So I just took a look at the recent reviews from GameSpot - I found a very interesting game called Elite Beat Agents for the DS, which got an 8.9, but, meh, when I saw that review for Gears of War ... I was very shocked, so much that I forgot about the aforementioned obscure rhythm game, and shouted, "Liek hold up there!"

A 9.6. Holy guacamole. Batman. Chocolate cereal. Completely random words/reactions, huh? But yeah, as you might have guessed, I am shellshocked. Surprised. Electrified. We're looking at possibly the best candidate for Game of the Year thus far, next to Oblivion. Immediately I doubt the score ... I read a few pages of the review, read enough of Jeff Gerstmann's reasons to know he's being serious, and then I click over to IGN to see what they have to say.

A 9.4. Similar score. Very high. Pretentiously high, some may say. I guess I'm a bit bamboozled again.

And the best thing is, these are both legitimately written reviews - very good pieces of work. I've been thinking bad things about GameSpot's recent reviewing standards, but things have taken a turn for the better here. A 9.6, though ... I'm not expecting to buy a 360 quite yet, but I'm still following some of the most highly anticipated games, and I've been following Gears of War especially doggedly because I'm hoping, just hoping, there will be a future PC version of the game, hopefully so Bill Gates and his co-operation can sell more Vista units with GoW in the pipeline. I see nothing of that confirmation yet - but meh, this 9.6 ... I seriously was not expecting the game to get that high. I was expecting something in the high 8 region. I've been ignoring the rampant fanboyism, declaring 9.5's and up, but man, it seems they are right. Jeff Gerstmann is the jury.

And in other news, Guitar Hero II - I've been wanting the game for so long, and now it's almost here. (I don't think its out in Britain yet) I'm dusting off the PS2 and grabbing the bundle pack from Amazon. I have to get it. Must. Get. Guitar Hero. I'm hoping to get it before Christmas, but it will probably end up rocking under the tree anyway.

Stuff the turkeys (literally) I want Guitar Hero.

Okay, thats enough ranting for now. I guess I'll go turn in.