You And Me (We Go Together)

You And Me (We Go Together)

You and me
We go together like
Ham and cheese
We go together like
Bacon and eggs
That’s why you like me

I and you
We go together like
Crackers and soup
We go together like
Thighs and legs
That’s why I like you

I like you and you like me
It’s so very very plain to see
You like me and I like you
We’ll never ever be blue

You and me
We go together like
Coffee and cream
We go together like
Salsa and chips
That’s why you like me

I and you
We go together like
Cornbread and stew
We go together like
Chicken and dip
That’s why I like you

You like me and I like you
There is nothing that we can’t do
I like you and you like me
We’re the perfect futari

You and me
We go together like
I and you
We together like
A pair of two
That’s just how it’s gotta be
I with You
And you with me

Monty The Lawman

Note: This is what happens when you play too much Red Dead Redemption, overly obsessed with your dog, and have way too much time on your hands.

Monty the Lawman

The wild wild West
Is a very rugged place
Even the best
Get dirt thrown in their face

The one who keeps the law
And turns wrong into right
With a golden gun in paw
And a badge gleaming bright

Monty the lawman
Rides into town
Monty the lawman
Gunnin’ baddies down

Rustlers hate his gun
Bandits cower in fear
Thieves turn and run
When the lawman comes near

His paws move like lightning
His eyes are sharp as swords
Your ears will be ringing
As his bullets rip through hoards

Monty the lawman
Can lasso anything
Monty the lawman
Quick draw dueling king

In a game of chance
The gamblers try to cheat
But the lawman keeps his stance
And knocks them off their feet

Liar’s Dice he always wins
Blackjack he hits the mark
Saloons, cantinas, and inns
He’s known as a card shark

Monty the lawman
With a cunning gamblin’ hand
Monty the lawman
Best poker face in the land

The townsfolk all adore him
They call him friend and pal
He gets free lace and trim
A bed and a corral

He’s civil with civilians
And children know he’s good
‘Cause he takes out all the villains
And saves their livelihood

Monty the lawman
With his trusty steed
Monty the lawman
And his dark bay named Good Deed

When someone’s in danger
The lawman will appear
Helping any stranger
In the vast frontier

He saves them from the noose
As he rides in on his horse
Cutting the innocent loose
As Good Deed stays his course

Monty the lawman
Assisting all who call
Monty the lawman
Never backing down from a brawl

With a bounty on your head
The lawman will hunt you
Just be smart or you’ll be dead
Take the justice that’s been due

If you surrender quietly
You’ll just be hogtied
But if you react violently
A coffin will be supplied

Monty the lawman
Works for no coin or buck
Monty the lawman
Stopping bandits run amok

He is the greatest hunter
Of the rogues in the hills
His horse is as fast as thunder
He has the fiercest gun skills

So remember this tale
Of the best lawman around
Don’t drink too much ale
And to the golden rule be bound

Monty the lawman
Legend of the plain
Monty the lawman
Filled with honor and fame

Thoughts From E3 2010 - Sony Press Conference

I turned into a giddy schoolgirl who had 20 double shot espressos about an hour before Sony's E3 2010 press conference began. This was the day I was waiting for, what has become a national holiday on my calendar. It was Christmas, New Year's, and my birthday all rolled into one and I was hyped, beyond hyped. Once my heartbeat stopped ringing in my ears, the sound of music started, and PSPs began falling from the sky - I was able to sit down, get my notebook ready, and watched the one thing I have been waiting for all year - Sony at its best.

Two things I really love about Sony press conferences - they have great montage videos and they have a lot of executive support. Now, I know everyone has montage videos but I've always felt that Sony is able to choose the perfect music, the perfect clips, and the perfect pace to a video. Ubisoft's soft rock and euro pop really didn't set the mood properly but Sony's energizing rock beats helped set up a great presentation. And I love seeing Jack Tretton and Kaz Hirai but it was great and most deserving that Peter Dille also got the spotlight because if it wasn't for him, the PS3 would not be where it is today. That man is a genius and he should be given a really big trophy. This year's conference had a lot of focuses: 3D, Move, PSN+, IP expansions, and a lot more. To truly analyze all that happened, I'm going to be basically moving down each point as they were presented at the press conference.

