Apple's newest iPad came out last week, and, as expected, it's a gorgeous device. With more RAM, a beefier processor, and that super-shiny Retina Display, the third-gen iPad is certainly a powerful tablet. And a great gaming system.

But for gamers, all that glitz and glamour isn't worth the entry fee. Not yet.

Today I compared my new iPad with a co-worker's iPad 2. Though there are a few minor aesthetic differences (textures look a tiny, tiny bit better!), games like Infinity Blade 2 and Mirror's Edge run just as smoothly on both devices. The old iPad looks and feels exactly the same way when you're playing games, to the point where you probably wouldn't be able to tell the two tablets apart.

In other words, if you already have an iPad 2, there's no reason to upgrade. Yet. Remember, publishers like Electronic Arts have promised to develop optimized versions of many of their iOS games, while Epic Games has already announced a new Infinity Blade game that will likely look stunning on the newest iPad. Within the next few months, I expect that we'll start to see games that only work on Apple's newest piece of mobile hardware, much like iPhone games started to adapt to the iPhone 3G, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S, rendering their predecessors obsolete. But none of that has happened yet.

Of course, if you don't already have a device that can play iOS games (an old iPad, the iPhone, or the iPod Touch), this is a good time to get one. The iTunes library is growing larger and larger every day. Mobile games for Apple's ubiquitous devices can be cheap, addictive, and surprisingly deep.

But if you have an iPad 2 and you're wondering whether enhanced gaming justifies the $500-700 it will cost you to upgrade? It doesn't. Not yet.

What's the future of Mirror's Edge, that flawed but beautiful cult-favorite of a first-person parkour game?

That question is nearly mandatory for any interview with a person of power at Electronic Arts and its development studio DICE, so of course I asked it last week when I was supposed to be interviewing studio manager Karl Magnus about his studio's new Battlefield stuff. (More on that later).

Here's the latest. Warning: it's a Rorschach blot:

"At DICE we are dedicated to making games, not just Battlefield games," Magnus said.

Then he asked me if I wanted a sequel.

Of course, I blurted, but what about you guys? You must get asked this all the time, I suggested.

That's true, he laughed, and added: "We are constantly looking into and trying new things. Mirror's Edge was one of those tries. We're super-proud of the game. It wasn't a big commercial success from that point of view, but we're super-proud of what we managed to do with the first-person movement and these kinds of things. We love the universe and [Mirror's Edge heroine] Faith as a character and so forth. You have to wait and see what the future holds. We're not going to confirm anything now, but we're definitely considering all ways forward for the studio."

Mirror's Edge was released in 2008.

If you're tracking this, EA CEO John Riccitiello told us in late 2009 that a sequel was in development but "at a crossroads".

In mid 2011, EA Games label chief Frank Gibeau told PC Gamer, "We're actively looking at how to bring it back in the right way." (And it's running on the Battlefield 3 graphics engine? The Official PlayStation Magazine rumored that.)

At this point, we're taking bets on which will happen first, Mirror's Edge 2 or Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil 2. Hey, at least Mirror's Edge got an iOS spin-off.

Dead End Thrills, a great site for your downtime/wallpaper needs, is a bit of a favourite of mine. And for good reason.

They take screenshots very seriously, turning them from promotional tool or keepsake into art. And not just the kind of art that you just stare at. The kind that's a little more practical, that you can also turn into wallpaper.

Some of the game's you'll find in this gallery include Portal 2, EVE Online, Mirror's Edge and Modern Warfare, though you'll of course find a ton more at the link below.

To see the larger pics in all their glory (or so you can save them as wallpaper), right-click on the "expand" icon on the main image above and select "open in new tab".

Dead End Thrills [Dead End Thrills]

It's the one I have. Cosplay superstar and Kotaku favorite Omi Gibson does her best leap of Faith.

Her cosplay does a fine job of portraying the Mirror's Edge heroine, and, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the first Western game cosplay she's done. Omi specializes in Metal Gear cosplay as we as edgy, obscure game characters.

As with Omi's cosplay, the costume, the poses, the pictures, the Omi—they just work so well! She's very good at what she does.

Mirror's Edge was released in 2008, and Omi was released when she was born.

フェイス / ミラーズエッジ [OMI 化郎 GIBSON]

Photographer Mike Kowalek loves taking pictures, whether that be birds, bridges, you name it. But it's his cosplay photos that got him on Kotaku.

He doesn't just take photos, but proper portraits of folks who don costumes, who deserve way more than simple convention snaps.

