Have you guys seen the video yet?  It’s on XBox Live and all over YouTube.  I will post a link if you can’t find it on your own but I have faith you will have no trouble whatsoever.

It doesn’t show much fans didn’t already expect.  If you’ve seen the techdemo and the artistic announcement video then you know exactly what you are going to see in the sequel.

Many comments on the internets are complaining about how similar this game looks to its predecessor.  Honestly I am not phased by it.  I thoroughly enjoyed what the first one had to offer.  It was a short, action-packed story with innovative gameplay (unoriginal as it may be) and very fun multiplayer.  As a full-time employee and a homeowner, that was the perfect formula for a satisfied gamer.

This new game offers minor changes.  We can assume the following from the announcement sneak peek.  "Larger" maps, more enemies on screen, new weapons, the ability to use enemies as body shields, and ButtonSmashing (sic) chainsaw battles.

From what we have seen already, I believe it is safe to assume that this game will score slightly lower than the first because the gaming media is going to claim it is more of the same.  Perhaps it is.  But the fact remains at least for me, the first game was so much fun, I wouldn’t mind playing through it again.  Its a plus that the storyline will continue and there will be new features.

Of course we come to the inevitable question that follows.  I wouldn’t mind playing through it again, but would I mind paying full price for it again?  To be honest, I’m not so sure.

As much as I hate to admit it, the fact that the game looks the same, does have an effect.  If it looks the same and the physics are more or less the same, could this title just be a huge expansion instead?  Does this title warrant a number 2?  The rumors about the next Spring update include hard drive installations might make this possible if not, slightly less difficult.

Tomb Raider: Legend and Anniversary were supposed to do this.  They didn’t for whatever reason but if I could pay $40 for the sequel if I own the original, that would be really cool.  Unlikely, but cool.

Epic has been known to be generous to their fans, lets hope they continue this tradition.