom: FFVII
Genre: Humor/Parody
Characters: Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Sephiroth
Rating: PG-13 
Word count: 500
Summary: Why fanfic can sometimes be so bad that it's good. Warning: Scathing sarcasm under the cut

( Get a beta, already )