Euclid's Heroin

This is not a review. It's a confession. I admit that I am an addictive personality. Especially when it comes to videogames. I don't think of myself as having a gaming addiction—more like a passion that I indulge whenever I want and for as many hours as I want. I go swing dancing two or three times a week and I don't consider that to be an addiction.

But Geometry Wars? It's just so pretty. And shiny. And look at all the colors! This is probably a game that would have dug in its roots even in its original form. But take one look at Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved and you'll see why it just might be the best bang for your buck on the 360.

It's true that "easy" games tend to be the most addictive—the concept behind Tetris was never difficult to grasp, but true mastery was a lovely and elusive prize. So it is with Geometry Wars. I've played until two in the morning on a Tuesday because I always knew that my next high score was just on the horizon. And I admit it will be a good long while before my addiction is sated.

The bastard responsible for bringing my gaming life to a halt is also dangling the high score carrot in front of me. My 800,000-something is nothing in the face of his 1.5 million-something. And those achievements are just too tantalizing. I'm not a compulsive Pokemon-type collector, but I do have a distinct streak of it in me.

So, expect to see me on the XBox Crack Arcade for many weeks to come...