We see it all to often. Sequels that don't live up to the original. Developers forgetting to fix fundamental flaws that the first game had. Or being too ambitious with what the second game is looking to become. I can think back to Halo 2. The memory that sticks with me from experiencing Halo: Combat Evolved is the smooth framerate, and the excellent controls. But there were problems with Halo. I know, it's a crazy thought! Something wrong with HALO!? Yeah, like the complicated level design where every corridor looked exactly the same as the last one. I spent plenty of time fumbling around. When Halo 2 came out I found myself frustrated with the same poor level design. Sequels don't just have to live up to what made the original good, but have to improve.

Two of the biggest sequels that I'm looking forward to are Mass Effect 2 and Assassin's Creed 2. Both successful games, both original IP's and both filled to the brim with potential. Potential to become better games. I love Mass Effect and I'm actually replaying it for a third time right now. But there are numerous apparent flaws. The first that comes to mind is the interface with exploration of planets. Side quests are a pain because there is nothing that tells you where you've already been until after you land on the planet, going through several loading screens.

Assassin's Creed on the other hand struggles with variety of available tasks. Whether you're in Jerusalem or Damascus you'll be doing the same three or four tasks over and over, until you reach a main story assassination mission. Then you do the same thing in the next district. It wouldn't be as apparent a problem if the A.I. reacted differently. But people only walk around the city. They very rarely ever DO anything of any interest. And this just makes each city feel like the last all that much more.

So this post about some of the negative aspects of a couple of great games is about a hope that BioWare and Ubisoft don't mess up the opportunities they have with these new franchises. Don't forget to correct the little problems, don't get too ambitious with the new ideas. Give the fans what they want by making a better game!

Alright, I'm done.

The fact that EA and SEGA have games coming out with Motion Plus already seemed strange when it was first announced. And after the the first review has come in for Grand Slam Tennis, I'm thinking that both companies were simply trying to bank on the success the peripheral when undoubtedly have. Makes me sick when stuff like this happens. For goodness sake, take your time and make better games.

Wii Sports Resort looks to take advantage of the Motion Plus, so I'm just waiting for that.

Looking through the list of highest rated 360 games last night, I came up with this list of games that I'd like to play.

They're mostly games that I either didn't have time to get to, or games that I wasn't willing to pay full price for at the time of their release. What do you think of the list, and is there anything else I should add on?

*I don't plan on paying more than $20 for any one of these games.

• Condemned 2
• Just Cause
• Prince of Persia (the newest one)
• The Force Unleashed
• Stranglehold
• Streets of Rage 2 (this one on LIVE arcade...just because it's awesome)
• Tales of Vesperia

So anyone else watch the Ubisoft press conference last night? GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.

Most. Boring. Conference. Ever.

At least give us some actual footage of the game everyone wanted to see. But nope, just a CG trailer. Plus, no BG&E2 at all.

By the way, I finally gave in and bought the first AC last night. Got it for $14.

PSP GO info got leaked, right. So now Sony doesn't have that "big" announcement for E3. I think that thisis a minor thing for Sony, however. They've got to have something that they're saving that is actually surprising, don't you think? I think everyone was expecting them to churn out a new version of their portable, considering Nintendo is already on their third with the DSi.

They've got Kojima's new game. But speculation of that showing up on 360 is around. So what are they hiding?

Riiiidge Raaaacer?

...

...they were yummy.

Just got Mirror's Edge in the mail today. Bought it on eBay for $20. I hear it's frustrating but I've wanted to play it for a long time now.

Got a PS3. Or rather, my Dad got a PS3. I'm playing through MGS4 again right now. On my Dad's new 46 inch HDTV. I'm sure it will be fun to have while I'm home for the summer. But I feel apprehensive about purchasing games for a system I'll only have access to a few monthsout of the year. . .

inFAMOUS is one of those PS3 games that I'm on the wall with right now.

E3 is coming up...

What's up with you guys?

I should hang out here more often.

Bikes in Burnout Paradise.

I'm excited.

Free!

sucka' tried to play me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daIrc6uBRkc

So I'm back at school for my second year at BSU. It feels great to be back, blah, blah, blah.

My roommate bought a PS3 the day I returned. I've since played and finished MGS4. FINALLY. I'd been waiting to play the game for months, and been waiting for this storyline to find a close for years. After all this waiting, I can now see that it was all worth it in the end.

