• Residend Evil 5 – So shortly after I wrote the last post on games, Justin decided he wasn’t interested in the game anymore. His complaints were valid, but it left me without a co-op partner (and I was NOT going to trust the AI). Thankfully, I discovered that people are less inclined to be assholes if you’re trying to do things cooperatively. I was greatly pleased by this. I did encounter a few people who were too dumb to play more than a few levels with, I was overall very happy with the experience. The story is kind of odd, but the act of killing the “zombies” was rather entertaining.
• Sonic Unleashed – I didn’t bother finishing this, as it was fun for the “daytime” levels, but the nighttime ones left me feeling a bit annoyed. Plus, the mechanic of “you must find enough of these items to open up the next level” is dumb. If I beat the level, I should get to play the next one. Yeah, I got my 30 bucks worth and that’s about it.
• Shadow Complex – A Metroid/Castlevania type game on the 360? Sign me up. I really enjoyed this one and played the hell out of it. Go buy it, seriously. Just..go.
• Afro Samurai – I picked this up for 20 bucks and it was honestly worth more than that. Samual L. Jackson is HILARIOUS in this game. The art style is taken straight from the anime and it really captures the essence of the show. I will say that it is a button masher, but I happen to like those types of games. If you’ve seen the show, it follows the plot pretty closely, which is good and bad. But overall, I really worthy pickup.
• BlazBlue, Street Fighter 4 and and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 – Have I mentioned I like 2d fighting games? No, well, I like them. A lot. Especially if they are fast with pretty hand drawn graphics. SF4 and MvsC2 were known quantities, but BlazBlue really surprised me. A bit of a sleeper hit in July, I saw the video review and just had to have it. What was cool was they offered the limited edition to the first couple hundred thousand people who bought the game for the same price as the regular edition. But yes, I like them fighting games a lot.
• Brütal Legend – This is one that I really liked, although a lot of other people won’t. If you don’t like RTS games, Heavy Metal or Jack Black, you probably won’t like this game. You might, but I’m just saying. I’m not a huge fan of RTS games, and Jack Black can be annoying, but this was a lot of fun. Technically, the game is not as impressive as others I’m playing/played, but overall it’s worthwhile. It is also just the right length to make you think it could have been longer, without being too long to be really repetitive. Plus, the soundtrack is AWESOME.
• DJ Hero – Yes, I bought it. Yes it’s another rythem game. Honestly, the game’s soundtrack is awesome. I really liked most of the mixes. As a caveat, if you aren’t into DJ mixes/mashups, you won’t like this game. Period. What I didn’t like was the price. But, overall, not a bad music game. Not as well presented as Beatles Rock Band, for example, but it’s still pretty good. I’d wait till the price drops then pick it up.

Here’s what I’m still currently playing

• Borderlands – I generally only play this co-op with my friends as it’s the best way to play it. A shooter that has the rpg/loot mechanics of Diablo/every mmo on the planet is bound to be a hit. Mix in funny writing and a good art style and you have a hit on your hands. Everyone I’ve talked to has loved the game and well, yeah. I’m a complete believer. I’m not even half way in and I always look forward to when my buddies and I can play together.
• Forza Motorsport 3 – I liked the first one. I played the hell out of the second one. The third one is better in every way. I haven’t had time to bust out my racing wheel yet, but even with just the controllers, this game is fantastic. Definitely one of the car nuts out there.
• Assassin’s Creed 2 – Just like Forza 3, I loved the first one and the second is proving to be better all around. I’m not very far in, but so far, it’s awesome.
• Tales of Vesperia – So work plus my travel schedule has been crazy and I haven’t had time to sit down and pop this back in. Part of the problem is I like to play RPG’s in three to six hour blocks, and I just haven’t had one of those I could devote to the game. It’s still fun as hell when I play it, I just need some free time.

