Tanks, nukes and marines

[lathany]

The past couple of weeks have been rather warlike, now that I come to write it up.

• Heroes - I've now seen up to episode 15, so I may write a few more reviews. In general, I like the series. It's got reasonable pace and the plots and interactions are interesting. However, I think there should probably be more Bads than they've currently got. Also, I have a nagging feeling that they simply aren't going to explain some of the leaps they've made. However, it's still the best new thing I've seen since The Lost Room.
• Supernatural - Slightly over half-way through season one and, it's improved, but not by that much. I suspect we won't reach the second season before deciding that there are better things to do with the time.
• From the Cellars of Xanadu - The party are now in orbit around the key planet in the Eden system. The last couple of sessions have seen them battle enemy marines on a space ship and then deal with the creepy taken-over space station. We're approaching the end of Part 1 now and I think it's going OK. I appear to have taken on the problems of the Warhammer 40K system but have managed (because? In spite of?) to keep the general feel of it, which is what I wanted.
• Valkyria Chronicles - This is a strategy game on the PS3 with a rather lovely background (including literally) and a decent enough story. It's loosely based on the World Wars; although I'm not enough of a 20th century historian to say how loosely. The missions have been mixed; I really loved the first few (it starts very well), then found the next section something of a slog. It suffers from the usual problem of hidden information - you need to play the mission to figure out what you need for the mission. Also, there is some requirement for level grinding (ie. redo various "skirmishes"). That said, the designers did mix and match the missions so that they don't all feel more of the same. More on this when I finish it, or reach the rumoured Too Hard bit.
• Ill - I appear to have done my usual February thing and become ill. Fortunately, I got an appointment quickly this morning and will be going to work with my antibiotics and painkillers tomorrow as most of the symptoms have gone.
• Diablo 2 - Whilst waiting for Diablo 3 to become available, bateleur and I took on the last release again, on-line. His assassin and my sorceress proved a good combination (except against that end of level 2 bad) and took down Baal about an hour ago.
• Valentine's Day - We celebrated in the usual way, food and alcohol. For once I cooked the main course - a pea and prawn risotto whilst bateleur baked garlic mushrooms for a starter and a ginger, rum and raisin cake for dessert. There was also a yummy red wine that, sadly, Tesco are discontinuing. For the duo there were chocolate hearts (with carmel centres) from Marks, so they were well-pleased with the occasion.