Final Fantasy XIII Review

It didn’t take much playtime of Final Fantasy XIII before I realised that this was something special. Stunning graphics, free-flowing gameplay and a captivating storyline all gel together brilliantly, in what really is one of the games of the year. Having recently downloaded both the 7th and 8th instalments of this series from the Playstation Store, it’s hard to believe that these three games are part of the same franchise, given the huge improvements in gameplay that have taken place over the years.

Players can take on the role of one of six characters for the most part of the game, as well as some other minor characters along the way. Long gone are the days of text box dialogue, as hugely impressive cut-scenes play out the story. Battles are also hugely improved from previous episodes of the series, with the paradigm system adding new, customised dimensions to the fighting experience. Battle controls are now also limited to a single character of your choice, which has greatly improved the speed and enjoyment of this aspect of the game.

Final Fantasy XIII really is a breath of fresh air in terms of pure entertainment. It’s difficult not to be moved by the fascinating storylines of each of the characters, which are played out by a combination of current events and flashbacks. There is a real sense of danger on frequent occasions throughout, which is nicely offset by some genuinely entertaining appearances from chocobos and sheep (I kid you not!) along the way. It really is a joy to play from start to finish, and a must-have for any gamer in 2010.

Hodgson the right man for Liverpool

Hodgson the right man for Liverpool

Liverpool today unveiled Roy Hodgson as their new manager, to collective sighs of relief from fans worldwide. Hodgson was voted manager of the year after guiding Fulham to the Europa League final last season and was the clear favourite to land the job. He is sure to prove a popular choice on Merseyside, following a shambolic showing from the team last season. Hodgson is faced with completely rebuilding a side that has never looked further away from winning another League title.

Hodgson is a man with a refreshingly honest and forthright approach to football management, which is bound to be appreciated by fans, after years of baffling decisions and behaviour from Rafael Benitez. One of the main drawbacks of the Benitez era was the manager’s stubborn refusal to engage at all with fan’s unrest, and media interviews which became increasingly ridiculous towards the end of the last season. Such problems are unlikely to arise with Hodgson, who is widely respected across Europe, for a career that has now included 16 managerial positions over a 30 year spell.

Hodgson also has the added advantage of having achieved success with a limited budget at Fulham. Liverpool are undoubtedly faced with a similar situation, given the perilous position that owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks find themselves in. One of his greatest challenges will be motivating the players that have looked devoid of confidence for the last 12 months, as he is unlikely to be given significant funds to make any serious impact in the transfer market.

If he is to buy any players, he is undoubtedly going to have to sell first, and this is an area where Hodgson’s hands may unfortunately be tied. Javier Mascherano has allegedly begun learning to speak Italian in anticipation of a move to Inter Milan, while Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are consistently linked with moves abroad. It seems likely than Mascherano will be the first to go, with Torres and Gerrard likely to stay put, at least in the short term. Gerrard has been in a wretched patch of form recently, while Torres has had a season blighted by injuries and is unlikely to jump ship after only two years at the club. Others rumoured to be on the way out include Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger, so it remains to be seen what Hodgson will have to work with next season.
What is clear is that Hodgson faces a massive task in reviving a club that has been on the ropes ever since they failed to win the league title in 2009. Hodgson has stated that he is targeting a return to Champions League football for the club within the next year, which would undoubtedly appease players and fans alike. Liverpool are in need of a serious makeover if they are to challenge for honours anytime soon, and Hodgson might just be the man to lead them to such fortunes.

World Cup – Day 2

The second day of the world cup in South Africa proved to be an exciting one, with 270 minutes of football involving some potential champions, and some individual performances that will leave many scratching their heads. Things kicked off at 12:30pm, with South Korea vs. Greece. Many pundits have predicted that neither of these two teams will make it past the group stage, and after this display, it seems they have a case.