The images in this gallery have been cropped. The uncropped originals are viewable on Mike's site. Check 'em out!

It's commenter Aikage's turn to play Speak Up on Kotaku again, or should I say Commander Aikage? He wants to know what video game character you relate to the most, and you're going to tell him.

Hello. Who are you?

Which video game character do you relate to the most? Sure, you may not be a super power imbued super hero or a fallen God, but every game has a hero with a story - and these stories are decidedly human. Did you have your girlfriend stolen from you by a "big ape" (Mario from Donkey Kong)? Do you feel repressed by your government (Jade from Beyond Good and Evil, the girl from Mirror's Edge (Sorry I don't know her name))? Were you and your friends betrayed by Griffith and then all of your friends are killed and you are branded for life (Guts from Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage)? Does everything suck (Kirby)?

For myself, and I know this is sort of cheating, but I relate to Shepard from the Mass Effect series. I find that lately I'm forced to make a lot of tough decisions with no real winner in any of the outcome. I know that tough decisions are a fact of life but as of late it just seems like there are more than I am accustomed to.

Plus, my wife is an alien.

The new Spider-Man movie trailer is cool. It's also a bit familiar to those of us who played and enjoyed the 2008 video game Mirror's Edge. How similar? Watch. You might notice some amazing, spectacular coincidences.

In 2008, Dan Pinchbeck of the University of Portsmouth created an interactive "ghost story" titled Dear Esther using Valve's Source Engine, and its associated Half Life 2 art assets. The game achieved enormous critical success, and established a devoted cult following. Now the title is set to receive a substantial makeover with the help of Indie Fund, and is due to enjoy a commercial release later this year. Indie Fund is an alternative funding option for independent game developers, founded by a roster of indie vets that includes Jonathan Blow and Kellee Santiago.

According to Indie Fund's announcement, Dear Esther's environments will be re-envisioned by Robert Briscoe, formerly an environment artist for 2008's Mirror's Edge, and will likewise undergo enhancements to its voice-acting and musical score.

Indie Fund claims to have selected Dear Esther because

...it is a unique expression from a video game artist we look forward to seeing more work from in the future...[it] stands out in that it is a mod-turned-indie-game, something that would have been unlikely to get traditional publisher funding, even if it were a more standard gaming experience.

For more information about Dear Esther, check out BeefJack.com's Dear Esther Blowout, which includes a summary of the game's developmental history, and an interview with its creator.

Indie Fund backing Dear Esther [Indie Fund]

You'll only need to one button to play Fotonica, a first-person platform jumping game oozing with style that its creators say is created in the fashion of "ugly 3D of the 90s."

Fotonica is the work of Italian game design studio Santa Ragione—Pietro Righi Riva and Nicolò Tedeschi—who call their game a mix of "jumping, sense of speed and discovery." Its wireframe looks may remind you of trippy musical shooter Rez while its gameplay feels like a Mirror's Edge time trial. There's dot eating, if you want something vaguely Pac-Man like.

It may have a hard time living up to those games—it's certainly challenging to get the hang of—but we think you should give it a go. You'll need to install the Unity 3D webplayer if you decide to go on. If not, simply enjoy Fotonica's visually satisfying trailer.

Fotonica [Kongregate]

My acting teacher taught me a variety of things, such as how to cry on command and sound really excited about floor wax.

But more importantly, she taught me that the hardest roles of my career wouldn't involve emotional death scenes, historical research, or any kind of physical and emotional transformation.

The hardest roles would be playing the attractive, heroic leading lady.

Not because the scenes are demanding in the least. In fact, they're usually some of the easiest: Smile, look pretty. Shoot gun, look pretty. Play hard to get, look pretty. Pouty-lipped reaction shot. Repeat.

My acting coach meant that it's easy to fall into the trap of just going through the motions as the ‘pretty girl.' I mean, who cares about my character's subtext (the emotion underneath the words) as long as I had a low-cut shirt, flat abs, and body oil, right? True – and there's nothing wrong with sex appeal – but it's the job of real actors to take something superficial and give it depth.

This same concept applies to video game heroines.

In the original Tomb Raiders, Lara Croft needed nothing more than D-cups and 9-millimeters to satisfy her demographic. But now that the bar of characterization has been raised, what makes a good heroine?

Personally, I compare it to what I've learned in acting: Leading ladies have to be tough, but accessible. Beautiful, with a vulnerable, ugly side. A strong woman and a scared little girl at the same time. Not to mention outfits and overall style need to make sense. And what about throwing some humor in there? A sense of humor makes her relatable. In other words, female protagonists should be well rounded… and not just in the physical sense.