Killzone 3 - When Killzone 2 was released and I had the chance to play the game, I was shocked at its graphical beauty and appalled by its horrid controls and lackluster gameplay. So, when news of Killzone 3 started to hit the web, I wasn't interested at all - until they showed a live demo. It looks tighter, cleaner, and overall just more engrossing than the previous game. And who does not like jetpacks? I am actually kind of excited about this game and I'm looking forward to seeing what a truly experienced Guerrilla Games can do with the PS3 this time around.

3D Gaming - I have been adamantly against 3D gaming from the start. New TV, glasses, no HD, headaches, have to sit directly in front of the TV, and the fact that your eyes will probably explode out of your head after 2 hours are the reasons why I think 3D is a fad . . . until they totally sucked me in with Gran Turismo 5 in 3D. Yes, GT5 people! I don't care about Killzone 3 in 3D, Crysis 2, Ghost Recon, Sly Cooper Collection, Mortal Kombat, MotorStorm: Apocalypse, or EyePet . . . but GT 5 is the one and only game that has me totally sucked into the idea. I have always felt that racing games are the genre were 3D gaming could thrive. In my gut, I thought GT5 was far enough along that they wouldn't be able to add 3D support, I was wrong and now I'm thinking it wouldn't be that expensive to get a small 3D TV . . . you know a 17" or something. I still believe 3D is not the way to go but the idea of seeing all those glorious cars and tracks in 3D really has my interest peaked.

PlayStation Move - With a date set (wow, Europe is actually getting something first) and a pretty reasonable entry price ($50 for the Move, $100 for the bundle), Sony came out with the one-two punch to counter Nintendo and get the step up on Microsoft. While, I'm not overly excited about Move, I have always felt that if the precision was there, it could be a great push for the PS3 to get into the casual game market. After seeing Socom 4 running with Move, I started to see that Sony wasn't going after just the casual market and were looking for a more robust experience. The live demos at this event were no different. From magic wands to golf clubs, Sony was able to show off some great gameplay that we have never seen before. I have to admit Sorcery (pictured above) was the game I was most interested in. The idea of using Move just like a wand and summoning spells up has me really excited. I know a lot of people don't like the glowing ball but I actually think it's kind of cool that it changed color to match which spell you selected. I had the problem in Oblivion of using the wrong spell because the icons were too similar. Now, the Move will actually tell you visually what spell you have selected, I think that's a great, little intuitive addition that could become pretty useful.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 was also shown and I'm excited to hit the course with the Move and see what it's like to really swing the club instead of flicking an analog stick. I know a lot of gamers are really questioning the longevity of motion controllers but I do think Sony is going in the right direction with the great combination of lighter games to more hardcore games. Plus, the pricing point is a lot lower than I originally anticipated which will help bring more people into the fold. And then there's Heroes on the Move, a smash up of Ratchet, Jak, Sly, and their sidekicks - who doesn't want to play that? Oh, and there's Time Crisis, need I say more?

Sony also announced a partnership with Coca-Cola to advertise Move as well as do a big giveaway program. If people are saying that Sony is only reacting, I think they should really look at what Peter Dille and his team are coming up with. It's a great "move" that will help expand the saturation point for Sony's ad campaign while partnering with a very strong and positive brand that is not really associated with gaming. Oh, and the appearance by the VP of Everything PlayStation was an awesome touch. I love you KB!

PSP Games - Sony switched gears and talked about the PSP and I am excited to report that there is no new model coming out anytime soon cause I'm already going to be broke as it is with Move, Rock Band 3 Pro, GT 5 3D, and everything else that was announced at E3. I was a little disappointed that we didn't see some more substantial support for the PSP. Yes, they said 70 titles by December of this year, but they didn't show anything new. I found out about Patapon 3 (pictured above) from a tweet by a show attendee - why wasn't this in Sony's mash up? And the fact that they pushed Invizimals which has been out in PAL already as a "new" game made the shunning of Patapon 3 even worse.

LittleBigPlanet 2 - You can make an RTS game in LBP2! That's all you need to know.

PSN+ - Then they moved onto the PSN with the announcement of PSN+ which I'm pretty excited about. The pricing, $50 for a year or $18 for three months, is very reasonable and considering that Qore is bundled with it ($25 for a year by itself) made the idea even better. Only thing that has me raising an eyebrow is the fact that if you stop the subscription, you lose all of the free content they give you as part of the program. While they didn't give specifics on what you would get, it sounds like access to early betas and demos, free content, discounts, and an auto download feature makes it appealing to the hardcore PSN consumer. It also hits later this month, so you'll soon be able to check it out with Sony's offering of three months free.

