I got into the Super Monday Night Combat beta. That's all I can say about that, unfortunately, since anyone in the closed beta is under an NDA. I'm pretty sure that I can say that it has me excited to play more Super Monday Night Combat, though... That's okay to say, right?

However, I CAN talk about how Gamestop had this whole "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" on all their used games, and coincidentally, they had Vanquish and El Shaddai for $17 a piece (the free game was Mass Effect 2...my brother's X-mas present). I almost picked up Nier as my third choice to continue with the whole "weird Japanese" aesthetic, but I decided to have a heart and shit.

Both of those games are exactly what I was hoping for: excited and fun to play. El Shaddai is something that I kind of regret not having on my Best Of 2011 list, but I've also only been through a couple of hours (I'm in Act 2 right now).

If it's one thing that they both make me appreciate, it's the fact that they take this complete left-turn approach to their respective genres. Sure, the DMC-combat-style of game has always been a little weird and crazy, but I like having no HUD and the mystery that the game surrounds you in. There are few games I know of that start and very quickly rewind you back to the start screen. It sets a very specific mood and aura around the game that makes me curious to delve further into it.

Vanquish, on the other hand, gives me all of that pulse-pounding action that I expect from a PlatinumGames joint. ROCKET KNEES! If anything, this is Gears of War done right: fast, snappy, and absolutely bonkers from the get-go. Again, I'm super excited to put more time into it, and if my playtime with Bayonetta (something close to 70 hours) is any indication, I'm sure Vanquish will get a ton of spin time in the 360.

Beyond that, I plugged in Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga last night. Guys, I don't think I want to play any more Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga. That game...still isn't very well made. When something says it has been remastered and reworked, I'm expecting it to...ya know...not still be the same goddamn thing. Oh well. I'll probably end up playing it because I can't let the game sit on my profile without getting some achievements unlocked. It's just going to be a painful ride. That's all.

Speaking of achievements, I am SOOOOOOOOO FUCKING CLOSE to S-ranking Saints Rows The Third. SOOOOOOO close. Afterwards, the game will get to sit around as I wait for the DLC to actually start pouring out. Are you guys stoked for some Saints 3 DLC?

Either way, that's all for now. Until next time, piece.

Actually, the NDA's been lifted with the SMNC "Invitational" release. You can screenshot and FRAPS to your heart's content.

Trust me: El Shaddai is gonna get even more awesome over time. Remember what I said about fighting the alligator from All Dogs Go to Heaven (in my blog about said game)? I wasn't really lying.

Yeah, El Shaddai is definitely right up my alley in terms of craziness and excellence.

I was also unaware about the NDA being lifted at some point. I'll have to pay some attention to when that happens. I know that a LOT of Giant Bomb duders are playing that thing.