So I decided to check out what was the most popular (i.e. most downloaded) game-related videos on Xbox Live. I'm not going to argue whether XBL users are a predictable lot - the videos mentioned likely won't changed any opinions of them - but I figured at least I can get some entertainment out of it.

Section 8
It's not a good idea when the only things a trailer invokes are the memories of other, better games it openly apes. Section 8 isn't going to win points at the Creative Storytelling Olympics, much less receive the winning ticket at the Compelling Protagonists raffle, if the trailer is to be believed; we seen this man so many times before, likely in the same suit. The only thing the preview suggests is this is going to be in the same vein as Halo/Gears of War/Crysis/any other game in the "grizzled space marine trapped in an armored spacesuit" sub-genre of first person shooters. That, as far as originality goes, means Section 8 is to most FPS titles as FPS titles are to Aliens.

Bayonetta
Each trailer reveals a bit more about the protagonist and eponymous character, who is essentially Dante if he became so effeminate he grew breasts. That's no accident, since it shares a lot with Devil May Cry thanks to an overlap in people involved (or at least person involved). As such, the trailer shows Bayonetta brandishing her firearms and putting most acrobats to shame and it's her ability to lose her tight leather clothes and fend off baddies with them.

Will it turn out any good? Well, the ability to pound baddies with acrobatic finesse and guns blazing is cathartic and and it'll probably at least fend decently against its spiritual predecessor.

Batman: Arkham Asylum
My, it has been a while since I heard Mark Hamill as the Joker. It's good to know he's back in good form, this time putting the Joker to good use as the psycho leading the psychotics of the game's title location. Batman's ability to detect henchmen via infrared (or whatever it happens to be; Bat-sense?) conjures up The Dark Knight more so than anything else, but hey, he's the Batman, right? Sure, let him have his wonderful toys.

I'll probably rent it to give it a go; stealth gameplay seems to be hit-or-miss these days, with those on the 'miss' side seeming tacked on more than crucial. Its kind of odd that the other big name Batman game on the 360 seems to be the LEGO adaptation, though; quite a difference in approach.

Metal Gear Solid RISING
Hey, it seems Raiden's returning. Woo-hoo. I'll readily admit that I'm not a fanboy of Metal Gear Solid; not because it's a horrendous game, mind. It's more that by now I'm out of the loop. If Raiden's returning, hooray for him - I'll likely pass over this one.