Entry Level 6 - "Why won't you come out to play?"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope yours started as well as mine! I felt like such crap. So crap, that Adam's company, Back to the Future 1, and a divinely huge cup of tea brought such happiness to my soul I welled up a little.

The great outdoors! Fresh air, green grass, the swaying of trees in the wind. The birds sing, people living their lives as they do. You can go biking, play football with your mates, run, or just walk your dog.You could visit the zoo, go to your local for a bit of gossip, or maybe go swimming in the local pool. The world has infinite activities for us at our very disposal, and in some cases for little in return... but sometimes you just do not care. You do not want to be outdoors. Maybe it is just a bit too cold, or too hot. You are tired. The couch is calling for you, and the kettle could be collecting dust. OnDemand has a plethora of shows that you could catch up on, or that DVD you bought is still wrapped up and really should be watched. Or maybe, there is this game that you knew was coming out today and you really wanted to just get involved.

Anyway, a few months ago came the release of Dead Rising 2. Set some time after the first game, you find yourself in the centre of another unfortunate outbreak of zombies. Thankfully, your character is called Chuck Green, a name that can only be given to the tough nuts of this world. Although it is a much larger map, it is still what I would consider a giant shopping centre, with casinos.

I was excited to say the least, as I thoroughly enjoyed the first game, and as the second was hitting PS3 I was actually going to still get to play it.

Now, I am sure that most of you do not do what I did that weekend. Few of you might, but most will probably not. I spent the best part of 20 hours that weekend playing that game. Sad you say? Yes. Am I ashamed of myself? Not in the slightest! I loved every second of it. What I love is that this will not be the last time I do this, in fact it was not. It does provoke thought though. I shall not admit I would have rather gone out drinking, because I would be lying. Being in the job I am in, living where I live, and having the lifestyle I have, I rarely have disposable cash, so video games are a natural past time that both entertains and costs nothing... if you already have the games.

It is not just the solo ventures I partake in though. Recently I bought Buzz: Quiz World. This game has given so many reasons to stay indoors some nights even the video and the link do not justify it. It is a lot of fun, although if you do not take losing very well, you either want to be careful with your answers and try to ignore the host, Buzz, when he keenly acknowledges all your shortcomings. Although it is highly amusing for the other players.

We actually turned it into a drinking game. Consumption is due should you get a answer incorrectly, and if at ANY point Buzz calls you by your in-game name, for positive or negative feedback. Very entertaining. The morning after I felt appalling. We did up the ante later on by taking our experience online, and adding a new rule wherein an additional drink is in order should ANYONE in the game get a question wrong. If you have Buzz, and you like a social beverage, then try it. Just make sure you have little plans for the next 24 hours.

Ultimately, staying indoors has been a rather popular choice over the last few months. Sometimes for alone time, sometimes because my bank grounded me, and sometimes because there was nothing outside that could contend with the idea of being in with the girlfriend. Nothing to do with the snow this year either, because I loved it. Shame so many others did not.

I am more than confident you will all be sad to hear that I will not be blogging next week. I shall be skiing in France for a week. Yes, I sense your sadness. So you will hear from me again in a couple of weeks. Between now and then, much love and do enjoy the first month of a hopefully promising year!

COMING 17/01/11: "Witness the Fitness"

If you have anything you wish to share with me or indeed the readers, feel free to comment or e-mail me at twentyfiveand0@hotmail.co.uk - Don't forget to check out the What Have I Been Playing pages found on the right! OR Check out my channel at www.youtube.com/ike1luv