PSN Games - If you are wondering what game that beautiful screenshot above is from, blame Sony for totally keeping PSN gamers in the dark about what could possibly be the best PSN game ever! Yes, I mean "ever" because it is from thatgamecompany, the guys that brought you Fl0w and Flower and it's called Journey. I have no clue why this wasn't in a montage, a demo, or even mentioned at all by Sony when they were on stage. Actually very little was mentioned about PSN games and content. I would have totally taken less Move or less Killzone 3 to just get a screenshot of this game. Seriously Sony, I am a little upset at you for keeping this from me.

EA Partnership - Everyone always screams about exclusive content and Sony always seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to 3rd party exclusives so I was really surprised about the plans Sony and EA have to counter this epidemic. Starting with Medal of Honor and a limited edition that includes a HD remastered version of Frontline just for the PS3. They are also doing a limited edition for Dead Space 2 that will include a Move version of Extraction just for the PS3. They also have exclusive content for 2K's Mafia 2 and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Yeah, I think that's a little better than getting map packs early.

Portal 2 - I can die now! Well, after I play the game of course but in all honesty when I saw Gabe Newell walk out on stage I thought that it was some kind of practical joke. So, hearing the announcement that Portal 2 is not only going to be on the PS3 but it is also going to be Steam enabled - wow Sony, I applaud you for doing what I thought was impossible.

Gran Turismo 5 - November 2, 2010 "Out drifting, please come back later"

InFamous 2 - Am I the only one that's slightly bothered by Cole's new look? I mean, it's not a minor makeover, he's a brand new character. Other than that, I love the feel that the early footage has shown from his new powers to the new city. I just don't like the new hairdoo, that's all.

Twisted Metal - Jaffe is back and his game looks better than ever. A franchise that was truly the face of PlayStation years ago is back where it belongs, on next gen hardware. I was never a huge Twisted Metal fan but I have to admit the multiplayer mode Nuke that they showed has me really excited about the game. Just the depth and the shear complexity mixed with total vehicular mayhem has me foaming at the mouth. And if the picture at the top didn't give you a big enough hint, there are going to be choppers in this game too!

Overall, I was pretty impressed with Sony's performance, especially the surprises that were actually surprising. Portal 2 just blew me away, I had completely given up on ever playing that game and now I'm going to get what Valve says is the best console version. There was truly something for everyone at this event and I feel Sony is going to have another strong year. I do wish they showed more from the PSN and PSP side of things but I understand that with their limited time they really wanted to push 3D and Move. Now all that's really left is to make up my wish list and figure out how I'm going to pay for all of this.

HTC Incredible From Verizon

When the iPhone came out and I got my hands on it, I truly thought that it was the apex in smart phone technology - boy was I wrong. I am the proud owner of a new HTC Incredible from Verizon Wireless, a phone that relies on the amazing power of Android. Those commercials do not lie, the shear ability to do what you want with the phone has it beating the iPhone hands down. I can make it run the way I want, look the way I want, and do everything that I've always wanted to do with a phone.

I won't get into too much details about apps and what not since most are pretty standard but one huge misconception about Android powered phones is that you can't use your apps and programs while using an open line. Almost every single program I have (except for a couple of web based games) work while I'm talking to someone. The 8Gb of internal space have me basking in the glow of games, random apps, and other useful and useless junk. An 8MP camera gives me high quality pics and its 3.7" touch screen lets me see them in beautiful clarity. It's fast, it's slick, and I'm in complete control unlike the limitations that Apple has put on the iPhone.

The only complaints I have about the phone are actually pretty minor. There is no built in music alarm which I found odd. I was able to get an app that fixes that problem so I can wake up to Keane. When you turn your phone to silent, it doesn't silent everything like apps so you have to be aware of that when you start playing a shooter game at an office meeting. The battery doesn't last very long either but that could be because I'm watching non-stop E3 coverage through its fast web browser. I have to admit that my Incredible has been glued to my hand since I got it. Linking my contacts to their facebook profile, checking email instantly, the latest updates from all the video game news sources, youtube, restaurant slot machine, poking moles, practicing my Japanese and Spanish skills, and basically anything else you can think of - the HTC Incredible can do. At $199.99 with a 3 year contract, it is well worth the price. And if you don't want to spend that much, Motorola's Droid works just as well and is a few bucks cheaper. Overall, Android is amazing and I would definitely recommend this hands down over the iPhone. I am the only friend with an Android phone and I've actually got the majority of them to switch carriers just because of how much more you can do with the HTC Incredible. Ooh! I just got an update from GameSpot, there's going to be a limited edition of Gran Turismo 5! I got to go check this out on my Incredible!

