What are you playing at the moment?

Last updated 12:11 09/09/2010

Mafia2blogIt's been a funny old week, this week, and it seems much later than Thursday. It is Thursday, right?

It's been a week of disruptions, jangled nerves, a fraught child and new surroundings (The Press building in Cathedral Square has been closed for another check), but I have managed to get some game time in this week, mainly making my way through 2K's Mafia 2, but I have also had a short time with Metroid Other M. I want to get them finished because, of course, Halo Reach is out next week.

The beauty of being a tech/gaming writer (officially, I work two days a week on tech stuff but I do a lot more than that) means as long as I have a computer and internet I'm generally good to go so I played Mafia 2 in the morning before doing some writing in the afternoon. I'm on to the second to last chapter, I think, down at the Empire Bay docks.

I'm enjoying the game's story but I feel that the latter parts of the game aren't as good as the early sections, with much of the final chapters filled with cliche-riddle dialogue and one mission almost played out like this: drive to a location, watch a cutscene, walk down an alleyway, watch a cutscene, leave the alley, watch a cutscene, escape foes and take part in a shootout, watch a cutscene, jump in a car and outrun the police, end mission, earn 40 Gamerscore points.

Mafia 2 is definitely a homage to mob movies such as Goodfellas and The Godfather and TV show The Sopranos. Perhaps even Scarface. Have you played it? What are your thoughts? I want to play some more Other M tonight, while Master Game Junkie has been enjoying Art Academy on the Nintendo DS.

I'm working getting The Press's Escape travel section together today, so I must dash, but what have you been playing lately? Anything else game-related is on your mind?

Want more Game Junkie? He's now on Twitter and Facebook.  Feel like emailing him? Try this.

57 comments
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Mbossa   #1   12:18 pm Sep 09 2010

I'm really really really really really looking forward to Civ 5.

mattrrix   #2   12:23 pm Sep 09 2010

I freakin love Mafia 2 The gameplay/music/missions are all awesome. I don't want to finish it! Had a similar feeling while playing God of War 3.

Mafia 2 is an awesome game.

Kamikaze   #3   12:24 pm Sep 09 2010

Re-running thru the always amazing Half Life 2. felt this extreme urge to Gordan Freeman up a storm. that and the usual WoW, and on occasion a cheeky bout on Tekken 6

Troy   #4   12:28 pm Sep 09 2010

Been revisiting Civilisation IV. Renewed interest with Civ V looming. One of my all time favourite franchises.

Also Bad Company 2.

My 5 year old has been playing Gratuitous Space Battles. Purchased on Steam for $4.99. I know I shouldn't be encouraging computer games but its hilarious watching him build the spaceships then try them out in battle.

TOny   #5   12:32 pm Sep 09 2010

Playing Angry Birds on the iphone, My other consoles are fine however my TV decided it wanted to meet the fish tank, they had a party in the middle of the living room so until the EQC finally get around to processing the more important claims, looks like im stuck with the iphone and an underpowered cheap laptop.

McFail   #6   12:36 pm Sep 09 2010

I've been too broke for new games lately! Have been thinking about starting Wow though.... hmmm we shall see. Mainly playing MW2 and a few random golden oldies.

What's been gaming related on my mind... where did Beastman ever get to? He was like the Bill Murray of your blog!

ChrisB   #7   12:39 pm Sep 09 2010

Still playing through Mafia II as I havnt devoted a lot of time to it. I really like it. I have no issues with the linear nature of the game at all, (I only really play through the story in the GTA games for the most part so it wasnt jarring for me here) great well told story nice graphics, and excellent audio. I will be picking up the DLC over the week or two.

DLC is really sucking in my time atm. I just bought Witch Hunt for Dragon Age, as its the final DLC I will be giving it a whirl and will complete my playthrough. The new DLC for Mass Effect 2 is also bought, downloaded and ready to roll as well. I havent played ME2 since I completed the main campaign for the 2nd time after the initial release. I now have 4 major DLCs and a bunch of minor ones for 1 more playthrough (3 is enough, not the 28 that 2 people have completed according to Bioware. link -> http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/111/1118657p1.html ) I'm actually pretty excited to try another run with a different class.

I will also be checking out Amnesia: The Dark Descent properly over the weekend. This is one seriously creepy game. Gave the demo a spin a few days ago and it really entertained and scared me. FPS horror game. No shooting just a simple point and click affair, but its quite pretty and REALLY affective. Its pretty cheap too $15USD on steam. I think everyone should at least check out the demo ( http://www.amnesiagame.com/#demo ).

Shay   #8   12:43 pm Sep 09 2010

I'm actually working my way through The Orange Box on PS3. I used to play FPSs on PC for years and I just couldn't be bothered trying to play a FPS with a control pad (since the Megadrive anyway). It just didn't seem like it was ever going to be as accurate as I could be with a KB and mouse due to the thousands upon thousands of hours of hours I had put in honing in on, and popping, heads at a great distances. I had all but written off FPSs on consoles based on this till I realised there was a whole genre I was missing out on because I was being lazy. I also can't be bothered with PC gaming as i used to put as much a PS3 cost or more into my machine every 9-12 months. I came across the Orange Box for $30 on Tuesday and figured, I may as well learn FPSs with a control pad using the HL2 engine. The next gen version of the engine I've spent more time playing than any other engine, and probably ever will.

requiem290   #9   12:43 pm Sep 09 2010

Yes it is thursday, bring on friday! Played a bit of portal while waiting for portal 2 to come out. Have you seen the new vids? Looks amazing! Also a bit of just cause 2 cause there is just a million things to do in that game =P

Lauren   #10   12:45 pm Sep 09 2010

Have'nt yet played Mafia 2, we will probably look into buying it soon to have a play. We have revived Borderlands as of late which is a really fun FPS RPG. And definatley getting Reach !!! Woohoo.. Can't wait


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