We've got a handful of the network in Japan for the Tokyo Game Show, another handful in Anaheim, California, and another handful at home doing nothing but posting. And playing some games, of course:
Alexander Sliwinski: Must, must, must finish Infinite Undiscovery this weekend. Also been meaning to try Hinterland.
Christopher Grant: Still stationed in Japan, far from the upcoming onslaught of major releases and the LittleBigPlanet beta, I'll have to settle for using the Tokyo Game Show as my own personal gaming closet until I return. Looking forward to stumbling my way through Gyakuten Kenji's Japanese menus, trying out some Resident Evil 5 co-op, and eating delicious ramen. Admittedly, eating ramen isn't a game but stumbling my way through ordering it is pretty fun (and challenging!).
Griffin McElroy: I'll be playing the LittleBigPlanet beta as much as time allows until its untimely end this Sunday, making tweaks to my first ambitous published project (ostentatiously titled "The Blimp and the Birdhouse: A Cautionary Tale on Unsturdy Flora") and playing through some of the classier levels currently available to those lucky enough to procure a beta access code. I imagine I'll fit a bit of Rock Band 2 in as well, as the release of the first ever Harvey Danger DLC was met with much fanfare in my apartment.
Kevin Kelly: I'll be playing Diablo III at BlizzCon, baby! Also Starcraft II and... archery, apparently.
Kyle Orland: In between campaign volunteering, squeezing in some time for LittleBigPlanet, Mega Man 9 and more Rock Band 2.
Jason Dobson: As a side effect of my recent move, I've begun going through the assortment of old games I've collected throughout the years, deciding what's worth revisiting and what's best left remembering through rose-colored glasses. I've decided this weekend will be devoted to tackling Sir-Tech's Realms of Arkania trilogy, beginning with Blade of Destiny, assuming I can even get the thing to run.
Randy Nelson: Now that I know the LittleBigPlanet beta content will carry over to the final release, it's on! You'll be playing my level based on Leonard Part 6 day one! (That is if I don't let my new-found addiction to Galcon on the iPhone or my goal to lose 200 lbs. in one weekend using Wii Fit don't get in the way – I know the anthropomorphic Balance Board says it can't be done, but I'll see it in skinny Hell!)
Ross Miller is so happy to have contributed to today's GameDaily's HUD (take that ... people who didn't) that he's just going to paste the same WRUP response here: Before this year's Great Explosion of AAA Releases, I'm going back through some of the library and playing through Half-Life 2 and BioShock. It'll be interesting to see how their narrative style and presentation differ from next week's Dead Space. There's also a handful of LittleBigPlanet levels I've been told to check out. Beyond that, I'm a few performances away from Endless Setlist in Rock Band 2, which time permitting I might try to take a stab at on Sunday.
Considering we know how diligently readers pay attention to bylines, we're sure it'll be instantly noticed that our beloved Ross Miller is not doing WRUP this week. He's simply gone missing. Fear not, he should be back doing this feature next week ... we hope.*
Alexander Sliwinski: I keep saying that I'll play something else, but I keep doing Fable 2 Pub Games. Also, getting my last Deity achievement in CivRev, which is the conquer one and I'm more of a culture player.
Christopher Grant: LBP beta of course, along with Beyond Good & Evil (still). I'm off to Tokyo tomorrow morning so I'll be cramming in as much time with them tonight as I can. Then it's all DS for me. The World End With You never showed up in the mail so I need a good DS game or two to bring. Sound off in the comments!
Kevin Kelly: I'm playing the wonderment of E For All and dragging Justin McElroy with me. The world may never be the same. Oh, and of course, LittleBigBeta.
Kyle Orland: Continuing to play around with the LBP beta and enjoying the vibrant animated antics of Wario Land: Shake It!
James Ransom-Wiley: Is trying to avoid a snarky filler comment by Ross (Ed note. This was before the news hit, now it just seems awkward) ... but is drawing a blank. Can we fast forward a few weeks?
Jason Dobson:Mega Man and I have come to an understanding, and I've just had to resign myself to the fact that he wears the pants in this relationship. To cope, this weekend I'll be cleaning up the street of Gotham City one brick at a time in Lego Batman.
Justin McElroy: I'm at E4, and so far Kevin Kelly and I ARE the media presence. On my flight home I'm going to be playing more Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift.
Ludwig Kietzmann: I'll be going from horror (Silent Hill Origins) to happiness (Tales of Vesperia) in an attempt to utterly wreck my psyche. And it goes without saying that a LittleBig part of the weekend will be spent frolicking in the company of Sackboys. Well, I guess I just said it anyway.
Randy Nelson: If writing about Nintendo's Media Summit games can be considered a sort of game, then consider me booked for the weekend. I'll try to at least get in a race of WipEout HD in between each post.
Ross Miller: ... [Update: I wake up in an open field west of a big white house with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here. I've taken a mini-road trip to my parents' house, bringing Rock Band 2 for them to play, and Orange Box and Call of Duty 4 to finish the single player, in between bouts of homework and -- perhaps most frustrating of all -- Mega Man 9.]
*Ross is perfectly fine and safe with a beer in one hand and a narcotic in the other. Just like we love him.
