Gaming Blog #1, and Platinum #2!

So I was once told that video games were nothing but a waste of time. Well, I've actually been told that a great many times over the 24 years I've been playing them, but I've also been told that going to film school was a waste and I've actually managed to make money in the film business, so there.

My name is Ben and I love video games. I'm not a professional gamer, I don't work in the game industry, and I have no desire to do either. I just enjoy my hobby and want to share my opinions and accomplishments with people who are actually interested (unlike my fiancee, who is quite sick of hearing about it). Occasionally, I may publish a review, but that's not what this blog is about. This blog will either be shaped by my current mood or the desires of any readers. So, without further introductory minutiae, let's get to the gaming.

9/24 At a Glance

Currently Playing:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (GF)
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 (GF),
Fallout 3
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Recently Completed: Shadow Complex, Batman: Arkham Asylum

Haven't Gotten To Yet: Halo 3: ODST, The Beatles: Rock Band

Patiently Awaiting: Brutal Legend (see below), SW:TFU Ultimate Sith Edition, Assassin's Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2, Bioshock 2, God of War 3

Two games that everyone needs to be playing right now (if you haven't already gotten to them already): Shadow Complex and Batman: Arkham Asylum.

1. Shadow Complex - My first reaction to this game was that it was a straight rip-off of Super Metroid. My second reaction is that there are few better games to rip off (Super Metroid is on my all time top ten, which will be published in a future post). Honestly, this game is amazingly fun. It's mix of combat, exploration, and advancement are finely tuned and polished, and make for an excellent, if not wholly original, gameplay experience.

My Shadow Complex Stats:

• Platform: Xbox 360 (Exclusive)
• Playthroughs: 4
• Gamerscore: 200/200
• I compare it to: Super Metroid, Castlevania SotN
• Play It Again?: Sure

2. Batman: Arkham Asylum - How is it that it took 23 years for Batman to get a game that wasn't a side-scrolling beat 'em up (or it's 3-D equivalent)? From the mediocre to the downright horrible, I remember nothing but embarrassment in the gaming realm for one of my favorite characters since my childhood. But, at 70 years old, Batman has finally gotten a game worthy of him, and Arkham Asylum does that by doing what any great game does, by making the player feel like the character they are playing, and to do that, the developer has to distill the essence of that character and design the gameplay around it. This was the first time that I have really felt like the Caped Crusader, swooping down from the shadows upon a terrified henchman, or taking on a horde of foes, besting them with superior training and reflexes, and emerging untouched. B:AA excels in so many respects, it's hard for me to get them all down and expect anyone to sit and read it. This game has provided my with my second Platinum Trophy, but let me emphasize, it was NOT easy to get. While the second playthough on Hard was challenging, getting through the last few combat challenges (namely Shock and Awe (Extreme) and Sewer Bat (Extreme) were incredibly difficult, and I rank my Platinum up there with my Mile High Club in terms of how proud I am to have obtained it.


My Batman: Arkham Asylum Stats

• Platform: PlayStation 3
• Playthroughs: 2 + Challenge Rooms
• Trophies: 48/48
• I compare it to: Bioshock, Metal Gear Solid
• Play it again?: Anytime

In other news: 360 owners, get on XBL right now and download the Brutal Legend demo. Seriously, it's more metal than metal ever thought metal could get. If the rest of the game is half as awesome as the demo, it will be 60 dollars well spent.

Tomorrow is Friday, and that means Weekend Gaming Session! New post tomorrow with objectives and more random thoughts! Until then,

B.