Whether you are a member of the 7th Column, an achievement completionist, or an indomitable Halo 3 brawler, Bungie broke into new territory with the April release of the Legendary Map Pack. While I was at San Diego Comic-Con, one inquisitive attendee asked a Halo-centered panel whether the Mythic map pack was coming. At the time it hadn't been revealed and the panel was nothing more than cryptic. When the most recent Halo 3 update landed last week, few expected 750 achievement points, 29 achievements, hints of many more maps for Halo 3, and the symbolically priced Legendary map pack getting more incentive for download; the map pack is available for download at a price of 600 Microsoft Points ($7.50 for you seven-hunting readers). Whether we expected it or not, it is here.

It's no secret Bungie speaks in sevens, but I wasn't really prepared for the jump in points, the play that comes from new scoring in the online competition, or the Legendary maps that are inspired (or ripped off, depending on how jaded your personal paradigm) by classic Halo maps. The last time I played Halo 3 was probably before the Legendary maps even hit the marketplace. For some reason I am being drawn back into the game and thought I'd share a bit about the maps and my experience.

Theoretically the recent update was intended not only to improve online connections but also to break out ranks for individual online competition modes. The ranks are broken out nicely to allow players to level up to a General in Lone Wolves matchmaking, but still be a Private in Team Doubles Social matches. Unfortunately, the solutions implemented for speeding up the matchmaking practices have not delivered for me on all promises. I have waited in a lobby that was connecting to a match for more than 10 minutes before the remaining players (since multiple players disconnected due to an unacceptably long wait) all got to mix it up.

In the beginning I played scores of matches, but got to play a Legendary map less than a handful of times. Random matches served up Blackout a couple of times so I could unlock two of the new achievements, but the others were not forthcoming. While Lockout remains one of the beloved battlegrounds from earlier Halo releases, the reimagining into Blackout wasn't as impressive to me. I enjoyed the UNSC posters and other decor, but I wasn't really getting into playing the level since I am clearly an outlier with my lack of love for Lockout.

If it wasn't for a loyal GameSpot user, I would've been running around Avalanche, the redux of Halo: Combat Evolved's Sidewinder level, all by myself. Despite my lack of love for Lockout, I have nothing but affection for Sidewinder. I thought it couldn't get any better when I saw the Hornets available for flying and the repainted warthogs waiting to be driven all around the frozen horse shoe.

Finally, if anybody would like to play some Ghost Town, let me know. Matchmaking doesn't serve it up. I am interested in seeing more of what xbox.com describes as "a battle-scarred maze of narrow passages and dangerous ruins." The one time I played it, the room was focused on helping one another get Oddball kills and splatter sprees.

For those keeping track, September 25 was possibly the first day to get that achievement for completing four-player coop over LIVE on Legendary difficulty with the iron skull engaged. That achievement should be worth 100 gamerscore on its own since the iron skull makes you restart the level if you die. Oof!

If I hadn't already dropped $7.50 on the maps to write this blog, I'd be more inclined to wait until the Legendary map pack invariably is reduced to a price of free. Of course, I like my points and I haven't played much Ghost Town. It could end up being my new favorite Halo 3 map to play.

What are your thoughts on Bungie's new support for their Legendary entry in the Halo franchise? Are the points worth it? Is Halo 3 so 2007? Or, is this the best new thing to come to the Xbox 360 since Combat Evolved?

Not too long ago my wife got a mega-gift for her birthday, our anniversary, and Christmas. This year, there may be some reciprocity in the air . . . I asked for one thing this fall/holiday season:

The full, Rock Band 2 bundle coming out next month. Seriously, what else would I want that I am not already getting?

Today that question got answered and my Rock Band request just got sounder. Not only will Rush's awesome Moving Pictures album [finally] be made available, but The Cult's Nissan-selling tune "She Sells Sanctuary" will be available to download and play by the whole family. Wait. Nissan used both "Tom Sawyer" and "She Sells Sanctuary" in their 2000 television ad campaign.

Now I just gotta start petitioning for some "Friends of P" by The Rentals to get the rest of the family-favorite songs for us to play at home. Whether it be Guitar Hero, Rock Band, or Rock Revolution, what songs do you most want to have in your playlist?

In the future Tennis will be more like racquetball.