The Kings Have Been Crowned

I'm sure from the lack of Teal in the picture above as well as the lack of hockey blogging as of late, that you already realize by now that my beloved San Jose Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup. I had actually planned to continue my game coverage of the Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks (pictured above) but after the first game, I thought it would be a waste of time so I waited for game 2, and then game 3, and by the time game 4 was over - so was the WCF and the Sharks season. Yes, the Sharks were felled in 4 games, not winning a single game against the Hawks who would go on to take the Cup in 6 games against Philly. As for the games themselves, they weren't horrible losses and the games were a lot closer than the scores revealed. But the quality of play just didn't merit me writing about it. And I still can't quite put my finger on it, why the games felt as static as they did. Was it because the Sharks didn't use their full potential or was it because Chicago was just the better team. The games were fast and the action was there, but it felt like I was watching a regular season game almost. With so much passion being put on the ice during the series against Detroit, this series felt empty. Even the story lines that showed up in this series weren't that great. Yes, Niemi was great in goal for the Hawks and Marleau finding the net was beautiful. But overall, it was just a very hollow experience.

I can probably blame a few players on the Sharks defeat but overall the team play wasn't there. Though I am disappointed, I can't be totally upset with San Jose because they did find a way to make it all the way to the Conference Finals as well as beat one of their biggest adversaries in the Detroit Red Wings. Now that the season is over, General Manager Doug Wilson's work begins. Free agency starts on July 1 (another reason for me to celebrate) which means that everyone who's contract is about to expire has to accept an offer from the Sharks (if they get one) by this date or they can move on to another team. While there are a lot of players up for grabs, I'll go over some of the key keeps and drops I feel the Sharks should make.

Joe Pavelski (#8) - I'll give you an easy one to start off. Pavs scored 9 goals and 8 assists, carrying the San Jose Sharks through two rounds in the playoffs. He had 3 game winning goals including goals that forced overtime and won in overtime. Joe is a restricted free agent which means another team can make an offer on him but the Sharks have the opportunity to counter that offer. I don't see Wilson letting go of #8 anytime soon.

Evgeni Nabokov (#20) - This may surprise to you but I say that Doug Wilson should cut Nabby loose. Nabokov is an unrestricted free agent which means that if he doesn't get a contract after July 1, he is no longer a Shark. While I can't deny his stellar regular season play, putting three back-to-back 40 win seasons - he has not been able to step up his game with consistency in the playoffs. One big problem I see with Nabby is that he knows he is the #1 goalie for the Sharks. If you look at some of the great young goalies in the league like Anderson (Colorado), Niemi (Chicago), and Leighton (Philadelphia) they all had to fight for that starting position. Leighton was the back-up goalie to the back-up goalie! He wasn't even on the bench during games yet he was able to come out and take the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals and put up one major fight against Chicago, whose goaltender also had to fight for his position. The pressure from the guy behind you that might take your spot is an important part of hockey. You see it with even top guys like Marleau and Heatley, who are dropped down to the secondary lines while a guy that's hot (like the young Logan Couture) gets the opportunity to play on the top scoring line. It should be no different for the goalie and because Nabokov doesn't have the need to fight for his position, I truly wonder if he will ever be able to come out in the playoffs with his A game. Greiss is a strong back-up goalie, but the Sharks need to make a move for someone who is an up and coming goaltender who will fight every night for that W.

