GameInformer

I would like to say first that I don't consider myself in most ways a gaming enthusiast nor am I as old as the topic subject may make me out to be. I play video games because they are exactly that. Games. They are fun, sometimes stress-relieving activities that take up a small part of my life. I would like to also add that I also do not spend the hours at a time playing video games as I did once during adolescence. Avidly seeking out the next big game, doing odd jobs and favors to earn enough money to purchase it and "geek" all over it. No offense to you nerds I have also "nerd-ed" over video game paraphernalia as well.

Now, I venture to reason why I turned out this way is simple. That after years of getting deep into the waters of the industry I suddenly emerged in shallow corners. With new games being released year round like clockwork, I found myself suddenly intensively scrutinizing each game. By my own score sheet I "graded" them in common terms of play, visuals, interactivity, sound, also by utilizing outside sources such as The Escapist for both professional and peer review> However, each game was ultimately faced with the question: Will I play this over and over in the years to come?

Many games I was interested in, either purchased or rented failed to overcome this final hurdle and now sit on some shelf somewhere collecting dust (or incinerated for laughs*). Even games reported to have good or high "re-play value" found itself among the rabble. Some never even made it home. Now, gems as they are and exciting as the were to play I couldn't get over the fact that the game had been beaten. Over with. Done to death. It became that when I hit that 100 per cent, or just even completing every story available, the brilliance of the game was lost. The impact it made on my life was severely cut down as quickly as it built up. [b] [Note: Upon a final proofreading I found there is a bit of miscommunication. At the end of this post I mention that I do not own a PS3 and I will iterate here that I cannot speak for games released only on the PS3 or on other gaming platforms I do not or have not owned. I want to own up to the fact that this expression solely regards the games I have been able to play.][/b]

Incredibly, despite this (by my own admission) trend of disappointment there have been games that have stood their ground against time. More so I find myself thoroughly engrossed in their lore. Whenever news pertaining to one such game I am instantly compelled to find/read/comment/rave/rant/etc. over it. Positively gush over it. Not including my game purchases this year (damn that Potato Sack) it had been quite some time since I had taken any interest in expanding my library of games. I grew content with revamps of old games, heck even playing those old games of mine that I treasured so much.

Today, I passed by a magazine rack and instinctively moving past the Gossip rags zeroed in on PlayStation Magazine's latest publication. I'll be honest what attracted me to it was the idea that I may find a good PSP game to kill my break hours with. Although my intent of purchasing the magazine (Issue 046 June 2011) I did read through it and if the topic subject gives any clue as to where I'm going with this, the Tomb Raider reboot article sparked something inside me. Granted, it [i]is[/i] the feature article but the feeling of discovering something that is hidden in plain sight is indescribable.

I wanted to know more. Inspirations for the design. Concept art leaked to the public? Most importantly, when is it being released? I am perfectly shocked myself. Not since Pokémon FireRed for the GameBoy Advance was I so (excuse me) fired up about a game! What else could I do but everything I can to get as much knowledge as I could? Game play that I haven't experienced as story that can entrance me and renew the enthusiasm I had for this sort of adventure game (let's face it, the first Tomb Raider game was incredible). Games which received a plethora of outstanding reviews and criticisms have come and gone but this is different. It feels like a re-awakening. I may finally understand the feeling many players have for their favorite games and their respective series (Duke Nukem: Forever comes to mind for a more current reference). I WANT TO PLAY THIS GAME. There is nothing more and no other feeling other than that.

As I stated above, I don't own a PlayStation 3 but I WILL buy one. Soon. I must! Why? You may be more familiar with the reason then I can say here. The feeling that this may well be the best thing in gaming that you've come across yet, and you don't want anything to ruin it. Thank you for reading.

*DO NOT DO THIS.

The are only a few things that a person calling himself a gamer could truly say he regrets. Most of those include choosing a different character class, going down another path, or which items to drop during a quest. In my humble opinion, the most difficult decision to make is whether or not to delete a previous save file in order to make room for a new game.

*Halo 3 and I, for all you grammar police.