In honor of LEGO Batman's release this week, we've decided to go LEGO crazy -- even if that's only in spirit. Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: The big push this weekend is to finish LEGO Infinite Undiscovery. It's still going along perfectly fine. I really believe the low scores are from reviewers tossing the game aside because of the horribly designed first few hours. Not that with the glut of games coming out now I'd recommend it, but there's nothing actually wrong with it JRPG-wise. Also, spending some time playing LEGO Batman co-op.
Christopher Grant: Keeping the PS3 fired up, I'll be alternating between wrapping up LEGO Beyond Good & Evil (it just keeps getting better!) and putting as much time as I can into the LEGOBigPlanet beta. Since this is my last weekend with the consoles before jetting off to the far-off world of Japan, I'll also try to finish LEGO Castle Crashers, play some LEGO Pure, and maybe some LEGO Geometry Wars 2 before someone kills me for avoiding it.
Griffin McElroy: While the rest of you will probably be satisfying your retro urges by spending your weekend with a certain blue robot, I'll be scratching that itch by finishing up LEGO Secret of Evermore, which I recently found within the darkest depths of my closet. Once that's done, I think I might start playing another (slightly less appreciated) SNES classic, LEGO Illusion of Gaia. I'm starting to wonder if LEGO Ross is going to stop including me in this feature as the majority of my weekend titles as of late were published in the Clinton era. [Edit: This post has had been once published in 1996.]
Kevin Kelly and Kyle Orland are attending The Coalition of People Whose Name Start with a K. They're taping a Sesame Street cameo.
Jason Dobson: I've taken to spending my weekends playing LEGO boardgames, and I'll be pulling myself away from the little blue klepto to take shotgun in hand. Next stop: LEGO ZombieTown.
Justin McElroy: As always, I'd encourage all of you to go out, have a few drinks and meet a nice guy or gal to fall in love with, because it's the weekend. As I'm now a married fella, I'll be playing LEGO Armored Core For Answer or LEGO Warhammer Online.
Ludwig Kietzmann: It's a weekend of technological contrast for me. When I'm not shaking my fist at LEGO Mega Man 9's robot masters and swearing that this will be my final attempt, I'll be diving into the 1080p paradise that is LEGO WipEout HD. Those Zone tracks are hypnotic!
Randy Nelson: Should I find myself in too happy a mood this weekend, I'll just fire up LEGO Mega Man 9 and nip that right in the bud. No matter how many games I've beaten over the years, or how many mad skillz (yo) I think I possess, it never fails to make me feel like I don't know nuthin' (but I can't. stop. playing.). Of course, it'll be pretty gorram hard to bring me down from the incredible heights of the LEGOBigPlanet beta and LEGO WipEout HD. Just try, little blue guy!
Ross Miller will be playing my favorite off-the-grid-and-on-the-grill-and-gridiron game: drinking while watching the (LEGO) Georgia Bulldogs take on Alabama in the comfort of my living room. As for video games, I've got one more rhythm in LEGO Rock Band 2 drum trainer to vanquish (Disco 4), then it's back to World Tour and maybe playing catch-up with whatever library of titles I didn't just sell to GameStop.
We've all decided that this whole Joystiq thing may not be for us (and unlike the last time, we're totally serious now). Thanks to the Fallout 3 G.O.A.T. exam, we know exactly what we'll be doing with our future selves. Oh, and here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: The GOAT tells me I'm a "Fry Cook." Coincidentally, I like making fried food. Anyway, this weekend I'll be playing Infinite Undiscovery, Company of Heroes and seeing if I can get the hang of Civ IV: Colonization.
Christopher Grant: This Vault Chaplain will spend the weekend helping others, as is my want. I'm at my sister's new house helping her fix the place up. Some sheetrock; some trimwork; some demolition; good times. I've brought my good friend Professor Layton along to pitch in with sage advice at opportune times: "Every puzzle has an answer." When I return back home I'll be repenting for my sins ... namely the sin of not having played Beyond Good & Evil earlier! Just a few hours in, BG&E has already revealed itself to be one of the best games I've played in the last couple years.
Griffin McElroy: According to the GOAT, I'm the Vault Chaplain. While not attempting to save some post-apocalyptic souls, I wager I'll be spending this weekend as I likely will spend most from now on -- playing Rock Band 2 with the roommate. Unfortunately, on more than a few occasions, the drum part of "Aqualung" has made me lose my religion (an activity not befitting a man of the cloth such as myself).
Kevin Kelly: I'm playing in traffic, for the most part. Plus I'll be visiting the Arcade UFO in Austin, TX to get some quarter-licious gaming on. Oh, and GOAT tells me I'm a Clinical Test Subject.
Kyle Orland: This Waste Management Specialist is taking out the trash... all the way to Maryland, where he's paying his family and friends a visit this weekend. My sister and mom both really want to try out with Wii Fit, so it seems that's what I'm going to be forced to play all weekend.
James Ransom-Wiley: This PIP-Boy Programmer is considering a new career. In the meantime, he'll find some time this weekend to accept the 5¢ trade-in value for the original Rock Band at GameStop -- at least it's something toward Rock Band 2, right?
