Sequel Preparation

I’ve only played one video game series where I started in the middle and didn’t play the first game. No, wait, there are two: Assassin’s Creed and Uncharted. I’ve never played the first one of either of these games; it was the sequel that reeled me in. I’m about to embark on a third–Witcher 2–but I never really like doing that. I like to take everything all in together and experience the game as a whole. People tried to get me to skip the first Mass Effect game and go right to ME2, but I refused. Aside from the fact that I already owned the first game, I would have played it anyway as I had heard that the decisions you make from the first game carry into the second.

As I look at the schedule of game releases for 2012, I realize that I have a fair number of games on that list that are sequels to games I’ve never played before. Pretty much all of them are shooters since I only got into that genre near the end of 2010. I would also like to be the one who reviews these guides, as I’m fairly certain that’s going to be asked of me from Gaming Angels on the game review side anyway. As I take a look at the list, I see I have way too much catching up to do.

Halo 4 – November 6th

I never would have thought I would have liked Halo as much as I did, but there it is. Fellow staff reviewer Blake gave me Halo 2, 3, and 3:ODST for Christmas, so they’re at my disposal…I just have no idea how I’m going to fit in four more games–can’t forget Reach–before then. I’ll just have to pray that the games run as long as the typical FPS shooter or just reside to the fact that I’ll more than likely pass the guide review off to SGR’s resident Halo addict.

Assassin’s Creed III – October 30th

Assassin’s Creed Revelations sits there, literally taunting me. I just need the motivation to freaking play it. I guess I’m tired of playing as Ezio, and well, the story for ACR is extremely convoluted, even for an AC game.

BioShock Infinite – October 16th

I have never played the first BioShock game. I have also been able to shield myself thus far of any spoilers about the game (I really do have a talent for media blackouts, I have to say). I want to play the first game. I know I don’t have to in order to play the sequel–at least, that’s what I gather–but I still want to be wholly enlightened before I get into BI.

And before you ask, no, I will not play BioShock 2.

Borderlands 2 – September 18th

Ever since I opened up my genre-base to shooters, I’ve been told by dozens of people that I need to play Borderlands. They say the story is crap, but hey, the game is fun. I’m a story gamer, but I’ve been known to like a game for the gameplay despite the story–Final Fantasy XIII-2. If it’s a crap-ton of fun, I can let a bad story slide, and I’ve heard that Borderlands is a crap-ton of fun.

Resistance: Burning Skies – May 29th

This is simply downright unrealistic. I’d have to play Resistance 2  and 3 within a month, and I need that month for The Witcher 2. I haven’t heard if there will be a guide for this Vita title or not, but I have to admit that I’m hoping there will not be. I’m also going to have to hope that GA doesn’t send me a review copy. Then I’ll be able to get to it after I fulfill my little utopian dreams.

It’s official. I really am going to need a clone. And a vacation with my Xbox and PS3.