I would consider it bridging the gap between literature and gaming - a veritable compromise of passivity and interaction. I'm picking it up because of how it is not simply entertainment.

I played AVP2 to death years ago. By far the most fun matches was the Infestation mode. In this new version you've reported that one random person starts as the alien hunter - in the 2001 game everyone started as a marine and it was a free for all. If you were that unlucky bastard to spawn in an open area, you died and immediately spawned as an alien.

The maps that supported this mode quickly developed well known dead ends and choke points from which surviving marines could defend themselves. Oftentimes hallways would be stacked with a dozen marines, standing atop one another, guns ablazing at the few onrushing Aliens. There was a time limit, and unless the starting alien had Downs, the marines generally never won. The franticness of rushing to the rally points, conserving ammo, and staggering reloads was half the fun. Did you unfortunately spawn as far away as possible? Were you going to get cut down before you could reach safety?

On a few select maps, I generally loved starting as the alien - you would hold shift to run on walls and ceilings, and just start obliterating the players too focused on running to the rendezvous point to watch their backs.

With my cousin, I put many hours into this game. I hope they do a good job of revisiting such strong selling points as in old versions.

Great article. If I hadn't the social and family obligations I do, I could easily retake up this game and once again join the raiding environment. I had trouble balancing satisfaction with the game outside an accomplished and dedicated raiding guild.

Interesting you choose this opportunity to climb on your own soapbox. I understand you're lamenting the priorities of everyday citizens; caring about entertainment when there is horrendous suffering intthe world. But "get a life"? Really? You're the one commenting on a gaming blog opposed to sacrificing time, resources and labor to aiding disaster victims.

There are withdrawal symptoms for a good three months - the shakes, the cold sweats, the sudden belief you've just missed a raid - the list goes on. Afterwards, however, the air just tastes sweeter, your wife is hotter, and you're no longer ignoring social events to spend three hours corralling dumbfucks and chastising downsies for not understanding how to min/max.

I'm having trouble fitting that song to a Final Fantasy.

I agree with Dustin on all counts.

That being said, I'm assuming they're hoping tits might move some product.

I laughed

I got about 35. Definitely most happy about getting the Settlers cupcake.

Woah woah woah - both of these games have the Official Nintendo Seal of Quality. That's all I need before shamelessly purchasing such a product. Not to mention the sweet box art.