Up late talking games & writing? You're...

Apologies for the irregular updates lately.

Although I haven't mentioned it often here at the blog, my oldest son has been spending the summer with us, and whenever he's here, I notice that my productivity drops a little bit. Despite my best intentions of keeping on schedule and maintaining all of my obligations (self-imposed and otherwise) it's hard to avoid slipping behind on a few things and as much as I hate to admit it, the blog is usually one of the first things to be put on hold when free time is at a premium.

Anyway, I didn't want another day go by without posting at least a little something, so I better get to it...


Games: I'm currently playing From Dust, and I recently finished Bastion, both on XBLA.

From Dust

From Dust is still under embargo so I can't really say a lot about it other than the fact that I'm playing it, which I am. I've got the review half-written already, though, so my coverage should be up fairly soon after the embargo lifts.

Bastion was a much more difficult game to come to a conclusion on.

I had intended to have my review up on the day of release, but I kept going over and over it and wondering if I had the right angle. It's not often that I'm really torn on a final decision, but I will admit that this one had me in a bit of a tizzy.

Bastion

In fact, I almost wanted to write two separate, concurrent reviews for it -- and if I had more time, I might be tempted to go back and do just that. However, I've already got three other things on my plate and I feel like the review I finally submitted did a good job of encapsulating my feelings.

Can't say I'm really looking forward to the comments, though...


Podcast: Fans of the GameCritics Podcast will be happy to know that we finally ended our long (and relatively unplanned) hiatus to record a chunky new installment.

PODCAST

It hasn't completed the editing process yet, but it will be up relatively soon. Topics include Ms.’Splosion Man, Bastion, Lost Odyssey, LA Noire, Transformers 3 and Black Death (films) and a few other random bits, including two surprise guests. Look for it soon.