What I'm playing

It's fall. Which means Christmas is just around the season, and the game industry cannibalizes itself releasing all the best product in the next six weeks. Lots of great games to play, here's what's on my list

DJ Hero

As I write this I'm damp from sweat and my right arm aches from playing this game for the last hour. I've missed out on rhythm games: I'm too self-conscious to Dance Dance and I really don't like the generic rock of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band games. But a DJ simulator with tracks from Daft Punk, DJ Shadow, and re-purposed Vanilla Ice, Blondie, and Beck? I'm there. The game is a lot of fun, centered entirely on my enjoyment of the music and the illusion that I'm the one playing it. It's fun playing a game that requires physical skill for once; most modern games have factored that out. It also helps that if you screw up you don't "lose", the music just drops out for a minute until you recover. I can definitely recommend this game if the track list appeals to you. If not? Skip it.

Torchlight

A really well put together little game. A complete re-implementation of Diablo 2, made fun for you with modern graphics for $20. And with some neat pet AI thrown in for enhancement. What's not to like? My only caveat is the game is too easy on normal difficulty; try hard to start if you're familiar with this kind of game.

Borderlands

I picked this up before I'd heard of Torchlight, for some mindless action / looting fun. It's quickly fallen by the wayside. It takes itself a bit too seriously, I don't have any Xbox friends to play it cooperatively with, and the FPS / exploration stuff feels just a bit too much like work. It's a good game, I hope to go back to it, but with so much to play...

Dragon Age: Origins

The latest game from BioWare, makers of Baldur's Gate, Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Dragon, and Mass Effect. Any game they publish is an instant purchase for me on the hopes that the storytelling and gameplay marriage makes for another tour de force. Honestly the last couple of games have disappointed me, but I remain hopeful.

There's some good looking games that I'm not planning on playing now. Left 4 Dead 2 just doesn't appeal to me, too frenzied. Neither does Call of Duty: Modern Combat 2, although I may yet pick it up. And everyone's raving about Uncharted 2, but since I don't have a PS/3 I'll just have to pass. What's not on my list? Any MMO; wake me when there's a new one with something new to show me.

Any other suggestions for new games I should try? What's not on my list is any sort of thinking man's game, a simulation or world builder or the like. I still have barely explored Sims 3, maybe that'll be a nice change of pace. But who has the time?

Comments

[Andrew]

I picked up Torchlight.... you pushed me over the edge. :P

And I have Dragon Age on preorder... it's out on Tuesday, iirc.