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First Xbox 360 Reviews Hitting the Web
An anonymous reader writes "The first reviews for Xbox 360 games are starting to hit the web! 1UP has reviewed Kameo, Project Gotham Racing 3, FIFA Soccer 2006, NBA 2K6, and Amped 3, while IGN has reviewed Madden NFL 06, Kameo, and NBA 2K6. Judging from both sets of reviews, it looks like Project Gotham Racing 3 - which scored a 10/10 on 1UP - is the only sure winner of the 360 launch games thus far."
Personally, I'm holding off til later I think. Unless Perfect Dark Zero scores a massive 9 something everywhere (ala Halo at Xbox launch), there just won't be any great games til Christmas at the earliest.
What I find interesting about reviews during this time is that those who have to have the 360 have already bought, and likely already know which of the 20 or 30 games available they will buy. It's not like there will be anyone with a 360 who has not already been planning on buying one. So, just how useful is a review like this when, pretty much by definition, the likely consumers have already made up their minds?
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
Sports games appeal to the masses of casual gamers, and therefore are a good choice if you wanna sell a console.
And if it's going to be an FPS for Xbox it better have "Halo" in the name - another thing casual gamers recognize. Seasoned multiplatform gamers aren't eaisly satisfied with FPSes on consoles.
This is a sig. It is appended to the end of comments I post.
I mean let's be real: This is a GAME console, if you don't care about it for playing games, there's little reason to get one, espically at the current prices. $500 is plenty to build a media PC better than any X-box.
I think people looking to do this are expecting both, not one or the other. For me, for it to pay off it has to be a DVD, a Tivo, and a game box.
C//
A great example of why this machine will be a smashing success.
Microsoft has done a fabulous job of selling it as more than just a game machine.
Giving a game perfect score doesn't sound like something a respectable reviewer should do.
10 out of 10 possible indicates perfection, something that can't be improved. Suppose that a year later,
the game gets a sequel with some improvements. More cars, more levels - the usual sequel stuff. Shouldn't
that also receive a perfect score of 10, since it is the same "perfect" game, but just... better?
I do understand that scores are meant to be read like the bible, that they are just general guidelines and
that you really need to read the review. But scores are what will be quoted on advertisements, and a pretty clearly hype-influenced perfect score is just sad.
Well another smashing piece of hardware hits the streets, so what ? The games are still lame. They are much more beautiful than on the previous one sure but what about interest ?
Blasting monsters or whatnot is not my cup of tea (or coffee or mountain dew or whatever), I'm fed up with micromanaging my armada in the 3565654684th copy of the click fest called warcraft and I don't care much to see sprites living their own lives on screen. MMORPG are a bug nightmare and a support pit. So what's left ?
(Answer : another useless shiny box full of top of the line hardware gathering dust somewhere on a shelf)
malheureusement la stupidité n'est ni curable, ni mortelle.
but this is slashdot. we use devices for everything but the intended purpose. play games on an xbox360? ha! we need to discuss important things like:
1) can i run linux on it?
2) can i build a beowulf cluster of them?
3) can i play illegally downloaded movies/music on it?
4) can i use it as an ssh proxy to connect to my file server hosted on a toaster running netbsd?
you know, things like that...
Actually, this is no surprise at all.
When the original Xbox came out, it was actually better than what you could buy in PC graphics cards at the time. At launch, a console better be whooping ass, because after that's it's downhill! PC hardware gets updated, but the console hardware will stay the same for several years to come, during which it will not be top-notch anymore.
So yes, the xbox 360 will be pretty impressive graphics-wise for now, that's obvious. As a PC gamer you shouldn't despair, in a year or so, the Xbox360 high-tech equivalent hardware will be available at commodity prices (timespan may vary).
Plus, who'd want to give up that keyboard and mouse anyways... (my 2 cent)
Kameo is an adventure/RPG. Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion was supposed to be out, but has been delayed (dammit). I view the Tony Hawk games as adventure games more than sports games since THUG and THUG2, but it's a limited-appeal kind of adventure. Perfect Dark Zero is confirmed for launch according to other reports (not familiar with the title, but I seem to recall it's an FPS).
Sports and racing games have it easy, because they've already got a number of things developed and ready to shove into the game... as soon as the hardware catches up. When they develop the feature, QA vetoes it because load times are glacial and framerate drops into single-digits. Now that the new platform is adding more horsepower, some of these features can go straight into the next release, and several more can be tweaked and optimised for next year's sequel.
Adventure/RPG games take much longer to build. Even an FPS game needs more detailed level design than a football game. Face it, we're just more demanding than the average Madden player - not because our game is somehow "better", but because the things Madden does well don't happen to interest us. What *does* interest us is the idea of a whole world to explore and conquer. That's a pretty damn tall order, and I for one am just glad we get games like this at all.
