Hello all, welcome to another year of buying more games than you can possibly play. I'm now fully platformed up having acquired an iPhone and a mid-high range PC at the start of the month (huge thanks to John for the latter!). This of course opens me up to attacks from Steam and their mischievous sales so I better go kiss my money goodbye before its gone.

I'm going to do my best to improve this monthly blog post and find a good way of summarising my games playing. I think its nice to comment on games I have played significantly during a month, even if I didn't 'complete' them in the traditional sense (which last year was reaching the credits screen, not something that's possible in all types of games).

So here we go with a different format, let me know what you think and share your activity with me if you feel so inclined.

Rob.

FEATURED

Rayman Origins

We were playing through this believing we were reaching the end, and then the level selection map exploded open, revealing twice as many locations as were present before. The challenge is really ramping up this point, and is putting pressure on our co-operative co-ordination. If both of us have to time a platforming sequence perfectly and one of us miss-steps, it can frustrate. I'm sure it'll make us better players by the end, but fingers crossed I'll live to see that point with my throat intact.

TrackMania 2: Canyon

Getting a home PC has been one of my objectives since first playing TM2. Now it's happened, I have no excuse and got a few late night sessions in before them month's end. Being able to play on Jeff's server at the same time as everyone else instead of squeezing 20 minutes in during lunch is much better and I've been jumping ranks by the thousands.

Forza Motorsport 4

For January, Forza became that game that I can play semi-competently whilst doing other things such as listening to/watching Giant Bomb or any other podcasts. There are of course plenty of those to see/hear and so this was my most played game of the month. It's a solid racing experience, and I got to the end of the career mode, which barely makes a dent in the actual total amount of events to be entered in the game, not even thinking about Autovista, car design or online multiplayer/leaderboards play. It doesn't grip me enough to go through it all and its not varied enough either, but I'd recommend it for racing game enthusiasts.

Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty

Earl and I were discussing the PC, and I mentioned I was planning to install this one. A breathless discussion of the possibilities of co-op play later, and there I was in front of the keyboard and mouse, unable to remember any of the controls or game mechanics. With each 2vAI match we learned a few more things and eventually managed to take down easy opponents. Earl delved a bit deeper down the hole in search of beginner tips and tricks and we're now planning to get better and better until we can take down the hardest AI. Looking forward to it, its such a different game to what I'm used to it and it was exciting learning new skills.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

My first MMO experience was EVE and I learned very little from that, the guided experience that it was at the time. This time, I plan to learn bit by bit and see if the genre is for me. So far, I've already lost several hours in it without meaning to, which is of course to be expected. Up to Level 9 so far, needed advice from Stu and Pedro but I'm slowly getting there. Treating it as a single player experience until I've got enough understanding to go play with others in the 'Certified' guild. Oh, and I got a new mouse and mousepad as investments in my PC gaming (Razer DeathAdder Black Edition and a Goliathus Control Edition mat, FYI!)

Super Mario 3D Land

Last Mario experience was Galaxy, of which I only played 2 hours. Already, I'm intent on playing through the whole of 3D Land, its definitely the most engrossing 3DS experience yet. Recommended for any 3DS owner.

Genki Bowl VII (Saints Row: The Third DLC)

Pretty damn light piece of content, I rinsed it of its activities and achievements in a couple of sessions. Really hoping for more story in the next packs which I have already paid for with the Season Pass. I'll hold my faith for now as it was of course my GOTY, but I doubt anyone out there can feel satisfied with this one unless they're yet to complete the game and will play the activities mixed in with the rest of the experience (which is a dilemma for lots of DLC, had the issue with L.A. Noire last year myself).

ALSO PLAYED

Mortal Kombat - Playing war of attrition style through the story mode.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Solid shooter that is currently holding my interest.

Army of Two - Title we certified not long after moving to Madrid, decided it was time to get it done on my own profile.

Gears of War 3 - Playing Horde and Beast modes with Jay, stuck at Wave 20 (?), feeling outnumbered.

Iron Brigade - Picked it up after watching the Martian Bear QL, having fun on my lonesome.

And:

Bastion, Renegade Ops, Skyrim, Rock Band 3, Superbrothers SSEP Mini, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD, Skylanders, Sonic 3, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon, WWE All-Stars, Mario Kart 7, The Godfather 2, Halo Wars, From Dust, Dustforce, Pullblox, Darksiders, Assassin's Creed: Revelations

COMPLETED

Army of Two [2008] (3)

Forza Motorsport 4 [2011] (5)

Genki Bowl VII [DLC] (3)

MOST PLAYED

Forza Motorsport 4

GAME OF THE MONTH

Super Mario 3D Land