It's official... Torchwood is back on the telly! Last night, the 'Children Of Earth' mini series kicked off, and it feels so good to be blitzed by high octane drama again. (Since BSG wrapped up.) I was a little reserved about the promos, but after watching the first instalment, I can't wait for the next one!

Talk about flying by the seat of your pants! The world's children are being used as conduits for an alien force - repeating the phrase 'we are coming' over and over again in unison. Also, an aging mental patient - linked to the original visitation back in 60's Scotland - is experiencing the same thing.)

Technically, this is the third season; with five episodes spread over consecutive days instead of a fourteen week run. Which, is a radical downsizing for the show, but I think that it really brings out the best of these characters.The cast is down to three (four counting Kai Owen), which still works fine, but I like a big ensemble cast. It would have been cool to see Martha in the mix. Here's hoping she'll get drawn into the action at some point. Although, it's good to see Reese getting some more screen time.

This was a solid Russell T Davis script. Sometimes, I love his writing, and others it just misses the mark with weak humour. This was a genuinely creepy script, and ticked all the boxes as a Woodie, that I wanted to see. A nod to last year's fatalities? Check. Sharp, witty dialogue? Check. Alien hunting? Check. Swearing? Check. :D Female baddie? Check. Jack Harkness killed over and over again in a Captain Scarlet stylee? Check. Gwen and Reese moments? Check. Jack/Ianto chemistry? Check. Torchwood car? Check! The latter was pretty funny. How are they gonna get it back from those neds? :D

Anywho.. I'm glad that Torchwood's back.. I've missed these characters. It's been a real rollercoaster so far.. I'm kinda annoyed that tonight's ep will clash with my regular dose of Dollhouse and Sons Of Anarchy. Why?! Aaargh!:) Thankfully, I'll be able to watch it online.

In any case, roll on episode two! :)

I may have found a new gaming obsession with Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

The game has been on my wish list for some time. It had caught my eye in terms of presentation, but has always taken a back to seat to other titles like inFAMOUS or Metal Gear Solid 4. Which is a crazy notion, because I've enjoyed open world games in the past. Talk about being late to the party, eh? :)

Yesterday, I finally bought the platinum edition, and have so far cleared the tutorial level. Already, I know this is going to eat away at my free time. The scale of it is unlike anything I've played before. During game play, I was picking up any old crap; from dusty bones and rats to cloaks and vases. There was fun to be had with battling goblins and assassins too. (And, a sick kind of pleasure in nicking clothing. :D)

Not even Fable had me filled with sword waving glee. Thoughts of Dead Space and GRAW 2 (which I'd originally planned on buying that day but couldn't) have been firmly pushed to one side. This is a meaty, fun alternative in my book.

Okay, so I haven't even started the main quest, :) and I probably shouldn't be making judgements so fast out the gate. However, it's not hard to be blown away by the depth and scale so early in the game. It's a really promising start, and I'm impressed with the amount of options available. Preferably the customisation.

That's the one thing I've invested most of my time in; the making of a custom hero. Or, a heroine to be more exact. I spent a lot of time in perfecting the face alone. Stick me in front of a title with a custom mode, or any sort of design aspect, and I tend to get carried away.

The ol' creative side was in its element. Although, I started to annoy my ownself, because it needed to look just right, and there were several different races on offer! Thankfully, there was an edit option at the tutorial's end, for extra tweakage. Greyish purple hair wasn't a good look. :) There's freedom to create, and I hope that it carries over into other aspects of the adventure.

For curiosity's sake, my character's class is 'heroine', her birth sign is 'the shadow' and she's a 'Nord.' Think of a chubby Gillian Anderson, and your halfway there. :) Overall, she's a warrior type, with invisibility powers and Jedi mind tricks at her disposal. :)

This game has really caught my imagination, and I can't wait to get stuck into the main story.

