Slightly Delayed Video Game Reviews

This post was intended to be a cutting examination of our political system, but every time I think about it I start vomiting streams of blood all over the house. The last time this happened I put on my Red Lantern tee and went to a doctor. He expressed some concern at first, but once I explained about the Politics thing he just nodded his head and told me not to worry about it. "It's a common reaction," he said. "I recommend laying down a tarp over any carpets you have in the house."

So until I can get to Home Depot I'm forbidden to write about politics. Here, instead, are some quick video game reviews.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is probably the best Nintendo game out now, which is usually true about any Mario game except for Sunshine. Lots of fun to play with the family, but only if you enjoy domestic strife.

Brutal Legend is a must-play game for video game fans who are also fans of Metal. The story starts out as Jack Black funny but quickly evolves into something poignant and surprisingly touching. Unfortunately the gameplay suffers a bit from looking like a real-time strategy game but punishing traditional RTS tactics, but you can have a good amount of fun driving around listening to the music and running over gas-powered boars.

Left 4 Dead 2 took everything that was great about the first game and made it Better, except for the AI. Only a fool would play with robots at any difficulty level above Easy. However, once you get some human partners this game moves from Very Good to Excellent.

Dragon Age: Origins looks promising, but I have not yet had time to get any in-depth playing in, which is the same problem I have with every other RPG these days. The coming release of Bioshock 2 will do nothing to help me here.

Bayonetta is so oversexed that your game system may overheat during the opening cinematics. If it survives you will soon tune out the main character's assets in favor of a very nice adventure game in the style of God of War. I am told the game is properly in the style of Devil May Cry but I have not played any of those games.

And I have not played the game yet, but Bioshock 2 is already on my must-have list and I do not expect it to drop off anytime soon.

--Dave

Author's Log

Currently waiting for review on my synopsis, which will be sent in this week come hell or complete silence from my beta readers. (Which is a term I've just recently come across, but I like it!)

Current Reading

Many books on starting a small business, which have led me to conclude that I should find a good CPA without delay. Also Hey Rube by Hunter S. Thompson, which covers the first four years of the Bush administration and a lot of sports. One wonders what he would have made of the last three years...

...and there goes the blood again. I'm also reading Shadow King by Gav Thorpe, which is a sequel to Malekith. These books together chart the beginning of The Sundering, a civil war between the High and Dark Elves of the Warhammer world. Essential reading for Warhammer fans, and good dark fantasy for everyone else.