Top 10 Games of the Seventh Generation Consoles - #10: Portal 2

Now that the big three game companies have all announced their new consoles, I thought I would take a look back at my favorites from the Wii/PS3/Xbox 360 era. I realize that what is soon to be dubbed ‘last generation’ isn’t actually over yet and there is a chance that some more truly impressive games might be released between now and the time that the Wii U/PS4/Xbox One take over completely. But as of right now, I feel that my list of favorite/most important games from this past generation will see little-to-no alteration, even with new games still on the horizon. The criteria for this list is as follows: all of the games listed below are among my favorites of this past generation, and have been placed in order of which I think were actually handled best, from gameplay, to storytelling, to graphical/artistic presentation, and overall production quality. A few series had sequels that were competing for a spot on this list, and because of how close it came between some of them, I’ve opted to include both as a single spot on the list. Keep in mind that this list is drawing from a large pool - everything from the Wii, DS, PS3, PSP, and Xbox 360. Also, re-releases of a game are not eligible – no Virtual Console or HD Collections, I'm afraid. However, full-fledged remakes are allowed. If your favorite game didn’t make the list that simply means that either I didn’t play it or it didn’t leave as significant an impact on me.

While the original Portal was certainly a landmark game for its physics engine and combination of puzzle and platforming gameplay, it lasted but a few hours. They were an enjoyable few hours, to be sure, but left less of an impression that I had played a ‘masterpiece’ and more the impression that I had played something that was a crossroad – not just for the aforementioned genres of video games, but for the medium as a whole. In the years that followed Portal’s release, there was seemingly no end to the number of developers who attempted to pay tribute to the game by including not-so-subtle references to false promises of cake and the instantly recognizable companion cube. But for so many that gave their individual nods to the game, there were few that dared try and replicate something like Portal.

Enter Portal 2, a sequel released four years after the original, which built and expanded upon everything the original created. Portal 2 once again follows protagonist Chell, but through a full-fledged story instead of a one-sided conversation with power-mad AI GLaDOS. It’s true that Chell is still silent, but Wheatley acts as both narrator and companion, while the other cores (brief though their appearances may be) and the recorded audio from Aperture founder Cave Johnson add a lot of life to the equation. The original Portal, while entertaining in its own right, did not feel to me as complete of a product as Portal 2. The addition of gels added a new dynamic to the gameplay, and a few of the puzzles were real stumpers. As for the flawlessly-executed co-op mode, that was simply icing on the cake.

Top 5 Video Games of 2011

The following are my top five games that I played during 2011. These are not necessarily the five games I ascribed the highest rating to. Rather, these are games that I found noteworthy for any number of reasons. In some cases, it was the fun factor. In others, it was brilliant gameplay. For most it was a combination of these. The games on this top five list cover different genres, series, and consoles. (A few games that I reviewed this year were ineligible, simply because they were games I had previously played but decided to revisit prior to writing my review. Those ineligible games include: Resident Evil 5, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Sonic Adventure, Halo 2, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion).

#5 - Devil May Cry 4: Devil May Cry is ridiculous. Guns blazing, swords spinning, and characters dishing out one-liners, there are a lot of elements that would point to this being just another predictable hack-and-slash game. But the degree of involvement with chaining combos and the freedom to invest in different moves sets this apart from the crowd. Plus, it's hard not to like Dante, cocky as he can be.

#4 - Transformers: War for Cybertron: High Moon has done a fantastic job with their fresh take on Transformers. This is a game that does not lean too heavily toward either the cartoon origins nor the live-action explosion-fest films. There's a solid variety of weapons at your disposal, while the campaign tries to emphasize one or two as being ideal to each character class. Transforming on the fly is incredibly fluid, and makes the multiplayer side of things all the more interesting.

#3 - Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver: I have not played a core Pokémon game in nearly ten years, but this is possibly the best way I could have returned to the series. While the main Pokémon and progression of the story are kept intact, a few changes make these DS remakes superior to their Gameboy Color predecessors. The most prominent difference is the user-friendly control scheme, courtesy of the Generation IV engine. But it certainly doesn't hurt to flesh out some of the side characters a little bit. Updated graphics and soundtrack, plus the inclusion of online play makes this the complete Gold and Silver experience.

