My Early 2010 Gaming Schedule
A couple of people found it amusing when I casually mentioned my loose gaming schedule I’m attempting to follow. I guess this is one of many sad attributes that explain my prolonged singledom. If I don’t plan, I find it slightly unnerving not knowing what releases are ahead and how I can strategise what games to play around any up-coming titles. Take my current situation; it’s a bit of a busy one with various games vying for my attention, but with a degree of planning I should be able to coincide everything perfectly and have minimal overlap. Yes, I’m that geeky.
Christmas has just passed, and, like you, I’ve added a few new additions to my video game arsenal. To be specific, I currently have Lego Indiana Jones, Batman Arkham Asylum, and Dragon Age: Origins fresh in their wrapper. At least all three were until I decided to play Dragon Age: Origins. You see, it would have been a quick and dirty run-through of Batman (I’ve heard the story isn’t particularly long) if Mass Effect 2 wasn’t released less than 4 weeks away. Make no mistake, the Mass Effect sequel is taking well deserved priority in my schedule, and so I have to plan around that. Comprende?
This becomes tricky considering I stick to one game at a time. If a game has a story, which most do, I’ll see it through from start to finish without interruption from another game. I can break it up by playing something casual a la Trials HD or Battlefield 1943, but to swap between, say, Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 would kill me. This is why I need a schedule!
So here it is, my early 2010 gaming schedule. Does it really get any sadder than this?
- Whore Dragon Age: Origins from Christmas day through to the 29th of January, when Mass Effect 2 is released in Europe (Though it’s looking likely that DA:O may spill over a week or so).
- Whore Mass Effect 2 for however long it takes. Side quests, Achievements and exploration are mandatory, so it may take a while.
- Sulk while everyone plays Bioshock 2.
- Dedicate a couple of weeks to Bioshock’s sequel/prequel. I’ll have missed the release date anyway what with it being only a couple of weeks after Mass Effect 2.
- Get acquainted with Gotham City’s favourite superhero, Batman, in Arkham Asylum.
- Contemplate picking up Heavy Rain, but likely choosing Final Fantasy XIII instead and embarking on another massive story.
- Meanwhile, Left 4 Dead 2 and Lego Indiana Jones (Lego games are for fun, not story) will be taking a good beating whenever I can pull myself away from the very rich single player experience I have lined up.
Mass Effect 2 alone will take me through to February/March depending how much time I’ve given myself to game while I continue to work, so it won’t be a while until I get my hands on Bioshock. Truthfully, though, I’m used to this as I tend to prioritise RPG’s. I remember when the original Bioshock was released, it clashed with another big game of ‘07 — Blue Dragon. I opted for Blue Dragon and didn’t get around to Bioshock for a while. No harm done, however, if the game is worth it. And I can say with some degree of confidence that Mass Effect 2 will be.
On another note, Dragon Age: Origins is proving to be truly massive in terms of game time. Of course I wouldn’t have expected anything else from Bioware, and if my current experience is anything to go by, I can easily see myself getting addicted to it as the holiday festivites have died down and I can dedicate some serious time to it.
Do you plan what you’re going to play and when you’ll play it? Or do you pick everything up as it’s released and dip in and out whenever you feel like it?
After playing Dragon Age: Origins, Bioware’s latest Role Playing Game, for just under a month, I’m only 30% odd complete. There’s sex, there’s violence, there’s a question of morals, there’s a meaty story. With real-time gory combat and big swords, it’s what every action RPG fan wants, right?
Luc