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Xbox 360 Game impressions

K

Kingpen

Member
I made an attempt to have one of these threads a while ago, but I think it was lifted into the main sticky thread for Xbox 360. The problem with that thread is that it mostly is filled with system questions or availability, and not so much on game impressions. I come to this board looking forward to hearing what others are thinking about their 360 games and am disapointed because nothing is there. I realize that most don't have their systems yet. But maybe this will help pass the time.

Here are my impressions of games.... (keep in mind I play 1P exclusively and don't have Xbox Live yet)

Need for Speed Most Wanted:
I really like this game because it recaptures the fun of earlier entrants in the series before it went all underground. The cop chases are a blast and really are a nice distraction from the main point to point racing. I like being able to customize a car with it having an effect on the wanted level of your car. It actually brings meaning to this aspect of the gameplay. The story moves things along nicely, and the free roam mode provides the distractions I was hoping for. Not a better title then PGR3, but one that fits a niche racing category and fills it well. A lot of fun.

PGR3
The game that may my jaw drop and say holy sh*t when I saw what it looked like. Now that the effect has worn off, it seems to have the tools to stay fresh. The track editor is really nice to use and will provide longevity to the title. I prefer PGR3 as my 'sim' type of racer over Gran Turismo and Forza and have not been disapointed in the least bit. Plus it is one of the $50 games, so it has good value. A very polished and fun game.

Perfect Dark 0
Still on the fence about this one, as it will take some time to grow. I appreciate that it has bots inside it to help increase the replay value. It isn't grasping me right away like Halo did, but it isn't a bad title either. To be fair I have spent the least amount of time with this one. A good entry in the FPS genre regardless...

NHL2k6
My most played game. The gameplay is good and competitive, very immersive franchise mode. Graphics are polished enough to satisfy my on my 60 inch LCD. They are not like NBA 2k6, but they are enough to make me realize I have the best looking hockey game currently out, and that is enough in my book. Presentation was improved it seems. Penalties and injuries are just right. Updated rosters! It plays a very good game of hockey with enough options to tweak it anyway you want, and that is money in my book. Best hockey game I have ever played on any system.

Hexic
Got my wife addicted to this, and it is a very good puzzle game in it's own right. I like it better then Tetris, and just as much as Lumines. Awesome that it was a throw in game with the HD.

Geometry Wars
Awesome- Gonna shell out the 5 bucks to get this, just to recognize the developers for making a great little game (and I realize I have the demo on PGR3). Good little game to divert attention.

Still to unwrap or come - NBA 2k6, Kameo, Call of Duty 2, Dead or Alive 4

I'll add more to this thread if it lasts and when I have more impressions.
 
Here's mine:

Call of Duty 2 - AWESOME
Perfect Dark Zero - Disappointing
Kameo - Fun, but crappy control and camera
PGR3 - AWESOME
Geometry Wars 2 - AWESOME
Tiger '06 - Piss poor
 
:lol So you decided not to break into the girls school funds? :lol

Im right there with ya dude, I have Kameo and $560 waiting to be spent when I get my hands on one.
 
here are the games i've purchased and my GAF ratings of each:

PGR3: A- (favorite game so far. needs more car variety though)
Ridge Racer 6: A- (online is f*ing nuts with 8 racers, 60fps and antialising. nuff said)
Perfect Dark Zero: B (the screen tearing kills the experience for me)
Kameo: B+ (fun as hell and definitely adds some new gameplay mechanics to the genre)
NBA Live 2006: C (rented NBA2K6 and gameplay wise it rips this apart, not graphically though)

Geometry Wars 2: A+ (fun, addicting, insane)
Mutant Storm: B+ (lots of enemy and visual variety, but slower paced than GW2)
Billiards: B- (this is actually fun in multiplayer for some reason)
Hexic HD: B+ (nice game to play before bedtime, in bed)

GamerTag:
hypoetical.jpg

if anyone wants to compare games.
 
Here's my brief game impressions

Joust - There has never been a better Joust. Updated Sprites and backgrounds but it plays exactly like the arcade. Made more enjoyable by gamer achievements.