Jason Dobson: GOAT says I'm a Pedicurist, who knew? Now that I'm with consoles again (unboxed!), this weekend will be spent lacing up and taping my virtual stick as I hit the ice in NHL 09. It may be the only way I ever get to see the Buffalo Sabres lift Lord Stanley, after all.
Justin McElroy: This Pedicurist is going to be enjoying some Warhammer Online, with occasional breaks for Force Unleashed. Or at least, that's what I would be playing if I played video games on the weekends, instead of doing what you all should be doing: Partying hard. Like, Andrew WK hard.
Ludwig Kietzmann: With the Prince of Persia trilogy behind me (much like my career as a Clinical Test Subject), I imagine this weekend will be dedicated to finding the answers to Eternal Sonata's mysteries -- chief of which is, "Why am I still playing this?" If I can break the level-up cycle, I'll almost certainly be giving Tomb Raider: Legend yet another replay. Gotta be prepared for Underworld!
Randy Nelson: When I'm not busy with my work as a PIP-Boy Programmer, I'll be hacking my way through The Force Unleashed with an elegant weapon (though not a very elegant camera) for a more civilized time. Then it's time to get up-to-speed – quite literally – with the Burnout Bikes expansion. Vroom!
Ross Miller: The Fry Cook inside me (wow, that sounds awkward) will be making up on hours of missing sleep. If I do have any energy this weekend, I will be overcoming the mid-chorus fill in the expert drums of "Everlong" for Rock Band 2. Once I master that, I will have the whole song and feel an overwhelming sence of silly pride.
We tried making a story but failed miserably. Instead, we're going to give you a list of palindromes and ask you to use at least a few of them (as well as some of your own) to give us an interesting tall tale: Racecar, deed, level, civic, madam, eye, radar, redivider, detartrated, solutomaattimittaamotulos, saippuakuppinippukauppias (the last two are Finnish -- bonus points for using them logically).
Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: Playing Rock Band 2, which we can't officially talk about until Sunday. Check back with us then for some of our impressions regarding the game, the new instruments and other incidentals. I'll also be continuing on with Infinite Undiscovery. It's actually quite enjoyable, but the first two hours do not make a good impression.
Andrew Yoon isn't allowed to say what he's playing this weekend.
Christopher Grant: pleads the fifth, sixth and seventh. He forget which one it was.
Griffin McElroy: I'm hoping I'll be able to finish up Super Metroid before Sunday, when my entire existence will be taken over by Rock Band 2. Unfortunately, I find myself torn between conquering Mother Brain and mastering the drums on Who Are You. Also, pinatas.
Kevin Kellyis too busy with Toronto Film Festival stuff to talk to you.
Jason Dobson: Now a newly transplanted resident of the Silicon Forest, I'm patiently waiting for my games, consoles, and other worldly possessions to arrive sometime early next week. I did, however, think ahead, and kept the DS on my person during the move. While not exploring the city, this weekend I plan on spending some free time at the beach playing Lock's Quest, which came out of nowhere and is a terrifically original take on gameplay I haven't seen since Atari classic Rampart with a cute anime twist.
Justin McElroy: If it finishes downloading and if I can tear myself away from Spore, I'll be playing Warhammer Online. Also, I want to have four beers. ... Does Ross even read this far? I'm going to go to Ross' house and steal his TV, how about that game? Let's see if that makes it in. [Ed. -- I added this in out of spite.]
Ludwig Kietzmann: I'm working my way through Ubisoft Montreal's Prince of Persia trilogy! I consider the Sands of Time, which I've completed numerous times, a flawed masterpiece. Jumping straight into Warrior Within is a pretty jarring experience, especially now that we haven't waited a year in-between instalments. It's like going to bed one night and then waking up in another country. The less linear level design is a clear improvement and platforming is still a joy, but the combat is even more tedious than before. Aesthetically, the game is an embarrassing example of why you shouldn't let the marketing department design your game. I can't wait to get to The Two Thrones, which, from a gameplay standpoint, is my favorite in the trilogy.
Randy Nelson: I was looking through my game library trying to find something that rhymes with "Rock Band" to play until Sunday and settled (well, I had no choice, really) on God Hand. I'll also probably get sucked back – yet again! – into using my "God" hand to control the destiny of my Spore creations, er, evolutions.
Ross Miller:I'm driving to Justin's house since he's threatened to come over here, and then we'll meet somewhere in between and have a rawk off on top of our cars just like the intro of Rock Band 2. Which I'm currently playing all weekend but can't talk about until Sunday.
That's right, folks, this week we've gone recursive. Who says we can't be our own special edition? Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: With my upgraded PC, I've been checking out some higher end games from the last three years. FEAR, not so bad. Black and White 2, gorgeous but flawed. The big plan for this weekend is Spore ... now I just need to get a copy somewhere.
Andrew Yoon: Braid. Second ending.
Christopher Grant: I've returned from a brief respite in the woods, but I wasn't alone. Something else came back with me. Specifically, my appreciation of the very portable Professor Layton & The Curious Village. I've got 30-some puzzles left and an intense desire to crush them using little more than my carefully honed intellect and a plastic stylus. Also: I've been winding my way through an advance copy of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – I should be able to wrangle a couple hours this weekend to polish that one off. Still in various stages of completion, waiting to return to favor: Castle Crashers, Siren, Fable 1.
