Read journal #1 here first.

Sometimes I wonder just why I write some articles under my real name that I know are going to get me absolutely crucified on the internet, for all the world to see.

And though many will call me “idiotic” rather than “brave” for my stand against the universally beloved Dragon Age Origins, I’m going to write this anyways, and tell you why this is the first game in eons I’ve literally returned to the store without beating.

Let me start by saying that through this experience, it’s become clear to me that this style of game, the live-action/turn-based mixed RPG, is simply not for me. I like live-action games with RPG elements, such as Oblivion, Fallout, Diablo and Bioware’s own Mass Effect, which happens to beone of my favorite games of all time. I also can appreciate some completely turn based RPGs like Final Fantasy and Pokemon (yes, Pokemon is fundamentally awesome, *** you). This style however, I cannot stomach, and it makes for some of the most uncomfortable game play I’ve ever experienced.

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I was worried about buying Dragon Age, worried because it was Bioware, the company behind one of my all time favorite games, Mass Effect, and worried because of the slew of positive reviews it was getting from every gamer mag and website on the planet.

Why would that make me scared?

Because somehow, I knew I wouldn’t like it. And I don’t, I really don’t. At least, not yet.

Between Mass Effect 2, and the epic Old Republic MMO Bioware is making, I had to think, “How they hell are they possibly squeezing this game in?” So far, the result is pretty clear to me, they rushed it. And it shows. Most of this first journal will relate to the story and dialogue system, the main tenants of any Bioware game. Gameplay is really just a secondary component, and I’ll talk about that later, but know that more or less the game plays exactly like KOTOR, except they don’t call the dice rolls “dice rolls” anymore.

I’m about twelve hours into the game after a weekend of playing, and my party currently consists of myself (a human warrior named Ethan, a carryover from Mass Effect), my dog (a war hound named Chips, a carryover from Fable 2), my hot naturist mage who isn’t really a fan of wearing shirts, and my gay elf rogue, yes, my gay elf rogue.

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Read journals #1 and #2 here and here.

At long last (and I do mean long) my time with Borderlands has finally come to an end. Over the past two weeks, it’s become something of an obsession with my friends and I, with them coming over to put in a few solid hours worth of playing time every day, and me sneaking away from writing to play by myself with no one around.

I’ve sunk I’d say about 60 to 80 hours into the game over the past two weeks, and in my opinion, any game that holds my attention for over 30 is a success. So by that definition, yes Borderlands succeeds in being a good game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without a heaping helping of problems., some of which I’ve discussed in past journals, and some which are still to come.

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Well, I’m around thirty hours into Borderlands since my day one journal, and the fact that I’m still playing says a lot about the game. In fact, I’ve pretty much done a 180 from the first opinions I formed, as I found that many of my gripes have been solved simply through the passage of time.

Right now I have a level 30 Hunter and a level 33 Beserker. Why two? And why is my Berseker higher than the Hunter I originally started the game with? Well, I discovered co-op mode, which is how this game was meant to be played.

It’s much more fun to run around with a friend, leveling up together and specializing in opposite guns so that no one has to scramble for that rare shotgun or SMG. Healing each other saves a hell of a lot of time during missions, and teaming up to take down bosses using diversionary tactics is a lot of fun.

Co-op is so necessary that believe it or not, I’m playing co-op during my single player campaign. Let me explain.

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It’s been a while since I’ve done my journal style of game reviewing, where I do a multi-stage analysis based on my gameplay over a period of time. I don’t do this for games I know I’m going to finish in ten hours like Arkham Asylum, Force Unleashed, and Halo Wars, but with games I know I’m putting in at least 25+ hours in, I think there is some stuff to be learned along the way, as well as after the whole thing is over.

Borderlands is one of the first games I’ve ever bought where I actually waited to see the reviews before I went and bought it. A Diablo-esque style of leveling and item drops sounds appealing, and an 87 Metacritic rating finally pushed me over the edge.

But it appears that pushed a lot of other people over the edge too, as the first two Gamestops were sold out, and I was reminded by smug employees “that I should have reserved my copy.” F*ck you, I don’t know every game I’m going to buy six months in advance.

I finally found one and have spent the last six hours or so getting acquainted with the Wasteland, err, sorry Pandora. Fallout 3 and Borderlands have a lot in common , and I’m sure you’ll see many comparisons throughout my review. The game has been described by its developers as “Fallout 3 without a stick up its ass,” though so far, I have yet to see that as the case.

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There was no way they were killing my ****ing dog.

(Read the first two journal entries here and here)

Well it’s been over two weeks since my last journal entry, where I hastily claimed that I was in fact about to finish the game by sailing on over to the Spire, as the game had told me to get all my affairs in order.

And judging by the fact that I’m just now finishing up the game, you realize that I was in fact mistaken, the Spire quest was more or less the halfway point in the game. I just assumed it was the end due to how short the first game had been, but it’s clear to me now just how much richer Fable 2 is than its predecessor.
Fable 2 is my game of the year, there is absolutely no question in my mind about it. Since my last entry I’ve beaten every quest in the game, started it over with a female character, re-beaten it making opposite choices, and finally downloaded and promptly finished the Knothole island expansion.

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You know, it’s more rewarding than my actual job.

(Read Journal #1 here)

Well, I’m about 10 or so hours deep into Fable 2, and I haven’t beaten it yet, which is a pretty good sign. I think I’m right on the cusp however, as I’ve been told to finish up all my business on the mainland before heading out to sea to kill what’s-his-face who threw me off a roof a decade ago. I’ve been so busy blacksmithing and sacrificing townsfolk, I’d forgotten all about that little incident.

So, how’s it going then? Well, I’m pleased to say I’m still enjoying myself. I’m finding I’m relishing in many of the non-combat aspects of the game like having a job, making bank, and buying up all businesses in the land to make even more bank.

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Maybe my expectations for Square Enix’s The Last Remnant were a bit unrealistic, but I’ve decided to quit playing. As I played deeper into the game, I became thoroughly unimpressed and frustrated. It wasn’t because the game was challenging. I love challenging games - I’m currently trying to beat Ninja Gaiden 2 on the Master Ninja difficulty - but because it became incredibly redundant, boring, and the frame rate is perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen. Read more about why I’m done with this overhyped RPG after the jump.

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