Trying to Decide What to Play

I am going to get a little playtime while the kids are sleeping this afternoon, and if I don't start thinking about it now, I will do what I have defaulted to for the last several days--just going to sleep instead of utilizing my limited free time because I honestly can't decide which game to give a go.

So! I figured, rather than trying to reason it out in my head like I normally do, I would talk it out on here and get your (read: Mike's) opinion. Of course his natural opinion is "Anything but Fallout" or "Try something you've never tried before". But maybe with inside information on what I am thinking he will be able to give me more directed advice, since he tends to be the expert.

Unfortunately, he has his work cut out for him today because there are a good number of really great games right now and so I have several that are on my radar.

1. Final Fantasy VII

I started playing this game a while back, and the fact of the matter is--I really actually enjoy it. I thought I would find the combat tedious or repetitive, but I don't; and the characters and story are both strong enough to propel the game forward even on a game that is nearing 15 years old. My biggest draw to keep playing right now is because I think I am close to getting Vincent, which is both a reason for and against playing it--on the one hand, if I don't keep playing, I won't get him. On the other, I don't want to miss him or mess up getting him because Mike isn't here to help me. It is a dilemma.

Final thoughts: while I am really enjoying FFVII, I think I am leaning away from it right now because I am an exhibitionist--I want Mike there to watch everything I play and do so that he can comment on it, praise me, joke about the goofy parts, and generally make it a thousand times more fun.

2. Batman Arkham Asylum

The reason I wouldn't start playing this today: because Mike is currently playing it and I don't want to overlap like that; and because I have all ready played through it and there are other new experiences to be had in other games.

The reason I would start playing this: because it is fucking Batman, dude.

I love this game. On the Xbox version, I have all ready played through it twice (yes, Mike--only twice!) and having it on a different console offers a different playing experience. I neglect the poor ps3 horribly. Plus, I want to play through Arkham Asylum once more before Arkham City comes out; while I am reading the comic series of Arkham City is also a good time to replay.

Final thoughts: Yeah, I would be more than happy to start this one again. I am shying away from it because I don't really want to get into a gaming rut like I am always accused of, but I honestly would enjoy it.

3. Red Dead Redemption

This is the one with the strongest draw for me right now. I tend to be a little uninterested in the story. Not because it is bad--in fact, John Marston is one of the neatest characters I have ever encountered in a video game--but because I just really enjoy running around fucking around, not doing anything of importance. Does that mean I am wasting my game time? I'm not really getting anything accomplished. I break horses, shoot and skin critters, and generally kill time. Should I be playing something more structured?

Final thoughts: I really love playing this game and would enjoy it today, I just feel guilty for playing it wrong.

4. Captain America

Do we still own this game? Because I really enjoy it. I cannot be bothered to get up and see if it is over on the shelf. This is kind of like RDR because I actually much prefer wandering around collecting all that useless shit they have every two feet. You know what it reminds me of? "Oooh, piece of candy!" James Woods from Family Guy. Surprisingly, it's exciting every time I find something to pick up--like Easter all over again, if your parents are lazy and just throw all the eggs out in plain sight in the front yard.

Final thoughts: This would absolutely be my pick if I didn't have to endure all that story and combat between collecting. Also, I wish Cap had a basket to put all the things I pick up in. =D

Let's leave it at that now. There is also Brutal Legend and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Infamous, Portal, -cough Broken Steel cough cough-, Darksector, Dragon Age Origins....we've got a lot of good ones. I just don't know what to settle to.

Suggestions?