GeoWars - Probably the best "arcade" game in the last 20 years. Think Asteroids meets Robotron with super cool graphics. Well worth $5. It feels nostalgic and fresh all at the same time.

Outpost Kaloki X - For anyone that wants a full fledged game, but doesn't want to spend $60. For $10, this game is a steal and you'll spend many hours on it. My only complaints are that the gui can be hard to see because it is so small.

Hexic - I get frustrated with it... mainly because you can be playing for like a half hour and still not be very far advanced into the game. The main reason I like to play is to try for gamer achievements.
 
Kameo: Flat out old school fun within a beautiful, colorful environment. Definitely worth purchasing IMO. B+

NBA2K6: Great graphics, best basketball videogame ever IMO. How in the WOOOORRLDD some reviews rated Live higher than this I havent the slightest clue. B+

PDZ: Havent really played enough to give me a solid feel for the quality but the initial 4 missions left me kind of cold. The graphics are decent enough and definitely a step above current gen stuff tho.

Madden 06: It boils down to this for me, if you're a football game franchise junky - C-. If you're an online, 2 player junky - B-. The gameplay is solid enough for me to settle and run with it for a year but the game needs work in several areas if EA wants to get my $ for 07.

Hexic HD: Addictive and fun. B+

Add me to FLs if yall wanna :D.
PhatSaqs.jpg
 
Kameo - A
COD2 - A-
PGR3 - A
Tiger - B (Love the multiplayer with 3 buddies!)
PDZ - B+
Madden - B
Condemned - Wrapped and will stay that way until I beat Kameo
 
DenogginizerOS said:
Kameo - A
COD2 - A-
PGR3 - A
Tiger - B (Love the multiplayer with 3 buddies!)
PDZ - B+
Madden - B
Condemned - Wrapped and will stay that way until I beat Kameo
Click to expand...

multiplayer over live???
 
ninge said:
whats up with tiger? i quite fancied some next-gen golfing :(
Click to expand...

I really like it. I had to dig into the game at first, but now that I have created my likeness in the game and begun the challenges, I really like it. 4-player multiplayer is also great on XBOX Live. I think the reason it is getting pounded in reviews is because of the course selection being limited to 6 and you only have Pebble Beach to Start with. But once you start building your character up and beating the challenges (or tutorials) you quickly unlock 2-3 courses. I would rather have paid $40 for it but a solid golf game nonetheless.
 
DenogginizerOS said:
I really like it. I had to dig into the game at first, but now that I have created my likeness in the game and begun the challenges, I really like it. 4-player multiplayer is also great on XBOX Live. I think the reson it is getting pounded in reviews is because of the course selection being limited to 6 and you only have Pebble Beach to Start with. But once you start building your character up and beating the challenges (or tutorials) you quickly unlock 2-3 courses. I would rather have paid $40 for it but a solid golf game nonetheless.
Click to expand...

how are the graphics? notice any annoying screen tearing like every other EA game out there?
 
hyp said:
how are the graphics? notice any annoying screen tearing like every other EA game out there?
Click to expand...

Not really. I have been most pleased with Tiger versus all the other EA offerings. The graphics are pretty much what I have seen lately with Tiger on my PC.
 
Geometry Wars Retro Evolved is one of the most painfully addictive games to come along in a while. Painful, because I suck at it. I've only achieved over 200,000 points one time. The ramp up in difficluty seems to come really fast. There's like 1-3 enemies, then suddenly 50-60, with 3-4 gravity wells. There's so many crazy lighting effects I can't even see anything. But damn, it's a friggin great looking dish of gaming goodness, and I just can't stop playing.

PDZ feels really hit or miss for me. It's a decent enough FPS, though some stuff in it really looks like crap (crap being a relative term, ie. crap compared to my other 360 games). The second level really feels like Xbox 1, it's a super low poly level. But the few levels following it are fantastic looking. I hate the old school mission setup and menus, and playing over Live is no fun for me right now with the voice echo problems. I also have a hard time getting past the fact that it feels like you're running in syrup and it takes 1000 bullets to kill someone.

