I admit that I have a tendency to be a little afraid of trying a new game. If I have a finished game that has additional opportunities for gameplay, such as extra endings, Achievements/Trophies I could get, co-op multiplayer, or additional sidequests, I’m far more likely to tinker around with that than I am to pick up something new in my stack of shame.

Case in point, I played a lot of Final Fantasy XIII-2 this past week. I wanted to see all of the Paradox Endings, and since most were unattainable until after you finish, I had plenty of other things to do to avoid playing something else. To help delay my decision, I asked for people to vote on what I play next. I gave a whole week for voting so I could continue avoiding what I needed to pay attention to next. During that time, I went after a few Trophies and unlocked all of the Paradox Endings (except for the secret ending to the game, because I have to get all 160 Fragments first, which I can guarantee will not happen). There are a few other trophies I want as well, so you can take a guess as to what I’ll keep doing during my lunch hour until I’ve run out of excuses.

In addition, I picked up Mass Effect 2 once again. I started a new Shepard a few weeks ago, before Mass Effect 3 released, just so I could see the differences in the game if you don’t import a Shepard. I also wanted a playthrough where I didn’t focus on being a Paragon or a Renegade. I will say one thing…it is more fun when you don’t care. On the other hand, I didn’t get the full satisfaction of what I wanted with this new Shepard. Get ready for something really girly in 3…2…1…

I assumed that by not importing a Shepard into ME2 and by selecting a female Shepard, it would mean that the Shepard the game creates is one who romanced Kaidan in the first game. They made so many other decisions on behalf of this non-import so it’s not completely off-base to assume they made a romance decision as well. I was wrong. When I met Kaidan at Horizon, he greeted me with a handshake, not a hug. He didn’t say that Shepard was someone he loved. Shepard also did not get a breakup email after the meeting. So much for my plan for creating a playthrough where Shepard stayed loyal to Kaidan. I guess if I want that, I’ll have to replay my original Shepard in ME2 or play another round of ME1. Either way, it looks like I’ll have many more Mass Effect playthroughs in my future to annoy my husband, friends, and readers with. I’d apologize in advance, but I’m not that sorry.

But all that said, it really is time for me to get some reviews out. I have guides to get to, and there is no time like the present to catch up on games. Kingdoms of Amalur won the voting and subsequent drawing, so I will be focusing on that this week (outside of lunch hour) and I’ve gotten into an Assassin’s Creed Revelations buddy-pact with my friend Ross. Can’t hide behind my blanket of fear much longer. It’s time to forge ahead to something new.