These high standards of mine are the reason I still don't have a favorite video game heroine. The funniest thing, however, is that each of my requirements have been met – only with different characters.

So, I'm breaking all the rules, throwing on my mad scientist goggles, and splicing together some Frankenstein monsters, to see if I can create my perfect female lead.

Monster #1 – The Witty, Complex Beauty

Elena Fisher's humor (Uncharted series) + Lara Croft's style & weapons (Tomb Raider series) + Bonnie MacFarlane's emotional strength (Red Dead Redemption)

No firearm compares to Nathan Drake's arsenal of one-liners, and while he's not the first wisecracking hero, he's one of the first to have a sarcastic female counterpart who can shoot the jokes right back. Elena's sense of humor could very well be the most lovable thing about her. Combine that charming personality with Lara Croft's short-shorts and pistols, and – well, talk about a firecracker!

You can't deny that Lara Croft's body is as classic to video games as Mario's red hat. I loved her style in Tomb Raider: Underworld, and frankly, I'd wear the same thing if I were chimney jumping like a spider monkey in a hot, sticky jungle. To top off a beauty like Lara with the quick wit of Elena, I'd add Bonnie MacFarlane's full range of emotions.

Bonnie is a real, relatable woman in a man's world. We see her as a protective landowner and a respectful daughter. We watch her take a liking to John Marston, which turns into a silent love, and eventually… we see her realize that love can never develop, as she kicks the dirt like a sad little girl.

While Elena's humor and Lara's style are good first steps toward creating a dynamic heroine, it's really the imperfections and heart of Bonnie that round out this Frankenstein monster.

Monster #2 – The Hot, Parkouring Zombie Assassin

Zoey's relatability (Left4Dead) + Faith Connors' acrobatics (Mirror's Edge) + Rubi Malone's fashion (Wet)

The Zompocalypse is going to happen. We've all accepted it.

While we know virtually nothing about Zoey from Left4Dead, gamers are obsessed with her. I realized it's because she is one of the most relatable female characters around. She's extremely normal – a girl you could easily run into on the street. I guarantee if the outbreak happened tomorrow, I would be Zoey personified… but I'd wish I had the skills of Faith Connors.

Imagine being a survivor among zombies with the ability to parkour. Talk about a game-changer! Faith's unique, real-life free-running ability given to a sharpshooter like Zoey produces a character that's only missing one thing: some sexy style.

Wet wasn't exactly Game of the Year, but its star, Rubi Malone, knows how to dress. Her style is practical, sexy, and gives off a "Don't screw with me" vibe. Why do I think my down-to-earth, Apocalypse-surviving heroine needs more than just jeans and a hoodie? It's the classic saying, "Look good, feel good," because hell, if I looked like Rubi at the end of humanity, my ass-kicking ego would be bigger than a free Lady Gaga concert.

Monster #3 – The Loyal, Independent Phasewalker… with a Sword

Lilith's Phasewalk (Borderlands) + Alyx Vance's complexity and independence (Half-Life series) + Lightning's gunblade (Final Fantasy XIII)

Video games are fictional, and the best thing about fiction is that you can give characters unrealistic features, such as incredible super powers. Lilith's Phasewalk in Borderlands allows her to turn invisible and slip out of danger, then reappear in the center of the battle with a shockwave of pain. Yet, this amazing power is given to a character that's hard to get close to. Imagine this power given to a strong, sassy, beautifully complex character like Alyx Vance.

Alyx, more than Gordon Freeman, is the face of Half-Life 2, giving us a real human with which to connect as we control a voiceless hero. Maybe I'm just a sucker for that wink of hers, but Alyx's personality is a breath of fresh air in the video game land of superficial beauties.

Lilith and Alyx? They're all about guns. So, we'll stick with what they're familiar with and throw in a sword. The Gunblades from Final Fantasy are undeniably cool, and the one wielded by Lightning is probably the most gorgeous of all. Lightning's weapon, Alyx's depth, Lilith's powers – yeah, I'd play that game.

There is an obvious shortage of multifaceted female protagonists. Even in Game Informer's "30 Characters Who Defined a Decade," only six were women. In our male-dominated world of games, I'd love to see more female heroes that break the shallow mold and show us their gritty, even ugly side. And hey, a few more funny girls wouldn't hurt, either.

So, those are my creations – what are yours?

Lisa Foiles is best known as the former star of Nickelodeon's award-winning comedy show, All That. She currently works as a graphic designer and writes for her game site, Save Point. For more info, visit Lisa's official website.