Well, obviously Gamespot finally got on the ball and released the review a few days ago. That was weird and quite late. Now that I have played the game a little bit I thought I would post a few thoughts about the game.

The game is pretty good. I am holding final opinion until I have played it more, but there are some pretty annoying things about it. First, I was actually quite horrified by the whole airport scene. It made me feel way uncomfortable. I didn't pull the trigger for as long as I could, and I even shot Makarov over and over because I hated him. The scene really helps to set a particular tone and really evokes an emotional response, but I'm just not a fan of it. I will be skipping it from here on out. Second, there are parts of the game that are just quite brutal as far as the situtations it puts you in. I felt like I died over and over again never knowing where the enemies were, even with the shot indicator. Don't get me wrong, I've beat COD2 and COD4 on veteran, and I will with this game too, but in many ways I felt ripped off on dying.

The environments are cool, and the graphics are great, but at this point in this generation I think we are hitting a graphics cap. As graphics get better, I start noticing all of the little things that don't look good. Backgrounds, textures, pixelation; it's kind of weird. I think the dude who came up with the uncanny valley theory was on to something. It will be nice to see what the next generation holds in terms of graphics, but I'm afraid that time is afar off. They are going to milk this generation for all it's worth.

I haven't even played multiplayer yet, but special ops is a lot of fun to play with a friend. But I do wish they had included co-op for the campaign. Seems weird that they didn't.

Anyway, I look forward to getting the full thousand achieves for this game. I am halfway there, and with my completing it on veteran I will be much closer.

I think it is completely ridiculous that there is a game guide posted and no review yet. I think this is the latest review ever for such a high profile game.

What gives?!?!?!?

Okay, so I totally just bought a John Petrucci 6 Music Man guitar. It is SO sweet. I bought the model with the piezo system and the Mystic Dream finish. It is absolutely beautiful, and it sounds even better. The pickups are active (battery powered) and the piezo system makes it sound like an acoustic guitar with the flick of a switch. TOTALLY BEAST. The guitar plays so amazingly smooth. The tremelo system is probably the nicest, smoothest tremelo I have ever played. This guitar is set up perfect from the factory, and I will have to make no adjustments.

I can't believe how much better I sound with this guitar!! It feels wonderful to play, too, which makes it that much easier to play. I've also been working on my guitar rig lately, adding a pedal and a new power supply. I was already getting some great tones with the new adjustments, but now it sounds and feels like I have a completely new rig, and essentially, I do. I am so excited!!

This guitar is absolutely perfect for the kind of music I write and play. I have some other decent instruments, but this one takes the cake. I've always been missing something with my rig. The guitar is so versatile and can do just about anything, save for maybe leaping over buildings in a single bound... wait, I think it can do that, too. I don't think there is another guitar out there that could be more perfectly fitted for what I want and need it to do. The guitar set me back quite the pretty penny, but it was worth it. I have never bought a guitar that I REALLY wanted, and I thought it was time to do so. Most of the gear that I do have were such good deals that I really couldn't pass them up. This time, though, I sought after the guitar I really wanted. I should have done this years ago.

Anyway, I've got an english paper to write tonight that I don't want to do. I would MUCH rather be playing my beast new guitar.

Also, I am still planning to do a very late and much needed blog on the awesome Dream Theater concert I went to at the end of August. I will also write my thoughts on the awesome Black Clouds and Silver Linings album. These are way overdue, but I have been super busy with school and work.

Until then...

So I just scored a ticket to see Dream Theater in Denver on the 25th. I haven't seen them since 2001, so this will be quite a treat for me. After some annoying issues with friends and ticket purchases, it looks like I will be sitting by myself (or more like rocking out, standing up, and alone to be more accurate), but it will be good regardless. I believe the tickets are pretty close to dead center but a little further back. Honestly from the way it looks this may be the best seat I have ever had for a Dream Theater show. Quite tasty, indeed.

I just had my last day of work at Barnes and Noble. It was good to work there again, but it will be nice to leave. My feet and back have been killing me as a result of the labor. Positively, the people were great and I have a certain opening there again if I ever needed it. I'm hoping that I never will, though. I did make some awesome purchases, though, which I am excited about.

D&D rocks and is so much fun. It is way better than when I played when I was younger. I am an elf ranger (I know, I know. But I had to try it at least once), and I am thinking about mutliclassing as a wizard. I'm not sure though, because then I cannot excel at either area. I have bought some cool books lately related to the genre, and I have begun to read some of my old Forgotten Realms novels. It is quite fun, and I would recommend anyone to try D&D at least once. It is truly what started all of the RPGs we play today.

I start school next week, as well as my new math tutoring job. I am looking forward to it and not all at the same time. It will be a good change.

I have been playing Eternal Sonata lately, and I have to say that it is pretty good. Great graphics and music, although the dialogue is pretty weak. Shadow Complex is pretty good despite some buggy problems. It certainly pays homage to Metroid and Castlevania, but the stronger influence is certainly Metroid. I just hope younger people realize the roots and play some of those fantastic games. I am also still trying to finish up some stuff in Mass Effect which has been going rather well. There are still plenty of games in my gaming queue left to play or finish. I have my work cut out for me coupled with school and work (and gaming, of course).

Until next time...

I just noticed today that I finally received my hard earned E3 emblems. I actually called in to work to watch all of the main three press conferences, so I was a little dismayed when I had not received them days after the show. I try to always catch E3, so I am glad that they finally posted. Much thanks to Soulreavercross and VinceL for their assistance in this matter.