What was the point in me ever signing up to Gamespot when I openly don't really play videogames. There are very few new ideas in the videogame world, and there is this sequel culture. This is not a bad thing, just very few games I really deserve a sequel. However, every so often a game comes along that really needs a sequel. Why? Because it was just so damn good the first time around. But then what happens, you spend your life waiting for the videogame sequel to finally see a release. It gets pushed back so regularly you lose hope. Well, on the horizon I can see a couple of videogame sequels that I really want to get my filthy hands on.

The first is : Red Dead Redemption.

I played Red Dead Revolver to death. Rockstar captured the violent cowboy life far better than its contemporaries (as displayed in the God awful 'Gun'). So now, 5 years later, a sequel is almost ready to drop. To say I am excited is an understatement. I am already setting aside time to watch the classic spaghetti westerns before the games release. I hope it reaches the lofty heights of the original, and looking at trailers, I'd say it should have no problem doing so.

The second is : Dead Rising 2

While it has only been 3 years or so since I was dropped into the Dawn of the Dead-Esq world of Dead Rising, I am excited for the bloody sequel. While it was a good story driven survival horror game, it also had a real freedom to it, that I loved. Ontop of that it has genuine replay value, something that is lost of many modern games. So I am equally excited for that sequel. I just hope it ups the carnage and its sense of humour.

The third is : Mafia 2

There have been plenty of sucky rip offs of the first Mafia game, see both Godfather titles, but none have seemed so realistically placed in its era as Mafia. Also it retained all of the atmosphere of a good gangster film, mixed with a really good story that sucks you in. Which is lacking in so many videogames. Also, it had a great ending. So I am really looking forward to this one too, even if it doesn't come out for some time yet.

And finally : Max Payne 3

Again, another brilliantly story driven franchise. Mixed with its noir sensibilities and awesome gameplay, not the mention the first and best to utilise bullet time, it is going to be difficult for this not to live up to expectations. Even if Max is bald this time around. Hurray for horrifically disturbing nightmare sequences.

Now for that other update you are all waiting on, yes that videogames bit was partially for suspense purposes. As most of you already know, or at least, as it would appear from the comments in my last blog, most of you know that I am indeed engaged. When did this happen you ask? Well, way back at Easter, when I took that break from here. That was one of the reasons I did that, I had to sort out some things and that was the main reason I left for a bit. As of yet, there is still no date, and there probably won't be for a while, what with the recession and all. As well as that, I have chosen to take a major risk and leave my job, and do teacher training this year. I have decided to put my degree to some use, and while I swore to myself when I was about 18 that I would never, ever, ever, go into teaching, I sort of... have... so there you go.

Oh and another less joyous update. Swine flu. It would appear I have contracted it. Although nowhere near as bad now as it was on Friday and Saturday, I am still quite ill. I have always been one for exaggerations, but I felt awful on Friday night. I mean, terrible. It is nothing my immune system couldn't overcome, but it was just nasty. Of course, it isn't that different to regular flu, but still, not nice.

Anyhoo, that is that. Stay posted for more.