Review In Progress: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition for Xbox 360

Why hello there.  The Witcher 2 hits stores today and I have been busy delving into it's dark and rich world.  It's been a good time indeed so far and I want to squelch the fears of any RPG lover by saying they will not be disappointed.  Also, I want to thank CD Projekt Red for generously sending me a copy, so I can share my two cents with everyone.  Mad, mad thanks again!  So, keep your eyes freshly peeled and be looking for the review real soon!  In the meantime, don't wait for me, go treat yourself and pick this epic saga up!

Latest Issue of Game Informer Gives The Witcher 2 a 9.5

The latest issue of Game Informer just arrived in my mailbox today and I was very giddy to see the review of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition for the Xbox 360.  It garnered a 9.5, with high praise and exaltation.  I've been slightly concerned with the porting of the engine from PC to Xbox 360, but according to Game Informer, it looks to be one of the most gorgeous games on Xbox 360 and is expertly optimized for console: graphics, menus and all.  Glad to hear this, because I always fear cumbersome inventory slothfulness and graphical 8fps slide shows with RPG's on ported titles to consoles.  (I hate scrolling on a those controllers too, yuck.)  As far as the graphics, I know it's not going to be as breathtaking as the PC, but I have been pretty blown away by the depth of detail in all of the media flourishing about.  Gameplay was also highly touted, sporting smooth animations you'll command through a cleverly integrated control layout.  Though, what I am most excited about is the story.  The narrative in this game looks to rival Mass Effect and Uncharted.  The pacing looks so organically implemented, I can't wait!  I am a sucker for dark, complex characters that have to deal with circumstances actually having weight and substance, amongst dealing copious amounts of death in a stylistic, fantastical fashion.  I love characters that are far from perfect and have evident flaws that you'll have to make them deal with.  It's all part of the experience that makes it that much deeper and believable.  This game looks to be all about that.  It doesn't hurt that Geralt is just a bad ass.  I mean crap, he's got reptilian slit pupils.  Look for it in stores next Tuesday, April 17th in both Standard and Dark Editions.

The Diabolical Third on the First?!

What hath mine eyes told me?  Doth they deceive?  This overcast, dreary Sunday morning, I just saw a post on Joystiq showing a promo poster of Diablo 3 in a Best Buy with a counter that ticks down to......hold it......February 1st.  Whoaseph.  I knew that Blizzard said early 2012, but for some reason or maybe due to the track record of Blizzard, I was thinking that meant November.  Now, either this news is actually legitimate or some Best Buy sap just got a metaphoric back hand to the face by being shown the front door.  There have been several updates to the post on Joystiq reporting the UK to be doing the same poster for February 3rd.  The picture was taken and uploaded by user "sasquatchxing" on the ShackNews forums. Regardless if anything is relevant, this news is excitingly striking my heart-strings.

I went ahead a month or two ago and pre-ordered the Collector's Edition from Gamestop.  For not that much more, the extra content justified the purchase for me.  I am a huge geek when it comes to soundtracks.  I always had an admiration for scores and love to dissect and listen to them in their entirety.  (Currently received the Skyrim 4-disc set and thoroughly enjoying it.)  I am also a sucker for art books (which Blizzard's are highly exalted) and the Diablo skull looks like a nifty little paper weight that I can possibly turn into a necklace and get my ass kicked on the streets.  Be sure to check out all of the contents here.

Did I mention I'll be playing on my Mac?  Something Blizzard consistently does right is add support for Windows and OSX right out of the box.  By jove, what a concept!  Gee, I wonder who else could learn something from them?  Many think there are few of us, but we Mac players do indeed exist, so thank you Blizzard.

What's your speculation?  You think it really could be February 1st?  What class will you be rolling first?  Female Demon Hunter for me.  Chicks with guns who kick all sorts of ass and have badittude, I am there yesterday.  All I know is I can't wait for this game!  Let us know in the comments!