Sean Connery: We're playing that most American of games.
Wesley Snipes: Which is what?
Sean Connery: Catch-up.

-Rising Sun (1993)

I had this big, long journal post written that described what I’ve been up to the last few months.  It was long, sappy and stupid.  I hated it.  It did tie in nicely with the quote above, but that’s not a good enough reason to post it.  So here, in one sentence, is the short form of “Playing Catch-Up”:

Eight weeks ago I quit my job.

Ok, you’re all caught up.

So you ask, now that I'm an unemployed bum what am I doing with myself?

Glad you asked. I've been playing a ton of games. Specifically, the Xbox 360 games that I picked up during the year in the never-ending pursuit of achievement points.

In the first ten months of the year, when I was a useful member of society, I’d finished one game and had a Gamerscore of 3020. But in the weeks since becoming a useless drag on the free-world economy, I've finished 2 games more and increased my Gamerscore by 2130 points to 5150.

What I've played recently:

Enchanted Arms (1000 pts): If you're looking for a guaranteed 1000 achievement points, look no further. This game isn't going to win any game of the year awards, but it's not going to win any dubious honors either. The characters are mostly likeable, and the story, while not riveting, does show a sense of humor in spots. Good, mindless entertainment, but only if you can sit through the 40+ hour story. If you don't like JRPG's - avoid at all costs.

Call of Duty 3 (10 pts): This may win my award for most disappointing game of 2006. I managed to get through the first chapter, but the annoying as hell "story" and stupid hand-to-hand combat mini-game had me hitting the eject button. Someday, I'll play through the campaign, but not until COD2 is a distant memory.

G.R.A.W. (25 pts): Well, the training mission is OK. But this game still hasn't grabbed me. Maybe I’ll try again after I play through COD3.

Hardwood Backgammon (40 pts): OK, I wanted the points. 'nuff said?

LUMINES LIVE! (20 pts): Love the PSP version.

Burnout Revenge (35 pts): Good game. Better with EA Trax turned off. I played this one through on the original Xbox, and maybe I'll play it through again if I decide I must have the achievement points, but I doubt it. Bri loves this game, but after watching her play it for hours on end, there’s nothing here that makes me want to see it again for myself.

Texas Hold'em (45 pts): I didn't believe it when I read you could win every hand at the lowest difficulty setting just by betting like a lunatic. It's true. You can. Moving on.

Rockstar Table Tennis (130 pts): Toughest single player game I've played this year. I'd like it better if the difficulty ramped up slower, but that’s just nit-picking. Great game! Now, if we could just get the guys who code for Madden to get this same focus on doing one thing really, really well.

Top Spin 2 (25 pts): This game is good when the view is immediately behind your character and totally broken when you’re controlling your character from the opposite side of the court. Who thought that was a good control scheme? Pass.

DEAD OR ALIVE 4 (20 pts): Sorry Greg, I just don't get this game. But the crowd I hang with does enjoy the “big, well-rounded cast of characters”.

Oblivion (730 pts): The other game I "finished". Yeah, right. After 132 hours and over 1000 save game files, I did get all the points. I'm still nowhere near finished. This is my personal choice for game of the year.

Test Drive Unlimited (30 pts): I've only just started this game. I like what I’ve seen so far. The cars are tough to control.

Gears of War (20 pts): Bri finally got tired of playing this, so now it's my turn. I'll play through the campaign twice and then never pick it up again - ever. Not that I’m not enjoying it – I am. The dialog between the characters is very funny in spots, but I dislike the games third person view - moving Marcus around feels like driving a big truck backwards at high speed.  And how about a longer game next time guys, jeez.  You think anyone is going to be surprised when Gears is voted the community’s choice for game of the year?  It’ll win just because of the "chainsaw" gun.