#2 - Portal 2: Building off the groundwork of the first Portal, this sequel presents even more clever puzzles via aerial faith plates, light bridges, speed and propulsion gels. The story takes on a much more important role this time around, and in turn, the comedy is a step up from the memorable cynicism of GLaDOS in the first game. JK Simmons and Stephen Merchant brought out some of the best moments, while the entire package is a reminder that just because something is a wildly-praised cult classic doesn't mean it can't be improved upon.

#1 - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: The best Zelda game in over a decade, Skyward Sword puts the competition to shame with phenomenal storytelling, level design, artistic direction, and the most fine-tuned controls of any motion-based game to date. Since the original Legend of Zelda released twenty-five years ago, the series has long been considered one of the best in the adventure genre. But few have come close to contesting Ocarina of Time's spot at the top, a game many consider to be one of the greatest video games of all time. Whether or not Skyward Sword manages to trump Ocarina of Time is a matter of taste, but one thing is for certain: this swan song for the Wii gives the N64 classic a run for its money.

2011 Year in Review: Video Games

2011 was a big year in gaming for me. It was both a return to the games of yesteryear and an exploration of newer titles that, in some ways, made up for the lackluster feelings I had towards many of 2010's releases. The titles I played in 2011 present a wide range of genres, and a few I consider to be quite groundbreaking - two of the titles I played this year earned perfect '10 out of 10' scores. Without further ado, the play-by-play of every video game I reviewed in 2011.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: The Fate of Two Worlds: Presented through an art style very much reminiscent of comic books, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 pits characters new and old against one another. Each character is balanced to near-perfection, a welcome break from the unbalances found in some other fighting games. There are only a handful of stages presented, and while the single player arcade mode is pretty straightforward, most of the replay value comes in the form of training challenges (which is to say, the replay factor is somewhat limited). Still, it's a solid multiplayer experience, even if the online lobbies force players to stare at a semi-blank screen instead of a match in progress. My rating: 8

Beautiful Katamari: Not much has changed since the original Katamari Damacy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The King of All Cosmos once again calls upon the Prince to roll up as much random junk as he can to replace planets and meteorites. This time, the world is much more open and expansive, preventing many of the collisions encountered in the first games. The soundtrack and art style are just as zany as ever, a perfect marriage to a game that has an intro scene which features dancing pandas and kaleidoscopic flowers. My rating: 8

Fallout 3: Arguably one of Bethesda's best games to date, Fallout 3 puts players in the shoes of the Lone Wanderer as he/she escapes from the confines of Vault 101. What lies beyond is a post-apocalyptic retro-future, where tunes from the forties and fifties carry across the rubble that was once Washington D.C. Combat is divided between real-time and the freeze-frame VATS, the latter of which allows players to take precise aim at specific body parts of an enemy to inflict greater damage. There are moments of inconsistency with regards to the game's difficulty factor, though a bevy of sidequests can help players level up and surpass these, so long as they're willing to put in the extra effort. The main story is well-developed, though rather short. That said, the simple act of exploring the Capital Wasteland can present plenty of adventure in and of itself. My rating: 8.5

DLC
- Operation Anchorage: 6.5

Devil May Cry 4: A hack-and-slash game with plenty of gothic imagery and religious undertones, Devil May Cry 4 destroys its competition by having one of the most involved combo chaining systems in the genre. Players can upgrade Nero and Dante's movesets as the game progresses, and revisit levels on higher difficulty settings. The boss fights place the most emphasis on strategy, and are often preceded by cutscenes that rival Hollywood action. The main game is a bit on the short side, but the finesse in sword and gun combat is unrivaled. My rating: 8.25

Portal 2: Chell returns to the Aperture facility, this time aided by robotic companion Wheatley, whose quirky nature rivals GLaDOS' dark humor. While the puzzle layouts in the original were mind-bending enough, Portal 2 adds new elements like Light Bridges, Aerial Faith Plates, and Speed and Propulsion Gels. The single player mode benefits from more narrative backing this time around, while cooperative play introduces some real head-scratchers. In the end, it's a brilliant mix of puzzles and platforming. My rating: 10

