Hey guys. You might already know the passing has been released on every platform, though you’ll have to pony up for the Xbox version. Here’s my micro commentary/review…

So with the new DLC for Left for Dead 2 every thursday a special “mutation” will be announced for the next week. For the first go around we’ll see realism versus, which sounds like it’ll be a lot more fun for the zombies that for the survivors. There’s also an achievement tied to this, where you have to participate in so many of these mutations.

Kinda gimmicky. I mean, doesn’t it sound kind of like an official server hack? I recall when they first implemented the survival mode, which totally made sense. And they had the map to back up the mode. But this… Its interesting to compare the development and implementation of DLC in Left 4 Dead vs Team Fortress 2. Every time something is added to Team Fortress 2 it just seems so much more credible. Still, I can’t really say, it could be a ton of fun. Keep an eye out for the DLC coming this week, and the mutations every Thursday in the following weeks.

The patch tomorrow should and is heralding more than just bug fixes (some of which just crashed King and I in tandem after a brief session). Apparently for the Xbox 360 you can get new outfits and camo for some guns, one for each class. Check out the post on the official Bad Company 2 blog:

Recruited strictly from other high-level Special Operations units such as Delta Force and Spetsnaz, the Special Activities groups – SPECACT – are the elite of the elite, used mainly for covert operations and other high-risk missions in areas where conventional troops cannot be used.

With the 4 kit specific unique uniforms and the camouflaged SPECACT personal M16A2, UMP-45, MG3 and M95 SNIPER you have a visual edge on the Battlefield, showing that you’re a force to be reckoned with. The pack also includes 12 new awards and 4 Achievements.

Out of all of those weapons the M16 is really the only one I care about. Of course, people love the M95, but the Magnum is where its at. All that rubbish aside, here’s the rub. For you Aussies and UK’ers out there, the pack will cost you, 160 MS points per kit and 440 MS points for the whole she-bang.

For everyone else, you have to drink Dr. Pepper. That’s right. Old school enough for you? It makes me want to buy Dr. Pepper, believe it or not. Good thing thats ONLY for the Xbox 360. Just hang on if you’re on the PC, it’ll probably just be free. Lets hope we get a new map soon too. Oh, and bug fixes. Oh, and M60 nerfz, plzkthxbai.

I was just watching a trailer for one of the characters you can pick up in Dragon Age: Awakening, “Anders,” and I have to say that I am not at all interested in the expansion. Heck, I even got burnt out on Dragon Age. At one time there were whispers that it may have something to do with my distaste of RPGs, but that is not at all true (anymore).

Really, the game just felt kind of rigid to me. Ok, maybe thats not a wholly accurate declaration. Maybe what struck me harder was the storyline wasn’t nearly as epic as a quip about the game may imply. Darkspawn, Grey Wardens… Stock fantasy? When King, Syndic and I watched the trailers for the game, featuring hardcore fell-swoop action, I was pumped for a genre-bender of sorts, ala Mass Effect. Instead, it was really Baldur’s Gate. Which is ok, but not what I expected. I mean, kind of just… more of the same?

What really got me though was the DLC. It made the game feel cheap. Like I paid to get equipment… Wait, I did. Penny Arcade did a comic about this when it was still more or less relevant. But more timely is the fact that I can’t justify buying the expansion when I feel like I was already in some way ripped-off. Ripped-off how? Well, you essentially get a set of Warden commander armor for a measly fight or two, and then the blood dragon armor helmet dropped into your inventory. Which, I might add, looked pretty dumb. Suffice to say, the DLC wave is not something I’m fond of. I want the game to be immersing standalone, sans NPCs who reference made up currencies and twenty minute bonus quests that get you a golem. Will Awakening be just more of the same?