• Lost Odyssey – I started this game a LONG time ago and just never got around to finishing it, so shortly after Sakura-con ended, I pulled this back out and got kind of hooked on it. It had been a while since I’d completed a J-RPG and I had forgotten how easy it is to get carried away with leveling up and doing side quests. Needless to say, I probably put in about 5 hours I didn’t really have to, but well, I was having a good time. I definitely recommend this game to people who like JRPGs.
• Mirrors Edge – This is a game I to which I was very much into. I started playing this as just a way of changing pace during my Lost Odyssey craze, and I ended up just kind of blitzkreiging through the game. I think it took me about a week or so to finish it. There are some things that got on my nerves, but a lot of that with me beating the game while achieving a more difficult challenge. (Not shooting a single enemy) But yeah, I I really liked this game.
• Sonic Unleashed – I picked this game up for 30 bucks and have been enjoying it, well, I was, but then my roommate started playing it and I continued on with Lost Odyssey. So far, it’s 30 dollars good, but I’m glad I didn’t pay the full 60 dollars for it. I’ll go back to it after I finish Prototype, but for now, it’s on the back burner.
• Halo 3 – I’ve had the game since launch day and I still hadn’t beaten it. Since Justin now works for Bungie, we figured I should at least play through the game. So in two sittings last week, Justin and I played through the entire campaign. I had originally dismissed this game, but after playing through it, I was surprised at how good it really was. Yeah I know, I”m almost two years late to the party. Still, definitely a good experience.
• Prototype – I usually don’t like open world games, but this one reminded me a lot of Crackdown which I greatly enjoyed. This is definitely the single player game obsession of the house as Yorke and I are both playing through this. There’s something about running around being a complete badass that is just entertaining. Plus, the way the developers are telling the story is really interesting. I’ll have to see if this continues for the second half of the game, but so far, I’m optimistic.
• Tales of Vesperia – I got a lot of recomendation to play this particular game, so I put it at the top of the RPG list to play. I”m about four hours into it, and I’m enjoying it so far. It’s early to tell, but it seems like it’s going to live up to the hype.
• Resident Evil 5 – This is the current game Justin and I are playing through co-op. I’ve never played a Resident Evil game before since I don’t like horror, but since every review has pretty much said it’s not really a horror game, let alone a standard Resident Evil game, I’m giving it a try. So far it’s been pretty good, with the exception of the first level that both Justin and I found annoying. Thankfully, we stuck through it, and the rest has been enjoyable so far. It’ll definitely be interesting to see if there’s a return to stupid.

So yeah…That’s a lot of games. What’s crazy is that I have a lot of other games I want to play or are looking forward to coming out in the next few months. Hopefully I’ll be able to get to those games sooner than later.

Which leads to a quick video gaming update:

• I finally beat Overlord for the XBox 360. I’ve had this game from my lead for a few months and I finally just sat down and beat the last part. Overall, I enjoyed the game immensly, there was just one part I could have done without. I’d highly recommend it.
• I picked up, and have already gotten through the main stages of, Beautiful Katamari. And, if you liked the first one (I haven’t played the second) or having played it, buy it. Seriously, it’s Katamari action in all it’s glory. The graphics remain true to the series (which I appriciate) yet the world is stupidly large. It’s awesome.
• I’ve picked up and started Halo 3. I’m not the biggest fan of Halo, so I play it when I get around to it. I’ll probably beat it after launch with a bunch of guys in the office playing it on Legendary Co-op. Other than that, it’s Halo. I’m really not that into it.
• I’ve been playing through Blue Dragon for the 360, and it is pretty good. It’s not a life changing experience like some other rpg’s I’ve played, but it’s a real Japanese RPG for the XBox 360, and it’s really worth it if you’re into that kind of game. I also went and got the hard mode update which makes the game a lot more fun. I initially started a game on normal (read easy) mode and the additional difficulty makes the game really fun. There are times it’s a bit aggrivating, but once you figure out what you need to do, it’s really good.
• I’ve also really gotten into playing Forza 2. Like, even more than I may have mentioned before. It’s actually quite scary. It doesn’t help that my buddy at work sold me his racing wheel. The addition of the wheel’s force feedback just makes it awesome. It’s definitely nice to have it in the cube for quick laps around the track after a long day at work.
• Finally, I picked up Puzzle Quest and Heroes of Mana for the DS. I’m enjoying both and there good to have in my DS rotation. I’ve started playing on the bus again so my ds is seeing a lot more use.

So yeah, I’m finding some time to get my game on. Which is cool. Hopefully I’ll have more time to get through the stupidly long list of games I want to play after we release. Ooh, that will be nice. Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not playing my Wii right now. I have some hope, and I’ll probably get into Super Mario Galaxy when it comes out, but between now and then, I’m just not that into it. (Then again, I haven’t had time for Quincy Jones and Home Run Derby, which may be a lot of it).

