PixlBit

Nope. I think the whole Online Pass thing is history across the board at this point (seem to recall a Sony rep stating something to that effect recently).

I should have the official review for this one out the door sometime tomorrow or Friday. Just about finished the game last night (it's really good, but on the short side, and mostly like Tools of Destruction).

PS: I didn't beat it all in one night. We got a copy of the game from Sony on Friday.

The 2D Metroid games are all pretty small in scope. I think I can beat Metroid Fusion in around 4 - 5 hours at this point. To me, that's something that would be a small project, whereas something like a Metroid Prime is a huge project. Not that I'm saying I want them to do another MP (I wouldn't mind of course).

To be perfectly honest, I'd like them to make a new IP. While it's not the worst thing in the world to get more Donkey Kong Country, it just feels like an unambitious project for a highly talented team.

I'd definitely be up for more 2D Metroid, especially if they could do something interesting with it. Not sure if I'd want Retro on it, unless they were working it alongside some other more grandiose project.

For what it's worth, Metroid: Other M is kind of like a 3D Fusion (or at least that's how it's always felt to me). Not sure if you guys have checked that one out, but it's a fun romp.

Of course, it has the worst representation of Samus ever, but I guess you need to take the good with the bad?

Enjoy! I was going to play some more Demon's Souls tonight, but I might throw down on Costume Quest now that I got all hyped up talking about it again (after I take my kids trick-or-treating, of course).

Oh, it's also 75% off right now on Steam for their Halloween sale.

First and foremost, do you like Double Fine (and/or Tim Schafer)? If so, ignore the rest of everything I have to say and just buy the game. If not, please, let me continue.

It's Halloween and you're taking your little brother (or sister) trick-or-treating. See, you're a set of identical twins and based on your character choice, you will be the eldest (by a few seconds). This sets up a pretty humurous backdrop for the sibling interaction going forward during the events of the night.

You set out from your house into a pretty standard neighborhood filled with a bunch of kids all out trick-or-treating. As you go house to house, you either receive candy or discover a Grubbin who's in search of candy. At this point the game switches into an RPG mode that's reminiscent of a Mario RPG-style game.

Your costume determines your abilties in the RPG mode. The art style switches from a cartoony-thing into this ultra-detailed, "realistic" style. As you go through the game you unlock new abilities and can complete different subquests to obtain new costumes and new party members. Furthermore, the costumes actually have different abilities that must be applied during different fights. So it's a bit deeper than just being window-dressing.

An entire plot (that I won't spoil) unfolds that takes you to lots of different areas, but the whole trick-or-treating theme is applied throughout the game, regardless of where you go. It's a humorous romp that doesn't overstay its welcome. By the time the gimmick of it all starts to wear thin, it wraps up.

For more detailed thoughts, feel free to read Chessa's review.

No Costume Quest!? It's about trick-or-treating!

I know, I know, your list is more horror-oriented, but that's such a great Halloween game for obvious reasons. 

You know, I agree. I've tried playing Arkham City at least 3 times at this point and I just can't get into that game. Arkham Asylum was very tightly constructed and it felt akin to a Metroid Prime game (albeit with some different mechanics). I really enjoyed that type of design over City's sprawling design. The migration to open world really laid bare all of the problems I had with Asylum and amplified them.

Not sure what your stance is on used games, but this is probably a good one for you to pick up at Gamestop. I suggest starting with Dark Souls and investing at least 3 or 4 hours into it and see if you can get a feel for the mechanics and the progression curve.

Both of the Souls games are all about momentum. Once you can get the ball rolling, you're going to have a much easier time and enjoy the experience a lot more. The start the game is extremely punishing, but once you get a shield that at least blocks 100% physical damage, you'll be moving along quite steadily. The Estus Flasks in Dark Souls refill at the bonfires, which makes that learning curve a lot less steep and gives you the opportunity to venture forth with a safety net.

In any event, my point on buying used from GameStop is that you can always return the game if you hate it after a few hours and get your money back. If you can get into the groove though, you're in for a seriously great time. I went into Dark Souls very skeptical that I would enjoy it after my failure to launch with Demon's Souls, so it's at least worth a shot.