Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! For the first time in 12 weeks, The Haul is arriving late. Partly my fault, partly an act of God. I got stuck in Michigan for a few extra days because my car broke down. I survived and it's all fixed, so here is another stunning episode of buying goodness.
I know this might come as a bit of a shock, but I did not gain possession of a single game-related item this week. I suppose I could take pictures of my groceries and the presents I bought for my family members, but that doesn't sound particularly interesting. Instead, I'll just write a real blog.
So I've been a bit absent from your blogs as of late because I've been incredibly busy with school. I'm trying to take my cardiology test before I head home for Christmas, but the difficulty of the material isn't helping. As it currently stands, I'm trying to test on Tuesday (the 23rd) and then I will head to Michigan to see my family. I'm only planing on taking a few days off and then getting back to the grind, so gaming will be nonexistent.
I did start up Fable II a while ago and am now completely enamored with that game. Unfortunately, I've only been able to play twice and probably won't be getting back to it for a couple weeks. Beyond that, I've played a bit of Professor Layton here and there. As I mentioned before, it is an enjoyable game, but I'm not as impressed with it as most reviewers. In between bouts of studying I've managed to get a little StarCraft going. Sometimes my buddies and I go on B.Net (instead of studying) and play a few matches, but mostly I've been working through the single player. I've already beaten it once before, but wanted to brush up on the story and mechanics. I actually finished it for the second time today and played through two missions of Brood War, which I've never beaten before. If you haven't played these games, you owe it to yourself to experience the most well-balanced RTS game in history.
Still reading? If so, then I've got one last thing to mention: I won't be doing any sort of game of the year blog (I can tell you right now that Gears 2 is my GOTY). Instead, I'll be posting up a list of all of the games I've played this year and how long it took me to beat them (if I ever did). Until then...Happy holidays!
Comments: I had a $5 gift card and figured this one was cheap enough to warrant a purchase. I've already played a bit of the Japanese version, but it would be nice to understand more than every 20th word.
So I know I said I'd be cutting back on my purchases, but there have been too many good deals to pass up lately. This Haul is a hefty size, but that's partly due to the Thanksgiving holiday stopping me from receiving a couple of packages that should've made last week's edition. Either way, I got some decent stuff this week.
On another note, I've been playing quite a bit of Professor Layton lately and I am really enjoying it, despite a few quirks. My biggest problem with it is the repetitive nature of solving all of the puzzles. I love a good brain teaser, but there's nothing else to do in the game. Yes, you're solving several mysteries in the process of playing through the game, but you don't really do anything to solve them; you just progress the story by solving riddles. I still recommend it, but if you dislike puzzles or feel dumb when you can't solve one, then this game is not for you. I'm also a little antsy to finish that game up so I can start another DS game, which you'll see down below...
Comments: I used to be a huge RPG fan and this game has received some amazing marks, piquing my interest. The FES version is bigger and better and this special package comes with the art book and original soundtrack that were released with the game's first run. In case you were wondering, the sleeve case is exactly the same as the one that came with the original release. Also, great price.
Comments: Simply one of the greatest games ever created. I bought this in spite of already owning the original SNES version and the PS version (Final Fantasy Chronicles). I've beaten it more times than I can count and I will beat it again as soon as I finish Professor Layton. I am overjoyed to have this game sitting on my desk. :-D Also, I pre-ordered, so it came with a two track sampler soundtrack.
Comments: The game looks great and I wanted the LE, so I pre-ordered. It cost the same amount as the standard version, so it's understandably lacking in extra content. There is a nice sleeve cover and an extra disc containing a documentary and the music of the game.
Comments: I'm not terribly interested in this game, so I was mostly just jumping at the price. I have heard a lot of good things, so I'll probably run through the single player and see how it is, but I don't see it lasting. This "Kollector's Edition" has some of the worst packaging I've ever seen (it's literally falling apart already) and the game disc is in a sleeve with the extras disc, so I can't put it out on my shelf. Also includes a comic book and lithograph.
Comments: This game looks spectacular and I've been waiting for a price drop on the LE for a while now. Includes comic book, map, and Sgt. Matt Baker action figure.
I had a great week; I really enjoyed my Thanksgiving and I even produced a video blog! I didn't do much gaming, but I'm working on finishing Gears 2 and I'm loving it. I also started Professor Layton and am thoroughly enjoying that game.
Comments: Another part of the Atlus Spoils program. The art book is actually pretty large and contains several beautiful works. I haven't played the game yet, as I'm working on Professor Layton right now, but it looks like an entertaining distraction.
Comments: Atlus recently shocked everyone and reprinted a limited number of copies of this classic PS game. I couldn't turn it down considering it goes for twice as much on eBay.
Comments: You can't get this game on BD in the US and I'm not a fan of downloadable games. It's also actually cheaper than buying if from the PlayStation Store. I love the region freedom on the PS3!
Comments: With all the Fallout hype circiling the internet, I decided it was time to do a little catching up. I've installed the games, but haven't played them yet. Includes: Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel.
So I got some stuff. Some games (some good, some great). A peripheral. And no time. Gears 2 is spectacular. The whole Patton-esque segment after the prologue had me in awe. Purchases will be on a much smaller scale for an indefinite time period after this. My money will be going to Christmas gifts and the like. A question for the ladies: how can a purse possibly cost so much? I guess I blow tons of money on games, but it's hard to justify a purse purchase. At least I can play my games... A purse just needs to hold stuff. Oh well, I've never pretended to understand the opposite sex. On to the games (I've gotta get this thing up before it hits midnight EST and they turn into pumpkins).
Comments: If you're gonna play a flight game, you might as well do it right. Also, there is still space to walk around in my bedroom, so I need more clutter. Best Buy exclusive.
Comments: A relatively interesting LE complete with soundtrack and special steelbook packaging. Limited to 25,000 copies (according to the numbered laser cell included).
The purchases are kept to a minimum this week, with two sale offerings and another regrettable purchase of a Collector's Edition. Next week is going to be bad. And by bad, I mean expensive. And by expensive, I mean very expensive.
Since I've almost completely forsaken proper blogging, I'll give a quick update here. I finished Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) and Half-Life (PS2) this week, which frees me up for some gaming. Next on the docket (and in no particular order) are Fable 2, Fallout 3, and Gears 2. Possible short reviews for a couple games and maybe even a video blog (*GASP*) could grace these pages in the near future. Spooky indeed.
Comments: Doesn't look particularly good, but it is a PS3 exclusive and those are the only games I bother with for my Blu-Ray player, err... PlayStation.
Comments: This game is supposed to be excellent and, once again, it is one of the few PS3 exclusives. The CE is actually pretty standard and was probably a poor choice. I'll likely be seeing these for half the price I paid in a few months. Comes with game, Chimera figure, downloadable multiplayer skin, bonus DVD, and art book.
Comments: Looks to be an awesome game and I was interested in the preorder edition (which turned out to be nothing special). Includes an exclusive map, downloadable content, and some special packaging.
Reason for Purchase: I think Oblivion is one of the greatest games ever created and couldn't resist getting this uber edition from the same creators. Turns out the Pip-Boy 3000 is a piece of junk and not even close to being worth the price difference. The Collector's Edition, on the other hand, is spectacular. The artwork on the lunchbox is beautiful and the included extras are awesome.
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