Well, here’s a new Grinding Down segment that I am going to strive to make a thing. Every Friday, when I remember or care or feel like it is necessary, I’ll round up some of my favorite Achievements that I unlocked during the week. Not all of them, mind you. Just the fun ones, the ones with some story to them, the questionable. Alas, there might be some weeks where I unlock zero Achievements, with the blame either on my gaming skills or lack of playing time or me spontaneously combusting. Yup, you read that right. I don’t want to get all predictable on y’all…
From Portal…
Partygoer (5G): Make the correct party escort submission position decision.
Terminal Velocity (5G): Fall 30,000 feet.
It’s a little after one in the morning, and I have to use the bathroom. I’m currently playing Portal in total darkness, the ceiling fan humming overhead, dulling GLaDOS and hypnotizing me towards sleep. In a tiny alcove, I create a blue portal overhead and an orange portal on the floor, and then I fall–I fall continuously, gaining speed and momentum, turning my TV screen into a seizure-inducing weapon. I leave the room for some quiet time on the throne, and when I return, I’ve unlocked the above Achievement.
From Half-Life 2…
Bone Breaker (5G): Kill 30 enemies with thrown physics objects.
I’m still not really that good with the Gravity Gun, but every now and then I am able to pick up discarded saw blades with it, and those slice through Combine like warm knives through walking sticks of butter. Um…what? Forget it. Used that method a few more times, and ping, Achievement unlocked.
From Fallout: New Vegas…
Make Up Your Mind (20G): Made up your mind… about your brain.
Not to spoil too much about this, but the conversation leading up to this Achievement is simply fantastic. Like nothing before. Really exemplary of how great this add-on is for the Fallout franchise. If only all DLC could be as strong as this old boy. I’m guessing this Achievement can’t be missed, no matter what your decision is.
From Bastion…
Pet Sitter (10G): Get four different domesticated creatures in the Bastion.
I unlocked a few other Achievements in Bastion, but they are all tied to the story and are pretty spoilerific, so I won’t broadcast ’em here. I’m getting closer to completing the game, and might even try for a full 200 here. We’ll see. I always end up getting distracted or losing interest (am I right, Torchlight?).
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And thanks to all these Achievements, here’s a nice little surprise:
Nifty. Sure, it’s not a palindrome or a nice, solid round number with lots of zeroes, but I’ll take it for its uniqueness nonetheless.
That’s it for our very first Achievements of the Week! What do y’all think of this feature? Stunned silence will be interpreted as glorious, panty-throwing praise. And please share below in the comments your favorite unlocked Achievement from the week.
Grinding Down 
Great feature – please keep it up! I had a few great achievements this week, mostly from Red Dead and Red Faction.
First up there’s “Dastardly” from Red Dead (5G) – leave a hogtied woman on the train tracks before an onrushing train (classic Western).
Then there’s “More Than a Fistful” (10G) – Earn $10,000 in Single Player, just because it’s a reference to A Fistful of Dollars/A Few Dollars More.
From Red Faction, “Martian Matchmaker” (10G) – Fire an enemy into another enemy with the Magnet Gun, solely because it gave me Gamerscore for doing something I would anyway.
“In. The. Face!” (25G) – Kill one of each enemy type with the Maul, because, for all the amazing guns, nothing beats a good hammer to the face. And the name made me laugh.
And last (and definitely least), from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, “Mastering Magic” (80G) – Completed the game on Advanced. Because it meant that dreadful game was over.
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