I was so so SO excited about Firmware v2.40 for PS3. I was actually out of town last night and saw all of the posts here at midnight from people that were downloading it. I was jealous but survived thinking about how much fun I would have when I got back tonight.

Well, upon getting back to my house I rushed upstairs and turned on the PS3 and it said no new updates were required. That's when I got onto Gamespot and saw the big story of Sony pulling v2.40. I can't say I'm not very disappointed that I don't have it, and hopefully Sony will have this resolved and the update back up tonight or tomorrow .

To say the least, I'm very much excited about the trophy system and in-game XMB even if there aren't tons of games with trophies yet. But I still have faith in Sony. It sounds like a small problem that is turning into a panic.

Other than that, I couldn't resist going a week without picking up another game, so while I was out of town I couldn't resist the urge...

I purchased Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for PS3. I'm a really, really big Harry Potter fan, and despite the fact that the games commonly suck, I found it for $9.99 and simply couldn't resist. I mean, how bad can a game suck to make it not worth $9.99...(knocks on wood)

Anyways, how do you guys like v2.40? I hope to get it soon

Well I picked up Battlefield: Bad Company on Day 1 and I've got to say that I've had a lot of fun with it. I'll start out by saying of course that it's no COD4 of course...but it's still a great game in itself.

The single player campaign is enjoyable; the cast of characters in your squad keep things light and humorous. Unfortunately, the campaign is EXTREMELY linear, you move from boxed zone to boxed zone. However, it seems to flow smoothly and the destructible environments are a bonus. I'm actually almost done with the campaign (I think); it's not very long, I'm going to try to finish it up later tonight.

The multiplayer is also fun, albeit a bit frustrating. Once again, the destructible environments give a little bit of diversity, so that I don't feel like I'm playing COD4 all over again. The sounds in this game are awesome, and the maps feel like warzones a lot moreso than Call of Duty 4. The maps are a lot larger and there is a lot more open space as well.

On to the frustrating parts...I seem to die randomly a lot in multiplayer games. That is to say randomly and instantly. It's most of the time because of snipers, but it still can get rather annoying just HOW open the maps are. This isn't really a complaint about the game, just an aspect of the game I haven't particularly mastered yet. Vehicles are rather annoying in multiplayer action...I guess the main problem is that they are too difficult to disable. First of all, if you didn't pick the proper class when you spawned...you have little to no chance of taking down tanks. Even then, throwing grenades, using mortar calls or airstrikes still are time-consuming, risky and don't necessarily constitute a 1-hit kill on a tank. I just find vehicles a little too powerful, though I actually prefer not to use them myself.

Another problem I've been having is figuring out the weapon system and unlockables...
I have a favorite gun...except I can't use it on every map. I seem to get random weapons on each map despite the fact that I'm picking the same **** This makes me wonder...what are the purpose of me using credits to unlock new weapons? How do I use these new weapons in combat? I was hoping for some type of option to build my ****like in Call of Duty 4, but either it doesn't exist or I haven't gotten myself acquainted with the game enough yet...

But besides that, Battlefield: BC is a really fun game and one that I would recommend for any FPS fans that are looking for a break from COD4. ATM, I'd say it's a solid 8.5.

I picked up the The Darkness earlier today and haven't gotten very far yet but it seems pretty interesting. The whole hitman who has darkness within him concept seems pretty enticing.

From what I've noticed so far, it seems like a really laid back game as far as difficulty level goes. The opening sequence and main character are impressive and the look and feel of the environment is excellent. Whoever does the voice acting for the darkness does a great job of adding the right element of fear into the voice. Most obviously...the game is REALLY dark. Just the whole feel of the everything.

It's a great game and though I'm not very far at all in it, I will hopefully progress within the next few days.

-----------Other than that, I started my "chicken" playthrough on Metal Gear solid 4, but I haven't had much time to get very far in that either. Hopefully I will be able to change that as well. I also started a new campaign in Gears of War yesterday, but I only beat the first 2 missions so I have quite a ways to go still in that game. It's incredible and I don't know how I ever put that game down without beating it.

So tell me how you guys are doing?

Well, all of a sudden I find myself posting an extraordinarily high-number of blogs. Anyways---

I finally wrote my review of Metal Gear Solid 4; I actually think it's even more lengthy than my normal review. It's the first game I've given a 10 to in a very, very long time (World of Warcraft wasn't technically deserving...that was more of a fandom aspect, and it was closer to a 9.6, 9.7).

This game was just great in every way, and I can't hold off on giving out a 10 when I see a game that probably won't be outmatched for years to come. I figured it would be a scandal NOT to give MGS4 a 10. It has my vote for GOTY without question. GTAIV was great, just not LANDMARK. So please read it and recommend if you like it =D.

I am currently in subsequent playthroughs of MGS4, but also picked up quite an old game that I left unfinished - Tales of the Abyss. This is pretty sad because I actually loved the game, things just came up that prevented me from finishing it, and then I just put it down. Well I'm happy to say I'm back in the game and sailing smoothly. I'm about 2/3 of the way through I believe and plan on actually finishing it this time around.

In other news, Battlefield: Bad Company comes out tomorrow and I'm definately looking forward to it!

Not only did I fall in love with it because of all of the funny trailers, but me and a friend had decided a while back to get it. If nothing else, it will be temporary and welcome break from COD4 gameplay.

I was also thinking about picking up The Darkness for PS3, what with its price drop to $20, and its great reviews from Gamespot and several friends. Also, I was looking at Eternal Sonata for X360, with ITS recent price drop to $40. I definately won't get all 3 tomorrow, but hopefully in the near future.

Other than that, it's been a good week. I might be going to Nebraska this week to see family, which won't be that bad because I might be able to swing tickets to a few days of the Olympic Trials in Omaha. How are you guys doing? Like MGS4? Any other news?

I'm glad I waited until this morning to finish up MGS4, I would have been barely conscious by the end of the incredibly long and awesome chain of cutscenes. As I've already said, this game has made me a Metal Gear fan for life. It's not only the best game of this generation, but a landmark game in history.

The ending just kept pulling out twist after twist. Since I wasn't a Metal Gear aficionado coming into this game, I can't say I completely understood everything, but that's what subsequent playthroughs should help me clear up =D.

In short, GAME OF THE YEAR, GAME OF THE GENERATION.

I put my Lost Odyssey review up. I'll probably be reviewing Metal Gear Solid 4 soon too, but first...to start my second playthrough. But not after a little break from the intense ending cutscenes. Just thought I'd keep you guys up to date on my progress. What did you all think of the ending?

Wow. I didn't think Metal Gear Solid 4 could get any better. But the end of Act III is the coolest cutscene I've seen in a game in years...I'm just speechless. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't played it yet...just WOW. I've been trying to take my time with this game, but it's just so amazing. I can't believe I never played any of the older ones, I feel like I missed out on a second Final Fantasy series.

Anyways...I'm about to start Act 4, and I just can't imagine how this game can get any better . Other than that, I might actually write a review for Lost Odyssey, because it seems I never got around to doing that.

Just another update: I did put up my Lost Odyssey review. It seems like whenever i write 360 reviews I get negative results from people, ha.