Patrick Marleau (#12) - Patty is an unrestricted free agent, in the same boat as Nabby but I think and know Doug should keep him. One major reason is that Patty is the face of the San Jose Sharks. If he was gone, it would be like going to Disneyland and not seeing Mickey. And Patty has given the Sharks everything they have asked of him. After his worse season ever in professionals (even worse than his junior career), Patty came back with a vengeance, scoring a record high 38 goals. After the Sharks shocking round 1 loss in the playoffs, Marleau's captaincy was taken away and huge speculations of a trade were swirling around the hockey world. Then when Wilson magically got one of the top scorers in Heatley without having to trade Marleau, talk of Patty's trade died down and shifted to how was he going to perform now that the C was no longer on his sweater. Apparently the loss of the extra weight from the felt "C" did wonders because Marleau scored 44 goals in the regular season (the first time he has ever scored over 40) and 8 goals in the playoffs (just one behind Pavelski). That's not even the half of it, Marleau has always been criticized for his play without the puck but this season his play has been phenomenal from great defensive plays and big hits to winning board battles and keeping on his man - Patty's game has reached a new level, one that should prove that he is an integral part of the San Jose franchise.

Rob Blake (#4), Niclas Wallin (#7), & Jay Leach (#28) - All three defensemen are unrestricted free agents that should be let go. I've always felt that San Jose's biggest weakness is with their D-Men. Just like with the forwards, you have your top 2 scoring lines, you have what is known as the top 4 defensemen. They are supposed to be big, defensively sound but they also need to be able to move the puck well, start plays, and offer the big blast from the point. Dan Boyle is your puck mover and play maker, Douglas Murray is your sound defensemen, Rob Blake is your big shot from the point, and . . . well they are kind of missing a truly sound 4th defensemen. Vlasic could have been that man but with the last two seasons, I truly doubt that now. As for the three I mentioned, I don't want the Sharks to get rid of Rob Blake but at 40 years old, I think he is going to retire. He is already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, he has a Stanley Cup ring, and is considered one of the best defensemen in the entire league. I'd rather see Blakey go out on top while he is still playing well than stay in the league a few more years and have his game deteriorate.

That being said, the Sharks are really hurting for the one thing they need the most, a strong defensemen who can shoot the puck well. That's why they brought Blake over in the first place. While Murray could become that with practice, the Sharks need to build a better and stronger defensive core. Wallin and Leach were brought in for some added depth and in case of injuries to the other defensemen but I haven't been impressed with them at all. During the Chicago series, coach McLellan played seven defensemen (one more than usual) switching off Wallin and rookie Demers. I think Demers even as a rookie has some stronger values than Wallin who just seemed lost on the ice most of the time. Huskins was a big surprise this season since he was a no show due to a broken foot last season. It took him a while to get his game up but once he did, he became a pretty solid defensemen and even got involved in the offensive zone. Keeping the D-core I mentioned, I think the Sharks need to make a move for a strong and active D-man to replace Blake and to fully round out the Sharks back end players. Even two new D-guys would be great but to do that, they need to drop some of the dead weight they've been carrying around this season.

Devin Setoguchi (#16) & Brad Staubitz (#59) - Both restricted free agents, I think the Sharks need to drop Staubitz. Filling in a grinder style of role (which Malhotra and Nichol fill also) he has gotten the Sharks into more trouble than any other player I've ever seen. So much so, that he hasn't played since the early part of the season. He's big, likes to fight, and has rocks for brains - cut him loose now. As for Seto, I have mixed feelings about Seto. On one side he's a great goal scorer and his play without the puck has gotten better. On the other hand, you have rookies like Couture that have scored with more consistency for the Sharks than Seto. Being a part of the key second line, I think the Sharks can find someone better than Setoguchi in scoring and in overall play. I will give Seto this, when he gets into a scoring slump, he does everything he can think of to break it. Shaving his head, changing gear, nothing is off the table - and it usually works. If he stays or goes, I'll be okay with the idea because I know Wilson is going to do what is best for the team.

Manny Malhotra (#27), Scott Nichol (#21), & Jed Ortmeyer (#41) - The three newest players to the Sharks were all brought in to add some grit, energy, and to strengthen the third and fourth lines. They also brought some killer offensive with Malhotra scoring 14 goals, Nichol scoring 4, and Ortmeyer scoring 8. Malhotra is also the faceoff king which became a key part in the series win against Detroit. Nichol also isn't shabby at the dot, almost tying Malhotra on faceoff win percentage. All three are unrestricted free agents and are up for grabs. I will be shocked if Doug Wilson lets go of Manny Malhotra, he has been such a key part of the Sharks even though he wasn't brought in for that. Yes, we knew he was good at faceoffs and we knew he played with some jump but no one was expecting him to get 14 goals this season. That's just one behind Dan Boyle! Manny is a keeper. As for Scotty and Jed, I love them both and if it were my team would definitely keep Nichol, but I'm not quite sure if the Sharks need both of them or even either of them. With such a strong showing from the rookies of Worcester, the open slots are limited and a lot of guys are going to have to compete for these slots. I'm hoping they stay, especially Nichol, but I wouldn't be surprised if Wilson decides to cut them loose.