Sonic Rush: The story of two Robotniks from alternate dimensions is a sign of the inspiration drawn from new school Sonic games. The level design, on the other hand, is largely inspired by the original Genesis games. There are a few puzzles here and there that slow down an otherwise breakneck pace. Levels are unfortunately accompanied by what is possibly the most obnoxious soundtrack in the series. 3D boss fights are cleverly planned out, and serve as some of the game's highlights. It's not a perfect Sonic game, but it doesn't take itself too seriously either. My rating: 7.5

New Super Mario Bros. (DS): Sticking to the classic Mario formula from the NES and SNES, the DS version is quite nice to look at, with every enemy and environment rendered in 3D models. A nice variety of level design and lack of a story will certainly make this handheld Mario appealing to fans who want to revisit the plumber's roots. My rating: 9

Transformers: War for Cybertron: Unlike the movie-based games, War for Cybertron takes greater creative liberties, building its own origin story for the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. High Moon has done a great job with their new spin on the Transformers story, though they do slip in a number of references to Generation One. The multiplayer is a ton of fun to play, with character classes that are well-balanced. It's not a perfect, but still a great first entry that High Moon will no doubt improve upon with the sequel. My rating: 8.75

Resident Evil 5: A follow-up to the wildly acclaimed Resident Evil 4, RE5 puts players in control of Chris Redfield as he travels to the Kijuju region of Africa. He and his partner Sheva Alomar quickly discover the locals to be infected with Plagas, as well as longtime villain Wesker's plans for world domination. It's an intense experience from start to finish, trading out the classic horror for more action-packed segments. While the item management is less-than-stellar, the level design, lighting effects, and environmental ambience make the experience all the more engaging. The game serves as a fitting end to the main Resident Evil story arc that has been running for over a decade. My rating: 9

DLC
- Lost in Nightmares: 10

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask: Ocarina of Time is a tough act to follow, and while it might not be as wildly revolutionary as its predecessor, Majora's Mask brings plenty of new content to the Zelda series just the same. Easily the darkest story in the entire series, it's also one of the best told, as Link must stop Skull Kid from using the power of Majora's Mask to crash the moon into the land of Termina. The game puts more emphasis on pre-temple and post-temple tasks, while each of the four temples is brilliantly designed and presents a nice challenge just the same. Often overlooked when compared to other titles in the franchise, Majora's Mask is one of the most polished, most challenging, and most enjoyable games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. My rating: 10

Batman: Arkham Asylum: Part stealth game, part brawler, Arkham Asylum puts players in control of the Dark Knight as he attempts to return order to Arkham Asylum, after Joker has set all of the inmates loose. Aside from some very creative boss encounters with Scarecrow, Killer Croc, and Poison Ivy, players can seek out Riddler Trophies to unlock character models, and beat up baddies to their heart's content in the extra challenges. It has a few flaws, but by and large Batman: Arkham Asylum is a prime example of how to approach licensed material the right way. My rating: 8.75

Sonic Adventure: Twelve years after its initial release, Sonic Adventure still holds up as a solid adventure platformer. The story is one of the best in the entire Sonic series, and while it may look somewhat primitive by today's standards, the 3D graphics were a standout element for the 1999 release. The voice acting is downright terrible, and any mission involving Big the Cat will ultimately lead to frustration. while much of the gameplay feels like a test bed for what would come in the sequel, Sonic Adventure is still a lot of fun to play. My rating 8.5

Halo 2: A game that not only made a giant impact on online gaming, Halo 2 also had a huge impact on the way the series would be shaped through future entries. While some might not have been so keen on playing as the Arbiter for some of the game's missions, it certainly helped add depth to the Covenant and UNSC forces alike. The gameplay was much smoother than in the original Halo, and the graphics are some of the best on the original Xbox. There are a few hitches here and there, particularly with 'bump-in' objects during cutscenes, but it's a great gaming experience nonetheless. My rating: 9.5

Halo 3: ODST: The black sheep of the Halo franchise, ODST is an unusual FPS game. Chapters of the larger story are presented from the various squad members as they try to regroup, while the streets of New Mombasa act as an explorable overworld hub. The Rookie is the main character, and in the style of Master Chief, is left a shell of a character for player to imagine as whomever they wish. The rest of the cast fleshes out nicely, given the six/seven hours it takes to complete the campaign. The soundtrack is gorgeous and the voice acting top-notch. My rating: 8.75

Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition: Classic arcade fighting at its finest, Street Fighter III: Third Strike rounds out its roster with many new faces since Street Fighter II. All of the 2D character models are vibrantly colored and highly animated, while the levels and soundtrack make the game's atmosphere. Combos prove much easier to chain than in other games like Marvel vs. Capcom 3, though the element of strategy is not sacrificed in the process. Throw in online multiplayer and you have yourself one excellent recipe for a fighting game. My rating: 9.25

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: A Gamecube title ported over to the Wii, Twilight Princess takes on a darker tone than some other Zelda games. The story of the Twili presents a fresh and interesting spin on Link's story, though much of the game tries to identify too heavily with Ocarina of Time. The motion controls respond well enough, but there's nothing wildly revolutionary presented through the items or weapons. Most of the boss fights will prove quite simple for veterans of the series, but there's no denying that Twilight Princess is among the best adventure games on any console this generation. My rating: 9.0

Sonic Generations: Drawing some of the best levels from the Sonic series, Sonic Generations delivers to both old-school and new-school fans. Each level is tackled twice - one as side-scrolling retro Sonic, and again as third-person view new age Sonic. The boss fights are cleverly designed, while the challenges present players with plenty of replay material. A few level choices seem a tad uninspired, but if this is a sign of things to come, SEGA's mascot hedgehog might just be on the fast track to a great revival. My rating: 8.5

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: The greatest Zelda game in over a decade and the single best Wii title, Skyward Sword is one game not to be missed. It's super-precise controls respond like a dream, while the gameplay mechanics as a whole draw from the tried-and-true methods of previous entries, while adding some new-school flair to round out the package. The game is quite lengthy, offering up 35 to 40 hours depending on the number of sidequests players choose to tackle. The storytelling is phenomenal, providing a great precursor for the rest of the series. My rating: 10

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: With a vast world to explore and a variety of character classes to choose from, the Elder Scrolls IV has something to offer every RPG fan. The level up system is a bit awkward, and the Cyrodill seems a rather generic medieval realm. But for an early release on the current-gen systems, The Elder Scrolls IV looks and plays pretty solid, with sidequests going the extra mile to flesh out the experience. My rating: 8

DLC
- Shivering Isles: 9.25

Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver: DS remakes of the Gameboy Color releases, Heart Gold and Soul Silver retain their identities by placing emphasis on the Pokémon from generations I and II, while utilizing the generation IV engine (Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum). The result is a beautifully-rendered Johto region that is as colorful as it is teeming with quirky characters. The gym layouts have been updated to incorporate puzzle mechanics, and the soundtrack sounds fantastic to boot. Heart Gold and Soul Silver showcase the improvements to the user-friendliness in the Pokémon games, the primary reason that the DS versions are improvements over their Gameboy predecessors. My rating: 8.75

25 Days of Villains - #16: GLaDOS

"In the event of a catastrophic failure, the last two minutes of my life are preserved for analysis. I was able - well, forced, really - to relive you killing me. Again and again. Forever. You know, if you had done that to someone else, they might dedicate their life to exacting... revenge."

GLaDOS is one of the most animated and emotive robotic characters in recent video games. She’s ruthless in her attempts to try and kill Chell with test chambers that include spike plates, turrets, and deadly neurotoxins. But her darkly comedic dialogue is largely what makes Portal such a unique and memorable experience. Without GLaDOS, Portal would be a really good puzzle game. Because of her, it’s a story that players can really engross themselves in.

As the events of Portal 2 reveal, GLaDOS was created as a way for Aperture Science to allow one of their most important minds, Caroline, to live on forever. Cave Johnson’s team led the project forward, despite Caroline’s concerns. While everything was going well at first, GLaDOS’ desire to recreate the Schrodinger’s Cat experiment with lethal neurotoxins resulted in the death of a number of Aperture staff members. While the team thought the installation of a morality core would be sufficient for preventing further catastrophes, scientist Doug Rattman saw another outcome – one that was much darker for everyone at Aperture. And though Rattman managed to alter the list of candidates, placing his faith in Chell, he and everyone else at Aperture died for the sake of GLaDOS’ “testing”.