The game is nearly flawless, beautiful in many ways, and best of all is a really up-to-date fun-to-play shooter/stealth game. There really isn't much that I can say about the game that I didn't enjoy, and that alone marks something truly special for ... any game.

Tried the demo for The Force Unleashed. First impression of the game is solid, but not remarkable. The demo is really short though, so it's difficult to judge the game at this point. I mean, it controls well, looks nice, and feels satisfying. I wish it was more violent, but it's Star Wars, so I can look past that.

At the end of the demo you take on a quick boss enemy, and I the solution ended up being very simple and brainless. It was sort of disappointing in that way.

This game has always held a lot of potential, and this demo confirms to me that the game is going to solid. It also confirms that I'll likely wait a few months to get it, if at all. Mercs 2: World in Flames has my attention at this point.

What are your thoughts?

Too Human: 5.5

I played the demo, and the game wasn't any fun at all. I guess even 10+ years of development couldn't save it. : (

Check this new design out!

I like it!

Straightforward title this time.

You guys see the review for Braid? 9.5. I'm getting sometime today, more than likely. I tried the demo and it seems ... brilliant.

I'm replaying Dreamfall, for the third time. I just can't get enough of the story, world, and characters. Some of the best I've seen in any videogame...ever. Speaking of Dreamfall, I've made a video. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Hey, so...I've been visiting giantbomb.com recently. I'm really enjoying the site so far, and think it's getting off to a great start. But I've been seeing various topics in the forums relating to how a lot of Gamespot users don't like the site. Anybody know why this is? I mean, at this point I'm assuming that it's just fanboyism at its worst, and stupidest. But maybe I'm missing something?

Also, I finally finished my Burnout Paradise Review. You can check it out and tell me what you think. It's probably not my best, considering how much time it took me to write it, and how long it had been since I last wrote a full review.

I also bought these t-shirts last night:

http://www.snorgtees.com/coolaidman-p-227.html

http://www.snorgtees.com/itsokaypluto-p-460.html

...and after that time, I've pinned down my feelings on this years E3...it sorta sucked, but was also totally awesome.

The press conferences all sucked.

There were really no big surprises, or huge announcements (FF XIII 4 360 was as big as it got, and ... I saw that coming).

But guess what...there were a ton of games that I saw during Gamespot's fantastic live coverage of the show, and the sheer number of the games that impressed me...was impressive.

Top three games on the show (in no order):

Mirror's Edge.

Mercs 2: World in Flames

Far Cry 2

Runners up:

Resident Evil 5

Fallout 3

Brothers In Arms: Hells Highway

If they fix the hit detection problems, and online instability I will buy Gears of War 2 on day one.

It does not matter to me how bigger, and more badass the single player is. Multiplayer must be fixed.

Agreed?

Wall-E is brilliant in nearly every way. One of Pixar's best yet.

WANTED gets a big ol' WTF from me. I had fun mostly because the movie is so disgustingly over-the-top that it hurts your brain.

Thoughts?

So one thing that I do miss now that I'm "back", besides some of my fav editors, is the Virtual Underground. So, since I missed the disbanding of the best board, maybe someone can fill me in?

Also, since I'm here:

I've been sucked into MGS2, having started playing it a couple days ago. I'm remembering both how fun the game can be, and how much I dislike Raiden and Rose. The codec conversations between "Jack" and Rose are seriously numbing, and I sometimes feel embarrassed when other people are in the room, able to hear what I'm hearing out of context. (although, come on, I mean why do they need to talk about his empty room, and empty heart when just moments before he was fighting a vampire???? that seems out of context to me...)

• I have trouble completing barrel roles in Burnout Paradise.
• E3 is almost here and I'm really not that excited.
• I want to play MGS4, but I'm lacking a PS3...and MGS4...

Oh, and HEY! I haven't posted anything on Gamespot is ages.

I was lurking during the whole Kane Lynch, and Jeff scandal. I also sat back as many of my favorite editors on the staff up and left. It's still a great site. Glad to see Kevin getting to review big games like MGS4 now. He's a great guy.

I'm writing my first review in a long time. Except my Burnout Paradise review in the next week or so.

How is everyone? (should be interesting to see who responds to this)