But the parent is NOT flamebait. Bad moderator. Go sit in the corner.
Microsoft cheerleader, blue flag waving, you got a problem with that?
I think there is some serious "astroturfing" going on in this thread. Comments like yours, that are critical of the XBox, are being modded down as flamebait.
I've noticed the same thing as you, none of my friends are very excited about the 360. There doesn't seem to be much buzz surrounding it. Personally I think it is because all the games are just sequels, more of the same but with fancier graphics.
It will be interesting to see what happens when the Playstation3 comes out.
Ignoring the fact that you can't pick a winner from "both sets of reviews" when it's only included in one of them...
The "games have to get nine out of ten to be worth playing" mentality bothers me. A lot. Scores are inflated to the point where they're almost meaningless anyway; even though Black and White was a good game, do you really think it would have been consistently rated at the 90% level if it wasn't so anticipated and so hyped? The 10/10 on PGR3 means jack except for it's the obligatory launch title that everyone is expected to buy with the console. What console hasn't launched with at least one game in the 9/10 or above range?
Personally, I know I'd have more fun with Kameo than I would PGR3. I've got racing games, and plenty of them. I'd much rather have an experience that's new instead of something that we see modified and released anew every six months in some form.
It's also a letdown to see how the scores are determined. Kameo was scored lower because it's only going to last "weeks, not months?" Give me a fucking break - weeks of entertainment for $50 is still pretty darn good, all things considered, and Kameo also seems to be one of the few 360 launch titles that has a plot of some kind. Apparently, that's become a bad thing.
Goo goo g'joob.
"Does anyone else see what I see? All but one of these is a sequel! Where, O where, have the original fun-to-play games gone? :("
Um, this is a system launch. You picked the wrong time to expect originality or high quality games, and that goes for any system.
"Derp de derp."
You know, that really is too bad, because for once I'd like to play a well-crafted, simple, addictive game that doesn't feature neurotic plumbers, walking mushrooms, giant monkeys, turtles with wings, pink princesses, rainbows and clouds with fucking faces on them.
Alright, I take back what I said about the monkeys.
If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
I love Nintendo as much as anyone else but Nintendo is just as bad about sequels. Mario. Zelda. Smash Bros. Mario Tennis/Kart. Pokemon. A numerical designation isn't the only indicator of sequel-itis. And being a sequel does not imply a lack of innovation (i.e. Mario 64, GTA III, etc).
Name one Nintendo launch title in the last 15 years that hasn't been derivative of a franchise. Take your time.
My perception of the PS1 is that it started slowly, uninterestingly, and eventually picked up steam with better and better titles, really taking off with FF7, and finally ending its career at a ripe old age where it can still be bought in micro form with a huge game library available. I still see new copies of some Greatest Hits on the shelves at Best Buy.
Enter the PS2. The Playstation has a track record of a platform with a ton of top titles, offers better graphics, backward compatibility, a higher capacity format and DVD movie playing capabilities. Any suprise people wanted this one?
Contrast this with the XBOX. It started off with lots of hype, never really went anywhere with its library, instead relying on technical superiority, and they're already coming out with the next console before this one has had five years.
Enter the XBOX360. Now, the XBOX didn't have a great library, and so there's not much track record there. It's got slightly improved graphics (but probably not as good as the competition will have), some backward compatibility (but to a meager library), and the same old DVD format. People say "there are interesting games on the horizon," but honestly, I want to know: what are they?
Contrast this to the competition. The PS3 promises what the PS2 promised (and delivered on): highly improved graphics, full backward compatibility, a higher capacity format and the ability to play next-gen movies. It's sitting on a vast library of 2 generations of games, and all indications point to the next generation being just as big.
The Revolution promises full backward compatibility to everything Nintendo owns (although details are fuzzy), a new form of controller that could really make console shooters something else (as well as open up new types of games), and most importantly, all the Nintendo franchise games.
I can see why someone would want a PS3. I can see why someone would want a Nintendo Revolution. But why would someone want an XBOX360?
Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage
You miss the point. I had my XBMC set up in three hours. It can play just about any media, has digital audio out, hooks up to my TVs component inputs (and has done since it came out). Say a weeks work to produce something similar using off-the-shelf components? And at what cost? I've never even seen a video card with component-out that'll work in UK TVs. (we've always had RGB component inputs).
Also, you miss something MAJOR that most who undertake making a media pc miss out. The user interface. With the xbox, the UI is designed for the device. The remote control works out the box. No need to assign buttons to an existing remote, and "hack" buttons that don't exist on your remote. No "menu" button? Well, I'll use the "1" for that. No "display" button, guess I'll put that on "2" then. With XBMC the UI is specifically designed for the hardware, and it works beautifully. It has a better UI than ANY media device I've seen. Seriously, it's the dogs bollocks. The standard hardware is one of the things that benefits games developers, and guess what...it applies here too.
