Game Log: BioShock, New SMB, and NHL Arcade

So I realized this weekend that I really need to stop forming any sort of opinion on a game after playing through less than 1% of it. That might actually be a good lesson for life in general.

I'm talking about BioShock. I had noted in various sections of this blog that I was pretty meh on the game. Well, I'm glad I stuck with it as I really started to enjoy it this weekend after a few sessions.

My main hump was the controls. I was coming off Dead Space which used third person shooter controls. Before that was Gears of War and Gears of War 2 so the aiming/shooting controls felt strange. I eventually got the hang of them and am now killing bad guys at a high school level.

The second issue was just me not really getting the "vibe" of the game. There was a moment though when I finally settled into its creepiness. I don't know why it took me so long to absorb the ambiance but eventually I was really enjoying my walks through the corridors as insane people let loose with their weirdo babbling in the distance.

Third, I gots me a shotgun!

Now I'm dreading that flawed ending that starts to seep into the game about 2/3rds through. Until then, I'll just be killin' big daddies and rescuing the little sis's.

The second game I'm enjoying right now is New Super Mario Bros. for the DS. Sarah picked up Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion so I needed something to play while the TV was being monopolized for that century long quest. (Quick review of Elder Scrolls so far: it has quite the character editor).

Anyways, New Super Mario Bros is a return to the basics for Mario. It's a 2D platformer with 3D graphics and feels like a cross between SMB 3 and Super Mario World. Although a little easier than both so far. I've been blasting through that pretty easily. But, I just switched my mission from getting through the game and going back to find all the big coins and alternate routes. So World 8 will have to wait.

If you like Mario games and have a DS, you really should get this one.

Finally, NHL Arcade has full on skill stick support as I learned from various online games that made my goalie look like a fool. Anyway, this just made the game go from "fun distraction" to "potentially one of the more competitive offerings" for parties.

Before I go, I just wanna recommend the DS to anyone who's been kinda thinking about it. It's that good.