Not being able to buy new games has some advantages. Saves you money. And...that's about it.

Oh wait! Another one is that you can focus on playing all those games you picked up through the course of the weeks/months/years. The games that you played for about an hour and then tossed away as you teared up the shrinkwrap of the next new game. At least that's how it worked for me. I have what you would call a short attention span.

Being able to focus on playing one game to completion feels like a novelty. Makes you appreciate the details. Good lighting, assy textures, uninspired AI, compelling level design. Everything good and bad blossoms like fresh flowers opening next to erupting, foetid carcasses rotting in the sun.

Finished Metal Gear Solid 4. A game that excels on a technical level, with outstanding presentation but with a message that seems to drown in his creator's verbosity. Its well crafted gameplay and level design allows for lots of replay value. Unfortunately, time is of the essence right now.

Finished BioShock. A very agile shooter, fast paced and with a number of things to do other than just shooting stuff. Weirdly, I never focused that much in plasmids, and relied more in common firepower. My loss I guess. Still an enjoyable ride, even if the ending itself felt rushed. Maybe that's the effect of Kojima's neverending..endings.

Currently playing Half Life 2. Impressive. Its visuals hold their own even by today's standards. Or maybe I am easily pleased. Some of the vistas are breathtaking. This game has showed me that I am a bit of an acrophobic. My palms got all sweaty when crossing the bridge on Highway 17 for the first time. I can't recall that happening to me while playing in a looong time. Its design and pacing are otherwordly. Even through desolate streets or barren fields, the game constantly throws new things at you, keeping on your toes, amazing you with small details. I am, as we speak, playing through the Sandtraps, trying to reach Nova Prospekt. Wish me luck.