Joystiq gives a hands-on report of the Splinter Cell: Conviction demo.  I've really been looking forward to this game, and am glad it finally has a solid (?) release date. Their comments sound promising, even with the noted negative of the melodramatic dialogue in the cut scenes.  Sadly, this problem plagues so many video games that I'm kind of used to it.

There you are, old Sam Fisher, minding your own business at some unknown cafe when the waiter brings you a cell phone and Bluetooth earpiece, compliments of the caller. It's Grim, it's Third Echelon, and it's the end of his vacation. Some thugs have managed to upset his vacation -- now we know why he's always carrying 12 rounds and a pistol.

X10: Splinter Cell: Conviction hands-on.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.4464344&w=425&h=350&fv=tubemogulid%3DTD-Q0P-W10] The game has been delayed until April, but at least there's a sweet new trailer to watch now. Really looking forward to this one. After years of delays and a restart, I'm anxious to see a big improvement over the previous Splinter Cell game. See the original article on Joystiq

For pretty much everyone I know, 2009 was a mixed up year of highs and lows.  Rather than making a dozen posts on my top 10 various things of the year, I decided to take a look back at the good things about 2009 so I can begin 2010 on a positive note. Tuesday Night Film Screenings - Each Tuesday night brought new exposure to foreign and art house cinema as I attended a weekly film screening at my friend Alex's house.  This provided a great opportunity to forget the stress of work and life and see some great films that I may not have otherwise been able to see.  This also turned me on to the works of Louis Malle, who has become one of my favorite directors. Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes - These bands are responsible for 2 of my most played albums of 2009.  They each feature a unique sound, with Grizzly Bear's arty and moody atmosphere and Fleet Foxes sincere folk.  I love that both of these bands manage to bring something different to the table without being pretentious. Lost - Another weekly tradition (for the first half of the year, anyway) was having friends over to my place to watch the latest episode of Lost.  Looking forward to its final season beginning in February. Ra Ra Riot at Bottletree - I got to see this great band while they were doing a small club tour.  Bottletree is a great place to see a show like this due to it's small and intimate setting and cool atmosphere.  Ra Ra Riot's mix of guitars and strings with thoughtful songwriting and energy made this a really memorable show. Seeing Inglourious Basterds - We had a streak over the summer where we saw a movie almost every Sunday night.  The peak of this run was Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.  Seeing a spaghetti western on a Sunday night in a packed theater reminded me how much fun seeing movies should be.  One of QT's best, and one of my favorite films of the year. Rock Band Parties - I didn't know when Rock Band was released years ago that a bunch of plastic musical instruments could bring so much fun to my house, but you mix this game and a house full of friends and good times will ensue.  Hits ranging from System of a Down to Vanilla Fudge blasted from my living room with uproarious laughter as we learned who had skills (and also who didn't.  Apologies to my neighbors.) Seeing Up in 3D - Pixar's finest achievement displayed in beautiful but never overpowering 3D.  I was enthralled with this film from beginning to end, and was glad to see it with some great friends. So that pretty much wraps up the best things about 2009.  Stay tuned for my list of who's cool, and who can piss off!

I've been looking forward to this game for a long time. I was hoping it would be out before Christmas, but we'll have to wait until January 26 to finally get our hands on it. This new trailer isn't going to make the waiting any easier! [vodpod id=Groupvideo.4279146&w=425&h=350&fv=]

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.4090441&w=425&h=350&fv=tubemogulid%3DTD-Q0P-W10] I've always been a big fan of Silent Hill games.  Some didn't quite measure up to others (Silent Hill: The Room - I'm looking at you) but the hits more than make up for the misses.  I never played the original game back on the PS1, but Silent Hill 2 and 3 were both among my favorite games on the PS2. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is the series' latest installment, and is out on the Nintendo Wii on 12/8. See original article on Joystiq.

According to a recent post on CVG, the publishing partner of PC Zone magazine, the next issue of the latter will drop some knowledge on us regarding Splinter Cell: Conviction's multiplayer modes. CVG reports that the last issue of PC Zone teases an article on Conviction, claiming the piece will feature "hands-on, co-op reveal and a brand new mode."

The co-op mode of 2005's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory was my favorite thing about the Splinter Cell series, so I was very disappointed that there was no such mode in 2006's Splinter Cell: Double Agent.  SC:DA was a bit of a let down in several ways for me, so I have high hopes for this next installment. See the original article on Joystiq

I knew for the past few months that Infinity Ward's sequel to the awesome Call of Duty: Modern Warfare would be out this month, but had no plans to buy the game immediately.  After attending a LAN party last weekend where this game was played for the majority of the day, my mind was changed.  I spent the day playing in the multi-player mode, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to jump right in and play.  It wasn't difficult to get used to the controls, and while the maps had lots of nooks and crannies to hide in, I never felt like I was lost in the map trying to find the action.  After taking a look at the Special Ops game mode, I knew I would be picking up the game sooner than later after all.

A few off days from work this week eliminated the remaining reasons I had for not picking up the game immediately.  So I grabbed a copy, informed some friends, and started playing.

As of today, I've played more multiplayer maps, several of the Special Ops missions, and am about halfway through the awesome campaign.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the campaign, and spending more time in co-op and multiplayer modes with friends.

Image courtesy of joystiq.com