Couple Gaming

Now, I haven´t played Everquest 2 since beta, and if you know me at all, you know how much I think they screwed up the game by forcing people to group, and itś that reason alone that I got into World of Warcraft. I keep hearing how I should try the game again, they fixed a lot of things, etc. But i have heard that from other games to just try it again and be dissapointed, but I will admit, after watching the trailer for Shard of Hate, I might have to re think trying this game again.




It was fun while it lasted, but we are seeing more people leave World of Warcraft than are joining.  The people that have been there since the beginning are losing interest at a rapid pace, and the people just starting are outmatched.  We are all wondering.. what’s next?

Wired has 3 options coming in the next year:  “Age of Conan”,”Pirates of the Burning Sea”, and “Warhammer Online”.  http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworld…

Ymiris has tried the Pirates game and was not wholly impressed, but said it may be worth something.  I am personally looking forward to Warhammer myself, as it looks to be more magic-based than Pirates (I’m a sucker for pretty colors), but I would say either of those are worth a beta attempt, based on the reviews summary.  Conan looks to be truly PvP based, and that gets old quickly, at least for Ymiris & me.

If you have tried, or heard of, any new MMO’s, please let us know!

There were 52 video games released this week. I’m not kidding. 52!!! how do you know what your friends actually want, and what will get you removed from their 360 friends list?

We’ve done a little research… Try finding one of these when you’re out at the stores at 5am tomorrow. Remember, if it’s “Couple Gaming” approved, you can claim it’s for your friend AND their spouse! One less present to buy!

COUPLE GAMINGS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

Mario Party DS (DS)

This game looks like it was made for the DS. Sure, Single-player Mario Party isn’t as much fun as with friends, but it has always been a put-down-pick-up-when-bored kind of game… and why else do people have DS’s? But it does offer multiplay with other DS’s, and if you have a friend who has a DS, they don’t need to buy the game to play with you!

Rock Band (All Game Consoles)

See Pre-Review.

Guitar Hero III (All consoles)

If your friends do not have this yet, it is your duty as a friend to give it to them.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat (DS)

OK, so this is traditionally a non-couple-oriented game. But I know FAR too many people that viewed the Fatalities as “easter eggs” and were truly rewarded when viewing the unique way of disemboweling your opponent. Add that feeling to the new puzzle-inclusions, and I’m betting this is going to be enjoyed if both spouses have a DS. It looks like you’re also able to play online wirelessly.. so maybe I’ll have something else to do while I’m cooking…errr.. okay, watching Ymiris cook.

Mario Galaxy (Wii)

It seems everyone has been looking forward to this game; so much so, we’re pretty sure there will be bad reviews for months. Still, it’s worth trying..

Scene It (360)

Just like the normal Scene It that your nephew got you 3 years ago and you played only when they came over, there is now one that comes with cool controllers… so you don’t have to hunt around for the DVD Remote to play. But, no online play.. so if you want to play, make sure they live close, and you like going over there. And that they have a large liquor cabinet…

SimCity Societies (PC)

See Ymiris’ Post

The Orange Box (All Consoles)

Sure, this is mostly non-couple-oriented.. HL2 & Team Fortress 2 definitely can cause one spouse to become bored and nauseous while the other plays… but the Portal inclusion means it’s spouse-approved, with both members trying to solve the puzzles.

Bargain Bin Gifts

If you’re out wandering around and happen to see one of those “buy 3 get 2 free” boxes, shuffle around in them a little. If you see any of the following, snatch it up like a tickle-me-elmo doll & hide it in the bottom of your basket. These ones are pure gold!

Ghost Master (PC)
It’s like the sims, only you’re scaring people. Ahhh, I miss this game so much.

Phoenix Wrights (DS)
I will never have enough of it. NEVER!!!!

Movies (PC)
It’s like the sims, only you create your own movies. I loved the movies I made.. with the fires and the heartache and the horrible acting… back when all I had was a western bar set, and I wrote it myself. I want it back!!!

Alien vs predator (PC)
Even though this is more a single-player game, I remember Ophilye screaming with glee after being killed, and of course vomiting from the motion sickness. Good times! (When is the new one coming out!?)

EQ (PC)
yes I know, its still there, and we can’t go back to it now, but you always remember your first! We fired up EQ II the other day. It just isn’t the same.

Warcraft 2 / Starcraft (PC)
Another first for me, and something I spent many a mountain dew indulged night with!  This is always a good game to network and play for hours.

Ymiris Wish List:

It’s just not a list without Ymiris throwing in things that he’s been investigating.  This won’t get you bonus points as being something both members of a spouse will enjoy, but you will be thought of as someone on top of the latest hotness.

Assassin Creed (360)

Remember how much fun thief was? Well think of it made better and updated graphics! Only thing missing is Multiplay. We used to play theif as a couple way back when, and we’re pretty sure we’ll get the same kick out of this one. *Update*  We’ve now been receiving word that this is nothing like thief… more the openness of GTA, but the feeling of

Mass Effect (360)

It’s out, and if you aren’t playing it maybe you need to buy yourself and early gift eh?  If not, pick it up for a friend and plan on “borrowing it” the day after they beat it.

Spore (PC)

This is on a lot of peoples wish list, but without a release date announced this could be on their list next year as well!

OphilyesWish List

Pfft, if Ymiris is going to have a list, I damn well am!

Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends (DS)

No this game isn’t fun because girls like to cook.. cuz I don’t. It’s fun because.. well.. because it isn’t actually cooking. And because cutting things up is fun. Oh, I’m so ashamed for loving this game… and I know about 5 guys that feel the same way. Which means in about a month, you get to catch your male friends playing it & taunt them mercilessly. Ahhh, now that’s the Christmas present that just keeps on giving.

Childrens Wish List

Games that you buy for your child, but you’re okay playing with them after they go to bed…

Petz 2 games (DS)

Catz, horsez, dogz, and evidently dolphinz now. (DS, Wii)

Clue/Mousetrap/Perfection/Aggravation Compilation (DS)

Build-A-Bear (DS)

Hannah Montana World Tour (Wii) -
Okay, so maybe I want this a little too. Okay, a lot.

What about you? What are you writing to Santa for? What are you getting your friends? What do you miss?