FFCC: My Life As A King has been the most widely-covered WiiWare title since we first found out about it. A WiiWare offering from Square-Enix on day one of the service is a pretty big deal. I know that I am extremely happy to see such big support right out of the gate. After going through months and months of writing about the game, it was nice to finally sit down with the title. The problem is, the nature of the gameplay in FFCC:MLAAK doesn't lend itself well to quick gameplay sessions. This is, for all intents and purposes, a simulation title. There really isn't a lot of action to speak of, but there are heaps of micromanagement and menus. I definitely need more time with the game to pass judgment, but as of right now, Square-Enix's first WiiWare offering seems to be a very solid one.

Your job as the king is to basically build your town from scratch, and hopefully create a place for your townspeople and name to thrive. It's up to you to populate the town with people, shops, buildings, armies and more. You really have to manage every aspect of the city, with a little bit of help from your subjects. There is a set amount of room to expand upon in the town, and it's up to you to use that space to your best abilities. Pay close attention to what the townsfolk say, and you could find your city thriving. Ignore what the people have to say, and you could be facing regicide before you know it.

As I said before, micromanagement is the key to success. Much like in Sim City, you'll get various reports that will tell you how certain aspects of city life are doing. Based on this information, it's up to you to remedy the situation, or continue on with your plans. You will have to send armies out on expeditions, create buildings that the townsfolk need, and keep peace among your population. If you are not a multitasker, this make seem like a huge task to take on. I have not been one to really get into the Sim City games, but I have always admired those that do. While playing FFCC:MLAAK, I can see that I would actually become very addicted to the genre. That is, if I don't end up getting lost along the way.

The game looks absolutely gorgeous, and closely matches the visuals found in the Cube version of FFCC. The character designs are unmistakable for those that have dabbled in the Cube or DS games. The one problem I have is, the main character almost moves too fast to enjoy the scenery. The king is a wily little guy, running about hectically with the slightest touch of the joystick. I am sure that this is something I could get used to over time, but it was a bit of an annoyance with the short playtime that I had.

I really think I am going to give this game a go when it comes out. I am ready to jump into this genre, and a WiiWare-light version of simulation may be just the thing I need. This type of game is a departure for Square-Enix, so if they can step out of their conform zone, I can do so too.