Holy hell where have I been? I did not know they announced the next in the elder scrolls series! Sweet!

I'm getting old. I started playing Far Cry 2 tonight (yes, I know it's also old...), got bored because a)nothing happens for 30 minutes and it's all freakin' cutscenes, b)when stuff does happen, it's handed to you on a platter, c) there's missions. With choices. About whether you do the mission or not.

So, I figured, I need something more... basic. So I fired up Unreal Tournament 3 (yes, also old, whatever, man...) and discovered that it was TOO basic. Does anyone make games like Half Life 2 any more? Or even Far Cry 1?

What is so special about Half Life 2 and the episodes is that there is nothing like it for shooters. If you liked the puzzle game Portal that came with the Orange Box package, Portal 2 is coming out in a little over a month.

Nick, wheels, I loved incredible machines too! I always would enter cheat codes and jump to the levels at the end though...

My fear with Portal 2 is that it's being billed as multiplayer co-op. I really hope there's a way to play it single player. Need to get Bioshock 2 and see if it's something I want to play. I really enjoyed Bioshock one, although it still silver plattered some things (like ammo, powerups, etc.)

Portal 2 will be a single player game first and foremost. This is where the majority of the content will be.

The multiplayer co-op feature is an entirely separate mode from the single player. Different characters, story and gameplay. Single player and co-op are not commingled at all.

I love the Bioshock series. Bioshock 2 is a good game but there are not many improvements to the game made in the transition. Pretty much the same game with a different story and character. If you liked the first one it is worth the $20 or so.

If you don't mind switching from first-person to thrid (over the shoulder, rather than through the eyes) check out Deadspace. The sequel just came out, and I've heard it's as good as the original (but maybe in different ways).

Anyone played or playing Splinter Cell Conviction? I failed to mention that I finished it a couple months ago, and really enjoyed it.

There is also Left 4 Dead 1 and Left 4 Dead 2. Made by the same developer as Half Life. I haven't played them, just waiting for them to go on sale again as a package deal and then...yoink!

I am playing Battle Heart on my ipod touch. It is silly but I just noticed I manged to log 4 hours on it.