I played the demo for NHL 11, it’s just like I expected, a slightly improved EA Hockey game, the demo only lets you play the last period in the stanley cup finals, so not much of a taste, but a taste none-the-less. Controls and pace are exactly how I wanted them to be, you can see the plays develop on the ice, I like that a lot.

I also played the demo for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, I mentioned a ways back that I was into the anime, and that’s still the case now. This game feels like it’s going to be a huge improvement over the original Ninja Storm, the way the demo fight carried out was great, you’re dodging jutsus and counter attacking, picking your spots for regenerating chakra. The animation in the game is awesome, and the way the camera swings around as the fight shifts was all very very tight. everything looks like it should really. I was only sort of looking forward to this but I can’t wait to get my hands on more of it.

I’ve also been playing shank, but I’ll wait and do a full initial impressions post on that, or save it for full review.

Just a quick note to re-ensure this place is NOT dead.

There just hasn’t been much to talk about gamewise lately. I’m still playing madden 11, it’s still ok, I imagine it’ll get a lot of play once the football season gets going (fly Eagles!). I’m still playing Starcraft 2, I’m going through looking for achievements, and being too scared to take my game online with strangers even though I’m sure there is a home for me somewhere on that ladder where I can be competitive.

I played a bit of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and it seems like fun in small doses, though I wish the controls were a little snappier.

I’ve also gone back for some Dragon Age: Origins, and I’m still not ~really~ understanding the combat in a way that makes me effective at it which is disappointing because I really want to like it.

I think the next game on the radar is Shank, there’s been a ton of seriously playable DLC lately, and that’s a good thing, but it’s just not the same as getting full budget game. After that I think NHL 11, which I have no real expectations for, I imagine a slightly improved version of NHL 10… I have no reason to expect anything more. I’m also really looking forward to Final Fantasy XIV… there has been a void in my life since I stopped playing WoW due to lack of interest.

Slow times, I haven’t really got sucked into a gaming session since my madden-a-thon before I put up the initial impressions post on it. I almost didn’t really know what to do with myself at all this week. Sort of troublesome.

I dumped a preview cause I was kinda bored, and any reason to listen to “catfish blues” is a good one by my books, I’ll probably finish this off this weekend assuming EA’s servers cooperate.

Enjoy!