So I may run a guild (and frequently do!), but that doesn’t mean that I’m actually inured to WoW burnout and boredom. Part of my job is encouraging events and participation, and that means being cheerful. “BOY,” I say loudly to everyone around me, “I hope Cataclysm really doesn’t come out until November so we can have another four months of ICC!” Then I beat myself into submission with my own mouse.

The point being that between the usual malaise and the RealID fiasco, I think a number of the Cats are feeling a little burned out on the WoWs. (This is my interesting guild leadery question for this week: in what ways can you turn a WoW guild into a more general gaming community? I can see the time coming fairly soon when The Cats as an entity will have to unhitch our wagon from WoW if we’re to survive.)

Anyway, this was the first non-busy weekend I’ve had in a long while so I resolved to make it a Gamey McGamerson weekend. I am pleased to say that my mission was indeed accomplished! /banner

I got Gwener the Loremaster human from 17 to 20 in LotRO, which means now she can ride a horse. Yay! I’m of the correct level to do the first instance, but I am a little scared of messing up and everyone yelling at me. Also, I am still not entirely sure what a Loremaster DOES. I have a crow, who pecks things, and a lot of stuns. Beyond that.. hmm. Lotro is still really pretty and fun, and it was nice to hang with Cats this weekend in Middle Earth.

Oddly enough, though, I’m kind of bummed that the devs are so strict about following Tolkien canon because it limits future possibilities. Like, I’m never not going to have a horse for a mount, because that is just the way it works. And while I can appreciate keeping within the existing lore, to a certain extent it feels like being given brussels sprouts for dessert. Sure they’re good for me and full of vitamins, but I’d rather have ice cream and ride a GIANT ANGRY BEAR.

I finally finished Adventure Mode for the recent Zuma sequel. This game was a lot easier than the first one — I cleared through all the adventure modes without blowing all my lives, whereas once.. once!.. I finished Zuma classic. It’s still fun, though, and I hear the sounds of matching balls exploding in my head at night. Speaking of casual games, I also booted up Audiosurf for the first time in months with the intention of taking back my song title championships, but my Surfing skills have dramatically atrophied and will need work before I reclaim my rightful throne. (Attention rinavenue — I am coming for you.)

Allods Online: it’s free-to-play, it’s a small download, and it’s all “translated” (sort of) from the original Russian which means NPCs have Russian names and the like, which is neat. Plus, look at my freaking character. Well, okay, that’s what my character would look like at max level – which they show you at the character creation screen – but she’s an UNDEAD ROBOT CHICK WITH A TAIL. I mean seriously, how cool is that? I’m playing the evil side, obviously, while the good side has adorable wide-eyed furry creatures and hot emo elves in lingerie and butterfly wings. Suckers.

I have no idea if the gameplay is very fun or not. I got to level five, which is about two hours out of the tutorial, and it seemed straightforward enough and very WoW-cloney. Kill 10 of these, bring me the head of so-and-so. My mage spells have a slightly unique mechanic, but more to the point every time I use one I get awesome frost, fire, or electric-themed sparkles around my character for about 15 seconds, which pleases me to no end.

Allods is free-to-play, which means a cash store, and that makes me a little nervous. At this point, really, I can recommend this game if you want to just look awesome. If you want to actually DO something with your character, though, then your guess is still as good as mine.

Finally, yesterday I went back to Mass Effect 2 after a few months off. Picked up the commands again quickly, immersed in the storyline within minutes. Hooked again, Bioware, you evil geniuses. Garrus needs to quit his freaking calibrations and come love me — um, I mean January Shepard, girl adventurer — like the sniper stud I know he is.

And thus ends This Weekend in Gaming, with Liore. Now back to our regularly scheduled ICC.

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