Griffin McElroy: My new roomie recently hooked up his slimline PS2 to our big screen, so I've been playing some classics as of late -- Shadow of the Colossus, Tony Hawk's Underground (you know, the last good one), and a copy of Chrono Cross I recently found at this awesome used game store in Chicago. Also trying to hit the level cap with Mr. Orange in Castle Crashers, and anxiously waiting for GameFly to deliver me into pure pinata pleasure. ... Also, for the theme: perhaps something football related, as the season just started? Or perhaps, the inaugural use of the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, which could ostensibly create a micro black hole, instantly destroying our world on Sept. 10? WRUP: The World Ends with Large Hadron Collider Edition?
Kevin Kelly: I will be playing this thing called "finish your damn PAX posts while doing interviews and watching movies at the Toronto Film Festival." By the way I highly recommend The Brothers Bloom. Great movie. If they made a game out of that, I would die happy.
Kyle Orland: I'm also looking for a copy of Spore to see whether it's a new paradigm in gaming or, as the meta-review seems to indicate, a disappointment. Also hoping to get some more time with The Last Guy and maybe finally take a look at Castle Crashers.
James Ransom-Wiley: Goin' down the shore for one last weekend. Friends are asking me to bring that thing the kids are doing these days ... The Wii.
Justin McElroy: If I can bring myself to ignore the title, I'm going to be playing some Infinite Undiscovery in between checking on my new and improved pinata garden.
Ludwig Kietzmann: I hope to double my efforts in stopping the evil Count Waltz in Eternal Sonata, provided I can even manage to switch on my Xbox 360 without instantly firing up Geometry Wars 2. I also plan to feign struggle against and almost immediately succumb to the desire to play through the post-Trophy Uncharted. Again.
Randy Nelson: Like several of my fellow Joystiqers, I'll be tracking down a copy of Spore (no, my attendance at last night's launch party hosted by Mr. Wright did not come with "perks"). I also plan to brush up on my SOCOM skills thanks to the Confrontation beta, although I won't be playing it with the benefit of Sony's nifty new Bluetooth headset. Also: Castle Crashers (go orange!) and The Last Guy (go Himalayan zombie hero!).
Ross Miller: I've got a tough choice to make. I've finally caught up on school work (thanks, PAX!) and PAX articles (thanks, school!), and my copy of Too Human came in early this week – a bit late, yes, but now I get to play it without all the controversy and anger and hype. So I'll finally be trying it out. In between hours-long sessions of Spore, that is.
In honor of the new PSP Brite moniker, we present the Lite Brite. Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: Well, after a debilitating incident where some new RAM killed my PC weeks ago, I should have my baby back to me today with several new upgrades. First up: Some glorious all-levels-on-max Sins of a Solar Empire. Also making some headway with the Fable II Pub games (without cheating) and some Civ Rev multiplayer.
Andrew Yoon: Finally, I'm going to spend some alone time with Braid. <3
Christopher Grant: I've got a full plate of partially played games – I need to hunker down, pick one, and make some progress. Too Human, Fable 1, Bionic Commando Rearmed, Pixel Junk Eden, and Siren. Oh, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed should be in my hands next week, so I don't have much time to take care of all this. Why is life so hard?
Griffin McElroy: I'm still working on Final Fantasy IV, which I've purposefully slowed progress on as I approach one of the saddest moments in video game history. I don't want to get all misty-eyed in public, you see. Perhaps I'll play a little more Geometry Wars 2 as well, if Justin can finally manage to beat my score on Pacifism (the only reason I could be persuaded to return to that unforgiving grid).
Kevin Kelly: Fable 2 Pub Games for me, plus I'm demoing a tabletop game called Monsterpocalypse that looks like a ton of fun. And I'm still finding a way to cram Halo 3 into the nooks and crannies of my free time, and I'm looking to have that addiction checked out soon.
Kyle Orland: Now that I'm done with "Moving to Pittsburgh: The Game" I'll be practicing my drumming for the impending Rock Band 2 release. I'm also still struggling to get those last few puzzle pieces in Braid and resisting the urge to use an FAQ because Jonathan Blow doesn't want me to.
James Ransom-Wiley: Jonesing to finish up Bionic Commando Rearmed, but I'm headed out of town ... why is Remote Play so laggy? Thinking I might cop Bangai-O Spirits...
Jason Dobson: With one week to go till I move across the country, the consoles are packed and the only game I'm playing is fighting with the moving company to make sure my stuff is there when I arrive. I've lost two men so far.
Justin McElroy: If there's a merciful God in heaven above I'll be able to solve the Too Human game tape and finally move on with my life.
Ludwig Kietzmann: With a patch on the way, I've decided to halt my progress through Alone in the Dark. I still have a survival-horror itch to be scratched and/or violently torn out, so I'll return to Silent Hill: Origins on my soon-to-be-outdated PSP Slim. While I'm there, I'll kill Crisis Core's final boss and close the chapter on that time-sucking mess of side missions. Lastly, I'll try and make some time for No More Heroes, which I've neglected for far too long.
