Damn you. Where did you buy from? I preodered it from Lion Games, but I'm not feeling confident they're going to be naughty and mail it to me early.

@madskillz
what title/hobby/profession do you have that allows you to receive copies of games for game reviews?
Do you write reviews?
If so - only for the 360 right?

@ Scotland Yard:
I didn't buy it - I am a journalist and blogger and I review video games. I have been in journalism for 11 years and have been a gamer since the early 1980s.

Here are my sites: http://www.dukecitygamerz.com and http://www.abqtrib.com/qt3ch

@ UltraSlick
I am an 11-year vet of journalism. I work full time as an editor/blogger at the ABQ Tribune, but have been launching out on my own with www.dukecitygamerz.com

I get tons of games, but lately, I have been scoring sweet games before release - Mass Effect, Halo 3, Virtua Fighter 5, Manhunt 2 and soon Rock Band. I got Bioshock early too.

It depends on if you are the top gaming sites. IGN, Game Informer, Game Spot, they get stuff weeks in advance. Me? I get pretty much whatever I ask for. Shoot, I couldn't even get Super Mario Galaxy because the demand is so high. Even if it's a week or so ... even a month afterward, it's cool. I'll still review it.

As stated earlier, check them out here: http://www.dukecitygamerz.com and http://www.abqtrib.com/qt3ch

Check out the site - I try to keep it updated, but it's getting much harder as the holidays approach. I am reviewing *gasp* 20 games between the PC/360 and the Wii. I'll be posting like 3-4 on Tuesday.

I write reviews for the 360, Wii and PC games (and actually a couple PS2 games recently). I have been approached several times about reviewing games for the PS3, but I haven't gotten enough spare loot for a PS3. If I get more games, maybe I will. Maybe I can talk to Sony about a discounted 60gb ... hmmm ...

But to answer your question, yes, I am a gamer and a vet journalist.

Sorry, I shipped that out to you early. Since it's illegal for me to have done so, please send it back to me ASAP. I will even cover the shipping costs. I will send it back on the 20th. I swear...

@ CTifer

Sorry ... just PM me your address and I'll throw it back in the mail today. I wasn't really feeling it - I am working on "Hot Wheels: Beat That" at the moment.

 Me?

Keep playing the game and reporting back to us. I would like to hear a little about the combat, and exploring.

@ OMac

Your character is skilled in certain weapns, depending on the specialty you pick. You can be a soldier, engineer and a few others. I choose a character that has bionic powers, powers to heal and can use the pistol and the shotgun. I did equip him with a rifle, and that fool couldn't hit the broadside of a barn! I tried - believe you me - I tried to raise his skill with the rifle to no avail. Pulled out the pistol and raised my body count like a coroner.

The cover system is decent - it's would be better if you hit a wall and your character would just assume it's for cover.

The coolest part has to be the dialogue. I had a blast pulling info out of a villager. If your character gets angry, some of his responses are in red - which really rocks. I used it once - and got some sweet results (that fool was holding out on me)

Your team's AI is good too. I have only lost one guy and the remaining ones do some crazy stuff at times - but they do use cover.

It's linear so far - though I love open sandbox, but it somehow works in this case.

More later on ...

::Grumble Grumble:: I want my copy of Mass Effect. ::grumble:: Friggin 8 days to go until I get it ::grumble:: ::cursing under my breath::

Oh yeah ... if anyone wants to add me on Live, my gamertag is madskillzceo

I am not sure how it looks to folks, but I unlocked like 20 to 25 gamerpoints on Mass Effect. Not sure if you can see it on my profile.