Finished Halo Reach last night. While I can understand some of the haterade people have spouted about the ending…especially in regards to a lack of continuity with the books…it was an excellent game. Multi-player, like always is off the hook. The campaign was an excellent end (beginning?) to the greatest franchise in video game history. Thanks Bungie for all the memories. #whatsnext343

There are numerous basketball gaming fans out there and among true gamers who also happen to be true fans of NBA basketball; the EA Sports NBA Live line had fallen many steps behind its rival counterpart in the 2K series.  I have always been a Live proponent, though the last few years I can admit that my loyalty was due to comfort and stubbornness.  However, with Live 10 I may be able to ascribe my loyalty to quality once again.

Live 10 is a big upgrade in terms of game play over Live 08 and Live 09.  There are significant changes in the way game play feels and long time Live players will go through an adjustment period becoming accustomed to the new controls and feel.  Everything new is not always better and that is the case in some instances with Live.  I prefer having two buttons to control jump shots vs. dunk/layup attempts; and ball handling even with good ball handlers is much more precarious in the 10 version (almost any attempt to reverse dribble/spin will result in a turnover).  However, generally speaking Live 10 is a tremendous improvement over its predecessors and game play is much more realistic than it ever was before.

One of the biggest game play improvements is in the utilization of off the ball movement and offensive flow.  In previous Live versions it was easy to be rewarded for ignoring any semblance of organization and simply charging forward and shooting with your best player.  In the Live 10 version you are rewarded for utilizing simple sets on offense and you can see plays developing and the defense adjusting to cover your players off the ball.  For example, if you want to simply isolate your best player and let him shoot every time; it would be much more beneficial to call an isolation play or a down screen that allows him to work free on the wing before attacking.  Simply charging into the defense with no plan creates results more in line with what would happen in real life.  Sometimes the great players will simply “out talent” the competition, but more often than not the defense will be able to stop 1 on 5 forays to the basket and isolated attempts to score.  This development gives advantages to gamers who have a basic understanding of basketball and it will also build basketball understanding in those who “play the game” but don’t “play the game.”

Overall, I think that Live 10 is a hit and EA Sports finally has put a competitive product out there that NBA enthusiasts can be proud to enjoy.  Of course we all know what Charles Barkley says about opinions so if you have a different one then that is fine.  However, my basketball experience has led me to believe that often times talent equals enjoyment.  So if you have an opinion that Live 10 is not as enjoyable as I think it is then that may simply be because I am better at it than you.  It is also a very distinct possibility that even if you do agree with my evaluation of Live 10’s enjoyability I am still better at it than you.  If you disagree with that assessment then feel free to bring your “A game” in our NBA Live tournament (more details to follow) .  I will be available to convince anyone who needs convincing that my opinion is the right one.

So bring it on!  And remember: Don’t play, Compete!

A buddy of mine hipped me to this XBLA gem, Age of Booty. No, its not porn… its a pirate-themed action strategy game. Let me tell you, the graphics are clean, the game play is easy to learn…but the strategy is FIERCE! The last couple of nights I have been up late playing this game. I even found a couple of regular teammates in that short time as well.

Let me tell you… I can’t think of another game that has been so much fun, while also being appealing to almost any demographic. I’ve shown this game to hard-core strategy fiends, casual gamers, and even a couple of people that are controller-phobic. Not once did people struggle with the game, not once did they not get engrossed in the game.

Buy this game. Now. And then kiss a couple of hours goodbye.

BTW: I’m not the only one drinking the kool-aid:  Xbox.com Giantbomb.com Gamespot.com

OR…you can also read all the awards Age of Booty has won on their press page.