Korea ran out comfortable winners, the match ending with a 2-0 score line. It was plain sailing for the Koreans for much of the match, taking the lead as they did in the first ten minutes, with a neat finish from a corner on seven minutes from Jung-Soo Lee. The Greek team looked strangely lethargic by way of comparison and it was hard to fathom how a team who had gone through so much to reach the finals could have performed so poorly in their opening game. After the second goal by Ji-sung Park, Korea retreated, and allowed Greece time on the ball. It was a strategy that almost proved disastrous, as Greece had more chances in the last twenty minutes of the game that in the rest of the match. In the end though, they couldn’t take any of these chances, and the game finished with a comfortable 2-0 score line in favour of the Koreans.

Next up was the hotly anticipated match between Argentina and Nigeria. Much of the pre match attention naturally focussed on Diego Maradona, who has been nothing short of entertaining in the lead up to the finals. Bizarrely, he opted to play Newcastle’s left winger Jonas Gutierrez at right full back, and Argentina were almost made to pay the price. On numerous occasions, play passed Gutierrez by as he came to terms playing in such an unfamiliar position, and Argentina were lucky not to be punished as a result.

Disappointingly, the only goal of a game that Argentina dominated, arrived in the fifth minute. A powerful diving header from Gabriel Heinze proved the difference between the sides, though in truth the gap could have been significantly wider. Having taken the lead, Argentina pushed on, only to waste a hatful of chances that came their way. Indeed, Nigeria were unlucky not to have equalised on the break, creating chances on numerous occasions. Argentina are likely to progress through this group comfortably, but look shaky in defence. It’s likely that higher quality teams might punish this weakness further on in the tournament.

The day finished with the much hyped game between the USA and England. Unfortunately though, it proved to be a relatively dull affair, and will be remembered solely for a horrific mistake by England goalkeeper Robert Green. England had taken the lead within 5 minutes, Gerrard slotting home after a smooth exchange of passes between himself and Heskey. By the half hour mark though, things had changed drastically, with Green inexplicably spilling a timid, long range effort from Clint Dempsey into his own net. After the match, many of the England players attempted to deflect criticism from Green, claiming the unpredictable World Cup ball was to blame. In truth though, it was a lack of concentration from the England goalkeeper that had cost England the lead, and they never truly recovered thereafter.

Much of the match involved long punts up field from Robert Green to Emile Heskey, which didn’t make for pleasant viewing. The game generally bypassed the midfield, which must have worked to England’s disadvantage, given the quality players at their disposal. In the end, a draw seemed a fair result, with chances to win the match falling to both sides. Jozy Altidore clipped the post having comfortably beaten Jamie Carragher for pace, while Heskey fired straight at Tim Howard, having been played clean through on goal. It was a slightly disappointing end to a generally entertaining day of football, but it was hard to argue with the result.

World Cup Kick-Off Looms

World Cup Kick-Off Looms

For those of you that don’t know, the World Cup kicks-off tomorrow for the first time be on African soil. Thirty-two countries will battle it out over the course of the next month to become World champions. Seven games are all that stands between each team and achieving that goal. First up is the group stage, and here we look at what is likely to pan out over the course of the next two weeks, as well as some predictions of who is likely to progress from each group. Regardless of the outcome, it promises to be an exciting tournament for all concerned.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Aside from France, the countries in this group will be largely unknown entities to European viewers. There are few familiar names to contend with, the more noticeable being Uruguay’s ex-Manchester United and current Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan, and Everton’s combative South African midfielder Stephen Pienaar.

The majority of viewers will be hoping that South Africa progress to the next stage, as if they don’t, they will become the first host country not to do so. The other countries are going to provide a stern test though. While the majority of those viewers in Ireland will be hoping for three French defeats, the harsh reality is that they should prove too strong for the opposition in this group. In any case, the group is sure to provide an exciting opening day to the tournament.

Prediction: France, Mexico


Group B: Korea, Greece, Argentina, Nigeria

Undoubtedly the biggest talking point of this group is what impact the brilliant but flawed genius of Maradona will have on the ability of Argentina to lift the trophy for a third time. The Argentina manager has already made a host of controversial decisions before the tournament has even begun, leaving out Champions League winners Javier Zanetti and Estaban Cambiasso altogether from his final squad. He also has a less than perfect relationship with star player Lionel Messi, the latter reportedly unhappy with Maradona’s relatively hands-on approach to management.

