I have been visiting GameSpot since I aimlessly typed "videogames.com" into my web browser five or six years ago. They've always done a great job, but lately some of them seem increasingly obnoxious and stuck-up. Excluding Greg, Ryan, Brad, and Brian of course. For how much enthusiasm Jeff usually shows while writing his reviews and doing the video reviews, the Gears of War and Zelda reviews seemed like he would rather have been sitting on his couch at home watching wrestling or something. I can't help but wish Greg had reviewed them, not because I think the scores would have changed, but it was just a lousy and dull read and watch for both games.

So with that said, the last few weeks I have been visiting other websites trying to find something fresh and more appealing to me. I like the "just like you" approach 1UP goes with, but man, I disagree with so many of their scores and comments, that it's just frustrating to read. IGN has always been a good pick that I have regularly checked over the past year or so, but their reviews are usually pretty drawn-out and bland, and they don't have any interesting features like 1UP and GameSpot pumping out. GameSpy's staff seems to have a very sincere and passionate love for gaming, but they're very much like IGN (perhaps because they're part of IGN) - boring reviews and not much else to see but reviews.

I went Googling to see if I could find any obscure-but-great gaming sites, but with absolutely no success. If anyone has any suggestions, make a quick comment to this entry - it'd be much appreciated.

My brother played the Wii (Excite Truck) at a GameStop a few days ago and was not impressed at all. Of course we're talking Excite Truck here, but his disappointed stretched past just the game to include the Wii-mote in general. But hey, he was also disappointed when playing the 360 the first time in a Wal-Mart. He's generally hard to please, unless it's Halo. Then everything in the world is perfect.

On a side note, Donkey Kong Country rocks, even after all these years. Unlike Final Fantasy VII. That's what I learned over the Thanksgiving break. My sister learned of the phenomenon that is online video games. Made possible by the free trial of WoW.

On another side note, Joe Fielder is the man. Watch the Halo video review - it's the best I've seen on GameSpot. I wonder what this guy is doing now.

UPDATE: Joe Fielder is working as a game developer for EA.  Sort of ironic and depressing.