Randy Nelson: I'm off on a Quest for Booty this weekend – after I've finally gotten my fill of saving the same several hundred people over and over (and over) again in The Last Guy demo.
Ross Miller: I'm taking a break from the ION drum set until I can try it with Rock Band 2 (the verdict with RB1 wouldn't be so good, as the cymbals don't register without some serious drum thwacking). Instead, I will be working through his first week of homework (one more semester to go!) and, when time permits, run through The Force Unleashed demo. Maybe I'll pick up Too Human and see what all the fuss is about.
While most people hail the Dreamcast as Sega's swan song, we want to go back one generation and remember the Saturn, which gave birth to person favorites NiGHTS Into Dreams, Dragon Force and ... um ... Christmas NIGHTS. We know there are other classics, so tell us your experiences with the console. Note how the special NIGHTS controller (mid left) looks conspicuously like the Sega Dreamcast pad. Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: I'll be at a wedding in New Rochelle, NY this weekend, so it's DS time for me. The plan is to keep my Civilization Revolution addiction going with the DS version. Also, hoping to be back in time on Sunday to make some more money with the Fable II pub games. Need to learn and play the table better on Keystone (a variation of Craps -- yes giggling youths out there, that's the name of a real casino game).
Andrew Yoon: I'm only a small handful of Trophies away from getting 100% in PixelJunk Eden. This weekend, I'll be going through the latest Ratchet & Clank adventure, Quest for Booty, and then some demo time with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
Christopher Grant is the leader and doesn't have to answer for himself.
Griffin McElroy won't hear our Roll of Thunder call until the weekend begins.
Kevin Kelly: The Fable II pub games will be occurring, with several liftings of ale. I'll also be playing in my D&D campaign (hello, nerdom!) and trying out this new card game called Pecking Order. It's crazy, I tells ya. Plus some of my family is in town, so there will be some board game happenings going on as well.
James Ransom-Wiley: For the first time -- ever! -- I went with a PS3 version; in this case: Bionic Commando Rearmed. I also plan to spend some time psyching myself up for Too Human's imminent release. (Oh, and Amazon, where is my Pub Games code?!)
Jason Dobson: After grinding this week through the Netherworld, I'm going to be spending the weekend mastering the subtleties of the Xbox 360's terrible d-pad in Bionic Commando Rearmed, most likely falling to my death in the process.
Justin McElroy: I'm playing Space Siege as we speak, and I'm enjoying it so far. I'm also going to be listening to the Joystiq Podcast, because it's so funny and good and right. [Ed. - Justin later told me to add "Too Human" to the list because he wanted to flaunt it over the peons.]
Ludwig Kietzmann: I'm taking my copy of Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (cry more, purists!) to a friend's place and introducing him to the world of cardboard boxes and heavy handed exposition. When I'm back home, I'll be hacking away at Crisis Core's never-ending side missions, fumbling my way through Alone in the Dark and slashing wildly at scantily clad sword mistresses in Soul Calibur IV.
Randy Nelson: My brief stint behind the handlebars of Burnout Paradises' motorcycles has once again revved the throttle of my addiction to the game, so you'll no doubt see me Freeburning on PSN this weekend. I'm also aching to get into the swing of Bionic Commando: Rearmed (I opted for the XBLA route) and should probably brush up on my Soul Calibur IV skillz if I ever hope to go toe-to-toe with Ludwig online.
Ross Miller: XBLOverload with Braid, Bionic Commando and Pub Games. I'm still going through Rock Band drums on left-handed hard mode to try and get the other half of my body more in sync.
He decided to send all of us a picture of the bloodied remains of teeth early this morning
Many of the Joystiq staffers decided to not to have breakfast.
Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: I tried the demo for Braid and the puzzles inspired me to get the full game. Also have Eden to play and I'm sure to get in some Civ Rev as well. Just a little disturbed that PSN and XBLA games are starting to become my go-to style of games.
Andrew Yoon: As a Trophy Whore(TM), I'm still cracking away at PixelJunk Eden and Uncharted. However, if I need to take a break from the PS3, my time will be dedicated to Braid.
Christopher Grant: I'll be taking breaks between some of the more maddening (but oh so satisfying) puzzles in Braid by hopping back into Fable, which I continue to neglect. That's alright, I have until October 21 to finish it.
Griffin McElroy: I'm back into World of Warcraft, people. In the brief moments that I am able to resist Azeroth's siren call, I expect I'll be putting some more time into Final Fantasy IV DS. I expect these moments will be quite brief indeed.
Kyle Orland: More Geometry Wars 2 and Pixel Junk Eden, plus gonna try and dive into this Braid thing everyone's talking about. Also really enjoying the simulation-meets-arcade racing action in GRID at the moment. Gonna try to squeeze all this in amidst Olympics-watching, packing for a move to Pittsburgh and a birthday party for my wife. Busy weekend!
James Ransom-Wiley: I'm going to do whatever it takes to get just one of Ludwig's Geometry Wars 2 scores off the top of my leaderboards. I'll also be continuing my replay of Uncharted (moar Trophies!) and am hitting up All Points West in Jers Cirty tomorrow.
