I was growing up when games like Donkey Kong, Grim Fandango, Jack Jackarabbit, etc. were being played (though, I have played some of the pre-millenium games), so I came to this 'golden age' quite late. I do still remember older games, such as The Godfather, and I do remember that feeling of completion and power, once I completed it and replayed it again and again. And then there's also Evil Genius... what a magnificiant game, truly. I see where you're going with COD series. Personally, I agree with Wasteland Assassin - Call of Duty 2 is a classic. I've noticed how sh***y the series have become. I played Black Ops and I was seriously dissapointed at the un-realism. I know, I know, games are fictions. But to put a SPAS 12 into the Vietnam war and make it shoot "incendiaries" is just plain f*cking ridiculous. I completely agree with the media. I remember when GTA IV came out, the media went made. With Duke Nukem and Bulletstorm on the horizon, I can't wait for the media's reports. Yes, I hate them, but I also find 'em so stupid, it's funny. But seriously - ESRB ratings aren't there for nothin'. I confess, I didn't abide by the ratings myself, but it hasn't affected me in any way. Probably. I'm no shrink. It's the parents' fault for not spendin' more time with their kids. *sigh*. As far as the characters go, not all are forgetable. I'll never forget Ashley Williams from ME, or Miranda or Mike Thorton from Alpha Protocol (or Westridge from the same game, but that's because he has such a lovely name - Yancey), etc. I think that's most of my views. I'm too tired to write anymore :P