Story:  FEAR - I absolutely loved the story behind FEAR, especially the way it was presented through voicemails and interactive flashbacks....good stuff!

Graphics:  Half-Life 2 - As good as FEAR looked, HL2 takes this category simply because it is on a much bigger scale.  Maybe if FEAR or Doom had more outdoory environments.

Sound:  FEAR - While HL2 had some great sound quality, FEAR actually used it as an instrument in the gameplay.

Level Design:  Far Cry - the open ended nature of many of the levels really caused the immersion factor to go through the roof.

Weapons: Half-Life 2 - There may have not been as many weapons as other games, but they all felt really balanced and realistic.

Enemies:  FEAR - The AI is what really made the game the hit that it was.  The enemies were a bit repetitive, but each different type was unique and cool enough so that didn't matter.

Fun:  FEAR - AI wins this category for FEAR again.

Overall:  FEAR - Not to take anything away from HL2, it was just too linear and the enemies were too stupid.  FEAR may have been on the short side, but the open-endedness of the combat lended itself well to multiple playthroughs.

1)  Playing Ninja Gaiden for the first time - I had never played a game like this before.  This still holds as the fluid controls and running off walls was completely new and amazing to me.

2)  The twist when playing kotor - My first RPG, and best story eva!!  When that twist kicked in I was completely blown away, I'll never forget that.

3)  Playing Waverace 64 for the first time.  I didn't really play games that much before this, but somehow the experience of riding around on the waves in a jetski was so amazing to me.  I still don't understand why succeeding waveracers didn't have free ride modes like the original.

4)  Staying up all night playing Road Rash!!!!  One of the best games ever in my mind.

5)  The first time I used the double-barrelled shotgun in Doom.  From the power of the gun to the sweet reload animations, I loved every bit of it.

Honorable Mentions:  Stepping out of first dungeon in Oblivion, Playing Pitfall, Beating MT's Punch-Out.

Gotta tell ya, if some of my suspicions about what I saw from the demo on On the Spot are true, I may be withdrawing my preorder.  Some of these issues were:

1)  Extremely linear design - While the idea of portals and walking on ceilings is very cool, it won't be as exciting if it feels like the whole experience is on rails.

2)  No weight/momentum system - Some people may not know what I am talking about, but if you play the shooters that are out now and then go back to older shooters, you will hopefully notice something very important.  That being in older shooters, the player seems to be gliding or floating rather than walking.  That was one of my major issues with the Timeshift demo.

Hopefully I'm wrong about these, as even something this small can ruin a game.  Not saying the game still might not be good if it has these issues, just not great like I was expecting.

Ninenty Nine Nights - Score: 7.8

Why:  I think N3 is going to end up having some technical issues, that when combined with it's overly simplistic gameplay will leave people wanting a bit more. 

Prey - Score:  9.0

Why:  It seems as if there is a lot of work going into the single player aspect of Prey, so I expect some good things there.  However, I expect the MP to be maybe a little too straightforward, probably losing points lack of innovation.  Also, the SP maybe a bit too linear...I'm sure we'll have a much better idea though when the demo hits.

Chromehounds - Score:  8.6

Why:  A good playing game with some hit and miss graphics will probably lose points for it's shallow single player game.  The multiplayer however will be probably be a hit due to the extensive customization.  The problem is I worry about the lack of accessibility...from the previews I worry that getting pwned by the hardcore audience in the game will turn some new players away.

Test Drive Unlimited - Score:  7.3

Why:  It really just seems there is a lack of gameplay options in this game.  The online city where you can drive around and challenge people to race sounds kinda cool, but will probably get old very fast.  Is it me or is this almost all the gameplay has to offer?  Graphically, for a heavily focused online game it looks pretty good though.

I'll post some more predictions later :)

It seems to me that Sony has just taken the stance that bad press is good press.  It's the only way I can even begin to explain half of the quotes I've heard from Sony reps.  Though, it is also entirely possible that they are just not all that bright, but time will tell on that one.  Still, all the recent stuff (like upgradeable PS3's...uck!!!) combined with one of the worst press conferences I have ever seen (real-time weapon changing!!), makes me one thing.  That is that the only reason Sony is industry leader right now is lack of competition in the previous console generation.  Seriously, now that MS has stepped up to the plate to challenge Sony in a real way, Sony has gotten so worked up that they have lost almost total touch with reality!!

Well, the first two big games for the 360 are here, and they're fantastic!!  The only downside is that there is nothing coming out that warrents too much excitement for quite some time, so I wouldn't rush through those games.  The next game to come out is Far Cry, which is set to hit this week.  I am saddened to say that the recent converage on this game has dampened my excitement quite a bit, and I don't think I will be picking it up for awhile.  To buy it, I would have to trade in Burnout, and that probably won't happen.  I'm not overly enthused with Burnout, but I am even less enthused with Far Cry. 

 Regardless, Oblivion and GRAW should provide me plenty of entertainment for awhile.  GRAW looks absolutely fantastic, maybe better than Oblivion, and the tactical gameplay is right up my alley.  The only downside is I am not impressed with the online at all, as I would rather play my PC favorites such as BF2 or Chaos Theory before I will play this. 

Oblivion is as big and as grand as promised, so anyone who was even remotely considering getting it should do it.  There are a few downsides like the technical issues such as pop in and stuttering and some gameplay issues, but this is the game for the 360 at this point.  You just better have the time to play it, because it is a large game.

Well, the drought is over and the games are going to be pouring in this month.  With nine quality titles set to hit, with the highlights being GRAW and Oblivion, gamers should have something to play offline and on for quite some time.  I'm going out on a huge ledge right now and predicting Oblivion for game of the month.  That may seem easy, but I think there is some stiff competition from GRAW and Far Cry.  So everyone enjoy, and maybe I'll see you for some GRAW coop online!

One thing that constantly annoys me people keep saying how advanced certain games, like Ghost Recon and Oblivion, are when they are also coming out for PC. I mean I have a shiny new Xbox 360, and it becomes very hard for me to brag when my brother with a far less capable PC can play the same games. Sure the graphics and setting aren't turned all the way up, but it still makes me question my investment sometimes.