Even after Chell manages to set everything straight at the end of Portal 2 and GLaDOS sets her free, she hasn’t really changed. She even tells Chell that the reason she is letting her leave Aperture is because Chell is simply too difficult to kill. Understanding herself to be Caroline reborn, GLaDOS wipes that part of her from her memory banks, then uses two robots, ATLAS and P-body, to find something hidden deep within the facility. She has her fun blowing up ATLAS and P-body along the way, but they are not human, and the effect just isn’t the same. Which is why GLaDOS is overjoyed when ATLAS and P-body finish their duties and discover a whole new area of Aperture filled to the brim with humans in stasis.

Boss theme:

Technically there is a battle theme when facing GLaDOS, but it’s nowhere near as great as “Still Alive”.

Valve announces in-game editor for Portal 2

According to Valve, early 2012 will see an update for Portal 2 that will allow players to create their own test chambers and challenges. This applies to both single-player and co-op chambers. Players can then vote on and share their creations online. This news comes from GameTrailers, who has stated that little else is currently known about the update. There has yet to be confirmation if this new feature will apply solely to the PC version, or if it will include the console versions as well.

Xbox 360 review: Portal 2

Portal 2 picks up some years after the conclusion of the first game. No concrete time frame is given, but it's obvious that a few years have passed, as the entire facility is in disrepair. Following her initial defeat of GLaDOS and subsequent escape, Chell has been dragged back into Aperture and placed within a long-term relaxation chamber. A brief tutorial on the games controls plays out before Chell meets Wheatley, a personality core tasked with keeping track of all the human test subjects. Wheatley promises to help Chell escape Aperture, and, after acquiring the portal gun, Chell finds herself in GLaDOS' chamber once more. Wheatley - while trying to find an escape for Chell - accidentally reactivates GLaDOS, and he and Chell are separated, with the latter being sent to retrace her steps through Aperture's test chambers.

The game's introductory sequence is hauntingly surreal. While the chambers Chell traverses are familiar territory to anyone who has experienced the first Portal, the plantlife and new gameplay elements add enough flavor early on to set Portal 2 apart from its predecessor without dishing too much to players right away. New gameplay elements including lasers, repulsion and propulsion gels, aerial faith plates, and light bridges are introduced gradually as the single player mode progresses, eventually seeing a myriad of combinations late in the game. The puzzles are both more plentiful and more challenging than in the first game, but a large portion of what makes them so enjoyable is the process of solving them. Players may find it takes a few tries to successfully complete the early test chambers, while later portions of the game take more time and patience in order to complete far more complex tasks in gigantic areas. But the process of trial-and-error is far more rewarding than relying on game guides.

A few tweaks have been made with regards to how the portals apply to test chamber walls. No longer do players have to try three or four times simply to line a portal up a just the right angle of rotation. It's a small change in the grand scheme of things, but it goes a long way.

The cooperative multiplayer mode allows players to take on four different sets of chambers, each of which contains seven tests that become both progressively longer and more challenging. While there a variety of puzzles are presented, each area puts major emphasis on one of the new elements introduced in the single player game. For example, one of the areas focuses largely on the aerial faith plates, another on light bridges, and so on. The last few test chambers in each area then go on to combine all of the previous elements. While the multiplayer mode can be replayed time and time again (either online or splitscreen), veteran players will find a lack of challenge, simply because they've already completed each chamber. In the single player game, there are a number of hidden rooms riddled with artwork and messages from the Rat Man (aka as Doug Rattman for those familiar with the comic that bridges the gap between the two games). The game has quite a few easter eggs and clever achievements to unlock, but due to its linear gameplay, there isn't a ton of replay value presented in Portal 2.

The single player game is certainly more story-driven than that of its predecessor, and utilizes more adventure elements. In contrast, the cooperative mode is a more pure puzzle and platforming experience, with a story that is plenty funny but nowhere near as memorable or fleshed out as the single player story. In this regard, Portal 2 offers two games in one, both deeply rooted in the core mechanics of the first Portal. Regardless of personal preference of either mode, players will find that Portal 2 is a more complete and rounded out gaming experience - something that Valve stressed from the moment they announced the sequel. The single player experience lasts roughly seven to eight hours, while the cooperative mode adds an extra five to six hours, depending on how long it takes teammates to solve puzzles.

