The Completion Blues 1.15.2008 11:37pm

I like stories. Specifically ones with strong characters that I can really get invested in. On Friday I was in the middle of 3 fantastic stories. Assassins Creed, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and the book (yes. i read) Destiny's Way. I had been going through those stories plus Ace Attorney 3 all at the same time towards the end of December and was having trouble juggling 4 really good narratives.

I finished up Assassins Creed on Friday night. Having completed every mission except for the flag ones. The story was big. Big world, lots of things to do but told linearly and that's really what drew me in. After playing Assassins Creed for probably close to 30 hours it felt good to put it to rest. I knew I had Zelda to finish and a book still, so my narrative junkie could get his fix.

Yesterday I finished Zelda and my book. I didn't realize I was at the end of Zelda. I'm actually a little let down that there wasn't more. There was no big twist at the halfway point that sent me off gallivanting throughout the map on last time before the final battle. I guess that's what I was expecting since that has been part of the Zelda formula since Ocarina of Time.

The book, I knew was almost over, it's one of those things you can tell is coming based on pages remaining, so that was no surprise. My problem is I have had a steady flow of story in video games or books or comics since BioShock in August. Not a night went by where I didn't play Ace Attorney (which is like reading a book), or Assassins Creed, or Zelda or Half Life 2, Halo 3... and now Mario Galaxy is all I have left. From what I've played of Galaxy so far it doesn't seem like the story is going to grab me by the groin and pull me in. Lets face it, it's the nostalgia and the fun/trippy game play. Mario will not give me the fix I desperately search for.

I sit here scratching my arm as I look up and down my bookshelf in search for a game whose story can feed my hunger. The last thing I expected was to be going through withdrawal after finishing these stories. They grabbed me and pulled me along begging to be completed, and now that they are done, I am sad to see them go. I have nearly 4 weeks to wait for Ace Attorney 4, and 8 after that to wait for Force Unleashed. This story junkie will be sitting on the floor rocking back and forth if you need me.