Overall, I love the current San Jose Sharks team but feel that major changes need to be made in respect to goaltending and defense. I'm curious to see if any of my predictions come true and what Doug Wilson has in store for San Jose. From what happened last year (almost 20 players were cut loose) I'm sure that he is going to do everything in his power to make San Jose a cup winning team. July 1st is almost around the corner and I'm getting stoked again about the San Jose Sharks and the 2010-2011 season.

Update: It's official, the Sharks captain Rob Blake is retiring after 20 years in the league. This definitive defensemen will be remembered for his powerful shot, strong defensive zone coverage, and will soon find himself in the hockey Hall of Fame. As for the Sharks, once again they will have to choose a second captain in only two seasons. Doug Wilson will also have to find a way to fill the large hole that Blake is going to leave in San Jose. Blake has always been my favorite defensemen so it's going to be hard to watch the game without him. Good luck Blake and I'm sure I'll still see you around the league!

Thoughts From E3 2010 - Press Conferences

E3 2010 is still alive and kicking down south but I thought it would be best to write my initial thoughts down before my head explodes from the shear amount of news, gameplay, and surprises that have been revealed thus far. While I want to go a little more in depth about my thoughts on some specific games, for now, I thought I'd put into words my opinion about the press conferences that were presented this year at E3.

Microsoft - I will admit that I did not watch MS's full press conference and yes I am a Sony fangirl, so this will be bias, but hey at least I warned you ahead of time. The big thing about MS this year at E3 is why did they split up their press conference and do an event just for Kinect and why did they have acrobats at that event? You would have thought that they would have used their limited time wisely to show everything they could about Kinect and its features. Out of all the motion control gameplay that I've seen so far from the Big 3 (and I'm not talking about Marleau, Thornton, and Heatley), I think Kinect is the weakest. They are using tech that we've had since the EyeToy, gameplay isn't very compelling, and it seems to be targeted at a much younger audience. But I will say this about Kinect, the futuristic navigation of the 360 is probably the best and coolest feature of Kinect and is the most innovative out of the Big 3.

As for the games, Gears of War 3 looked great and the addition of 4 player co-op will add much needed strategical depth to the game. I also like the mutated look of the Locust, since I always thought that the original enemy design was a bit lacking. Their live demo of Call of Duty: Black Ops ran smoothly and seeing Metal Gear Solid: Rising was a great addition. Though I thought that their exclusive deal (if you can really call it that) with Activision and Call of Duty was a bit weak. Wow, you get map packs early, yay! Overall, what I saw was a bit lackluster with Fable III being the only game that made me go, "Ooh, I want that!" I have to say with so much focus on Kinect, I'm surprised they didn't have a stronger line up of games as well as a price. I could only see it as being great for those gamers who want to do Yoga or other fitness games. As for some more "hardcore" games, I think Mad Catz still sells those racing wheels.

Electronic Arts - With their press conference opening to the sound of engines and squealing tires, I knew that we would be seeing another Need for Speed game, what I didn't know is that it would be done by the geniuses behind Burnout Paradise - Criterion. The live demo for Hot Pursuit actually got me pretty excited about the NFS franchise again and what you could do with the Cops vs. Racers element. Dead Space 2 also made a live appearance as well as a 24 player live match in Medal of Honor. I'll be talking about Medal of Honor later but I will say this, Call of Duty, you better watch your back. An interesting thing about the live demos was that they were all running on PS3s and later at the Sony press conference, I found out why. Overall, I think EA actually had a great show with some great games for almost everyone. Their fitness game, Active 2 even showed some greater depth than I've seen in other fitness games. With a new loyalty rewards program, Gun Club, and new EA Partnerships - EA's new year is looking pretty good. And I will say that my attitude about EA has changed quite a bit from thinking that they were only out there for the money (which in a way they are) and would milk all of their franchises dry. With their partnerships with Insomniac, Respawn, and Epic - they are actually allowing the developers to own the rights to their IPs, giving them full control over their creations. I got to give EA credit for that, they have the power and the resources to absorb these companies yet they are playing nice and I think it's going to pay dividends in the end.

