Publisher: Beatnik Games
Developer: Beatnik Games
System requirements: Windows XP, 2 GHz or better CPU, 1 GB RAM, graphics card with Shader Model 2 support, sound card, DirectX 9, 300 MB hard-drive space
Genre: Action
Release date: Available now

The first thing that comes to mind when playing Plain Sight is Super Mario Galaxy meets third-person action game. You are a robot, running and jumping around small planetoids or structures floating in space, trying to kill other robots. I forgot to mention that they’re not just robots. They’re robot ninjas! Yes, robot ninjas with katanas. Plain Sight from Beatnik Games uses this unique combination to produce an action game for the PC.

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Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Developer: Handmade Game
Genre: Puzzle
Release date: Available now

The sliding-tile puzzle is something that most people know, but in case you have no idea what I am talking about, maybe this will jog your memory: it’s small, made of plastic and has 15 sliding squares. There’s an empty slot that allows you to rearrange the squares to complete the puzzle. Hudson Entertainment has a put an unusual spin on this child’s birthday party goody-bag staple with Rooms: the Main Building for the Nintendo DS and the Wii.

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The last day of E3 finally came and went. The whole experience created many unforgettable memories, although some memories I wish I could forget. The two most enjoyable experiences came on the last day. My hands-on times with the Nintendo 3DS and The Old Republic where truly breathtaking.

Ever since the Nintendo press conference, the 3DS has been at the top of my list to see. Unfortunately, the lines to see it wrapped all the way around booth, but we eventually got smart and used our media badge power to make an appointment for the last day. We when arrived, we were immediately brought to the back VIP entrance. Picking up the device, I started giggling like a school girl as my eyes focused on the screen. They were not lying to us at the press conference! The 3D screen that does not require 3D glasses is really 3D and looks extraordinary. Is there anything better than that? I managed to get a sneak peek at the upcoming Resident Evil, and if you’re a fan of the series, be prepared to buy a 3DS.

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Having the opportunity to attend E3 is something I never thought would happen to me. I love video games and being part of an event like this is just amazing. So once it was official that I was registered and had received my confirmation it was like a high-kick of happiness to the face. When I then learned that I would be attending the event with assistant editor, Michael Smith (my roomie for the week), and the Avault Podcasters, Mark, Billy and Chris, I was totally stoked that we’d all finally get to meet in person.

When I arrived in Los Angles and met up with the Avault Podcasters, we quickly said our hellos and nice to meet yous, and then shot off to Monday’s press preview events. We grabbed some lunch at the famous taco truck, and I have to say they are some of the best tacos I have ever had in my life! Everyone that went to the Microsoft Press conference on Monday received a new Xbox 360 Slim (yeah!), but we didn’t get invited to that one (boo!). Our day was still full, however, as we did attend the EA press event, the Ubisoft press event, and the Activision press event/party/rock concert (which was %^&*ing insane)!

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Publisher: Game Equation
Developer: Game Equation
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista, 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon XP 1500+ or better CPU, 512 MB RAM, 80 MB hard-drive space, DirectX-compatible graphics and sound cards, DirectX 9.0
Genre: Puzzle
Release date: Available now

Why is it not match-two or match-four puzzle games? The answer is simple. Two is too small and four is too big. Three is the magic number for matching blocks in a match-three puzzle game. Of course, if you get more than four you are an overachiever and are rewarded. Deep Blue Sea 2 from The Game Equation is a new game in the fun match-three genre, but does it have what it takes to stand out among other well known puzzlers such as Puzzle Quest?

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Who can say what the next great professional Major League Gaming team will be? I’m not sure, but I know a team with the heart and drive to be one: Law & Order. “Aiming high” is their team’s goal, according to one of its members. Their next event is in Columbus, Ohio. Having only been together for a short time compared to other teams, they still managed to finish 2-2 in the MLG Chicago Combine this year. Law & Order agreed that one of the main reasons they didn’t go further and get more wins was their not being able to get a coach in time for the combine. They assured me that Adrian Maigault (Poison313) is going to be their coach for the next event.

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Publisher: 2K Sports
Developer: 2K Sports
Genre: Sports Sim
Release date: Available now

With the start of a new baseball season comes a lot of great things. High hopes for your favorite team to do well, or sometimes friendly trash talking between you and others whose favorite team is a rival of yours. It also brings us a new sports game for the season. First I want you to sit back and recall your best video-game memories. Somewhere near the top of the list is likely a moment featuring a friend and a sports game. The reason: sports games offer the opportunity to face off with friends in a one-on-one battle; it’s like a fist fight without throwing fists. Let us take a look 2K Sports’ Major League Baseball 2K10 to see if it can make the final out to get the win.