Jason Dobson: As I pack away games for my move out west on the Oregon Trail, I'm being judicious about what titles I keep out to play. After being reminded recently about Heavy Rain, I've decided to brave the snow once more and try to solve Quantic Dream's Indigo Prophecy.
Justin McElroy: I'm going to be playing Braid, which everyone who's not a dummy should rush out and buy, A+, 10/10. It makes Portal look like Brutal: Paws of Fury. And yes, I'm hoping that you'll all send this to Jonathan Blow and he'll see this and add it to his blog, because he's the best.
Ludwig Kietzmann: Braid is aiding me in my recovery from dental surgery -- a beautiful, melancholy and mentally involving game. This disgustingly vegetative weekend will also be spent playing Battlefield: Bad Company and Soul Calibur IV online. Just don't ask me to voice chat, you might make my gums bleed. Eww.
Randy Nelson: FYI, I'm settling in for some XBLA PSN TLC. This means wrapping my brain around the sheer genius of Braid, blowing it to bits with too much GeoWars2, and just plain chillaxin' with a game I find both challenging and utterly soothing: PixelJunk Eden.
Ross Miller: Just bought a new 60GB Xbox 360 after having another one die on me (second unit, no RRoDs so not covered under warranty *sad face*). Now to try out this Braid thing everyone's been talking about ...
In August 1982, about 26 years ago, the ColecoVision sported a 3.58MHz processor, 1KB Ram and 16KB VRAM, a 256x192 resolution with 32 sprites and 16 colors, 3 tone and 1 noise sound generators and storage cartridges ranging from 8 to 32 KB. Just thought it'd be fun to put some things into perspective. Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: I have discovered the crack-cocaine called Civilization Revolution. It's a completely different experience from actual Civilization and I haven't decided whether or not I like it; however, four hours just disappeared the other day while I was playing it, so the addiction level is certainly still there. Need to test the multiplayer.
Christopher Grant: After trying – and subsequently failing – to find my controllers and AV cord for the original Xbox, my copy of Beyond Good and Evil must wait. Instead, I'll be giving some TLC to Fable: TLC this weekend. Works great on the 360, except if you want widescreen support, you need to set the console to 480p mode. Ahh, that's better. Also: Siren and Eden ... and maybe GeoWars 2.
Jason Dobson: With Disgaea 3 promising to have me grinding teeth on the PS3 later this month, I've recently returned to the series' PSP flavor, Afternoon of Darkness, to help prepare me for the long hours of power leveling, character building, and manic wit to come.
Justin McElroy: I'm playing a bizarre combination of The Neverhood and Alone in the Dark, if I get any free time. Go figure.
Ludwig Kietzmann: I've been nursing a hangover all day. Not from drinking, but from the unrelenting assault of colors and particles that is Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2. Playing it until 5AM this morning was not a good idea ... but quitting the game seemed like an even worse decision. And I expect this trend will continue throughout the weekend as I zip through gates (which could kill you OH NOES) in Pacifism mode.
Randy Nelson: Geometry and PixelJunk filling my screen. Who will win? Why, me of course. That is unless I can't stop playing to eat. Actually, when was the last time I ate? Or drank anything? Oh my. Fact: the Remote Play function of the PS3 is super-rad. It lets me take PixelJunk Eden anywhere. Anywhere.
Ross Miller: I've been told to haul my Rock Band and Mario Kart Wii gear to a friend's house for a birthday celebration, but while that's going on I'll likely be sipping on a beer playing The World Ends With You.
Thanks to the power of the internets, a brief childhood memory about "a game where you move boxes" was decoded in approximately 28 minutes. (Answer: Shove It! The Warehouse Game for Sega Genesis). Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: I'm gong to finish MGS 4 this weekend. E3 got in the way, but it's time to finish the fight ... er, yeah.
Andrew Yoon: I have to finish MGS4, but will I be able to stop playing PixelJunk Eden to do that?
Christopher Grant: I've got a handful of Xbox 1 games that I've been meaning to play, and chief amongst them is (the back-compat-less) Beyond Good & Evil. That means busting out the old Xbox ... I have no idea where those controllers are ...
Griffin McElroy:Having already finished Fable after picking it up on Wednesday, I've started my second run-through -- though I'm finding my new character, a nefarious mage named Dickfish the Piemaster, much more enjoyable than my original hero.
Kevin Kelly: I'm playing "Comic-Con 2008: Line Waiting and Panel Liveblogging: The Return". You can follow along at home!
Kyle Orland: Gonna try to squeeze in some more time with MGS4, out of some misplaced sense of obligation to the series more than anything else.
Jason Dobson: I finally unboxed Diablo II, and while everyone has likely moved on from the Diablo thrill ride last month, I'm going to install the game and click on some demons till they die.
Ludwig Kietzmann: Well, I haven't been home in almost 3 weeks, so I'll probably stick with the portable systems. Despite the lousy story, I really want to go back to Crisis Core's bite-sized grinding.
Randy Nelson: Chant it with me, people: Pixel-Junk E-den (da-da-dadada!) Pixel-Junk E-den (da-da-dadada!). All right, that was my exercise for the day. Once I've fully absorbed all that demo-y goodness I'll head back into Liberty City. I've got a few dozen more flying rats to cap.
