"in a more logical position for Western gamers (who associate the bottom button as the "main" one)."

"One of the worst things about controversies like this is that they cast aside something truly important: Is this a good game?"

I think the thing that made me most attached to my horse was that I discovered it in the wild, roped it, tamed it, and it became my companion. I think that made a huge difference for me versus buying the deed.

@Neige: It definitely isn't too "single person" but there usually needs to be someone to, at the minimum, have the final say, even when a team has a lot of input and influence. Otherwise there can be a lot of creative head-butting, there is no avoiding it no matter how civil and diplomatic people are, you need the…

@Brian Michael Stempien: From what I gathered they were comparing how in ME1 the character was shaped by player action, and ME2 it was a predetermined character and that frustrated them. That's what I gathered at least.

@Neige: Possibly. But sometimes a creative individual will change things in a way that suits their personal tastes only to find out later it didn't match the expectations the original fans had. (mario sunshine, star wars prequels, possibly more...)

@Brian Michael Stempien: I can't claim to know much, if anything, about the ME franchise. I am really taking Sumadas' word for it in terms of their personal taste, but integrating a more potentially commonplace thing CAN be bad if it contradicts the core elements of the original, and I am assuming this is the angle…

I really liked Sumadas comment. Sometimes developers forget that their game IS good and they don't have to copy everything out there. And sometimes this pressure comes from up top.

I think I will pay. $7 isn't too bad to extend the gameplay for me, and some more achievements.

Is that a Playmobile DS game? WTF?

I think the new Samus by far looks the best. I was really unaware of most of these commercials.

I am sure I am not alone, but this doesn't dash my hopes or ruin my expectations. From what I am reading it is exactly what I want, and I am looking forward to it.

My biggest let down was Dirt 2. I am a HUGE Rallisport 2 fan, and had tons of fun playing it online. I enjoyed Dirt, and got to play Dirt 2 on the E3 floor and chat with the lead designer. When I heard it would have online support I knew it was a first day buy for me. But the feel of the game just wasn't the same…

@Asdru: That's the first I am hearing about this.

@TheOvermatt: The appeal of the Coen Brothers is a few different things. They generally do two styles of film, crime/suspense/drama and comedy. Some directors are better with acting (Branagh), some action (Bay), or pretty visuals (Shyamalan), but these guys can wrap it into one cohesive package.

So glad you put Miller's Crossing on there. Such a good film. Everyone needs to see it.

[www.colbertnation.com]

Wow, this is the first time I have seen anything this in-depth about the game and I am really interested in playing it now (where have I been?). Thanks for writing this up Stephen, I am sold.

David, I got no problem with the loose lines of the characters, but man those colors could be so much stronger. You gotta look into using some temperature in there.

@HK-47: Well put. If yours was on the page before I started writing mine I may not have said anything at all. :)