Elsewhere in the group, second place is tough to call. Korea Republic qualified comfortably, but are likely to struggle in any physical encounters, while former European champions Greece barely sneaked past an average Ukraine side in November’s now infamous set of European play-offs. Nigeria have the experience of Portsmouth striker Kanu to count on up front, but will need more than that to carry them through to the round of sixteen.

Prediction: Argentina, Korea


Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Nobody is giving Algeria or Slovenia a prayer in this group, and it is easy to see why in Algeria’s case. A three-nil friendly defeat to Ireland last month at the RDS did little to dispel the theory that Algeria would be the whipping boys of the tournament. In Slovenia’s case however, the pessimism is less easily understood. While they are a small enough country, they did manage to overcome Russia in the play-offs and should provide a stern test for the much fancied England and USA teams.

Fabio Capello’s men really should not have any difficulty in progressing though. If they do, it will be of their own making. Their squad is simply too strong to encounter any slip-ups here. Similarly, it will be a surprise if the USA fail to make it through, with a team littered with premiership stars such as Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. It’s difficult to see past these two sailing through.

Prediction: England, USA

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

A significant amount of appeal has been lost from this group on account of unfortunate injuries to two of the star players. Ghanaian captain Michael Essien is out of the tournament, recovering from a knee injury, while German captain Michael Ballack suffered an unfortunate injury in the FA cup final. Had the two been fit, this group would have been a lot easier to call, but now it seems like being a much tighter affair.

Ghana are likely to miss their talismanic captain more than Germany, with nobody of any real quality left to fill the void left by Essien’s departure. Australia are also a decent side. They qualified very comfortably, this time around from the Asian qualifying zone, and are a solid unit. Only last year they came to Dublin and beat Ireland three-nil in a friendly match. Serbia topped their group in qualifying ahead of France, but have been in dreadful form in recent warm-up games.

Prediction: Germany, Australia

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

Netherlands arguably had the easiest route to qualification of any team, bar South Africa. They sailed comfortably through a group containing Norway and Scotland, and it is hard to see a different result here. Household names like Robin Van Persie, a fit again Arjen Robben, and Champions League winner Wesley Sneijder should see them through without a hitch.

With regards to second place, it looks like being a tight contest between Japan and Denmark. Denmark came through a tough group in qualifying, overcoming both Portugal and Sweden, while Japan recently showed in a friendly against England that they will be no pushovers. Cameroon appear to be one of the weaker sides in the tournament, and really look like struggling. Second place is likely to come down to a winner takes all meeting between Denmark and Japan in Rustenburg on the 24th of June.

Prediction: Netherlands, Japan


Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Irish viewers will be interested in this group for a number of reasons. Firstly, we have Italy, the defending champions, who overcame Trappatoni’s men in qualifying. With Marcello Lippi in charge once more, they are a force to be reckoned with, but it is difficult to see them lifting the trophy again, considering the ageing line-up that they possess. Key playmaker Andrei Pirlo is also a doubt for the tournament.

Slovakia have been drawn in the same group as Ireland in qualification for the European championships, and it will be interesting to see how they fare, having beaten the likes of Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Poland and the Czech Republic to top spot in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Their main competition should come from New Zealand, who have impressed in recent friendlies, narrowly losing to Italy and Australia. Few give Paraguay any chance though, despite an impressive qualification record.

Prediction: Italy, New Zealand

Group G: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea

When Didier Drogba broke his arm in a friendly against Japan last week, the world held its breath. It is universally accepted that this Ivory Coast team represent Africa’s best hope of claiming the World Cup trophy for the first time, and Drogba is the key to their success. Miraculously, Drogba is now in the frame to play against Portugal on Tuesday, and few would begrudge the Ivory Coast a win here.

Brazil are once again fancied to win the tournament outright, while Portugal boast a talented line-up including none other than controversial character Cristiano Ronaldo. North Korea meanwhile will be lucky to get any points on the board, desperately unlucky to be drawn in such a high quality group in only their second qualification for the tournament.

Prediction: Brazil, Ivory Coast

Group H: Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland

Spain are the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy, and are aided in this regard by a relatively straight forward looking group. Spain are favourites to win because they have the best players in the world right now, in almost every position, and it is hard to see anyone in this group providing any sort of opposition. Their first real test will come in the round of sixteen, most likely against Portugal or the Ivory Coast.

