So, this it it. The sixth entry of TMM. We're nearing the end of 2005, so I thought I'd wrap up the year in gaming terms; going over the good, the bad, and all that.

In one word: Deflated.

Why deflated you ask? You start hopping up and down, waving Resident Evil 4 and F.E.A.R. boxes in my face, right? Well, here are a few reasons why:

1. Last year, we got an unbelievably highly anticipated trio of games: World of Warcraft, Half-Life 2, and Doom 3. How can anything compare to that? Yes, this year DID see the long-awaited release of Quake 4, but don't get me started on that one.

2. Sequals. So...so many...SEQUALS!!! Why so many? Because publishers now control the Industry. They learn what people will buy and churn out sequals like overflowing bottles of milk and cream from mutant, multi-uddered cows. Please, can we have some innovation in 2006? Just a bit?

3. A year of disappointments. From Jade Empire to Myst V to Quake 4, the list just keeps going and going. With standard titles like these coming from the likes of Bioware and id Software, I fear for 2006.

4. Jack Thompson. Oh wow, this guy makes me want to on a wild shooting rampage more than Soldier of Fortune 2. Again, another rant for another time.

5. In fact, the rest of the sh*t head Senators who can't seem to get their heads out of their hubris-inflated asses. The Industry doesn't miss their cerebral input, believe me.

That's all I can think of right now. Check back tomorrow for the second part of 2005 in review.

~N