Firstly, the games on the docket:

• Crackdown (XBox 360) – I’ve finished the game and am enjoying working on getting achievements. This is one of the best games I’ve played in a while and…yeah. It’s just really really good. I’m hoping to get into some co-op soon.
• Guitar Hero 2 (Xbox 360) – I’ve beaten the game on Hard and I’m going through it on Expert. I have two more set lists to finish before I’m done with this. It’s a pretty sweet game. And I’m hoping I can get past the last two set lists soon.

Those are the two of been playing the most recently. I just started taking the bus, so I should be brining my DS fully back into the fold agin. I also got a hold of the Trust Bell (Eternal Sonata) beta a few weeks ago. The game seems pretty solid, so I’m really looking forward to that and Blue Dragon. Should be a lot of good rpgs coming this summer, and I’m really psyched about it. I’ve been pretty busy so I’ve done a lot more Live Arcade playing than anything else; mainly because those games are easier to pick up and play in bursts.

I was going to comment on the recent sales numbers of consoles, but that isn’t really topical and I just don’t feel I’d add anything to it. I’m interested to see how things play out over the coming months. I’m especially interested to see how long the Wii can sustain the kinds of sales it is.

Oh, and watching the PS3 flounder is just fun to watch.

• Contact (DS) - I’m almost done with this. I have one more island to beat and I’m done. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed this game through and through. I may come back later and try to get 100% complete, but I doubt I will. Who knows.
• Final Fantasy 12 (PS2) - I got much more into this game when I was in Cincinnati. Since my parents lack an HD TV, and the PS2 I have is a slimline, I through this in my suitcase and brought it. I’ve got a ways to go, but so far, it isn’t bad. The story hasn’t gripped me nearly as much as others in the series, but I’ll give it time.
• Gears of War (360) - I beat this with my old roommate, Justin, when I was in Seattle, and I still play multi-player with a bunch of guys at the office on a regular basis. It’s awesome. That’s all I have to say about that.
• Children of Mana (DS) - I swap this with Contact on the train. It’s much more mindless and I like that. This game is also a great travel companion given that it’s very quick to get in and out of.
• Ray-man Raving Rabbids (Wii) - It’s a collection of party games that is awesome. It’s the surprise of my recent purchases in terms of games. Everything else has turned out to be as I expected. But this has gone beyond my hopes. It is awesome. Seriously.
• Wii Sports (Wii) – There hasn’t been a “everyone has fun at a party” game like this since Golden-eye. Strike that, this is even better. Everyone who plays this loves it. I play it at home because it’s just awesome.
• Zelda: Twighlight Princess (Wii) – I’ve kind of put this on the back-burner. For a while, I was hooked, but then I hit a puzzle and just don’t feel like trying to figure it out. So I’ve gone to other games. It’s awesome, and once I get back into it, I’ll probably go nuts again.

So what about the other games I listed last time? Not much has totally changed. I picked up FF3, but I’m waiting till I finish Contact. I figure I have enough games on my plate. I’m actually going to hold of purchasing the next major game that’s coming out, Lost Planet. Even though the single player is awesome (I played the demo too many times to count), I just can’t justify spending the cash on it. When I widdle down some more of the games on my list, I’ll pick it up. I just have enough on my plate.

Sigh…I love this. I have enough games and systems that I can play games dependent on my mood, not based on if it’s all I have. It’s actually nice to not have to force myself to play something. It’s like my music collection, I can play based on my feelings. It’s so enjoyable. Mind you, I have a lot of very very good games to get through, but I also have enough to get through the spring/summer lull.

Currently Playing
• Contact - I’m seriously enjoyig this RPG. If you have a DS and don’t have this game, I don’t know what to tell you. It’s a really good RPG. It’s a bit quirky, but I think it’s great. I’m totally hooked.
• Lumines - This is my new casual game de jur. This game almost had me being a PSP, but it wasn’t enough to buy the system. Thankfully, it came to the arcade, and I love it. Very very fun.
• Touch Detective – I’m slowly getting into this game. It’s what I pop in my DS when I want a small break from Contact. I’m still just getting into it, but the game is growing on me.