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Publisher: Triple Hippo
Developer: Triple Hippo
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista, 1.0 GHz CPU, 128 MB RAM, DirectX 9.0, 193 MB hard-drive space
Genre: Puzzle
Release date: Available now

My only experience with Tarot cards was when my family and I went to New Orleans a few years back. We were walking in the French Quarter and saw a woman with a sign advertising Tarot card readings, so we gave it a try. The lady flipped over cards and interpreted them, saying how rich I was going to be after I bought some land, so I bought a tract when I got home (kidding). I don’t believe in that stuff, but Tarot cards are widely used as entertainment or a way for people to explain the unknown. Developer Triple Hippo brings us a Tarot-themed hidden-object puzzle game, The Tarot’s Misfortune.

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Publisher: Aspyr
Developer: Big Blue Bubble
Genre: Action RPG
Release date: Available now

I had no idea of the history behind Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain when I first started playing it. FF is a first-person action RPG for the Nintendo DS that comes from a long history of game books written in a “choose your own adventure” style. Does it have enough to be a great video game for the DS?

Your adventure begins when you step off a boat onto the docks at a town called Stonebridge. You’ve heard of the legendary keep of Firetop Mountain, and you’re in search of the treasure it might hold. Many before you have tried to find it, but have not returned. There is a legend of a Warlock named Zagor who controls the area along with his minions; they stand between you and the treasure.

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Recently I had the opportunity to play a co-op mission in Ubisoft’s upcoming game Splinter Cell: Conviction at a local Gamestop store. I fail on some level because I have never played any of the previous Splinter Cell games, but some of my buddies have told me how much fun they are to play.

I arrived a little before the event started and queued up with the other eager gamers. We were given a free Splinter Cell: Conviction winter hat when the doors opened; it’s always nice to get something for free. A crowd of gamers gathered around the center of the store. Giant screens were set up for people to watch while they waited their turns. A friendly Ubisoft representative was there to help the noobs with the controls, explain the game and talk gaming in general. Gamestop offered prize raffles, free pizza, and of course the friendly environment of fellow gamers. I waited in line and chatted with other players until it was my turn.

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It all started when I finished a ranked MLB 2K10 match. After each match you are given the option to give feedback of the player you just played. I preferred the player that I just played because he was a good player. Of course, the person I played against won. They scored four runs and I only scored one (I am very bad at batting). I then became curious. What was my Xbox 360 gamer rep? I checked it and saw something that surprised me. 88% of players preferred me and 22% did not. 100% of the 22% said I was unsporting. The sad thing is that it kind of mad me upset. What game did I play, and how did I play it to make someone take their time to say I was unsporting? Out of the many things I do on Xbox Live unsporting falls last on the list.

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Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Genre: Action Adventure
Release date: Available now

Imagine that you are attending a public event during the Renaissance where a city official is speaking. The crowd listens to him ramble on about the future of the city and the great things he is planning. In mid sentence, an assassin jumps down from the rooftops and slips a blade right into the official’s heart. The crowd panics and guards scramble. Your heart drops as the assassin scales a building out of sight in a matter of seconds. Assassin’s Creed II puts you in the shoes of that very assassin in an innovative and interesting way.

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Publisher: Soldak Entertainment
Developer: Soldak Entertainment
System requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista or Mac OS 10.4; 1.5 GHz Pentium IV (or AMD equivalent); 256MB RAM; 3D graphics card; 200MB of hard-drive space
Genre: Action RPG
Release date: Q1 2010

Wandering into a dark, dangerous dungeon might not always sound like the best idea. You get some crazy thoughts in your head when you’re at the dungeon entrance. Because you might never come back alive, you kick yourself for not talking to that hottie at the tavern last night. You tap your pouch a couple of times to remind yourself of the expensive health potions you purchased. You grip your short sword tighter because you thought the long sword cost too much. You feel the cold breeze through your cloth armor and curse at the monopoly prices the armorsmith charged back in town. Din’s Curse from Soldak Entertainment brings us another interesting dungeon-crawling action adventure RPG for the PC.

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Publisher: Phoenix New Media
Developer: Triple Hippo
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista or Mac Tiger, 1.0 GHz CPU, 128 MB RAM, DirectX 9.0, 193 MB hard-drive space
Genre: Hidden Object Puzzle
Release date: February 19, 2010

One of our greatest fears is the unknown. We sometimes do crazy things to get some knowledge of things yet to come. Whether you believe in tarot cards or not, they are one of the best-known tools to help people in their quest to see what the future brings. The Tarot’s Misfortune is a hidden-object puzzle game from Phoenix New Media with an interesting take on tarot cards in games.

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Publisher: NHN games
Developer: Redduck
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista/Win 7, 2.4 GHz Pentium IV CPU or better, 1 GB RAM, 128 MB Nvidia GeForce 6600 or Radeon X600 graphics card with Shader Model 2.0 support, 1.6 GB hard-drive space
Genre: FPS
Release date: Available now

There’s one thing that comes to mind when I think about computer games: first-person shooters. I’ve come to accept the console controller as an acceptable FPS device, but nothing can compare to a mouse and keyboard. NHN Games’ Alliance of Valiant Arms adds to the vast library of FPSs available for the PC.

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