Well, this is my first real blog post on Gamespot (I have no idea where this username came from, because I don't remember making it). I'm sure not many people will even see this post, and if they do, will read it casually and then forget about it an hour later. But, I want to write about my gaming experience whilst being in college and just my random opinions.

First, my name is Peter and it's my first year at Columbia College Chicago where I'm majoring in Film. Though movies are my passion, games have always been my second love. Recently, however, I noticed how quickly I grew tired of many video games, and I ended up sticking to multiplayer games like Gears of War and Halo to entertain me. This was before making the move to college. Once I settled into my dorm room and my Playstation 2, Dreamcast, and roommate's Xbox 360 were set-up I found a new love for games, including ones that lacked a multiplayer component.

However, we didn't have TV! My father promised he'd find us a good one, and by doing so, it took him a good week until we'd end up with one. Luckily, I had Final Fantasy VII on my laptop, and I decided I'd give it a nice playthrough while waiting for classes to start along with the TV. It was a great experience re-living the epic adventure with Cloud and friends. Though I had already played through the game twice before, the third time was definitely a charm. I picked up things about the game I didn't even know existed this time through, and I was able to fully envelop myself into the story. I didn't cry when Aries died, but I was sad. I was even sadder, because that damn man in the cave wouldn't give me my battle numbers which would let me acquire Aries final limit break! Ah! Anyways, I had a great time with this game and it brought back many good memories of my first playthrough of the game. After playing this game I knew I needed to spend most of my time with RPGs.

We did get a TV, and though I wanted to commit myself to RPGs, nostalgia reminded me of more than just them. It started with Ebay, which led to the Oddworld games. I got a good deal on both of them and couldn't wait to play as a year of my childhood was spent at my friend's house watching and playing as Abe. I beat Abe's Oddysee in about a week or so, about an hour or so a day. It was challenging and my roommate spent his time laughing at me every time I died, but I beat it and was able to rescue enough Mudokons to get the "good" ending. I still haven't started Abe's Exoddus, but I plan on playing it soon after my month long Christmas break is over.

After that, I moved onto my second FFX playthrough. I loved the game the first time, but didn't remember it well enough to feel comfortable talking about it. I played it off and on, and have just beaten Seymour Flux. I'm excited to finally get control of the airship and gather all the ultimates.

Next was the color Orange. The Orange Box, that is. I had played through most of Half-Life 2 on my original Xbox, but I never finished it. I purchased The Orange Box when it first came out, but never really played anything but a bit of Portal. I put it on myself to finally beat Half-Life 2, and I'm so glad I did. It's probably the best FPS campaign I've played since Combat Evolved, and its innovation was outstanding, even now.

Then, Halo: Reach came out. Well, there went all my time. Multiplayer controlled me, and I only spent about thirty minutes concentrated on the campaign. I later realized how badly I needed to rid myself of it, and I told my roommate to sell it. That. was. a. good. decision.

After my Reach phase, I tried my hand at a couple of Xbox 360 RPGs like Tales of Vesperia and Eternal Sonata. I enjoyed playing these for as long as I did, but for some reason haven't got back to them in a bit. That's my biggest problem with games, especially RPGs. I love them so much, but never pull myself to finish what I've started.

Then, school started getting stressful and I needed something simple to take my mind off of things. That something was Crash Bandicoot. Crash was my childhood hero, at least when it came to video games. Luckily, I held onto my copies of Crash 2-Crash Bash and I burned through them in about a week's time, but I enjoyed them immensely. Crash Bandicoot: Warped will always have a special spot in my favorite games.

Lately, however, I've become addicted to the SNES. Sadly, I don't own one, but I plan on buying one soon. I unfortunately have to use an emulator which makes me feel like a douche bag, but Chrono Trigger and LoZ:A Link to the Past have been taking up some of my time. Hopefully, I actually beat them by the time I get my real SNES and FF VI, which I've been dying to play. Then, I'd plan on getting CT and ALTTP for the actual system, but we'll see....

So, all in all, I've had some great experiences, but there's soooooooo many games I have/want that I still need to play. I will write a list, and if anybody reads this, go ahead and contribute your thoughts on which ones I should play.

HAVE:

Lost Odyssey (XBOX360)

Eternal Sonata (XBOX360)

Tales of Vesperia (XBOX360)

Skies of Arcadia (Dreamcast)

Wild Arms (PS1)

Grandia (PS1)

Breath of Fire IV (PS1)

Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)

Legend of Dragoon (PS1)

Chrono Cross (PS1)

Suikoden III (PS2)

Star Ocean: Till The End of Time (PS2)

Rogue Galaxy (PS2)

Shadow Hearts: Covenant and From The New World (PS2)

WANT:

Suikoden I and II (PS1)

Final Fantasy IV and VI (SNES)

Lufia I and II (SNES)

BoF I and II (SNES)

Super Mario RPG (SNES)

Chrono Trigger (SNES)

LoZ games (Yeah, I've never played any really)

I think I'm forgetting some I have and want, but please provide any input if you desire.

Thanks,

Peter