GTA: San Andreas for the PC comes out today!  I think this is probably the most excited I've ever been for a port of a game...

It's pretty impressive the degree of modding that the GTA community has done on Vice City and I look forward to seeing what they do on San Andreas.  Of course, the #1 reason I'm so looking forward to the PC version is mouselook.  It's just one of those interface conventions that maps perfectly in my mind to what I'm doing (ie, looking around).  In terms of immersion it makes a huge difference to be able to really take in the world through a comfortable mouselook interface rather than the (relatively) clumsy camera stick method.

I've been really clearing out my games list in preparation for GTA:SA eating all my time (again).  In the past few weeks I've finished Brothers In Arms, Jade Empire, Resident Evil 4, and Advance Wars 2 (yes, finally).  Fantastic games all, and every one of them stayed compelling throughout. 

I couldn't quite stick to my ideal of not starting any new games up in the shadow of GTA, and so I've been logging some hours in Psychonauts.  Fabulous game.  I'm not in love with the art style, but the creative environments and awesome dialogue really make it a joy to play.  I can't think of a game that has made me laugh out loud as much since probably Day of the Tentacle (also by Tim Schafer and crew).  I had originally hoped to play it with my older son (who loves other platformers like Ratchet & Clank) but it proves to be a little too intense.