It's small, fits under the telly and it's cheap. I update it every other month and I am always pleasanly surprised by the new functionality they add. Last month it was an Apple website browser (lot's of quicktime media) as well as an iFilm browser. Watching streaming media to your TV over the net from the confort of your armchair? Bah, that's old news for us, and now we have a massive library to watch.
The only thing it doesn't do is TIVO style recording HOWEVER that's doable. It can display streams over the network, so all you need is a centralised PC doing the recording. And in essence this is a far superiour solution, as you can buy additional xbox "clients" for pennies now and watch the media in ANY room.
You really don't know what you are missing. Every tech-head who has seen my (cheap) setup now has one.
There was a reason to buy the first xbox since it was somewhat more advanced than highend pcs. I can't see any reason why someone would waste 400 dollars on a 360.
The first Xbox was sub-par compared to top-end PCs at the time. I always buy in the midrange, yet my PC could stomp the original xbox when it was released. Of course the xbox advocates would say that the xbox is tuned, and doesn't have all the inefficient generalized software that a PC needs, and so on, and perhaps they are right.
However a triple-core, "hyperthreaded" (e.g. 6 virtual processors) 3.2GhzX3 PowerPC with an incredible memory bus is decidedly superior to most PCs. Add that with a top-end video processor, and you have an incredibly capable system. I'm not a console gamer, but I am drawn to the technical capabilities of that machine, and I have no doubt that there'll be hacks to stick it into cluster configurations very quickly.
The xbox360 is a killer, killer, killer machine. The only reason there isn't a lot of hype is because Microsoft has suppressed virtually all info about it, and has done close to nothing to promote it (at least up until now). Perhaps they're planning on a shock and awe campaign to sell it, but the lack of enthusiasm is entirely in their court.
I'm interested but:
:)+
-This generation I'm married with kids, so dumping $700 ish into a system aint going to happen!
-I realize I can buy this for much cheaper in a few years with more games
-My PC is at least somewhat up to date reducing the need for the 360
-Oblivion is delayed anyways
Whatever you say, my friend.
Honourable mention (Wario is not a plumbler).
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Why would you buy a system for PC ports? If you want PC games, isn't it wiser to just use your PC for them?
Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
I was excited to read the review. I couldn't wait to hear what EA added. What extra features did they give to add value to the inevitible $60 price tag?
WTF! They left out instant replay?!?! They cut out the mini-camp?!?! They trimmed down the defensive audibles?!?!
I have to say I'm quite disappointed. Realistically, though, EA had to fit all those fancy shmancy graphics on a regular "old" sized DVD, and I think the game suffered because of it. Hopefully MS can switch to a "next gen" DVD format soon, or we might be seeing scaled back games in the future. In my opinion this game should have a lower price tag at launch. For one, it's less "game" than the other versions, and two it's halfway through the NFL season.
Because it exists, maybe?
-516
I can see why someone would want a PS3. I can see why someone would want a Nintendo Revolution. But why would someone want an XBOX360?
For me, it's simple - Xbox Live. I'm not interested in role playing some elf wandering around enchanted islands. Get real. As far as I'm concerned, gaming is all about the challenge of playing real people. And Microsoft thoroughly walloped Sony on the online gaming front. Turning on the Xbox and firing up a game of Halo 2, Ghost Recon, or Madden is a nice 45 minute diversion.
Sony completely dropped the ball with online gaming with the PS2 and so far its looking like they're going to do it again by leaving gaming networks up to the publisher. Big mistake. Microsoft delivered a consitent, reliable, and fun online experience and the next generation can only be better.
From where I stand its pretty cut and dry. The hardware differences between the two will be neglible. Sony will have the edge, but their hardware complexity will make it a wash. The only real differences between the two will be the titles. MS will dominate online "realistic" gaming and Sony will own the "fantasy" titles.
Contrast this with the XBOX. It started off with lots of hype, never really went anywhere with its library, instead relying on technical superiority, and they're already coming out with the next console before this one has had five years.
Oh my god! A 5-year lifecycle! It's not like Nintendo has ever had a lifecycle that short.
As for the library, XBOX had a number of notable exclusives, and with Rare onboard it appears that the 360 will have a number of notable exclusives as well.
Enter the XBOX360. Now, the XBOX didn't have a great library, and so there's not much track record there. It's got slightly improved graphics (but probably not as good as the competition will have), some backward compatibility (but to a meager library), and the same old DVD format. People say "there are interesting games on the horizon," but honestly, I want to know: what are they?
Don't believe Sony's crapola. Most developers have said that the XBOX 360 is roughly equal to the PS3 in terms of graphical muscle. The ATI GPU in the 360 is no pushover, no matter what Sony would have you believe.
And I wouldn't call over 200 games "meager" in terms of backwards compatibility.