On Deck
• Children of Mana - An action/RPG from Square in a series that I already love? Oh yeah. It also doesn’t hurt that my office mate is into it and we’re nearing completion of our project. It’s pre-ordered, I’m picking it up on the way home.
• Final Fantasy 12 – This was one that I was going to skip. I didn’t play 10 and figured I’d be ok. But now that I own a PS2, I have no excuse. As my buddy Kratville put it:
  

  Kratville: well, whatever, I’m just saying, piss off the girlfriend or not, you are NOT missing out on FFXII
  Me: you won’t stand for such a thing
  Kratville: fuck no I won’t
  I mean, there is a rather finite number of things which fall into that category
  (1) watching the Super Bowl
  (2) eating a lot of food on Thanksgiving
  (3) playing every game that is a true iteration of the FF series

  So yeah, I’m picking this up along with Children of Mana.

In The Hole
• Gears of War - A game from MS that is going to be awesome. A friend of mine on the Zune team has already played it and said it was awesome. I trust his opinion on such things. I’m psyched.
• Final Fantasy 3 – This game has never been released in the states before. It’s coming out for the DS and it looks friggen awesome. So yeah, another RPG for the DS. As I said before, I’m going to be playing games on Planes, Trains, and Automobiles for a while.
• Elite Beat Agents - An American release of Ouendan. I’m going to be on this like a fat kid on a cupcake.
• The Wii and Games – I should be getting it from Amazon at the end of November. This is another one I’m looking forward to. Although, if I dont’ get it soon after launch, I won’t be destroyed for the reasons above. Plus Kratville is getting one.

Riding the Pine
• Dead Rising - This is a good game, and I like it a bunch. But it leaves me so drained after playing it that I have to leave it and come back. Unfortunatly, I last left it and kept playing other games. I’m going to get back to this, but for now, it just isn’t a huge priority.
• Enchanted Arms - I’m over half way through and just haven’t been able to get back into it. I’ll probably get back to finishing it once I’ve completed a bunch of other games. Maybe.
• Megaman ZX - So I’m basically done with this game. I need to find the last level and beat it. Which shouldn’t take too much time, but it’s not very story driven (it’s a Megaman game) and so I basically know how it ends. I’ll probably finish it when I have a serious platforming jones. Till then, it’s just not going to get the playing time that a lot of upcoming games will be. Consider it the Bernie Williams of my DS lineup.

The Bullpen (Not everyday games, but still get good attention)
• 99 Nights – It’s mindless and fun to play. A lot of people didn’t like this game but I got into it. So much that I basically tore through it in about a week. I come back when I just need to stop thinking. Think of it as the anti-Lumines.
• NCAA 2007 Football - This is the serious middle reliever of my game lineup. I can use it for quick games with friends to unwind by myself. At the same time, I can rock this game for a couple of hours playing back to back games. Dan and I have made this game last whole nights. It’s really good. I also see this one getting me through the college football offseason.
• Mario Kart DS - This game is fun. I picked this up to play in the car going to Chuck and Rebecca’s wedding and I still just break it out. It’s a great game, and I definitely see myself playing this a lot with friends over the internet. Plus it’s Mario Kart. How can you hate it?

Wow…that’s a lot. Yeah, I’m definitely a gamer.

Hmm…I’m definitely seeing the holidays as a good chance to catch up on my DS gaming. Yeah, the 360 is going to have to be staying home.

Two in one day? This may be too much.

[Edit] I’ve removed the embeded video becaus it was causing an issue with the livejournal feed.

Well, I’ve gone from crushing to full on obsession. I saw the following in high res from another site. (linked to another)

Um…damn. I’m now crazy psyched.

First things, I picked up Mega Man ZX for the DS last week. So far, I’ve only been playing it for a couple of days (I’ve reserved it to mainly commute playing), but I really like it. I haven’t played a Mega Man game in a long time, but I definitely like the feel of this one.

Second up, I’m about 40% of the way through Enchanged Arms and I am really enjoying the game. It’s definitely a good RPG with which to get back into the genre, although the writing, as many reviews have stated, leaves a bit to be desired. Overall, it’s a really good game. I think a lot of the reviews don’t do it justice, but that’s just my opinion.

I’ve also been playing a lot of NCAA Football 2007; especially when Dan comes over. It is lacking a bit of polish, but it’s solid and really good for the first version on the XBox 360.

Finally, the big one, I’ve already pre-ordered a Nintendo Wii last week. A buddy of mine saw that Amazon was taking pre-orders and I jumped all over it. Apparently I got in at a good time, because Amazon sold out of their pre-orders in a day. Hopefully I’ll get one on the first day, but we’ll have to say.

So yeah, a lot of video game playing, which is funny given the amount of time I’ve spent also getting fit. Guess I just have good balance.