Just a heads up, GamersGate has Titan Quest Gold for $10 this weekend. this is an absolute STEAL for a GREAT game that has provided me with literally hundreds of hours of quality gameplay since it came out 3 years or so ago. its the only game id consider to be a worthwhile replacement to diablo 2.

basically, its diablo gameplay set in ancient greece, with all the mythology and shit that goes along with the setting. blah blah a titan blah blah destroy the world blah blah KILL IT! then you go on to the expansion, which takes place in the underworld. blah blah hades blah blah wants to conquer the world of the living blah blah KILL HIM!

what makes titan quest unique is the skill/class system. there are 9 classes, each of which provides a fairly robust skill tree. some classes focus on magic, some on combat, some on defense, etc. theres your thief-type, your nature type, your nuker, your summoner, all the basic archetypes are represented. what makes the system so great, is that you get TWO classes... you take the first class at your first level, then your second class at level 12 (maybe, been a while)... and the class combinations can make for some really interesting characters, with quite distinctive play style and experience.

the BEST thing though is that the developers of titan quest understood that these kinds of games are all about being POWERFUL. most games obsess over balance... not titan quest. its unbalanced and proud of it. by the time you take your second class, youre well on your way to being a badass... by the time you hit level 25 or so, youre on par with your typical greek demigod. by 35, youre utterly godlike. there is something extremely satisfying to wandering around laying waste to any who dare stand in your way.

that doesnt mean its easy (although it often is)... youll find the bosses (titans and even gods) are often quite a challenge... and the game throws the grunts at you in sometimes overwhelming numbers, enough to drag even your godlike ass down if youre too careless... so its enough to keep you on your toes, while still providing the visceral joy inherent in dishing out some real whoopass.

and damn, for ten bucks, its hard to go TOO wrong. if youve got a PC, you really should pick this up. its damn fun.

oh and gamersgate also has the new prince of persia for $15. thats cheap, but i dunno if its any good or not, i havent played it. all i know is, its SHORT. but maybe at $15, its cheap enough to be worth the short playtime. i guess ill find out.