Recently I saw an ad for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. As much as I'd love a game where Mario and Sonic compete against one another, this just isn't it. A game where the speed of Sonic the Hedgehog is pitted against Mario's... well, let's just say this just doesn't cut it -- Sonic would truly smoke Mario in almost every competition the Olympics has to offer. Of course this would only be the case _if_ it were true to the characters abilities.

Obviously, if Sonic were to be able to win with such ease that'd make for an unfair, and boring game. So what they're going to have to do is take away the very essence of Sonic, his superior speed over everyone else, bar few. For me, this just isn't the game I dreamt would be Mario and Sonic's first (official) encounter. I feel bad for judging a game that hasn't even been released yet, but it's my childhood they're messing with, god dammit! Two of the most iconic, and two of my favourite characters ever, shouldn't have their very soul edited for fairness. Hell, I'd be disappointed even if they didn't change the characters but gave them a handicap such as Sonic having to run further, as that wouldn't be fair play. I'm all for fair play, just not nerfing.

Heh, it'll probably end up being a decent game just to make me look more of a jerk for airing my grievances with nerfing.

Isn't it funny, no matter how much you say that you won't get caught-up the hype, you end up knee deep in it?

Well, it just so happens I've been looking forward to BioShock ever since I first heard of a spiritual sequel to System Shock 2, back in 2004, possibly even 2003, I don't remember. I said that I'll keep a level-head approach to every titbit that they could throw at me. Jump forward in time with me: the first video of BioShock I see, I already fail in my goal. Drastically, at that. I was [and am] just so hyped, and eager to play it.

The time is getting closer and closer to the release date, now the realisation that I fell into the hype-machine has dawned upon me. Nagging doubts have started to scratch away at the back of my mind. Can the game now possibly live up to my expectations? I'm not sure if it can. I guess I should try pouring my hope into Left 4 Dead. I don't mind if that doesn't live up to my expectations, I only expect to kill lots zombies [with a friend], and I'm pretty sure that's a core part of the game. Now that's the easy way out I've been looking for!