I absolutely loved the dark comedy that fueled the first game, with GLaDOS constantly balancing her love of testing and desire to murder Chell, quirky phrases from the turrets, messages left scribbled all over the Rat Man's hidden rooms, and of course the promise of cake. With Portal 2, there is a larger cast of characters, and though they come and go as the story progresses, the game is considerably funnier than its predecessor. This is due in no small part to the game's voice actors. Ellen McLain reprises her role as the devilish and calculating GLaDOS, while Stephen Merchant plays her polar opposite - Chell's robotic ally Wheatley, who causes a number of screw-ups, but is ultimately a breath of fresh air as the most human character in the game, as well as its most lovable character. J.K. Simmons provides insight into the early years of Aperture Science as Cave Johnson, the company's founder, a man who is expresses himself in both a blunt and colorful manner with some off-the-wall metaphors and vehement distaste towards limitations on science (physical, legal, or otherwise).

For a 2007 release, Portal looked and sounded quite nice. But this is 2011, and Valve has gone out of their way to revamp Aperture Science with overgrown plantlife and incomplete chambers among the enrichment center's familiar white and gray sterile design. Graphically, the game isn't quite as impressive as other recent releases, but the great attention to detail and more drastic lighting and shadow effects raise the bar significantly from the original Portal. Aperture feels more alive than ever, with panels adjusting as tests are completed and chambers gradually becoming more and more complete as GLaDOS restores the facility around Chell. The feel of Portal's soundtrack is retained, but expanded upon. Instead of having a few ominous tracks throughout, Portal 2 chooses the more techno-heavy route, borrowing some inspiration from the musical stylings present in Half-Life 2.

I must admit, when I first heard that Eurogamer gave Portal 2 a perfect ten score, I was a little skeptical. Sure, the first game was a huge game-changer, not only for Valve but for the puzzle and adventure genres as well. But it would certainly be a difficult act to top. After playing through both modes, I can happily say that Portal 2 is one-of-a-kind game. It still retains everything that made the first Portal great, but goes the extra mile to deliver a much more rounded out experience. Although it's still early in 2011, there's no doubt in my mind that Portal 2 stands a very good chance of earning game of the year.

My rating: 10 (out of 10)

Portal 2 DLC announced

Valve recently announced DLC for Portal 2. No concrete release date or details have been given as of yet. If I had to take a guess, though, based on the way the game wraps up, it would seem more likely that the DLC would be additional test chambers for the cooperative multiplayer mode, or at the very least a continuation of Atlas and P-Body's story. It could also be that Valve plans to release reworked test chambers much like those that were included in the first Portal. Whatever the case, this announcement isn't terribly surprising, considering the overwhemingly positive response Portal 2 has been getting. What is a pleasant surprise, however, is the fact that the DLC will be free of charge for download on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.

Gaming update #1: "I think we can put our differences behind us, for science... you monster"

As I've already posted four gaming updates on this blog since I began my reviews, I figured some readers might be interested in what video games I'm playing or am planning to pick up in the near future. This posting is intended to provide a long-term outlook on future reviews.

Just this afternoon I went ahead and picked up a copy of Shogun 2 Total War. It's currently loading on to my PC as we speak, so a review for it will still be a while off. I am, however, almost finished with the main game of Devil May Cry 4, and a review of that should be posted within the next few weeks (depending on how much time I have to set aside to exploring new game modes and unlockables).

I am planning on picking up Portal 2, though not immediately after this coming Tuesday's release date. I may wait until later in the Summer when the price tag has come down because, as much as I loved the first Portal title, I don't want to spend $60 on the sequel only to find out that the single player game is only a few hours longer than that of its predecessor. Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy X are the next two titles in the main Final Fantasy series that I want to tackle (on the DS and PS2 respectively). Also, depending on my income this Summer, a 3DS may lie in my near future, so there is the potential review of Ocarina of Time 3D to consider.

Outside of the titles listed above, I'm sure there will be a number of other video game and anime reviews that I'll be posting over the Summer months. There may be some impulse purchases/rentals (much like Devil May Cry 4 was) - the games listed above are simply the major titles that I want to the most play this Summer.