Inside:

Really, really loving Heavy Rain. Almost in ways that are hard to describe. Yes, it has issues, but despite its super slow opening, the story's slightly pretentious nature and sometimes (very) crappy voice acting, it's a work of art.

Actual art.

And, like all art, people will have strong options towards it.

I love Heavy Rain because it's a high budget return to Adventure Games, and one filled with adult content. And I say this not because if its spattertings of sex and nudity, but because of how it makes you feel.

It's strange experiencing actual emotions while playing a game, or at least those beyond the norm.

There were several times where I truly felt pangs of sadness when certain things happened, found myself holding my breath in many of the action scenes and had real remorse for a few of my choices. I actually cared for these characters, and when the "big twist" played out, I was shocked in a "movie-type" way (like, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up). I'm also loving the fact what I do really matters (normally games play out in a certain way, no matter the choice), and how it continues even when a character dies is wonderful. And the music. Wow, the music.

It's also the first game I've played in a long time that I had to force myself to stop playing, as to not end it too soon. The last game I felt this way towards was Snatcher (another "interactive cinema" title) back in the day, and I forgot how much I missed this type of experience.

In fact, the only real complaint I can give the game is the way some of the character actions go against their established motivations. It's very Shenmue in that regard, just replace "I must find my father's killer! Oh! Kitty!" with "I must find my son before it's too late! Oh! Hello pretty lady, let's have sex and nap for a bit."

Then again, like many things in the game, the choice to do that was my own. Heh, I guess I betrayed those motivations, and I'm curious to see how it (like many of my actions) plays out with different choices, which is something I plan to do as soon as my first play through is finished...

Plants vs. Zombies on the iPhone is all sorts of awesome. I played the game quite a bit on my PC, but it's a natural fit for portable fun on a touch screen device. That said, it also kills batteries. I play lots of iPhone games, but this is the first one to drain my battery twice in one day.

Of course, I've got a feeling that's because of its addictive nature, and not necessarily because it uses more juice...

Also, hot damn at the $2.99 price.

• Things I'd Keep - These have sentimental value of some sort, or I really, really plan on playing them one day
• Things I'd Sell - Looking up prices on Amazon was quite a shock. Everything in this pile are games I'm done with, but will fetch 8 bucks and up on the market (some as high as 40-60!)
• Things I'd Donate - Games that have almost zero value on Amazon, or are too damaged to sell. Wow, I kept a lot of crap (and cool but worthless) games...

The crap pile (note X-Squad)

The numbers were pleasing. I'm keeping around 10-20% of what I looked through, selling around 60 games, and giving away about the same. Which means my collection just got around 120 games lighter, and I should have enough to cover a majority of my future iPad with the sales...

Also, a cleaner closet.

I still have many hundreds of Japanese and PS1 games I'll likely hold onto, and quite a few collectable ones I'll never let go, but it is a strange feeling of freedom knowing I could sell this stuff. A few years ago I would have laughed at the idea, and now I couldn't be happier.

Ah, getting older...

OMG, my day was just made. The "This American Life" iPhone app (iTunes link) is simply amazing... It has every show ready to stream (nearly 400 of them!) plus tons of extras, and it starts to play instantly over 3G. Instantly. Not sure if I've ever made a better $2.99 purchase. :)

Lordy, these would make awesome framed prints. I think my geek side just giggled.