Ross Miller: I've been playing my own version of Shove It! by moving across town to a new apartments. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to play eight hours of Little Nemo: The Dream Master.
Do you remember this pitch for the 3DO. "Over 1 million polygons per second ... it renders over 100 billion pixels per second." We won't fault you if you're thinking about Austin Powers. We won't even fault you if you're angry at us for name-dropping 3DO twice in this still-young weekly feature. Here's what we'll be playing this weekend before our big E3 week. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: Must finish MGS4 before getting on the plane, but it looks like there won't be enough time. Hoping Civ Rev finally arrives today.
Andrew Yoon: Because I'll be playing PS3 and PSP games all week at E3, I'm going to spend some quality time with a few games from my 360 backlog: Army of Two, Bourne Conspiracy, Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Universe at War.
Christopher Grant: Afraid I'll be saving most of my weekend gaming for Sunday's flight out to LA for a little thing we call E3. Tonight and tomorrow will be spent clearing out a mountain of email, finalizing schedules, packing, getting this new iPhone thingie to work, getting a haircut, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera ...
Griffin McElroy:After finally managing to get my hands on a Wii via a pact with The Author of All Lies, I imagine I'll be spending most of my time playing Smash Bros. Brawl, and wondering if it was worth my eternal soul.
Kevin Kelly: I'm playing the Television Critics Association's "Stay Awake During a Day of Panels" mmo game which is really challenging.
Kyle Orland: I'm playing Go-to-a-friend's-wedding-in-Philly-then-drive-home-and-pack-frantically-before-E3 II Turbo Championship Edition.
Jason Dobson: Besides playing a little game called "frantically fix the air conditioner before I leave," I'm putting a few last laps around the GRID track before putting the old girl in the garage.
Justin McElroy: I'm going to try to slide in some Battlefield: Bad Company in between my E3 preparations and iPhone-playing-with.
Ludwig Kietzmann: is too cool for school. And too cool to respond.
Randy Nelson: Now that the Cagney update is up, it's back to Paradise City for some fine (like cherry wine) Burnout racing action. Then there's a little game I like to call "Pack, Man!," which involves trying to fit a computer, camera, clothes, and various doodads into as few pieces of luggage as possible. I always lose at that one.
Ross Miller: Polling everyone on which is the better in-flight DS game: World Ends with You, Final Fantasy Tactics A2, FF Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates or banging my head against the seat in front of me.
You might not recognize him, but that's Captain America saving the world from what looks like cast of WALL-E. With Commodore 64 graphics, you have to use your imagination to fill in quite a few missing pieces.
A happy 4th of July to all our readers (even if you're not American, just have a happy day, k?). Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: Metal. Gear. Solid 4. And Ticket to Ride, which is strangely addictive.
Andrew Yoon: Ludwig's coming over! YAY!
Chris Grant: Having finished Metal Gear Solid 4 (finally!), I've taken up arms with Battlefield: Bad Company. I find the destructive elements vaguely cathartic and, though I'm not very far yet, the storytelling well done. How's multiplayer? I totally skipped the beta.
Kevin Kelly:I'm out of town, and it's all board game action for me: Ticket to Ride, Zombies!!!, and the new Risk: Revised Edition.
Kyle Orland:Finally going to dive into Metal Gear Solid 4 in the serious way it deserves.
James Ransom-Wiley:In lieu of playing I'll be watching another friend take his walk down the aisle. And then I'll try out that game McElroy suggested a few weeks back: drinking.
Jason Dobson: I've recently had an itch to play games of the tabletop variety, and with family all gathering to set off small explosives in celebration of our nation's birthday, we'll all be dabbling with the dark arts (and stabing each other in the back) playing Betrayal at House on the Hill.
Ludwig Kietzmann: I'll be on a plane for most of my Friday, so I'm stuck with playing portable games. Which is just as well, since I have gems like The World Ends with You, Contra 4, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles and Mega Man: Powered Up to keep me busy.
Randy Nelson: Since my PS3 still works, I figured I'd take the opportunity to unlock all of the Trophies in Super Stardust HD. Then I think I'll go back and find all the secrets (and get all gold stars) for the first three episodes of American McGee's Grimm. I just can't resist a game that implores me to "make it nasty!"
Ross Miller: Drums – real drums, that is. And some guitar, piano and mandolin at a 4th of July concert tonight in downtown Athens (woo-hoo!). Otherwise, I'm planning to go crazy on Diablo 2 and FIFA 08.
After last week's heated discussion over the Atari Jaguar's bit count (we're siding with the 64-bitters and admitting error), we thought we'd highlight a system that is unquestionably 8-bit. As well as unquestionably failed in what it wanted to be. Still, this writer remembers picking one up at a Toys R Us, along with Mortal Kombat Trilogy, and enjoying the hell out of it until he finally found the Game Boy. Still, an internet-ready touch screen portable with PDA/lifestyle functions was ahead of its time.
Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: I will be playing some Ticket to Ride on XBLA, which is one of those games that when you first start, it's a total, "This is it?" experience. Then about halfway through your first game the strategy reveals itself. Best part: No board game cleanup. I'll also be diving into the Wii Fit waters. I don't know how I feel about doing that yet, but I'm rationalizing it by saying it's gas not spent going to the gym. ($4 a gallon! Seriously!?!)
