Playing Today: Forza Motorsport 2, Guitar Hero II, Fuzion Frenzy 2, Loco Roco

Nothing new played today, although I wrapped up one game (hopefully) forever. The majority of my play time was with Fuzion Frenzy 2. After several hours of play, I have all of the achievements and I don't think I'll ever play it again. The game isn't extremely difficult and can be fun in groups, but playing alone or online is frustrating. As many other reviewers have said, the card system is completely screwed up and should be optional. If I want last second cards to completely screw me over, that should be my choice. Fuzion Frenzy 2 is likely the last game in this series (please!) and will disappear into history as an awful follow-up to a mediocre game. Fuzion Frenzy gets a D+.

My time spent with Forza Motorsport was a lot of experimentation with hiring drivers and tooling around in the Auction House. Now with Fuzion Frenzy done, I expect to spend more time racing around and leveling up.

Guitar Hero II continues to give me a case of tendinitis. I tried out the Lefty Flip and decided... I'm very much right handed (at least when playing a plastic guitar). I've mastered Possum Kingdom on Medium and I have no idea how much time Expert players have invested in this game. I'd rather play Open Season than listen to Cheap Trick hundreds of times.

And, finally, more Loco Roco before I went to bed.

Playing Today: Forza Motorsport 2, Guitar Hero II, Fuzion Frenzy 2, Loco Roco, Grandia II, Pac-Man Championship Edition

A whole bunch of sequels have been in rotation this week. I finished up some achievements in Fuzion Frenzy 2 and I have one more left to go. This game is still absolutely redonkulous to play but once you've figured out some of the mini-games, the computer is pretty easy to beat. Soon enough I'll never have to play it again.

More time spent with Forza Motorsport 2. The graphics continue to amaze and staying on the track continues to frustrate. I was able to win a race with all of the assists of and while driving manual. Doing so took multiple tries but is fulfilling in the long run. Also, figuring out that you can hire a driver to win for you is a nice little bend-of-the-rules.

After a few days off, I picked up the axe and returned to Guitar Hero II. Possum Kingdom is like second nature now and I wasn't very far away from my first 100k performance. Too bad when I tried hard & expert I was annihilated. For now I'll stick with Easy & Medium.

I bought Grandia II used for the PlayStation 2. I loved this game on the Dreamcast but memories and video games tend to warp drastically. The dialogue is still corny and silly, but for some reason I remember the music being much better. Who knows if I will ever pick this game up again.

Loco Roco is still awesome and the new Pac-Man was better than expected. Although, I doubt I'll end up buying it.

Playing Today: Loco Roco, Fuzion Frenzy 2, Mad Tracks

I am moving to a house. Real quick. Mad Tracks is fun but not very deep. Loco Roco is lots and lots of silly fun. As good as Katamari and as simple as Mario. Fuzion Frenzy 2 is still frustrating.

Playing Today: Halo 3 Beta, Fuzion Frenzy 2, Gears of War

Let's see, not a lot played today but enough Halo 3 Beta to start changing my mind. Fuzion Frenzy 2 saw about 12 seconds of action from me. Meanwhile, thanks to some friends, Gears of War was back in rotation. It took a second to re-readjust to the controls. Sniper felt natural but that shotgun still threw me off.

After spending more time with Halo 3 Beta, I've found some things I enjoy. The Assault Rifle is much more comfortable to me than the Battle Rifle. I'm still enjoying the Spiker (aka the Klobb of Halo), especially when double fisting. And Territories was really cool on the mountain level. Now if only I could mater turning with the Mongoose.

Coming soon in the mail, Spider-Man 3 and Shrek the Third!

Playing Today: Halo 3 Beta, Fuzion Frenzy 2, 300

After a bit of a delay, I finally worked my way into the Halo 3 Beta. So far my impression is that this is Halo 2 with new menus, better capabilities (engine-wise), new maps and weapons, and a full-on video recorder. The video recorder is easily the most innovative part of the game and probably going to be the hardest feature to be copied. The most frustrating part of the game is overcoming months of Gears of War training. Because I was never great at Halo or Halo 2, I quickly adapted to Gears and now forgot all of the essential buttons in Halo. I'm still not sure how to change weapons. But that's just me.

I cracked open Fuzion Frenzy 2 and was surprised at how not-awful it was. Sure the voiceover is atrocious. But some of the minigames are a blast. I can't wait to get four people in the same room to play it. And best of all - it was free!

300 is still 300. However, my earlier comparison to Eragon is starting to fade away. This is (just a bit) better than Eragon. Hopefully, Spider-Man 3 will arrive soon.

Playing Today: PDZ, Fuzion Frenzy 2, 300, Aegis Wing

I'm still playing Perfect Dark Zero, primarily for the achievement points. Received Fuzion Frenzy 2 in the mail. I doubt it will be very good, but you never know. Two days of 300 (for the PSP) have me entertained but no more than Eragon or TMNT. The voice work is laughable.

Downloaded Aegis Wing & Solitaire from XBLA. Aegis Wing is good for free but not likely to bump Pinball or Astropop from my current favorite arcade titles. At 800 points, Solitaire is just not worth the price.

Beck is still playing (and kicking my ass) in Astropop. Too bad she beat Me and My Katamri yesterday because she's run out of new games to play.