I watched the trailer for BioShock 2 this week and I absolutely cannot wait to enter this world again. I just finished the first one a few months ago and I'm already thirsting to go back for another playthrough. Here's what I'm hoping to see in the sequel:

1. Backstory. 2K created such a fascinating and enthralling world in Rapture. Should they not take the opportunity to flesh out the people, the history and culture, they'd really be remiss. I also want to see and experience Rapture at its peak when it was a functioning civilization. A prequel/sequel would work well to this end. No way they miss this opportunity. There's too much we hadn't seen in the first game A few areas (like the little sisters' orphanage) were tantalizing but over too soon. I want to know more.

2. Better Plasmids. All of the plasmids in the first game were pretty cool. But not all of them were useful. I can count on one hand how many times I strayed from my 3 or 4 go-to plasmids. There was just no need to. They ranged from awesome, to serviceable to cool but useless.

3. A More Balanced story. Criticize the story? How could I! But let's face it, the first 3 quarters of Bioshock were fantastic. It kinda came apart in the last quarter however. Despite some nifty plot twists, a lot of the gameplay felt rushed. A little too many fetch quests for my taste. And the final boss battle was embarrassingly easy.

4. More enemies. Splicers and Big Daddies were pretty much the only opposition. I'd like to see some more variety here.

I could go on but these are the main points. Can't come soon enough.

Watching the trailer for Pure I'm totally blown away...by the graphics. The draw distance, which is the first this to grab one's attention, is magnificent. The sense of expansion and height coming off of the jumps is something I've not seen before. I can only imagine the size of the tracks the developers have built. I'm sure it will bve a solid game but I have a qualm.

Despite the visual advancements, gameplay wise I see nothing here to stake the "next gen" title. After I notice the graphics the one thing that comes to mind is "SSX on an ATV". And that is what it is. Judging by the preview, you race, do insane tricks in a freestlye mode and challenge friends. And of course the more tricks you do the more "gas" you get. This to me is the same as in SSX where the tricks determine your boost. Nothing new.

This is a theme too often seen in this generation games. You have developers touting their product as "truly next-gen" when all that's changed is the graphics. I ask you where are the games that push the limits in terms of gameplay?I feel like I;m seeing the same games I saw 6 years ago with a fresh coat of polish.

But so are the trappings of success. The gaming industry is making it. Billions of dollars in revenue is a positive thing. Becoming viewed as a viable entertainment medium is a good thing. It's been a long time coming and the recognition is well deserved. Yet I fear that as the industry feeds off of its profit it's becoming fat and lethargic. The more money you have the fewer chances you need to take. So yes the developers have the funds to pump out blockbuster after blockbuster, but with all that cash at stake do they dare do something original? Isn't it so much safer to put out a recognizeable product? Something that seems familiar? Of course it is. That's why sequels of established franchises dot the top seller lists while promising original properties flounder in obscurity.

It's an interesting duality. The gaming industry grew on the strength of ingenuity, creativity and execution. And now that it's almost made it, these tenets are taking a backseat as the industry tries to hold its stake and increase it's hold. It's too cool to dance with the girl that brung it. Growth is a good thing but sometimes it allows you to get comfortable and fall into predictable patterns to keep the money flowing in.

Now you'll say to me "Age, franchises have to start somewhere. Even Madden was an original property at one point". And I'll say you're right. But when a stellar game like Okami can't get a sequel and we have 50 mediocre Mega Man games I'll ask you where does it stop?

Gaming is still very young as a mainstream medium. So I won't be one to say how I pine for the glory days. And yet one can't ignore the disturbing trend of re-hashed ideas and over-sequelized franchises.

Just watched the Mercs 2 review and I have to say I'm a little surprised. The reviewer totally lambasted this game. But that's not the problem. I'm fine with that as long as it's how he really feels. My issue is that there seems to be a precedent here. Before a game comes out one never hears how un-promising it looks. All you hear about is what it does and how much fun it looks and how much the writer can't wait to play it. And then when it's released, it's crucified. So you mean to tell me that you played this game for hours during its development and NEVER noticed all of the things that you now consider a detriment to the game's success? How is that possible?

Ok maybe in the case of Mercs 2 the reviewer never played the game while it was in development. I'll accept that. But this happens all too often. So the question is why don't we know the truth about the game before it comes out? These are the people with the inside access and the so-called expertise. If the game is so bad in its finished state it must have only been worse when it was unfinished so what game were you playing? Smells a little fishy to me to be honest.

And it's not just this website it's 1up, it's the publications including EGM and OXM and it's most definitely G4's XPlay (which I love but let's be honest).

Fable 2 or Fallout 3??

How dare they release these game a mere week apart! How is this fair? I know autumn and winter are generally the biggest seasons for games but come on!

As a 360 owner I couldn't be more excite. As a man with bills and responsibilities I hate that I'm going to have to make a choice between the two. However since I'm currently working on one Bethesda game (Oblivion) and likely will be for the next few months, it's looking like it's going to be Fable 2. I am more anxious for this one to see if Molyneux will this time deliver on his promises.

