The few people I know who have visited the Xbox 360 tour events before me told tales of the size of this beast, so before I went I took a good hard look at my current Xbox. Upon arriving at the Light in
Leeds it was not as much as a shock it isn’t that big at all. “It’s beautiful” and the objective of making a piece of hardware that consumers would feel happy to put on show is one that has been well and truly achieved (sadly I was not able to touch it L)
The controller looks so simple but is fantastic; it is small, lightweight and well crafted and will be a disappointment to put down when you have to go out.
To be honest I can’t really comment anymore about the actual hardware for the simple reason that I was too caught up in the games all around me. I was the proverbial ‘kid in a candy shop’ not knowing what to do first.
First up Perfect Dark Zero, this like all 360 games here wasn’t a final retail version and was only 75% complete. PDZ had the most appeal to me as it was the original N64 game and Goldeneye that really got me into the whole FPS genre. From what I saw and played it’s a solid game. It looks great and plays well. The test for this game will be its longevity and Xbox Live playability. I was just as concerned as many others after learning that you ‘can’t jump’ (alert the village elders!) but I didn’t really miss it and the combat roll is nice enough. The weapons are among the most satisfying I have ever played in an FPS and really feel good to use (pistols are so fun and the shotgun rules). PDZ will be the main launch title for many and people will look to fill the Halo 2 hole. Like all games in this genre multiplayer will be the true test and I really hope it is as pleasant to play on Xbox Live as it was in the few hours I played today. (Oh yea, and I made the game crash)
Clearly the most popular game on show when I was there was PGR3 and after fighting of some gamers I got there and I can only say it amazing. It’s the great racing game PGR2 was and is with possibly the greatest graphics I saw that day (the motion blur when moving the camera angle with the right thumb-stick is awesome). The level detail in PGR3 and Need for Speed was breathtaking and almost photo-realistic, and I can only hope that on launch day when you bring home this title it looks half as good on my non HDTV.
Kameo was a game I didn’t think I would play, not because I don’t like it but simply because I knew I couldn’t spend all day there and thought it would take a while to get into. I was right it did take a while, about 20 minutes and once you start you will find it hard to stop. Definitely one of the surprises of the event Kameo will be one to watch out for.
Playing Call of Duty 2 was possibly the most fun I had at the Xbox 360 tour (but it’s a hard game), the game is brilliant. I knew about it but never really paid much attention, but this has put me in an uncomfortable position come launch in regards to what games to buy. Not as uncomfortable however as the guy who decided to film me play COD.
There were some seating areas in the centre with some co-op Kameo, NBA, FIFA and DOA multiplayer. Didn’t get much chance play DOA and after a good hiding from some random guy I gave up, I did however join a system link game to redeem myself on PGR 3. OWNED!!
People have said that many of the games don’t scream next generation console and at first I could see their point. After playing Halo 2 on a HDTV though and then moving back to PDZ the surroundings just look so much richer and sharper. It’s hard to describe but you just feel more freedom to move around levels, it is simply more real.
I cannot recall being this excited over a launch of a console. The games that I played where awesome however, the controller, console and its features are the one thing that attract me the most. I did get to have a go with the dashboard and the blades which look brilliant and work effortlessly. I believe Microsoft has cracked it with the 360 and I cannot wait to open the box come December the 2nd 2005 and simple switch the thing on with the controller from the other side of the room and marvel at the wonders of wireless technology.
Not long now.
CASHBACK!
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