Just an FYI: The DOPEST gaming convention on the planet is less than two weeks away. If you haven’t gotten passes to Pax Prime 2012, you might be out of luck. That is, unless you are willing to throw down over two hundred dollars for a three day badge via Craigslist Seattle. If you are going to be in attendance, it can be overwhelming to decide how to spend your precious PAX time. For those of you rocking your first PAX (and for other noobs, novices or seasoned vets), I strongly suggest you check out the official PAX Website (paxsite.com) and this forum thread (you can score some great pointers here):

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/159037/prime-first-time-to-pax-prime-have-you-first-timer-wisdom-to-share-inquire-within/p1

Whether your area of expertise is tabletop gaming, console RPG’s or Shmups…there is a flavor for everyone at PAX. Are you interested in Panels? Screening blocks? Concerts? Wandering the show floor playing Cosplay-Hipster or Homeless? Meeting with your favorite Internet personalities? Last year, I spent most of my rookie season going to panel after panel. It wasn’t necessarily a waste of time; I am going to implement a different strategy this year.

GAMES! VIDEO GAMES.

Playing them, watching them, chatting up their creators, blockbuster titles, touchstone icons, indie hits, etc. Here is the list of properties that I am excited to check out first hand & why*.
*Some of these might not have a heavy presence at PAX this year (or any presence at all)

Ratchet & Clank Full Frontal Assault (Platform with tower defense elements): The tenth installment of the series that coincides with R&C celebrating their 10th anniversary. This edition is returning to the classic camera, weapons and third-person Ratchet gameplay that the series is known for, while adding a new base defense element that will have you building and defending a base against invasions using your ultimate Ratchet & Clank arsenal.

Assassins Creed 3 (Action Adventure Open World Stealth): Judging from the ES video earlier this summer, the sense of scale for this one seems massive. Here is hoping that they tie up some of the plots loose ends from 1 and 2. I want some intense naval battle sequences and some outstanding beautiful ship to ship action.

Watch Dogs (Action Adventure Open World): Ubisofts next big IP, Watch Dogs, seems to be about exploring how weaknesses in computer systems and hackers can affect us in the future (i.e. information warfare). A Sci-Fi GTA amalgam? I’m down.

The Last Of Us (3rd Person Survival Action Adventure): Naughty Dogs post apocalyptic drama with Ellen Page performing as Jodie Holmes, a young girl on the run from the authorities, exploring a strange and powerful connection to the afterlife. Some awesome cutscenes have been nothing less than a cinematic experience. I’m hoping the gameplay is as fluid.

South Park The Stick Of Truth (Role Playing Game): Here’s to the rude, vulgar, gross and hilarious entity known as South Park. An RPG set within this world is a no brainer. Kenny HAS to be a Rogue.

Resident Evil 6 (Dramatic Horror): Is this the endgame of the series as Chris and Leon come together face to face? RE is a staple of gaming horror and is almost always done REALLY well. This installment should be no different.

Dance Central 3 (Music): Daft Punk has been added to the soundtrack, now that’s money. The main reason I want to check this is so that the BSR crew and myself can have a ‘You Got Served’ style battle versus other media outlets. No one can shake it like us.

Play Station All Stars Battle Royal (Crossover Fighting): I don’t think this is going to be a slapdash Super Smash Bros knockoff, I really think it is going to add something to the arena brawl genre. Not sure what that something is BUT I want to try REALLY hard to find out.

Halo 4 (First Person Shooter): I’m not a HALO fan at all. Doesn’t do much for me. Maybe, Halo 4 will kick my ass and demonstrate to me what I’ve been missing. Maybe it won’t but I’ll give it a shot.

Little Big Planet Karting (Kart Racing): I’m a HUGE Mario Kart fanboy so It’s going to take a HELUVA a lot for me to be impressed by another Kart title. Will the design ethos of L.B.P. transfer over? Will the drifts, boosts and scattered around weaponry feel tighter, more integrated than MK? Can you make your own tracks and customize the ISHT out of the races? I need answers.

COD Black Ops 2 (First Person Shooter): I might be the only person you know that has NEVER played COD. I think this title peaked years ago. Help me to help me when it comes to COD. I need someone to tell me WHY this is such awesome experience, PAX Prime could be my wake up call.

Bioshock Infinite (First Person Shooter): A game in developmental hell, Infinite, lost two key designers. Maybe they could rename this, ‘The Milking Of Rapture’. I’d rather have them push the date back then put out a mediocre run of the mill shooter. Let’s see if the waiting was worth it.

Borderlands 2 (Space Western First Person Shooter): I’m hearing this one is easier to play than the first. Storytelling is a strength in this series, I’d expect it to get more twisty.

Dishonored (First Person Stealth Action): An all star cast (Susan Sarandon, John Slattery, Lena Headley) and a game with creative kills, daring escapes, creative designs intrigues the HELL out of me. Still, no third person option? REALLY?

Star Wars 1313 (3rd Person Action Platformer): The underbelly of Coruscant that looks next gen with it’s graphics (YES please!). Doubtful that this will be playable in ANYWAY at PAX. I NEED to know if the force is strong with this one.

What other games would you like the BSR staff to get their hands on at Pax Prime 2012? Let us know.

-Dagobot

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