Project Gotham 3. Best non-Burnout racing game for me ever. Feels like it has the physics of a sim, control of an arcade racer, and visuals from heaven. I REALLY like this game. Though, i'm partial to racing games. I love all the interaction you get by being connect to live. All the news tickers of people's achievements, and stat comparisons at the end of each race. The option to watch ghosts of the best players, and Gotham TV. I love it all!
 
Kameo: A- (finished it)
Call Of Duty 2: A- (2/3 complete on normal difficulty)
Need For Speed Most Wanted: B+ (1/3 complete)
Smash TV: B (haven't played online MP yet)

Own but haven't played:
Project Gotham 3 (waiting till I have sufficient time to enjoy this)
Quake 4
GUN
Condemned
Bejeweled 2
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Madden
Tiger Woods
NBA

Considering getting:
King Kong
Perfect Dark
Ridge Racer
 
PGR3- FUCK AWESOME TOTAL, seriously the best game on the system. single player is long and online is amazing

Madden- Beautiful but unpolished, looks good plays decent

NBA2k6- dont know what the reviewers are smoking. best sports game on the system

COD2- amazing game

PDO- havnt even opened it yet
 
Although i dont own a 360 I got to play the 360 for the first time today and as i was with friends that generally only play pro evolution i didn't stay for that long.

They had a demo disc with call of duty, kameo and king kong playable, also loads of videos i played king kong as i thought it looked amazing in screenshots but didn't look as impressive in motion jagged edges didn't scream next gen to me i was dissapointed with the graphics firstly so the gameplay only made things worst :lol.

Although one of my friends was amazed with the graphics, i would have rathed played PGR3 but anyway to me what i played of king kong it sucked balls.
 
My impressions are limited because i have more games than i needed and not enough time

Condemned -- Intro level was fantastic....truly frightening

Perfect Dark Zero -- Only played through missions 0-2...its starting to grow on me. I just dont understand FPS games witihout jumping

Call of Duty -- On third mission and getting schooled.

Madden -- Not happy at first, btu now I really like like it. I dont need all the fancy features because usually I just play franchise or against friends.

NBA 2K6 -- Seems fun through two games. I think it looks more next gen than some say.

PGR3 -- I've played very little...plays like PGR2 and looks gorgeous
 
lollerskates said:
I thought you were buying 200 or something from the mob.
Click to expand...

Nice! I am actually typing this from prison... ;)

I never received a response back from the guy... I also had 3 other $$$ backers if it was legit.

The guy was originally getting 20 and I was supposed to get 1... no responses from my emails... so as everyone said it was BS or too good to be true!
 
DenogginizerOS said:
Not really. I have been most pleased with Tiger versus all the other EA offerings. The graphics are pretty much what I have seen lately with Tiger on my PC.
Click to expand...


Are you serious? Sure it looks good, but what's with all the framerate stuttering? Also, mapping the power shot button on the L2 button was beyond retarded. It should have been on the right side.

I'm pretty pissed about a few things with Tiger. It's still fun to play with friends, but it's not even as good as 2005, especially since they nixed features from this version.
 
COD2 - Chaotic, immersive, and intense, with excellent control. Background sound and graphics are top-notch, enemy and squadmate graphics are also terrific until you notice you're sometimes shooting the same 4 Nazis over and over with the same 4 squadmates. Online = Broken, which brings it down a grade for me since that's about 60% of the reason I bought it. B+

Kameo - Just gorgeous to look at, with a wonderful and fitting soundtrack. Gameplay is deeper than it first appears. Busted control/camera scheme which works against you most of the time. B- so far.

PD0 - Played through the first scenario on SP, put it aside. Can't put my finger on it, but the SP game just seems offputting and distant, hasn't sucked me in at all. Graphics are alternately awesome or awful, often on the same screen. Tried MP for a couple of games, looks like a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. C so far.

Condemned - Played through to the end of the first level/scenario, was impressed enough by the atmosphere to put it aside and save it for last. Environmental graphics are good, but when you strike a sheetrock wall with an axe and it just bounces off it tends to jar you out of the game. Sound effects are perfect. Graphics on the "normal" human faces are weird and mask-like, but that may have been a stylistic choice. Excellent combat system so far, and you'll find yourself flinching in your seat when you're struck by one of the psycho vagrants. Of the launch games I bought, this one has stood out as the most unique experience. A- so far, just for Sega trying something different at launch.
 
