It's been quite I hectic couple for weeks for me of late. Long days and even longer nights. I need to focus myself for the coming weeks' exams.

So it's good to see that spring has at last returned.

I took this photo while returning from my college a few days back. Beautiful. Sometimes it's nice to know you've got some where that you can go just to be at peace and take it slow for a bit, in this insane high-speed digital world we live in.

That's all for now, I just wanted to vent some inner angst. Thanks for reading.

Yeah. The title says it all. I too have been caught by the (near) deadly 'Tag Virus'. The T-Virus. (hiss) Stanblocker got me.

Well here go's:

1. I own practically all Gorillaz singles, albums, remixes, demos and unreleased tracks.

2. My best friend and I use to know every word (minus the Chinese) to Rush Hour and Rush Hour 2. But we haven't been able took keep it up.

3. I got my PSP at launch (1.9.05) and I also own an Xbox with more than 20 games.

4. I have never had a MySpace or Facebook account.

5. I love modern or abstract theatre and am currently preparing for my final A2 Theatre Studies exam.

Well that's it. But, now it's time for my favourite part: the announcement of my chosen FIVE! Drum roll please: darkgamerx2k, t-roland (TAGGED and UNTAGGED), Anamosa41, marbles01 and mad_tyger (UNTAGGED... but too late). (My heartiest apologies to you all).

Last week, the fantastic hosts of the GameSpot UK Podcast (and Sony) released 3 copies of the very limited, Patapon Press Pack. I was lucky enough to be one of those winners. Patapon is one of the most unique games I've played in a while. The Rhythm based nature of the gameplay becomes mesmerising at times, as you watch your Patapon troops chant and chorus to the beat of your drums. Having only played the game for a short time I'm just getting use to the troop types, resurrections, upgrades and dancing trees! The game is definitely deeper than it may look at first glance. Thanks GSUK team.

Well time for me to get back to leading my legions of loyal followers to victory over the evil Zigotons. Pata-Pata...

Wow. What an insane month-and-a-half it's been. The Christmas holidays flew by with me frenetically busying myself with heaps of coursework. But I still managed to find time to play Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction and Uncharted. Beyond amazing! After spending more time than expected watching DVD movies (I strongly recommend Spirited Away) and playing Wipeout Pulse on PSP, January arrived sooner than I expected. My month has been filled with exams and deadlines, so let's just skip to last Friday.

Burnout Paradise - Metalwork crumps, glass fragments into a million pieces and your eyes widen as you smash directly into a road side pillar. And seconds later, WWHHHRRRR, you're off again. That's how Burnout has always been and I'm very happy to say that the core gameplay that we've all come to love is still intact in Paradise. As you many of hear, freeburning in Paradise city can be a little disconcerting at first as finding events and learning the roads is completely new. For me personally I found it quite refreshing. I actually entered my first event completely by accident. I had planned to burn around the city for a while but with one simple press of the L2+R2 trigger and I was flung into a 'burning route' challenge. Single player might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the new online modes are crazy. Just pure brilliance. Whether it be taking on friends (online or off) with 'road rules', competing in races, player challenges or even just dicking around taking each other down, it's always fun! I highly recommend it. Racing game of year in my opinion (and it's only January ). If you'd like know more about Burnout Paradise try checking out Criterion Games' Crash FM podcast.

If the showing at E3 07 didn't confirm it, then the delays did. 2008 (or 20-0-GREIGHT) is sure to be a superb year for games. Here are some of my most anticipated games for 2008:

1. MGS4 - This is at the top of my list this year. With a Summer release planned, and the promise of an epic conclusion to the saga, I need MGS4 more than clean air.
2. Resistance 2 - Insomniac Games. All that needs to be said I think.
3. LittleBigPlanet - If it turns out to be as world-changing as it sounds this could be my favourite game of the year.
4. Killzone 2 - the PSP version was incredible. Great story, online multiplayer and gameplay that worked surprising well on the system. I'm optimistically hopefully for this one.
5. Rock Band - Played SingStar with family and friends in the holidays and that was a laugh, so this will surely split the Earth!
6. Haze - If it ever comes out... I'll play it.
7. Soul Calibur IV - Haven't played a Soul game in years. Can't wait to try it.
8. Ghostbusters - If this comes out... and its a good game, I'll be pleased. If this comes out... and it's a good Ghostbusters game I'll be totally buzzing!

"I'm gonna take back some of the things I've said about you, Egon"

*rubbing hands together in dubious anticipation* (or to keep warm in this cold English weather?) Lots of good games to look forward too then. I might think about picking up an Xbox 360 Elite with PGR4 and Halo 3 at some point in the year. PGR4 has got me gagging for a 360! Expect more from me in the near future. I've got some reviews coming and a blog or too. 2008 - unleash your mayhem...

Hi People,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

This year has been absolutely INCREDIBLE for games. With you own an Xbox 360, PS3 or a Wii the list has choc full of games all year! I hoping to actually write a long blog about this year's events soon (but depending on how much time I have that may change )

Personally I can't wait to finally sit down and play Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. *dreamy sigh of joy* They're all I need this Christmas. I love to see them on an HDTV but I'm way to out of pocket for that now, so next year. Wipeout Pulse has also had me rummaging for my PSP this holiday. I also picked up SingStar this week (which is totally awesome by the way ) and I could name so may other games (like Rogue Galaxy on PS2) that I'm trying to find time for this season. But that's itfor now, this year.

I hope you all get the games/consoles you're wishing for this Christmas. Have a
great time with your family and friends. Roll on 2008!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last year saw Amy Wong as my 'Xmas Gal' of choice. But this year I thought "What the hell. Here's a bunch of 'em." enjoy!
***SPOILER***

By now I'm sure most of the gaming community has heard or read about Jeff Gerstmann's unjust firing from GameSpot. This controversy has shaken the industry and horrified fans and users of the site. Much has been said already. Probably too much. What I dislike most about this situation is the tragic irony behind it. Jeff Gerstmann is a truly unique personality, a personality none of us would know or recognise were it not for the power of the internet. But like a swarm of angry locus descending on a lone animal, GameSpot members (Including myself with this blog post), gamers and bloggers alike have added their wood to the flames of this "internet rumour".

Before you stop reading I'm not accusing any GameSpot members or bloggers of purposeful adding to this controversy. I'm merely pointing out the fact that the internet continues cause such a mismatch of information, and especially the truth. Personally I found many of the blog posts by community members (Shifty_Pete, Dirk13, subrosian, JonathanL and many more) to be extremely refreshing. Listening to their thoughts on the event and their own opinions on Jeff. I'd like to say "thanks" to you, because some positives have come out of this terrible affair.

Once again, we, as an online community, the "GameSpot Community" were united in shock and disbelief that something so immoral should happen in our haven. For once we weren't messaging foolish comments about being "fanboys" (following by a series of inappropriate words) back n' forth. We weren't "dissing" gaming icons in the forums, just because they're exclusive to another system. We were talking about someone who affected our digestion of gaming media on a daily basis. For once, GameSpot was less about competition and more about cooperation. And that's good for all us gamers.

I don't think we'll know the whole truth about Jeff's firing anytime soon. But we all know that Jeff was a "Game Guru" who truly will be missed by all. Wit, charm and bit of a sadistically satirical nature made Jeff Gerstmann so likeable, to so many of us. I hope we can look back on this and be stronger as a community because of it.

Jeff we salute you.