I think that what Tomb Raider did is a good first step.  I would be very interested in a game that only had a handful of kills in it.  Kills that had meaning and an emotional impact on the game.

What if instead of sending 20 guys at you with rifles they had more elaborate tombs?  I found the tombs to be a joke compared to what Assassins Creed has been making in their tombs.

The real question is "Does Tomb Raider NEED to have that combat mechanic?".  When you were done with Tomb Raider what did you think about the next day?  The assault rifle or the story and setting?  What if you just had a bow for hunting wildlife?  I really think there is possibility for some amazing innovation if developers will stray from what has always worked.

I just finished the game, I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great game.  The first couple hours are amazing, hitting its peak when Lara kills her first person.  I was disappointed at the disconnect between Lara being emotionally distraught after killing her first person, and then going on to kill hundreds of people.  Still loved the game though.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong here since I haven't played X-2...but I'm pretty sure that guide or no guide this game isn't going to make me feel like a "real man".

Ok then.  A guide it is!

Just won an ebay auction for FF-X and FF X-2 for $10 total.  I've never played either of them, moderately excited.  =)

I cruised through it, good game.  The camera is atrocious and it can make the platforming towards the end of the game difficult.  Other than that it was a cool game.

Sweet!  Enjoy.

Seriously the turn based system was screwed up in IX.  If you used a summon then your whole team would be ready and waiting to attack, then you would just sit there and wait.  Like a previous poster stated, healing your team was a pain in the ass.

Agreed.  Things change and evolve, it will be interesting to see what happens.  I like to think about how popular action movies were in the 90s and hope that just as that trend passed maybe games will move on too from the quick thrills.

hahaha.  This game had some pretty funny lines.  I'm not sure exactly what I meant by lighthearted.  I mean, on the one hand you enter these towns and it is a very laid back environment.  I absolutely see the broader dark themes, I don't know....I think they did a pretty good job of mixing it up.  I wish they had done more character development for Eiko and Freya(Sir Fratley anyone?).

It seems odd that they didn't do anything with that story branch.  A lost opportunity that could have fleshed out Freya and Fratley a bit.

I'm starting ICO today.  Any advice that I should know before I start?

I desperately want the industry to take a step forward but I believe there are many ways to do that.  I want my games to tell me a story.  A good, well thought out story.  If that story involves a man with a gun I don't have a problem with it, why does he have the gun?  What is it that drives him to pick up the gun?  I want stories that push the boundaries and try new things.  I want character development over action set pieces.  I enjoyed Enslaved because it had a story to tell, so did Prince of Persia(Sands of Time and the cell shaded reboot).  Regardless of what you think of the actual games, they did go out and attempted to be different.  Red Dead Redemption also comes to mind(ending in particular relating to his son).  Sorry I'm not listing rpgs but you can see what I am saying at least. 

It's the mindless games that cater to the COD audience that I want to go away or at least stop being such a cash cow.  Those games kill innovation.

Finished it last night.  Fun game.  It wasn't unique, but it was very enjoyable.  What's the deal with Sir Fratley?  Did I miss a side quest?

Finished Final Fantasy IX last night.  That game was pretty lighthearted and fun.  It made me laugh a few times.  I'm definitely glad I went back and played it.  It dragged a bit in the middle.  By the end of the game I was ready to be done, the random encounters grow old.

All in all I enjoyed myself.