Ubisoft - Why, oh, why did you waste my time once again Ubisoft? You make such great premier games like the Tom Clancy franchise and Assassin's Creed, yet you come out with the slogan "Games you can Feel." I knew right then and there that this was going to go downhill very quickly. The only things that were truly exciting about this press conference were the live demos of AC: Brotherhood and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Both look spectacular and left me wanting more, oh so much more. Then, things just got weird. Shaun White came out to plug his new skateboarding game and the odd banter between him and host Joel McHale was painfully awkward and the jokes were horrible. The game itself has some interesting features but not strong enough to pull me away from Skate 3. Then, it just got worse with a bunch of people running around playing laser tag in the audience. I thought that this was a lead up to Ghost Recon or maybe (I was praying for) an announcement for another Tom Clancy game like Rainbow Six but I found out that it was actually to push laser tag. Yes, Ubisoft is coming out with an actual laser tag game called Battle Tag. The "unique" thing about Battle Tag is the fact that game scores will be uploaded to a website that you can manage. Apparently, Ubisoft hasn't been in a Target lately because about 20 versions of this game exist with the online component already in place.

If you thought that was weird, wait until you see Innergy which uses a sensor on your finger to monitor your pulse. Then, the game directs you to follow this weird fishy looking creature and control it with your breathing . . . yes, breathing. Breathing in and out slowly not only relaxes you but in Ubisoft's eyes makes a fun game as well. Then I was treated to Your Shape, the new fitness game that is going to use Kinect. Not only is exercising kind of boring in general, it's definitely not fun to watch someone else do it either. And the lag that you saw from Kinect didn't help the case for this fitness game. Though Ubisoft did end it with some random dancers dancing to Michael Jackson (which I'm assuming is going to be turned into a dance game for the Wii or Kinect) overall I felt like this press conference once again was a waste of time. I get that Ubisoft wants to hop on the train of fitness, green, and holistic games but I also think they forgot who was in their audience. Ubisoft left me utterly dazed and confused on its strategy and place in the gaming industry. Considering that they are one of my favorite video game producers, I'm a little worried about what's to come. I just have to remember to think of happy thoughts, "think of Ghost Recon, think of Ghost Recon."

Nintendo - as with Microsoft, I did not see Nintendo's press conference in full, though I did see a lot more of it than I did with MS. If I was a Nintendo fan, I would easily say that it was the best press conference of the show. Since I'm not, I kind of say that Nintendo and Sony tied, why? The problem that I've always had with Nintendo is that if I'm not a fangirl they have nothing to offer me. At least with MS, there are games on the 360 that I want to play (Splinter Cell *sob*) and if I could afford another console, I probably would get a 360. But Nintendo only seems to cater to their fans and to casual gamers. That's why I have to give some credit to Sony for reaching across the aisle and saying to non-Sony fans, "Hey, we have games that you'll like too." I'm sure it was great to see old franchises like Goldeneye and Donkey Kong come back (I have a lot of friends who grew up on those games and still play them) but for me who wasn't involved in that movement, it kind of goes over my head. It also has me wondering if Nintendo has hit a sort of creative wall. Because motion control is their main form of input, are they running out of ideas and ways to turn it into a compelling game? Even with the 3DS, everything looks to be ports of N64 games and revamps of older DS games. Though, I will give Nintendo this, if anyone can take 3 franchises and continue to pop out games for eternity without ever doing something new, it's Nintendo. They're IPs are the strongest in the industry and the most recognizable.

Nintendo did bring some new stuff out like Epic Mickey, the only game that really caught my attention. It looks great and the fact that you can create and erase everything from a level is amazing. A true Wii built Zelda game has also been the talk of the town. I'm very interested to see how gamers react after they get the chance to put 4+ hours into it and how well they will like using motion control for the game. Overall, Nintendo did steal the show and is king of E3. But as a Nintendo outsider, they still haven't given me a true reason to run out and pick up their console that is relatively cheap and would be easy for me to do.

Update: Apparently Mad Catz isn't making a racing wheel for the 360 anymore. Whether it was Microsoft forcing the cancellation or Mad Catz just wanting to focus on plastic instruments, it looks like hardcore racing fans will have to have Kinect if they want to use something other than their controller.