When MGS4: Guns Of The Patriots debuted on my PS3, the first thing that I noticed was the 'photo album' option on the title screen. Which, peaked my interest and imagination straight away.

In general, there are two things in video gaming that I absolutely love:

#1. The ability to direct your own videos or highlight reels.

#2. Taking pictures of the in-game environment.

The digital cameras from the first game and 'Sons Of Liberty' were cool, but it was kinda annoying that there was no way to save and share your photos.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the camera on my first play through. I thought it would be rewarded once the game was over. Anywho, I checked online for its location, and now have it on my item list. WOOP! :)

A couple of days ago, I beat the main story. (Clocking in 17 hours of gameplay or thereabouts.) Once it was all over, I knew there would be the low that proceeds such a high. The game really knows how to pull at the heart strings, :) and it's pretty epic in scale.

Initially, I felt that I kinda rushed through certain parts, and didn't get a feel for the different locations. Which, is kinda weird, as I always adopted the slow, stealthy approach in previous titles.

Now, the digital camera function has opened up a whole new appreciation. The second run through is going to be a complete riot, and I want to capture my own gaming memories.

Also, photography is one of my favourite hobbies, (next to gaming) and it's cool to have them combined successfully this gen.

Here are some of the in-game photos that I've taken so far..

* SWOOPING IN.

* TAKING THE SHOT.

* DIRT.

* MOVING IN.

* ASLEEP ON THE JOB. :D

I finally got my hands on a copy of inFAMOUS. Woop! There was a £2 difference between the bog standard retail copy, and the uber sexy special edition with free art book and downloadable content. No contest which one I chose. :D

(At one point, I was close to buying Fuel, because the shop assistant kept raving about it to nearby customers. Which, in my book, doesn't help my decision making process. :) Although, the guy had a point, 'cause the game does look gorgeous. It's also in the Guinness book of records for having the largest playable world, which I never knew.)

I also got £5 knocked off the rrp with membership card points, which made the purchase extra jammy.

At some point, I'll blog my thoughts and experiences on this game. It's been on my wish list for a while.. I'm glad to finally play it.

OTHER STUFF: I bought my first blue ray DvD. Which, isn't really something to shout about.. (Even if it is a big step up from my first ever DvD; a reality tv style documentary about the Tehran football team. WTF?) :)I've been eager to upgrade to blue ray though. 'The Wrestler' now has that honour. :)

Also, I bought the EyeToy and two games for Ps2, which should be a laugh. It's an element of the PS2 gaming experience that I've yet to embrace. And, I picked up an old copy of 'The Thing', which should quench my sci-fi fanboy tendencies. :)

Overall, it's been a good day for gaming purchases. I just wanted to record some of my thoughts.

I was playing GTA IV last night, and had to make an important in game decision. [spoiler] Should Niko take down Playboy X or Dwayne, during the Holland Play mission? [/spoiler]

The 'moral decision making' is one of the cooler aspects they've added to the series. It's one of those gaming moments that'll be burned in my memory for a long time. Like, returning to Shadow Moses in Metal Gear Solid 4. Or, slaying your first Colossus in 'Shadow Of...'

So there I was, driving down the Star Junction, listening to Iggy Pop, and trying to figure out what the hell to do next. Should I go left or right? Left? Right? Which way? And, who will it affect on a grander scale? Left? What to do? Right? Aaaargh! Repeat ad nauseum. Never has a game played on my decision making so much until now. :D

The whole thing also felt as though it was ripped from a tv show. At least, the part where I was quietly parked at a T-junction, ready to go either way. The music on the radio seemed to fit perfectly with the mood. For example, when there's an unrelated song playing over the creepy scene in a movie. And somehow, it manages to tie in with the emotion.

Okay, so it's just a game. :D But, I guess it made me really appreciate its depth. I've invested in these characters, even after 36% completion. That's a good gaming experience in my book. How some folk say that they find the game boring, is a complete mystery to me.