East

Patriots. The Bills, Dolphins and Jets have all made drastic improvements (on paper) but let's not be fooled Brady and the Patties are still king of the mountain if at least for another season. Welker and Moss are so good it's almost not fair. Marroney should be playing in Hawaii next February. I can see the Bills challenging for a wild card in December while my beloved Gang Green and the hated Fins battle for 3rd place in the division. Bills d-line is scary now with the signing of Marcus Stroud. Lynch is a beast in the running game and Trent Edwards made the Jets secondary look like a pop warner squad last year. Dolphins upgraded significantly at QB with the signing of my sentimental favorite Chad Pennington. Still no receivers to speak of aside from Ginn Jr. but who knows what he'll become. Without Jason Taylor that defense looks mighty suspect.

North

Steelers. I love that they drafted Rashard Mendenhall to spell fast Willie Parker. And the drafting of Limas Sweed looks like one of those steals of the draft I hear everyone talking about. With Heath Miller and Hines Ward in the passing game they should be deadly. No run away here though because the Browns are serious. If that d can shape up they'll challenge for the division. I am somewhat skeptical because they remind of the Jets from two years ago. They too came from nowhere and on the basis of an easy schedule racked up 10 wins and a playoff spot. The next year? 4-12. Ravens have a lot of work to do particluarly on offense (what else is new.) The Bengals mystify me. Great individual players but where's the consistency?

West

Chargers. Barely a question here. LT shows zero sign of slowing down as he nears the dreaded 3-0 which is the age that usually spells doom for running backs. If Rivers continues his progression with Chambers and Gates in the passing game, his mouth will be the only thing bigger than their points per game average. Olshansky and Castillo on the d-line get no love but they anchor a strong defense and allow Merriman and the rest to run around like maniacs and knock people out. I know zilch about the Broncos. Probably because they've done zilch to help themselves. Aside from getting rid of Javon Walker I don't see how they've improved enough to challenge San Diego. They did sign Dewayne Robertson--the former Jet and 4th overall draft pick. He never panned out in NY though I hope he sees a resurrection in Denver mush the way that all those former Browns linemen did. I am intrigued by Jay Cutler. Kid has a live arm and just may be the most viable option at QB since Elway rode off into ther sunset on the strength of 2 conesecutive titles. The Chiefs are a mess. Nuff said. I love Herm Edwards but he's got some heavy lifting to do to even get this team back to where they were a few years ago. Now that they've let Jared Allen get away, there's not a whole lot on defense outside of Donnie Edwards and Derrick Johnson; though Tamb Hali seems like a stud. I'm very skeptical of d-lineman drafted within the top 10 because they bust more often than not but I hope Glenn Dorsey can prove otherwise. They're resting othe offense on the arm or Brodie Croyle...ahem. I hope he as well proves me wrong. The hated Raiders are probably a year or two away from respectability though they should be exciting with McFadden and Russel on offense. Defense should see marked improvement with DeAngelo Hall on board.

Colts. Once again the old guard rules the roost if at least for one more season. They should face very tough competition from the hard nosed Jaguars who boast a fantastic running game and a playoff worthy defense. Receivers are still an area of conern though and against Indy you need points. So Manning and his arsenal along with Sanders and a very fast active D should prove the warm milk to keep these kitties quiet for a little longer. Just long enough to make another Super Bowl run. Tennessee will go as Vince Young goes and I've seen nothing to make me believe this is the year he'll turn the corner as a passer. Houston has a good young defense led by Mario-Reggie Bush who?-Williams and will pose trouble for a lot of teams. I love that they drafted Steve Slaton and he should turn some heads this year.

Despite my impending obsession with Oblivion I'm planning on buying a new game. It's down to Burnout: Paradise, Eternal Sonata or Madeen '09.

As for Eternal Sonata I'm a little hesitant to buy another rpg when I have the massive world of Tamriel still to explore but it's a game I want to get before I'm not able to find it at will.

I have a serious bias against Madden and it's been so since EA bought up exclusive rights to the NFL product effectively ending the NFL 2K Series. Easily my favorite sports game series of all time I'll have to wait until god knows when to play another one and it's all EA's fault. And call me crazy but I don't want to plunk down 60 bucks to play another Madden game with a new shiny coat. I still may end up buying it because according to reviews the gameplay is improved and the graphics are fantastic. And plus if I ever want to see my Jets in the Super Bowl in my lifetime, Madden's franchise mode may be the most feasible option. Still though...60 bucks...

It may just end up being Burnout. Easily my favorite racing series of all time, this one is almost a no brainer. Especially when you consider the update coming soon ...I think when considered with my 10 dollar best buy coupon ......we have a winner.

Stunned by the amount of depth and expansion in Oblivion. Appears my criticisms of this game were unfounded. Such a massive world so many locations. Game developers just aren't supposed to put this much detail into their worlds. I know this game stands alone as an experience but I can't help but feeling that I'm finally playing the game that I expected Fable to be. Finally having the kind of revolutionary experience I expected from Mass Effect.

Speaking of Fable that was a strange beast. Molyneaux promised so much. But what I got was not much more than a solid action/rpg with a featherweight story. I guess he's a salesman before anything else. It was fun that much is true. I did enjoy the experience but the execution was underwhelming compared to the expectations. I hope for a deeper, longer and more rewarding quest in the sequel.

This Oblivion though is a behemoth. I can't imagine how much time I'm going to spend just planning how to level my characters. I feel an addiction coming on...and I think I like it.