Now I Really Never Have To Leave Home

Sony has given me another reason to become the ultimate indoorsman and ignore the warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor summer fun. Why? Because they brought Netflix to the PS3, that's why. Streaming unlimited movies and TV shows directly to your PS3 is like an addiction. New movies, old TV shows, classics you've never seen - they are all there and it takes less than 30 seconds to start the show. I was surprised at the quality of the picture, expecting to see a slightly smoother version of youtube pirated movies, but a lot of the movies, especially on the ones in HD, look almost as good as the DVD versions. Netflix is also pretty good about adding new shows and movies almost weekly, keeping you glued to your couch. The only downfall is having to use the streaming disc which isn't too much of a pain since you already have to put a disc in to watch a DVD or BRD movie. I would love to see Netflix permanently placed on the XMB soon though. For $8.99 a month for unlimited streaming (and that includes being able to get a physical disc from Netflix's larger library) I feel like I'm a pirate. It's an absolute steal and well worth the price. Now, what should I watch next?

When History Meets Fantasy

I'm an old school SRPGer, growing up on classics like Shining Force with its great turn-based style of play. So when I saw that Level 5 was going to turn back the clock and make a SRPG for the PSP, I couldn't wait to pick it up. Then things kind of happened, some great PS3 games completely buried Level 5's PSP exclusive and it took me 2 years to finally pop Jeanne d'Arc in and play it.

I have to say that Jeanne d'Arc is the only game that made me completely ignore my PS3. I usually only play my PSP on trips, when the power is out, or any other time when the TV my PS3 is connected to is occupied. So I was quite shocked when I found myself addicted to Level 5's creation, completely forgetting about PS3 titles like Assassin's Creed 2, Uncharted 2, and others - Jeanne d'Arc is that great. I never thought it could happen but the PSP actually has a Qwarktastic Qwest.

Jeanne d'Arc follows Jeanne (or Joan as we Westerners know her) from her home town in Domremy all the way to the heart of the Hundred Years' War. Historically, the game has you battling through Orleans, protecting Charles VII, and his coronation at Reims. Other than that, Level 5 takes some extreme yet interesting liberties with Jeanne d'Arc. One is the divine armor that you find early in the game. It, along with several others, adds in some great strategical depth to the straightforward turn-based battles. Another fun and deep mechanic is the ability to use skill stones which you can buy or earn from defeating enemies. Plop them into the set amount of slots for a character and you can give them all kinds of abilities like special attacks, magical powers, or something as simple as an extra move square. Later in the game, you can start making your own by combining lesser skill stones into more powerful ones. My favorite happens to be the Sky Dart, allowing your archers to attack any enemy on the field. Another fun feature is a kind of chain combo called Aura. Attack an enemy and an Aura ring will appear behind them. By placing another character in the Aura ring and then attacking will give them an attack and defense bonus.

Graphically, its one of the best looking PSP games out there and the cut scenes themselves are worth playing through the game. With a distinctive anime flare to them, they usually run a few minutes long but include a lot of key story development. The english voiceover isn't too bad though I would have preferred the option to keep the original Japanese voice cast. I wonder though, if they had to speak with a fake French accent too. While the game is a bit short (I think I beat it in a couple of days), there are plenty of opportunities to break from the storyline and complete some fun and strategically challenging battles that when completed, give you some nice rewards in the form of weapons and other powerups. I found that farming and grinding was actually a lot more fun than usual as well. Not only are the special moves fun to watch but the added lotto element of hoping to get some good skill stones make it worth replaying old battles. You can also find hidden loot around the battle map, as long as you are close enough to see it.

Overall, Jeanne d'Arc is the best PSP game and one of the best RPG games I've played in a while. With the disappointment of White Knight Chronicles, I've found myself still picking up my PSP and getting in some good 'ole SRPG action. If you don't have this game in your collection and you have a PSP, you should run out right now and pick this up. If you don't have a PSP, hey they are pretty cheap now so you have no excuse not to play this game. Jeanne d'Arc is classic RPG goodness at its finest.

Qwarktastic Qwest!

• Title: Jeanne d'Arc
• Developer: Level 5
• Publisher: SCEA
• ESRB: Teen
• Original Release Date: 08.21.07
• Original Platform: PSP