No, this isn't about anything new or recent, so if you're expecting something related to the upcoming Playstation 3 game, too bad.

I'm playing through the first Metal Gear out of curiosity beset by Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I just defeated Revolver Ocelot (the first boss) and in the impending cinematic, in the dialogue, the game wants me to look at the back cover for the radio frequency to a character. I had to pause the game for just a moment and soak this up. At this moment, I think the story is very much something that is do-able in other mediums, but because of the interactive qualities of gaming, is made all the more suspenseful.

But with this frequency thing, I'm left wondering if Kojima is crazy or just a genius in disguise. I'm sure I'll figure that out eventually, but to those that have played this: what was your first reaction?

Is it strange for one to be so rooted in traditional styles of gameplay, that they don't want to play a more recent version?

I'm facing something like that now, with my boyfriend, and his unwillingness to play any Metroid Prime title or Zelda on the Wii. What I find most... disturbing are his reasons for not playing either. For Metroid, he claims it should never have been brought to 3D and should've kept it's 2D roots. (I don't know if he's played any of them before, mind you.). For Zelda, he says he doesn't want to touch it because Link has always been left-handed. Yep... He doesn't want to play based on what hand the weapon is held in. I completely understand from a character design perspective, but in this case, it may not be the same Link as others, and therefore any easy excuse can be made for such a change in design.

Has anyone encountered another person whose had such... unique excuses for not playing a game?

For the longest time I've been playing SSBM with my brother for kicks. He'd almost always use Falco or Sheik and I'd at least change characters every stage. In using his two characters, he had two strategies for them, back me up against a wall and use fast attacks, and over-use certain moves to inflict damage.

I had thought his tactics were rare and that most players would be well versed in using dodges, various attacks, and (for example) Mario's Cape at the right moments. Alas, I was dead wrong.

This past weekend I participated in a Brawl tournament held at a Family Fun Center, that was cosponsored by GameStop. It was a double elimination, certain stage, 3 stock, 8 min. time limit no items kinda tourney. My first match pitted my Samus up against a Sheik and I lost handidly, however I changed tactics, went with Toon Link and clobbered him well enough to win the round. Next up was a very good Fox player. He knew what to do and when to do it even with my character changes, and so I don't feel bad in any sense about losing to him.

Next up I faced a guy I practiced with before hand, and so it was somewhat unfair, but I beat him a little too easy. I honestly think I brought shame and dishonor upon him and his Klingon family. Anyways, The fourth round comes along (yay semi-quarter finals!) and I come upon a Lucario player. Who only uses his neutral B move. For those that don't know, Lucario's neutral B is essentialy Mewtwo's Shadow Ball move from Melee. Also, as you hurt Lucario he becomes stronger with each hit. Despite my best efforts to dodge the blasts, and to land succesive hits, the guy won. Simply because he only used the one move and the occasional smash attack.

These are the kind of people that should not do tournaments. Why? Because I felt as though all of the work and training I put before hand had been for nought, and that my tactics were put to waste by the simplest of tactics that can be traced to the first Mortal Kombat. (Don't even get me started on Sub-Zero). Now, had I lost to say, a good Marth player, I wouldn't be upset since I'd feel like my fight had been worthwhile and that I had fun doing it. This one-move style of gameplay makes me feel cheated and completely undermines any work I had done towards becoming a better player.

Anyone else come across such a player?

I don't how I do it... but there are now 72 reviews written by yours truly including the mot recent SingStar Pop on PS2 and Sonic Rivals 2 on PSP.

Otherwise, keep an eye on my site over the next week. In that time, I expect to be finished with a massive update to the gaming section that's taken more than a month to do, as well as new thoughts on a few albums and movies.