What we are playing is a weekly column that appears each weekend. Various staff members let the world know what games had them hooked the past week and which ones they look forward to.

Nick Santangelo – Early in the week I was all over [easyazon-link asin=”B0044SA70M” locale=”us”]Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning[/easyazon-link]. I’m about 30 hours deep now and am hopelessly addicted to it. The combat is spectacular and I love the vibrant, colorful art direction. I just wish they could get the load times down in these types of games — it really makes you think twice before entering a building to take on a quest or sell some items. I’ve had to step aside from it to play Alan Wake’s American Nightmare the rest of the week, but I can’t talk about that yet. You’ll just have to wait for my review on Monday.

Perry Jackson – Like most others, I’m playing through both [easyazon-link asin=”B000OLXX86″ locale=”us”]Mass Effect[/easyazon-link] games to prepare myself for the finale but I also picked up Warp and it’s not too bad. It’s kind of forgettable at times but it’s got some pretty solid mechanics and a cute art style to it. Looking forward to finishing it since Zero seems a little more dangerous than the Reapers at times.

John Drawdy – This week I have been all over the gaming spectrum, starting off with Heavy Weapon and a little Golf: Tee It Up!, In the newer game department I put in a little more time on Bastion, which is still amazing and finally finished up Unstoppable Gorg, not a bad tower defense game. As if that wasn’t enough I also got in a few hours on Warp, still not sure how I feel about it, and the Epic Quest table for Pinball FX 2, which is just pure fun.

Nathan Bowring – This week Gotham City Impostors became my new Halo. I’m playing it every second I have free time and having so much fun. I’ve gotten to the point where I can hit people with the bow while on a trampoline without trying. I’ve also made a little time for Warp, which I also love. Going to find time to replay [easyazon-link asin=”B0010AYJXI” locale=”us”]Alan Wake[/easyazon-link] this weekend to get me ready for American Nightmare. So excited!

Todd Pantier – I finished [easyazon-link asin=”B003O6EBRA” locale=”us”]Final Fantasy XIII-2[/easyazon-link] early in the week and played a conglomerate of games in the middle of the week including [easyazon-link asin=”B002I0H79C” locale=”us”]Gears of War 3[/easyazon-link] (can’t wait for “Forces of Nature” on March 27) and Shank 2. After a long wait I finally got a key for the Diablo 3 beta. I have been playing it non stop since and don’t see that letting up for a while.

Matt Liparota – I didn’t get much gaming in this week, unfortunately; real life found a way to butt in. I was able to get in a little bit of [easyazon-link asin=”B004HYK956″ locale=”us”]Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[/easyazon-link] and [easyazon-link asin=”B0050SVOHA” locale=”us”]Professor Layton[/easyazon-link], but the majority of my scant gaming time this week went to the Mass Effect 3 demo. I couldn’t get enough of it; ME3 is probably the only full retail release of the first half of 2012 that I’m really looking forward to. March 6 can’t get here fast enough.

Ryan Reynolds – The majority of what little free time I had this week was spent replaying [easyazon-link asin=”B001TORSII” locale=”us”]Mass Effect 2[/easyazon-link]. I have to sharpen my skills and get the perfect ending in preparation for ME3. In addition, I started another Shadow of RAAM run with a friend in [easyazon-link asin=”B002I0H79C” locale=”us”]Gears of War 3[/easyazon-link] and I’m playing [easyazon-link asin=”B00503E8S2″ locale=”us”]Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3[/easyazon-link] online with friends when they’re online. Like everyone else.