Andrew Yoon: I still haven't finished Metal Gear Solid 4! Hopefully, I can clear another act this weekend. I'll also spend some more time with the very solid Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3), and Universe at War (PC).
Griffin McElroy: I've already put an embarrassingly large amount of time into Final Fantasy Tactics A2, but my team of adorably rendered killing machines is starting to come together so nicely. I'll likely put a few more hours into that, and when I tire of turn-based strategy, I'll continue working my way through some Nintendo 64 classics (Majora's mask is less frustrating than I remember it being).
James Ransom-Wiley:I'm gonna finally (hopefully!) get the few hours I need to finish MGS4 ... and then start the whole thing over again.
Jason Dobson: With Pixar's WALL-E on the family's movie-going docket this weekend, my son and I plan to sit down and give the flick's video game adaptation a whirl. He's young yet, and has plenty of time left to learn of the soul-crushing disappointment that these sorts of games can be.
Justin McElroy: I have nothing to play. Seriously, I've beat MGS 4, I've played most of the stuff I have, I'm stymied. I think part of the problem is that I don't really do most of my gaming on the weekends. Anyone else like that?
Ludwig Kietzmann: I'm not sure what's going on with me, but I'm somehow afflicted with an urge to play the disappointing Ninja Gaiden 2 again. I think I'm going to fight that feeling with a different ninja fix, N+, as well a second round of Metal Gear Solid 4. And as soon as the sun sets, it's back to Condemned 2: Bloodshot.
Randy Nelson: I foresee my relationship with Metal Gear Online finally getting serious this weekend. I'm determined to finally find a group of players who want to actually work together as, you know, a team. I'm fact, look me up if you're playing. Game ID is GrowlingFox. Other than MGO, I'd like to sneak on some Space Invaders Exteme and watch the new Futurama movie, The Beast with a Billion Backs.
Ross Miller: If I have time for anything this weekend, it'll be five-starring all the drum tracks to Pixies' Doolittle album (currently have about 3 to go). Otherwise, it's trying to finish that underrated gem Grand Theft Auto IV and everyone's favorite off-the-grid game, "Let's clean the crap out of my apartment!"
Chris Grant: After nearly two weeks straight of traveling, I'll invest my time at home into Metal Gear Solid 4 with the hope that I'll finally finish it. Acts 4 and 5, here I come!
If controllers were measured by the number of buttons, the 32-bit Atari Jaguar had one of the best controllers ever. It is rivaled only by the Xbox 360 controller (with chat pad) and the Steel Battalion controller. (Tangent: Does anyone remember playing the Jaguar when it toured shopping malls? Maybe we're making that up, our memory's a bit hazy.)
Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!
Alexander Sliwinski: I will be getting in some Sins of a Solar Empire and messing around some more with the Spore Creature Creator. I've also had a Rock Band hankering again.
Andrew Yoon: Doing some traveling this weekend, so it's all about the PSP. I'm going to keep on playing Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, and I have to finish Secret Agent Clank so I can review it. I'll also be playing a hotly anticipated PS3 game.
Chris Grant: As soon as this pre-E3 week is over and I'm back in the comfort of my home (not to mention my Coast) I'll thrust myself back into the waiting and capable arms of Old Snake and Metal Gear Solid 4.
Griffin McElroy: I'm actually playing through BioShock for the second time. I know it's a little early to break that one out again, but with the proverbial well being dry until next Tuesday (Final Fantasy Tactics A2, which should keep me entertained until about this time next year), my weekend gaming options are somewhat limited.
Jason Dobson While most of my time this weekend will be looking for a roof to put over my head in the Beaver State, I'll also be trying to discover who framed Ratchet for theft in Secret Agent Clank. Bizarrely, the PSP has been getting the lion's share of my portable love of late, but I just can't resist a robot in a bow tie.
Justin McElroy: I finally broke down and got Metal Gear Solid 4, so I'll be playing that. Also, I'll be playing my favorite drinking game: Drinking.
Kevin Kelly: I'm finally revving up some GRID action, and I'm playing some board games I've been finding at thrift stores lately: Lost Treasure, Arch Rival, and Zombies!!! (the !!! is part of the name, not just me being a geeky fanboy).
Ludwig Kietzmann: My plan is to continue inching my way through Condemned 2, but I'm certain I'll just end up playing Metal Gear Solid 4 again. No alerts this time!
Randy Nelson: I have this problem, you see. I want to finish MGS4 ... but I don't want it to end. I think my only choice is to just bite the bullet and beat it over the weekend, then play through it again. And again. Then it's back to my considerable backlog until Alone in the Dark hits next week.
Ross Miller: I beat Metal Gear Solid 4 last week, but I feel the urge to go no-kill this time. Instead, I'll be giving my PC some love. Free Team Fortress 2 via Steam this weekend (I regret buying Orange Box for consoles now), and time to revisit some classics: Deus Ex, Thief and Grim Fandango.
Scott Jon Siegel: Hopefully Key Largo, and also crossing my fingers to get a little Risk: Black Ops going on. I WOULD be playing Space Invaders Extreme, if any retailers were actually carrying the game within a week of its release. Grumble grumble.
