It was a very a unique week for my Achievements quest. I spent a significant amount of time playing one game I never thought I would play, and another that I had made fun of some of my co-workers for playing. The weird thing is that I enjoyed both of them.
To catch everyone up, with last week's heartbreaking news of "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" being delayed into March, I tacked on an extra 5,000 achievement points to my quest. The new addition upped my target goal to 25,000 points (15,000 more than my original number). With more time brings more games. I was able to stay on-point this week, scoring 1,230 points, bringing my overall points scored in this challenge to 19,180. I have 5,820 points to go. I'm so close, yet, so far.
This past week I ran up my Gamerscore with the help of "Viva Pinata," "Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2008," "Heavy Weapon," "Gripshift," and the ever-present "Scene It: Lights Camera Action." Prior to this challenge I could have sworn that "Viva Pinata" and "Big Game Hunter" would never enter my Xbox 360, yet, in the name of Achievement points, I played the hell out of them - and liked them.
Who knew I would actually enjoy a gardening sim in which I get to bring piñatas into the world, and a redneck "Gears of War" in which I get to take out forest creatures? It was very reassuring this week to find out that there are still some games out there that I can actually enjoy getting the Achievement points, instead of hating myself for playing another kids game.
Last week's post was written in a fury of frustration over the game delay for a title that I have been looking forward to for a few years now, and, it was pretty much targetted at whomever at Nintendo made that call. Remember - the Multiplayer blog is here to make the gaming universe a better place for all gamers, and I was using my piece last week as a place to release some aggravation. So, in response to some of the comments from last week's post about why I'm continuing on my quest, and what's my motivation, all they need to do is read above and see that I am actually enjoying myself as I work my way to 25,000 meaningless points. I'm well aware that it seems like I'm "grinding the axe" for this series, and to some extent I am, but it's all in the name of the blog Additionally, I just like having more points than everyone in the office.
I'm fully aware (you'll see just how aware next week) that I am passing up some amazing games while I'm working through this, and it really wasn't supposed to be this way - remember how "Smash Bros." was supposed to come out at the beginning December?
We'll see what this next week holds, but hopefully I can score at least 1,000 points, and keep pace with the last few weeks. If you want to follow along, check out my Xbox Live profile: jaded cynic.