The 360:
When you turn it on you are transported to an online integrated experience like no other. It must be seen to be believed but everything you do is online. Downloading a demo, hell someone looking in their friends list (on the internet, or on their xbox) sees what you're doing. Want to check out what your friend accomplished as their last 360 game achievement? Go right ahead and hit the guide button.
You can now send messages (voice or text) to other people to ask them to play you or whatever you want. You can also invite them into private chats.
The beauty of this is that unlike the previous xbox where if youre chatting to someone and
you put in a game disc, the chat turns off and xbox live needs to be signed into again. Here the console is always online. The chat continues between games, no matter what you do. You are always going to be online (unless you don't want live, which is a stupid thing to not want
). Even in single player, you get achievements and things (as you can see in my sig - click if you want) which get uploaded.
General Visuals:
I had to start my 360 experience on the first day using only a standard def TV. I heard that 'next-gen' looks very 'current-gen' without HD. Whoever said that is moronic. I was amazed after playing PGR3 and CoD2. However, the following day when i connected it to my 19" VGA monitor (not wide screen unfortunatelly
) I ejaculated in my pants. HD is amazing. It brought tears to my eyes. Just wow. That's all I can say.
PDZ:
Ok, well at first play I hated it. I played through the training mission and it seemed to be missing something. The graphics were also very 'xbox 1'.
So I tried an online game and had heaps of fun with it. It was a good feel with fast gameplay (although the map was a bit confusing to navigate). There is a lot of variety and innovation with the weapons (for example this one gun that blurrs the screen completely of the player it hits. The alternate fire mode (if held) makes the opponents allies look exactly like enemies).
Nonetheless, the single player aspect felt me unsatisfied and I went back to PGR3 (LOVE IT
)
2 days later I decided to pop the game in again (today). The first 'real' mission came on and I can say that the graphics are brilliant! The gameplay is also heaps and heaps and heaps of fun. It just has that 'thing' that makes shooters fun to play. It felt a bit like timesplitters (I've never played Goldeneye, PD on N64). I especially love the dying animations. It's very arcadey and unrealistic but that's what makes it great (although the action I suppose could still be a little bit faster).
I will have to post more impressions after I'm done with more than 2 missions
PGR3:
I've been playing this game 80% of the time. I just love it. Gorgeous visuals and fun gameplay. Online it's a blast. Offline it's a blast. Just brilliant
I won't comment that much on this game as it's a game that lives up to everything that was said about it. WHat you think you'll get is what you will get. However, the loading times are shocking
Also, it wasn't as polished as it could be [rushed problem with many launch titles]
Madden 06:
Well, the good thing is that the graphics made me ejaculate all over every peice of furniture in the house. The animations are unpararelled by anything I've ever seen. Just so real. However, the game is missing too much. They only got like 3 features from the xbox/ps2 version and ported it. Then removed some key parts of the actual games (Can't challenge plays anymore). EA uses servers because theyre dicks and the lag playing online with americans is too much. I've never had this problem in any other games.
Madden 07 will be amazing on the 360/ps3 but for now, this will have to suffice.
CoD2:
This was going to be my most played game, however, is turning out to be the least. Not that the game is bad (well, online it is). But the other games have amazed me so much. I will def go back to CoD2 soon> The graphics are exceptional. The sound is brilliant and very immersive. 5.1 all the way
It's an amazing game.
NBA Live 06 demo:
Great graphics, poor animation. It seemed like the players were skating. ANd they ALWAYS look forward no matter where the ball is
Kameo demo:
I didn't like it. I know many others (as old as 40 year olds) who love this game. It does look beautiful and everything but for some reason it just didnt click with me. But I can understand why some may idolise it.
Condemned demo:
Almost photorealistic graphics in parts. Honestly scary. I will be getting this game.
I am also getting Amped 3 soon due to what I heard about the storyline.
Overall impressions:
I agreed that the launch line up was poor. I identified only 2 good games: PGR3 and CoD2. The rest, as I thought, would be terrible. I have proven myself wrong. It is a common thought (and I've been guilty of it) that 'next-gen' isn't here with the launch titles. Well, it is here. If this isn't next-gen, I don't know what is. What sends shivers down my spine is that I have only played underworked titles. 6 months down the track, I can't even imagine how amazing the games will be.
RATINGS:
Xbox 360 console (incl xbl, accessories etc): 9/10. Some minor functionality issues that i'm sure will be patched.
PGR3: 8/10. Whilst this game amazes me, I love playing it, every time I put the disc in I smile, it's not quite that polished (antialiasing doesnt exist) and the load times are off putting. If I wasn't a harsh reviewer I'd give it a 9/10, though. This may well be my fave game on this console thus far.
Madden 06: 4/10. Yes, it looks great. Yes, it's fun. But where are all the modes? Why can't I challenge plays? Why do I get so much lag online? etc etc
CoD2: *would prefer to abstain from rating it for now*
PDZ: *as above*
This has been a true non-fanboy assessment of the 360. It has surpassed all my wildest expectations. I am honestly amazed with it.