This is a philosophy I have held to since playing racquetball with my father growing up. It seems the formerly known as Izod clothier has come to their senses. Their latest branding campaign appeals not only to futurists and game aficionados, but also the enlightened masses of racquetball players. I agree with the: let's reinvent the game to make it racquetball. Now if they would kindly make racquetball gear and attire, we can be done with this charade known as tennis.

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This afternoon I was able to unlock my last achievement in Rainbow Six Vegas 2. I was playing some Team Deathmatch on Import/Export with some fabulous lads from around the globe. As I was coming up the stairs, I fired my SPAS-12, dropping two opponents with one shot.

The achievement unlocked and a great deal of satisfaction filled my heart. Don't Mess With Me was my last achievement. Though worth 45 points, it is only earned in multiplayer matches with 6 players present. After 1,000 online adversarial mode kills, I can now send this game back to GameFly.

Thanks Ubisoft for fixing the achievement bugs in this game. Thanks for a swell time. Please fix that lingering Special Operations achievement. If not for me, do it for my friends who selflessly facilitate my unrelenting efforts to unlock your broken, buggy, and otherwise busted achievement in the original Vegas on the 360. I love you, but I am more than disappointed this has not been fixed after all this time.

UPDATE: This weekend I got no less than three invitations to play Vegas 2. I found myself missing the game very much.

Within the space of two days this week I posted three reviews. Sure, sure, two of those reviews were for one title which was published on two handheld platforms. Nevertheless, three reviews in two days.

N+ on the PSP was visually impressive, N+ on the DS was refreshing to play, and Castle Crashers was outstanding but a bit disappointing. I'm still really bummed about not being able to make progress at work and not being able to play with my online friends. By the time that gets patched my fickle fellows will no doubt be saying, "What's Castle Crashers?"

. . . and because you can't have too many Bionic Commando Rearmed videos embedded in your blog, enjoy this [Spencer] rad music video:

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. . . it is the day we prepare for Sunday.

Sunday not only means a much-needed day of rest, but a chance to get together for Sunday Driving. I have more video coming up, but right now I am still editing. Look for more later and some footage next week.

Huzzah!

Do you all see that new breathing room and the new page designs?

I like it!

Congrats to Dev, Production, Product Management and the many other teams who worked hard to bring this new look to our timeless site.

Bionic Commando Rearmed comes out Wednesday y'all!!!!

I'm sure you've seen the trailer in my earlier blog. You are no doubt a connoisseur of fine interactive entertainment and are most likely familiar with my deep and abiding love for Bionic Commando. That said, Tom Mc Shazaam! will be reviewing the game. You are no doubt familiar with his critical works.

Since he is doing the review, I am free to make all kinds of openly effusive endorsements before the game comes out. As if I wasn't excited about the fantastic remixed music, the brilliant 3D graphics, and the indulgent trip down memory lane, these developer diaries made me laugh and pine for the game even more:

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pi, pi, pi . . . 800 points is nothing compared to the good times ahead. I am downloading this game. . . perhaps on both the 360 and the PS3. I would have gone for the PC version too, but that is just a bit too indulgent.

Last night when I got home two of my brothers in law wer at my home, along with my in-laws. Through the normal course of conversation E3 came up, probably in the context of what have I been doing for work lately. Nobody present knew what E3 was or meant.

Needless to say a crash course in game coverage followed. . . not the least of which was a demonstration of the awesome might of GameSpot's 26 hours of E3 coverage. If we had a DVD of all of that, it would keep them going for the long car ride back to the midwest. I would be sure to label it "required viewing."

During Comic-Con, I was able to play Bionic Commando Rearmed in a special, you-have-to-wait-in-a-crazy-long-line-to-get-in booth. It was rad (the game, not just the booth). I had a great time and am only looking forward to the release even more.

Today Capcom confirmed on their blog that the game will be available for download on the Xbox 360 August 13. The achievements aren't hard, but they are definitely involved. The PS3 version of the game will grapple Sony's console on the 14th of August. The good news for trophy hunters is the save game will be tied to your profile so the trophies can be retroactively unlocked (like Burnout Paradise) after the game is patched.

For those of you celebrating, join me in watching the trailer again and again until the game comes out. . .

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I do love that updated soundtrack.