And there are interesting games now. Lots of Rare fans like myself have been waiting for another Perfect Dark, there's PGR3, DOA4, and, of course, all the 3rd party sports and racing games.
As for DVD, who gives a crap? DVD-9 holds more than 9 gigabytes of data - it's certainly enough for any PC game out there, and I fail to realize why it's a serious issue for the 360.
Contrast this to the competition. The PS3 promises what the PS2 promised (and delivered on): highly improved graphics, full backward compatibility, a higher capacity format and the ability to play next-gen movies. It's sitting on a vast library of 2 generations of games, and all indications point to the next generation being just as big.
You're assuming that Blue-Ray is the format of the future. And that backwards-compatibility is going to be 100% - hell, even newer PS2 revs are having trouble maintaining full backwards-compatibility.
The Revolution promises full backward compatibility to everything Nintendo owns (although details are fuzzy), a new form of controller that could really make console shooters something else (as well as open up new types of games), and most importantly, all the Nintendo franchise games.
The Revolution isn't even competitive in this area. Nintendo has segmented themselves into a different market segment through the odd controller, late launch, different pricepoint, and different hardware specs.
Oh, and I don't see you crapping on Nintendo for choosing DVD-9 for Revolution.
I can see why someone would want a PS3. I can see why someone would want a Nintendo Revolution. But why would someone want an XBOX360?
You don't get it, do you? The 360 isn't about improved hardware, it's about improved software. Downloadable demos & movies. Independant games. Intelligent matchmaking. Integrated VoIP. Connectivity with XP Media center boxes. Connectivity with portable media devices.
Want to voice chat with a buddy while playing a single-player game? No problem. Want to try Kameo before you plunk down $50? No problem. Want to customize the UI with themes and wallpapers? Yep. Want to stream some tunes from your PC or an iPod while you game? Yep. Want to play some cool indie mini-games in HD? Yep.
Trust me, at times, if you aren't the one playing you would swear it was a cut scene or a real film, when it is the actual game.
Funny, I've been playing the latest PC games and played the Xbox 360 demos and I sure as hell wouldn't "swear it was a cut scene or a real film" (!?!?). In fact, the most visually impressive game I've played recently is F.E.A.R., a PC title which is graphically far superior to the 360 demos on display.
Most people walking by think it is a film or at the very least a pre-rendered cut scene, when it is the actually game, running smooth with tons of AI and action surrounding you.
"Most people" must be looking at a completely different console than the xbox 360 I've seen. "Most people" must also be different than the people I've talked to, who were thoroughly unimpressed with the graphics (which for the demo games look like Xbox1 titles in a higher res).
Even though us average SlashDot people don't want to hear this, but the reality is the real XBox 360 meets everything E3 promised,
E3 didn't exactly promise much... Exactly what great-looking 360 games were shown at E3? All I remember are Gears of War (which is still a long way from release) and PGR3, which ironically turned out to be prerendered and the final game does not look nearly as good (minimal anti-aliasing, lower than 720p res, etc.)
and since the boxes are faster and do nice anti-aliasing, the games are smoother and look even better than the E3 demos running on dual G5s with dual Video.
None of the demos use any significant amount of anti-aliasing. As for comparing them to the E3 stuff? Most of it looked like garbage, so I would hope they would look better!
PS3 will have a hard time matching the game quality, not only does the 360 do graphics and sound right, but there is enough processing power left over for an intelligent game and lots of side and ambient action.
Are you a Microsoft Employee reading this off an advertising brochure?
Especially considering the PS3 went from being a Cell only system,
Where exactly did you get this? The PS3 has always been Cell + RSX. Anything else is Xbox fanboy speculation.
then to a Cell and NVidia system when the Cell couldn't be adapted fast enough to do the quality of video they wanted, and now we are finding out the PS3's NVidia subsystem is in the 6800 Class of PC Cards, not even the current 7800s.
This is completely FALSE. I can't believe how garbage like this could get modded +4 interesting.
The Video in the XBox 360 is based on ATI technologies we won't see in PC Video cards until at least the second Quarter of next year.
Oh yes, ATI has magically created an Uber GPU that you claim is superior to NVidia's yet somehow their latest top of the line, $600 PC card is still inferior in performance to NVidia's 7800 (which is a basis for the PS3's GPU). But we know that miracles happen in Xbox fanboy land!
So you can basically match the processing and GPU power of PS3 with current PC hardware, where it would be hard to match processing and GPU power of the XBox 360 at this point without some serious coin and tweaking. Not bad for 300-400 US.
You can match the power of the PS3 and even more so the Xbox 360 with current PC hardware with ease, unless you are gullible enough to believe the bullshit Teraflops-of-computing-power claims from both Sony and MS.
judging from your posting history, you are a well paid microsoft astroturfer.