Cautiously optimistic
An Xbox 360 has been acquired and therefore I have been spending far, far too much money on computer games. But then I've also been doing frankly ridiculous amounts of extra hours these last couple of weeks, to the point that I'm going to start saying no to extra hours very soon since I need a goddamn break (read: a week of doing my usual 21 hours not my recent over-40). So I've only been able to dip into games in a pretty haphazard way (which is highly bad for my already pretty ADD attitude to computer games - that's why I've only finished about 10% of the games I've ever played, though it's probably about 30% of the ones which can reasonably be finished, i.e. are not potentially endless vortexes of time-sucking like god games).
Initial thoughts, as I haven't finished a single damn game out of these, but have acquired more as I have borrowed and had cravings for others:
'Bioshock 2' - not as good as 'Bioshock', but that's like saying 'The Train Job' lacks the awesomeness of the Firefly pilot. It's a continuation, since we're already drawn in. 'Bioshock' is a revelation, an experience that takes you by the hand and leads you through a world of wonders. 'Bioshock 2' is a computer game. It's an incredibly competant computer game, with stunning visuals, a quirky flavour and several improvements upon 'Bioshock', but I just always find myself disappointed that it doesn't capture my imagination like 'Bioshock'. The story is better, and the whole Big Daddy thing is wonderful. It lacks the really memorable minibosses of the original game, but they are much more interesting as characters rather than just enemies. The moral choices are more nuanced, and harvesting is a genuinely nervewracking experience, though it does take my most hated level out of the original and extend it across an entire game. I still love Rapture and will see this game through to the end just to hang out there, but it feels like the disappointing solidity of an actor made up like a character in a 'Making-Of' compared to the illusion of the real thing. Overall, it's probably better this way, as to try and just redo 'Bioshock' would have been much less satisfying for everyone involved.
'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' - I love the mechanics of this game. The Jedi powers work (for the most part) beautifully, making the fights enormous fun. OK, I'm playing it on Easy, as I start every game, just to heighten my chances of getting through it, but it is enjoyable with a basic level of challenge. The story, however, is currently leaving me a little unengaged. We'll have to wait and see on that count, since pretty much only Old Republic stuff really gets me with its story. Sadly, this is right before 'Halo ODST' at the bottom of my 'to play' list so I'll have to wait a while.
'Batman: Arkham Asylum' - this game is awesome. It's really well-constructed and made. It allows some of the silliness of the comics/Adam West series/Tim Burton's interpretation to seep in rather than the recent films which take it all so damn seriously (why so serious?). The Joker is maniacal with just an edge of scary (voiced by Mark Hamill, who is great but sounds an awful lot like Stewie from 'Family Guy'). Batman has a personality rather than just conflict. It's got so many characters from the comics and series (though I kind of wish they'd left Harley Quinn's costume as it was in the series) and is a very fine game on top of that. It's good fun with cinematic fight scenes, stealth that actually works, combos for those who have better memories than me, exploration, puzzles from the Riddler and some nice collectible backstory stuff.
'Oblivion' - my obsession with 'Morrowind' and 'Oblivion' has long been documented. Let us leave it at that.
'Fable 2' - this has moved to the top of my list. I love 'Fable'. I completed it, adored it, have very fond memories. Then someone borrowed it and never gave it back. On top of that, Stompy the Xbox hates to play anything but 'Halo'. I think this means it's siding with Robin. So 'Fable 2' was a must-buy. I was skeptical. It's basically 'Fable' but bigger and with guns, so pretty much perfect. It's actually a lovely, silly little game so far, with the same bright, cartoonish visuals (big hands and feet for the win!) and childish sense of humour. The minor character voice-acting is as lacklustre as ever, though Zoe Wanamaker is amazing. The magic system has been made less good, but the ranged is way better, so it balances. Your character can specialise, but the game doesn't really work if you don't have at least one basic damage spell and you will have to use the gun sometimes, so an all-rounder, which is my preferred style of play anyway, is advisable. The jobs your character can get might sound a bit weird as an idea, but they're actually a way more productive style of money-grinding (which I engage in unashamedly) than trawling the wilderness for small scaly creatures to pummel, plus there's a real sense of achievement when you make a perfect sword as a blacksmith. Honestly, that's just a way of making enough money to start buying properties, though. You can buy pretty much every property in 'Fable 2' and while it requires a lot of gold outlay at the beginning, it can become very lucrative with very little effort, so eventually it's a self-sustaining business. I currently own most of the stall vendors in Bowerstone Market, which is a nice feeling, and means I get discounts. It's like a swashbuckling 'Fable' with extra features, a bigger world and, well, a dog. Which is actually really helpful on the whole. My main disappointment is that the 'fast but low damage' weapon for the swords is a katana rather than a rapier. Why???? The clockwork guns are wonderful, though.