A typical Friday night, for me, is spent playing a game of some type. For the past few weeks, it’s been all about AI War, but when Paul called to ask Justin and me to come over on Friday for board games, I was psyched. It may not seem awhile, but the last time we’d played board games was new year, so I was itching to play again!

Before I dive into the deep end, I just wonder: when people think of board games, do they think of games like Monopoly and Scrabble? And if so, are those considered casual board games? Furthermore, are games like Settles of Catan and Battlestar Galactica and Arkham Horror considered “hardcore” board games? We play a variety of both, but (much) more often than not, we’re playing some kind of insane board game that takes ~6 hours to beat–and no, it’s not Monopoly.

Anyway, all questions aside …

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Well, after not having written for about 3 months now, I am back, and PAX will be among us! How exciting is that? I went to Comic Con and Anime Expo this summer, and neither of those were as fun or as enticing as PAX was, and will be. It’s good that I went–at least, I got to know what it’s like going to those other two conventions–but, I now know that, for the most part, there is only one major convention/expo/festival that really fancies me, and that’s the one that takes place during the sunniest time of the year in Seattle
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When Justin was back in the Bay Area for Spring Break, he brought back our 360. Since he spent his days working on his car, I spent my day playing some catch up I played a couple hours more of The Lost and Damned. Then I encountered a mission with Niko Bellic and Playboy! I distinctly remember this mission too (from GTA4), so I was pleasantly surprised to find that their paths cross, even though I knew they were in the same game universe (I guess I should’ve known this, if I actually read the reviews for it )

However, after so long, I simply started to miss Niko Bellic and decided to load a GTA4 save file. 100% story completion, here I come  

I know people play GTA for basically one reason: anarchy. The ability to run amok and wreak havoc in the streets of Liberty City/San Andreas/Vice City/what have you, the sandbox environment, the way one can suddenly forget that they had actual missions to do and instead spend hours upon hours trying to get away with as many stars as possible … these are the common reasons. 

However, before GTA4, I played little to no GTA at all. I had watched friends play San Andreas, but that was as far as it went. We got the 360 to play Rock Band, but out of some (effortless) conviction from Derek, I decided to go ahead and get GTA4. And wow, am I ever glad that I did! I enjoyed everything about it. Aside from the immersive and incredibly interactive environment, I fell in love with the characters, the dialogue, and the story. It’s one of the few games that we managed to actually play through in forever.

I have less positive things to say about GTA: Chinatown Wars. The gameplay is awesomely intuitive and comfortable, there is a lot for the character to do, the world is immersive and expansive for it being in a DS cartridge, and you actually feel like you’re playing GTA–but! There is absolutely no pull in terms of story or character. I think many people would liken this game to the early GTAs, especially since it’s pixelated in graphical nature. It exists purely for its sandbox characteristics. Don’t get me wrong though–I’m still having fun with it! It just makes me miss Niko Bellic more

Anyway, I’ve discovered some webcomics that I thought I’d share:

• Weregeek – A young man with a seemingly normal life discovers his insatiable thirst for all things gaming at night. He finds himself in a bizarre situation, only to find out later that it’s a LARP! From there on, he becomes friends with a group of gamers … but hides this life from his girlfriend, roommate and boss. It’s a funny, charming webcomic with a narrative and PLENTY of gaming references. I recommend you start at the very beginning
• Chainsawsuit – It’s really weird, random, AWESOME. I can’t describe it beyond that

I will add more when I come across them. It helps that I basically sat down and read the entire debate between editorial cartoonists and webcomics. If anything, I got a couple of gems out of it

I am terribly behind on updates–it’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I don’t wish to fall any further behind than I already have!

Read more after the jump!

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And I am nearly drowning in my inability to give each game that I have the credit they deserve. Poor, poor games. *pets* I’m sorry. Life has been a little crazy, and it doesn’t help much that #1 my desktop gets used by my family and #2 my 360 is with my boyfriend (well, I guess it’s our 360, ).

D&D Virgin, NO MORE! I hope.

March 20th is coming much quicker than expected. The destined D&D 4E game to-be shall take place on the 21st, and it shall be epic. We may even attempt Iron Bladders and such. I am stoked I’ve been waiting for a gaming weekend like this since who knows when! I have to fill out my character sheet!

Street Fighter IV 'tis fun

I played a little bit of Street Fighter IV with my co-workers–I totally suck, but I also think it’s tough to play with a fat controller like the 360′s controller. On the flipside, I can easily see myself getting a real stick and devoting time to perfecting combos and stuff–or at least, as much as I care to. I never quite did in the past, and when I did play, it was more for fun than anything else. I have to say though–I miss parrying

The Lost and the Damned

Downloaded the GTA4 expansion, The Lost and the Damned when I was in LA. We played a few missions before we had to go, but it seemed interesting so far? Not sure how much I like the biker gang arc, not to mention that I am absolutely terrible at riding a bike, but I’m sure I just need to spend a little more time with it. The artwork is at least very interesting though–super grungy!

I love a good deal Especially when it's a video game deal!

Also, thanks to Geoff, I scored Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 for $4.90 (2.99 shipping + tax)! I got two copies–one for myself and one for Justin I have such fond memories playing Rainbow Six: Raven Shield that when he posted this deal, I just had to get it, and it being such an excellent co-op (LANing!) game, I had to get two. Haha. I don’t know when we’re ever going to be able to LAN this, but at least we can play online together … I think?

GTA: Chinatown Wars has a 95 on Metacritic!?

Last game mention: Apparently, GTA: Chinatown Wars for the DS is getting superb marks on Metacritic! I actually really wanted the game when they first announced it (but I was coming down from my GTA4 high ), then the interest waned, but ever since Derek mentioned this afternoon that it was doing well … well, geez. Now I want it! Haha.

So many games, so little time. I feel like this is the story of my life :roll: