Never forget dinner. That's tonight's lesson. I'm sitting here starving to death listening to my coworker go on and on about World of Warcraft, and well… honestly… it's pretty much a normal night.

This weekend is going to be packed with everything but gaming. My fiancé is coming over tonight so we can plan the wedding. I guess staying out of the decision making process until the cake selection isn't couth. In addition, this weekend is her birthday; so, some friends are coming over to play Rock Band and enjoy cake (see how they get cake without effort and I have to work for mine?). Anyway, this may provide me a reason to check out the Rock Band Network. This is, of course, for the party. No Dragon Age or Bad Company 2 this weekend, all well, I love her more.

I do love Dragon Age: Origins (DAO). I started playing in on my PS3 but I ended up re-buying the collector's edition through Steam. The PC is undoubtedly the system of choice for DAO. I played a little this morning, and I finally to the Mages Tower. I'm almost half way done with the game. Kind of. I need to figure what specialty I should take for my dwarven warrior.

There have been so many great games already this year and I can't keep up. Final Fantasy (FF) XIII comes out Tuesday. I can hardly believe it’s here. Of course, it has to come out on the same week I work ten days strait. After the long stretch of work I fly back to Tucson for five days, fly back and work another ten days in a row… which leads right into the release of Splinter Cell Conviction.

Despite not having any time to play FFXIII I'm really excited about the game. There are just a few issues I have with JRPGs in general.

1)    Lack of control.  The player has no real control on the outcome of the story. I'm watching and interacting, but there is nothing I can do to change the outcome of the game.

2)    Suspending disbelief.  Videogames are a lot like movies. It takes a certain amount of believability to make the world come to life. The FF games don't really do a job of establishing their world. Why do guys with swords have a chance against an enemy with a gun? Then there is the way over the top action of the cinematics. Don't get me wrong, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Halo, and inFAMOUS, to name a few, all have some crazy worlds, and game play elements, but there is a reason, and it's established so it works.

3)    Grinding. Unless you're with a hot date, grinding really isn't fun.

I take some issue with other elements as well, but those are the mainstay of why I think JRPGs don’t work well in The US.

I've gone on far too long and I need to scavenge some food. 

Have a great day, and I'll see you online.