Granted, the screens look like they're from some kind of angel-console that only The Lord can play (for the controller was not made for this world), but, at least for me, I have to take a step back and really understand what I'm looking at. This is another Banjo Kazooie game.

So what we do know at this point is it looks awesome. We're aware that this one "won't be a traditional platformer," which must mean something to the tune of, "this game won't be a repeat of the last two," which is great - no one needs a remake. But who needs the franchise, really? Now, I'm fully prepared to conclude that I'm a damaged boy for not looking upon the now-gumby-esque ursine tank with his crafty little bird and getting all watery-eyed with nostalgia. But I am curious, is there anyone out there who really digs Banjo Kazooie still?

You know, I've been vocal about my wishes for BK3. In my sweetest dreams I see a grizzly, massive and wet, with a unique (but not impossible) bird, perched on his back.

Alas, it has been too long since the vile witch was cast out, and Banjo has reverted to a more natural state.



Now imagine picking up your controller and playing something crazy and new! Something fresh, something like Gears of War meets A Bear. You play the bear (or perhaps the bird, suggesting directions and actions), and you can do bear things, and there's a powerful sorceress, and she's trying to kill you. I don't think I'm prepared to settle for another Banjo game that I suspect won't deliver a paradigm shift that will accommodate the things I now appreciate about games, and the world.

But anyway, I wanted to ask, do you totally love the Banjo franchise? Are you stoked for rhis? Are you dreading it? What's the deal?