I was seriously loving Call of Duty 2 until I hit a bug 3/4 of the way through the game that erased my entire fucking save file.
 
jedimike said:
Outpost Kaloki X - For anyone that wants a full fledged game, but doesn't want to spend $60. For $10, this game is a steal and you'll spend many hours on it. My only complaints are that the gui can be hard to see because it is so small.
Click to expand...
I think you can make the GUI bigger in options.
 
RR6 - favourite racing game of all time. Anybody who has any kind of passing interest in arcade racing games has to check this out. Pure style all the way through, and pulling off a 6 second drift without touching the controller is so satisfying


PDZ - Playing Infected with 30 other people online is definitely a one of a kind gaming experience. One thing that people haven't mentioned is the amazing sound effects of the game. I'll give an example, I was playing Infection and I was the last one alive. I had holed myself up at the top of a tower and not many people knew I was there. All of a sudden I hear the faint sound of footsteps, getting louder and louder and coming around me. I knew EXACTLY where the guy was just by the sound of his foot steps as he climbed the tower in circles. I don't even have a 5.1 surround setup or anything like that, I was just listening through my headphones.
 
Call of Duty 2 - Very cool game, only about 1/2 of the way through and I haven't played too much multiplayer, but it's the most impressive of the bunch for me. (A-)

PD0 - It's good enough, but playing it next to CoD 2 really makes it's weak spots stand out. Online is fun and I'm working my way though single player. Still need to try Co-op, which I'm looking forward too. (B)

NFS: MW - Very fun racing game that is holding it down until I pick up PGR 3. I loved NFS 3: HP and this is bringing back memories. A bunch of different modes to switch things up and I love the need to have a few good cars in your garage because of the wanted levels. I've actually spent the most time with this so far. A nice surprise. (B+)

PGR 3 and RR 6 are next, maybe NHL or Condemned as well.
 
Let me add that being able to play your own custom soundtracks in any of these games makes them so much better then some of their related counterparts (especially if they were ports, such as Need for Speed or NHL2k6).

You get to hear your custom music in them in the background, but still get all the sound effects, announcers etc so you don't lose out on the gameplay experience... It is totally awesome.
 
Haven't completed all of the games yet, but I've played enough to get the 'feel' for them.

Call Of Duty 2: A (intense gameplay, favorite launch title)

Kameo: B+ (fun and simple control scheme. incredible graphics in parts)

Need For Speed Most Wanted: B- (Cars feel stuck to the road and control just doesn't feel right. PGR makes it look ugly.)

Project Gotham 3: A (kick ass game. loading times hurt it though)

Madden: C+ (it's Madden, just a bit prettier. control feels sloppy)

Tiger Woods: D (barely passable as a game. bare bones EA rubbish)

NBA Live: D (seriously terrible controls, excellent presentation though)

Perfect Dark: B (gameplay is great, looks good. bad level design, can be confusing even
with the directional arrows. Multiplayer isn't anything special)
 
Completed:
Kameo - 8.5

In-Progress (ratings, so far: )
PGR3 - 9.0
Condemned - 8.5
CoD2 - 8.5
PD0 - 8

Basically Kameo is the only game I've completed. I'm in Chapter 10 in PD0 and have played a couple of hours of the other 3 titles.
 
PDZ to be honest take a LOT of getting used to but now i play on live every night for 5-6 hours, darkops only of course.

once you forget all your FPS and halo habits, the game is good and

noone mentions it but the weapons in PDZ are some of the most innovative and fun weapos in an FPS game in a while.

Also GEOMETRY WARS rocks baby my current high score is
510,915 bitches ha

check GamersReportsDM on live if u want to check! geo wars owns all totally worth the 6 bucks
 
You do need to un Halo yourself for PDZ, surprisingly though, I play Halo 2 better since I've played PDZ
 
Jeff-DSA said:
Are you serious? Sure it looks good, but what's with all the framerate stuttering? Also, mapping the power shot button on the L2 button was beyond retarded. It should have been on the right side.

