[It's time for another Monthly Musing -- the monthly community blog theme that provides readers with a chance to get their articles and discussions printed on the frontpage. -- CTZ]    

A lot of games constitute escapism. You get to run away from your real life, no matter how sucky, and get lost in another world where your real life worries or problems may not seem like such a big deal. You're also put into a position where you can deal with the problems you face. Whether it is Valkyria Chronicles, where you control the happiest group of soldiers ever or Grand Theft Auto, where you are in the middle of the world's most apathetic city, a city where you have complete control not only over yourself, but over the world at large.

However, while these games and most games like them are fun, they do not really offer a sense of relaxation all the time. In fact, they might cause you to become frustrated. There are only three games I can think of when I think of a "perfect world." Those games are Animal Crossing (which despite the happy tone and inhabitants unfortunately also has the debt collection system to deal with) Flower (which is almost Zen like in its serenity, at least until you reach the second to last level) and my personal favorite form of escapism: OutRun. 

[It's time for another Monthly Musing -- the monthly community blog theme that provides readers with a chance to get their articles and discussions printed on the frontpage. -- CTZ]  
 
The Metal Gear Solid series has always been a favorite of mine. Metal Gear Solid was the first game I ever pre-ordered thanks to GamePro's coverage hyping my 12-year-old brain into a frenzy. I was ravenous for the game, completely obsessed with the apparent ability to jump into the shoes of a super soldier like none other. A lone wolf (well, snake) infiltrating a heavily guarded fortress in Alaska, armed with only his wits and a sneaking suit. The emphasis on NOT killing is what attracted me; to try to sneak through the game. What a new experience.

I had played Tenchu: Stealth Assassins when my friend got it the month before, but still, this was modern day espionage so it wasn't the same. When the game came out, my mother drove me to the EB in the mall and I snagged the game, almost literally throwing it into my PlayStation when I got home. At the insistence of GamePro, I had borrowed a friends Dual Shock controller, which had just been released. I had also turned off all the lights and blacked out my room. I turned up the sound and immersed myself in the beautiful opening theme of MGS.