Mass Effect 2 is, without question, my most anticipated title of 2010 (or 2009 for that matter).  I don’t think I can adequately describe just how much I want to play this game and I’m very happy to have it featured as the 2010 season kick-off comic. I don’t have anything earth-shattering to share about ME2 other than I’m completely torn on which class to play.  My ME1 character was a take-no-prisoners soldier who specialized in the assault and sniper rifles but this time I’m thinking of switching it up a little. Vanguard maybe? We’ll see.

Bioware has very rarely faltered in my eyes and I need to take a moment and say that if you’re interested in Mass Effect 2 then you should really check out another game they released a few months back called “Dragon Age”. It is one of the best RPGs I’ve every played and I really do believe it’s a better story experience than the original Mass Effect (which is one of my top five favourite games of all time).  Sure, the dialogue system is archaic and the game is butt-ugly… but it’s still a great RPG that only a company as amazing as Bioware could pull off.  PLAY IT.

As an aside, episode 56 is the first comic rendered with my new Wacom Cintiq 12WX. Can you see the difference?  I certainly can.  I’m thinking of putting together an actual review of this thing… it’s just amazing.  Compared to what I was using before the Cintiq is literally a dream come true.  The speed at which I can render and the precision that I can execute with has made a very positive impact in my work flow.  I’m especially looking forward to is when it’s time to start working on the X10 print. That’s going to rock.

40. Mirror City Shipping Ltd

Mirror’s Edge is the kind of game this industry needs to keep making.  I still don’t know how it’s going to pan out as an entire experience (I’ve only played the demo), but even if the game doesn’t turn out, the ideals that it is striving for are important.  I want it to succeed, I just don’t think it’s going to be 100% this time out.  Mirror’s Edge 2, on the other hand, is the game we should probably be the most excited for.

So how was your weekend?  Mine was filled with a love for Gears that I did not expect.  You know, I honestly wasn’t that excited for Gears of War 2.  I mostly avoided media coverage of it because I figured I already knew what to expect. I was wrong.

Gears 2 has completely blown my expectations out of the water.  This game is good.  Like, really good.  Maranda and I are slowly working our way through the game on hardcore and enjoying every minute of it (well, almost every minute of it… some parts are really hard in split screen. I’m eagerly anticipating another copy to arrive).  The horde mode has also impressed me.  We connected with Maranda’s parents Saturday night and played up to round 16. Sixteen! With her parents!! Cliff was looking to make the game accessible and guess what… he did!

NXE Thoughts
I’ve had a solid opportunity to play with the NXE now and I’ve got to admit that I really like it.  My favourite feature so far is the HDD copying.  Who knew that box could run so quiet?!  Avatars have also turned out a lot better than I had expected.  I’ve been watching the amount of free clothes expand significantly over the last week and have come up with several interesting styles.  I know they’re copying Nintendo’s Miis but honestly I don’t really care.  Miis were horribly realized.  Here’s hoping Microsoft makes better use of them.

SPILL! I want to know your thoughts on Gears 2.  NO SPOILERS I’M NOT FINISHED YET!!