Okay, for most people bots are so "insert time period" ago, but I really dig it when developers include them in their splitscreen games. Sometimes I just want to play against my riends without dealing with Live and its nice to fill up the map with something other than two or three avatars. I think Halo would be more fun it you could add bots to forge and just goof around with friends next to you.

I purchased the original Gears and enjoyed it. I can't say its one of my top 10 games but the more I hear about the sequel the larger its blip becomes on my radar. I think the crew at Epic really want to give players a well rounded experience. With little things like the inlusion of meat shields and flags & player controller tanks look to mix things up. If the game is Gears only bigger and actually BETTER, then I could think of worse ways to spend my money.

I was worried about fall/Winter 08 not being able to hold a candle to the Fall of 07 but we've got some good contenders. Between stuff like Gears and Little Big Planet, Mercenaries 2, Resissitance 2, Fall Out 3, GTA IV DLC & SPore it looks like they'll be plney-o-fun o be had

source:http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/gears-of-war-2s-day-one-map-multiplayer-bots-revealed/

Just downloaded the R6V2 Gift pack DLC for 360. Its a little bit under 300Mbs.

The Theatre maps I think is the most interesting addition. While CQB & Mudertown are just re-lit, I think R6V looks better darker. The day time type levels look washed out or something to me, so I prefer the look of the night time or darkly lit indoor levels.

The grenade danger indicator is also a very welcome addition.

I'm a late comer to this franchise. Initially I didn't understand the appeal but now I hope people keep playing this game on Live for a while - maybe even until the next R6.

Well I off to earn ACES

After Halo it seems a good amount of console shooters (many exceptions of course) adopted the regenerating health mechanic. Now it seems a lot of game have been including cover as a gameplay option. Is Cover a welcome addition and should be a tactical option in most shooters or should it be limited to games where the option is appropriate.

Personally I welcome a well implemented cover system. It was hard for me to go back and play Call of Duty 4 or Halo 3 after played Rainbow Six Vegas 2; I kept pulling the left trigger trying to take cover only to initiate some other action. I'm not saying RSV2 is superior to CoD4; I just really enjoy the manner in which RSV2 implemented their cover system.

There's a few upcoming games that I'm hoping include a cover system although chanes are they won't. Some of those games are Mercenaries 2, Far Cry 2 & Fallout 3(Although I hope Bethestha does cover better than Mass Effect - ME just didn't feel as visceral as other shooter experiences).

The way the cover is implemented also makes a big difference. In addition to R6V2 other games with decent cover systems were Army of Two, Gears of War and GTA IV when it what I wnated it to. Cover mechanics I didn't enjoy as much include Strangle Hold, and I know I'm going to get crucified for this, and Metal Gear Soild 4. I know that MGS4 is the end all be all of video games but the cover didn't seem up to the top notch design of everything else in the game. Not saying it was bad just dind't feel as fun for me as other portions of the game. Remember this is just MY opinion and I expect every single person will disagree.

Do you want to continue seeing cover as a gameplay option?

2007s Transformers film was a nice surprise. Knowing it was directed by Michael Bay tempered my expectations. Plus looking at still shots of the robot designs didn't really help matters either.

However I found myself really enjoying the movie. My girlfriend even liked it. It was good, dumb loud fun with a pretty coat of paint. I even own the movie HD (hey even though its a dead format, this movie looks brilliant in HD). There's just something appealing about Large robots form space destroying earth to save it.

So even though the title sounds George Lucas-ish, I won't make any assumptions this time. I wish Michael Bay luck in creating a sequel thats equally enjoyable as the first.

[Spoiler] My one concern is an image of a potential transformers who's alt. form is an ice cream truck. I mean yeah its over the top by maybe goes a little to far. But I won't judge it until I see it. [/Spoiler]

source: http://tformers.com/transformers-tf2-call-sheet-reveals-new-actors-bots-plot-points/9585/news.html

It seems all the sudden Africa is a video game location hot spot. With Halo 3, and the upcoming Far Cry 2, Resident Evil and, erm, Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa featuring Africa as game locations could the Normandy Beach landing have met its match? probably not.

Oh by the way, I'm exaggerating.

I'm 14 hours in GTA and Niko has had made me laugh on several occasions. I can't recall ever finding a game's lead character ever being so funny. I mean the previous GTAs have had their share of the funny but it was more subtle. There were more than a few instances were I laughed out loud while playing GTA IV.

Niko is actually funnier than many of the leads you see in recent "comedies" Not that the Team at Rockstar needs anymore handjobs but Kudos to the writing staff they really went all out.