Chile are the most likely side to clinch the runner-up spot here. Honduras are the third side to qualify from the North American zone, and have Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios in their ranks, while Switzerland are a solid outfit, albeit lacking in star quality. Chile qualified comfortably from the South American zone, and should do the same here, barring any hiccups.

Prediction: Spain, Chile

Eurovision 2010 Oslo: Review

‘Sorry Niamh, not for us!’

Niamh Kavanagh

The Eurovision Song Contest ended in bitter disappointment for Ireland last night, as Niamh Kavanagh’s ‘It’s for You’ could only manage to gather 26 points, finishing in a lowly 23rd position in the final of the competition. It was a crushing blow for Kavanagh, who had been tipped in many quarters as one of the favourites to win the final outright. Kavanagh, who had previously won the competition for Ireland, was aiming to become only the second ever contestant to win the Eurovision twice, the first being Johnny Logan.

Lena from Germany was the eventual winner, ending the night with a tally of 246 points, after her catchy rendition of the song ‘Satellite’. A clearly overwhelmed Lena struggled to describe her feelings after her victory, stating ‘“I am shocked, and I am very happy, it is so much to think about, I am so grateful in fact I am completely freaking out’. The victory was only Germany’s second ever in the competition, the first having arrived in 1982. Lena was previously unknown in Germany, before winning the national talent competition that led to her taking part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Her song ‘Satellite’ has also become the fastest selling download in Germany, which heralds a remarkable rise to success for the 19 year old.

It proved to be an exciting night in Oslo, with the Norwegian hosts pulling out all the stops to provide what was an excellent night’s entertainment. All too often in the past, viewer’s have been subjected to cringe-worthy attempts at humour by presenters that were sorely lacking in that department. Last night though, fans were not to be disappointed. The sincerity of the presenters was noteworthy and the immense pride at what Alexander Rybak had achieved the previous year was evident from the slick presentation and the overwhelmingly positive attitude of the crowd in Oslo.

Rybak kicked things off with his winning entry from 2009 at the start of the show, and 25 songs from around Europe followed, with varying degrees of quality. Viewers were even subjected to two performances from one country, as Spain’s initial performance was interrupted by a member of the public storming the stage, and had to be repeated at the end of the night. Other bizarre highlights included an entry from Armenia entitled ‘Apricot Stone’, and Belarus’ nonsensical attempt to incorporate butterfly costumes into an otherwise shambolic performance.

Lena celebrates her victory

The Eurovision has thrown up some entertaining interval acts in the past, with ‘Riverdance’ being the most noteworthy from an Irish perspective. Last night provided a similarly remarkable spectacle. Viewers were treated to a display of dance from across Europe, with thousands of members of the public engaging in ‘Flash-Mobs’, with contributions from each of the countries taking part. In Ireland’s case, hundreds had gathered in Temple Bar to dance along. Even the greatest of cynics couldn’t help but smile as the act’s theme of ‘120 million as one’ became reality, as jubilant crowds across Europe joined in the fun.

The three hour final was a far cry from days of Eurovision gone by, with ballads generally performing poorly, and musical creativity being rewarded generously from voters and jurors around Europe. The days of the power ballad seem to be numbered, and given Ireland’s reliance on such a format in the past, this is a serious cause for concern. It remains to be seen what action, if any, RTÉ will take to try and get Ireland in contention to win the competition once more. Clearly, an increased focus on song quality is needed if Ireland is to become a contender again, with catchy upbeat numbers becoming the norm for the winners.

From a purely Irish perspective, 23rd position seemed harsh on Kavanagh. However, it stands to reason that while she performed well, the song was relatively poor, and instantly forgettable. It was the kind of ballad that may have brought Ireland glory before the 1990s ended, but it seemed very much out of place in an otherwise contemporary and entertaining show. If the quality of last night was anything to go by, viewers can look forward to an excellent spectacle in Berlin next year. Ireland will have to seriously improve though, if they are to have any chance of repeating their former success in the competition.