My trials and tribulations as I go through my PS3 collection. I'm still in the top 100 critically on Metacritic.

L.A. Noire - I've attempted it at least once before. This time I got quite a bit farther in it and actually began to like it. MK even got into watching me play it and wanted to get a copy for himself on Xbox. What stood out was the facial animations which are leagues better than anything out in 2011. They're also critical to the gameplay which has you determining if a suspect is lying or not. There are more than just interrogations in this though. Sometimes you chase down a suspect on foot through 1940s L.A., shoot your gun, or drive. I stopped playing after a day's break (probably half way through) because I wasn't in the mood for guessing honesty in a game. I'll be back though.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - I thought I'd finish it again but the melee combat really got to me and I stopped. They suggest a three-part combo move, but I could never get the timing right on it. I should've ignored it and just mashed away, but I wanted to get the three button sequence right and just couldn't. I'll try again sometime.

Resistance 2 - I really enjoyed it until I got to a theater being mobbed by Grims (fast zombies) and didn't have a shotgun. I had opportunities to pick one up but I liked my Carbine and Auger. It seems that without a shotgun in this situation you are doomed even if you do have two support troops with you and throw grenades like crazy. I moved on for now.

Flower - I managed to figure out how to buy games on PS3 and got this for $6. I finished it too. It's not long. Most of the trophies are for things you might do just messing around in a level rather than finishing the game. I suppose in a second run sometime, I might do that. The game uses the six-axis motion controls in the controller to direct the movement of your petals. The "X" button controls the speed, or wind at your back. Works great! I enjoyed it.

Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time - I got so far in this before getting stuck on one of those Time Puzzles. I would've persisted, but I had to stop for the day and when I returned, I didn't feel like breaking my brain on it again. However, I absolutely loved playing this game. I would've played the previous one too, Tools of Destruction, but my copy wouldn't read. I'm out looking for a replacement right now.

Valkyria Chronicles - I played this with such control and careful use of cover that I thought I'd go far. But I got stood up in the first mission against a tank. There's little cover as you run behind it, and I kept getting key characters killed that ended the mission. I've beaten this level before too. I don't know. Maybe I'm getting dumber. Anyway, the watercolor graphics of this game just bring me to tears of joy. It makes me want to break out the sketch book and draw me some fish.

Resistance: Fall of Man - I like this a bit better than R2 mainly because it feels like old school run-and-gun. I shot from the hip most of the time. But, I got to a smallish room full of Chimera where I couldn't do that anymore. I gave myself three tries before taking a break until next time. I feel like they give you a pretty delicate health meter. As soon as you stop watching it, it's gone.

Purchases

Flower ($6, PSN) - Success in buying on the PS3 store! You have to add funds to the wallet from another place like the PS app or website. You can't use a card or PayPal directly on PS3 anymore.

Earth Defense Force 2025 ($10, PS3) - Just got this while looking for R&CF: Tools of Destruction. I definitely want to play this again for trophies.

I am playing Diablo III right now and am helplessly grinding for gear again as a Demon Hunter. I've decided I'll just play the main story line once this time around 'cause I could easily be sucked into playing it for months. MK played some on his Xbox Series X along side me. He's got a crazy high level Barbarian from years ago. His battles are explosions of colors and particles.