What'cha Been Playing?

Too many games, too little time. This is a week of (mostly) more of the same -- its tough to lose interest in games that are this good! One item of note: working on the chronicle that is my Videogame Pile-o-Shame, I unearthed a treasure! Every soul can't be saved, but at least this one has been rescued from the annals of the unplayed: Growlancer Generations.

Growlancer Generations (PS2) - While I was pulling together the best of the games I own, but haven't played, I came across this title. Growlancer Generations contains the first two games in the Growlancer saga. They are each tactical RPGs and I'm having a lot of fun with the first one. Generations was published by Working Designs, and if you're hard-core enough to know who that is than you should probably run out and buy this game immediately (if you don't already have it). I can't say the game is for everyone -- it sure isn't fast pace, but its rewarding all the same. Recommended.

Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3 / Xbox 360) - The freeze bug has been fixed for those (like me) who play on a PS3. I wasn't affected too much by the bug, but I did experience it once last Saturday night. I've been moving through the single-player game at a pretty good clip. I'm at about 20% complete, though much of the city still isn't available for me to explore. I'm having a lot of fun, the story is good, and the game play doesn't get old -- what more could a gamer ask for? I anticipate this won't be the last time it makes the list. Highly Recommended.

Mystery Dungeon: Shiren The Wanderer (DS) - Yes, I'm still playing this game. It is a lot of fun, but I'm concerned my interest in it nearing an end. I've gotten far, but as anyone who's played a Roguelike knows, a simple mistake can knock one straight back to the beginning of the game. . .and mistakes happen a little too often! So, yes, I'm back at the start of my journey again, and I fear this trek may be my last. . .STAY TUNED! Highly Recommended.

Late Entries. . .

Bioshock (Xbox360) - I have been holding off on purchasing this game since it came out late last year. I have always expected that it would be released for the PS3 sometime late this year or early next. Rumors are still flying around to that affect! Anyway, games for the 360 seem to drop in price quickly after they're released, and Bioshock is no exception -- I could no longer ignore that the game can now be had for $39. I've not played it long enough to cast a true verdict, so all I can say is there will be more to come on this one.

Grand Theft Auto III (PS2 / Xbox) - I played through the first few missions -- this series has come a long way! Like I said about GTA 4: the structure of these games are all very consistent, but my-oh-my how far the controls (and visuals) have come! You'll gain a true appreciation for how much games have advanced in the past few years when you play this one. Some genres can stand the test of time (RPGs) and some cannot (3D action games?). My advice? Stick to the newer releases of GTA -- this one is a little too tough to take. Not Recommended.

What have you been playing??