I'm pretty pissed about a few things with Tiger. It's still fun to play with friends, but it's not even as good as 2005, especially since they nixed features from this version.
Click to expand...

I am playing Tiger more for online than I am for offline. Plus, I feel it beats Links for XBOX which was my previous favorite for a console golf game (online, that is). As far as the power shot button, I can tap it with my right and use my left hand to move the stick. Makes it more difficult, and yes, I would have preferred it on the right side (what is with the lack of custom control schemes???!!!)

Compared to Madden (which is far too easy and has some pretty major hiccups in framerate and AI), NBA Live 2006 (same problems as Madden except not as easy), and FIFA (just plain bad) I would say Tiger is better. HOWEVER, EA really did not put out top quality games for this launch and tey are average compared to the more stellar launch titles. I feel NBA 2K6 is the best of the launch sports titles and will probably buy it tonight.

The lack of courses in Tiger will likely be made up for via a future microtransaction which, I feel, is total bullshit.
 
Jeff-DSA said:
Are you serious? Sure it looks good, but what's with all the framerate stuttering? Also, mapping the power shot button on the L2 button was beyond retarded. It should have been on the right side.
Click to expand...

beyond retarded is too kind.. u have no choice but to make the right stick the swing stick its the stupidest thing i think ive ever seen in button mapping
 
Need For Speed: Most Wanted Demo:

I gotta say, this one really took me by surprise since I generally don't think highly of EA and their omgwtfkewl-themed games. The course featured has many different routes to take and the chases with the cops are pretty epic. It's really fucking fun to blast off to 165mph with your turbo kicking and shit, not to mention going into slo-mo to dodge through cars. Minus the garbage EA Traxx and plus streaming music from the PC makes it all the more enjoyable. The framerate is smooth to me as well so I don't know where people get the shitty framerate mantra; maybe in the garage but when I'm driving it's smooth as Joanna Dark's titties. Compared to the likes of PGR3 I think I may actually like it more, at least for singleplayer but it really doesn't compare to PGR3's amazing online component. Think I may have to pick it up soon. And another thing... the loadtimes are really fast but that may be because it's on the HDD.
 
fartblast said:
Need For Speed: Most Wanted Demo:

I gotta say, this one really took me by surprise since I generally don't think highly of EA and their omgwtfkewl-themed games. The course featured has many different routes to take and the chases with the cops are pretty epic. It's really fucking fun to blast off to 165mph with your turbo kicking and shit, not to mention going into slo-mo to dodge through cars. Minus the garbage EA Traxx and plus streaming music from the PC makes it all the more enjoyable. The framerate is smooth to me as well so I don't know where people get the shitty framerate mantra; maybe in the garage but when I'm driving it's smooth as Joanna Dark's titties. Compared to the likes of PGR3 I think I may actually like it more, at least for singleplayer but it really doesn't compare to PGR3's amazing online component. Think I may have to pick it up soon. And another thing... the loadtimes are really fast but that may be because it's on the HDD.
Click to expand...


Everything he just said is true as far as I see it too. This title is really good, and gets unneccesary bashing just cause it is from EA
 
I'm not seeing enough XBL Arcade love in this thread. It's really amazing to me that I can buy a console w/out any retail games... bring it home and play it for hours on end.

MS really got it right this time with game demos and Arcade games. Those of you guys with 4 or 5 retail games need to spread some of that love to the Arcade devs.
 
We are spreading love.... the mainstream Xbox live Arcade games are Geometry Wars and Hexic.... I love both of them.... They need to get texas hold'em on there
 
jedimike said:
I'm not seeing enough XBL Arcade love in this thread. It's really amazing to me that I can buy a console w/out any retail games... bring it home and play it for hours on end.

MS really got it right this time with game demos and Arcade games. Those of you guys with 4 or 5 retail games need to spread some of that love to the Arcade devs.
Click to expand...
I agree. XBLA has HUGE potential and is implemented very well w/360.

Cant wait to see what the next round of releases consist of. I have visions of playing plenty of old school arcade games here online. We can only hope for now.
 
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