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Those who know me think of me as a Nintendo fanboy. I admit that to some degree I probably am. I have figurines, CDs, T-shirts not to mention most of the consoles with a nice collection of games to go with them. However, since November 2002, when I bought my Xbox, Microsoft Game Studios and their creations have slowly grown on me. Jet Set Radio Future got me playing the Xbox followed by my purchase of Halo which got me and my brother battling aliens on the ring-world. Since then, my GameCube and Xbox have been competing against each other in my room. The games competing for shelf space like they would in a shop, and so far the GameCube is winning.
However, since Thursday I have found myself in a bit of a dilemma. Arrived by the power of Gameaday was my limited edition copy of Halo 2. And by the power of Special Reserve Pre-order, arrived my copy of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Two games arriving at exactly the same time, both fairly different but longed for by myself equally. With tiredness quickly taking over my already fatigued mind from a long day at work, I had to make a choice: Halo 2 or Paper Mario?
After much umming, arrring and even erring, I finally decided which game was to take priority on night one. I put the game in the console, powered up my TV, Logic 3 Soundstation 3 2.1 speaker system and my hi-fi and waited for the game to start loading. That single moment seemed like an eternity. The hype machine had failed to grasp me like it had others but I was still clearly excited at the prospect of finally getting the chance to play this game. Suddenly, the Bungie logo appeared on screen with an electric guitar addition to the Halo theme! It was only a small change, but it was enough for me to think “Yes!” like I was in a Clairol Herbal Essences advert.
Feeling guilty for less than a second about not playing Nintendo’s game first, I soldiered on and started playing Halo 2 properly. At first, I became critical of the cutscene graphics. Textures seemed to just appear as the camera got to a certain radius of a three dimensional object, such as skin texture, clothing, etc. But I quickly shook the criticism off and waited for the gameplay which was superb. Classic Halo action with a modified game engine, more weapons and better AI. I played on and on feeling the tiredness overwhelm me and decided to put down the controller and give Paper Mario 2 a quick go.
I felt rather let down initially, only having the will to reach the first save point. It looked fun and stuff, but wasn’t able to keep me playing like Halo 2 was. After saving, I decided to turn off my GameCube and go to bed. Had to have some sleep before work the next day.
When I got home yesterday, the first thing I did was to play Halo 2. I was incredibly surprised to find myself playing as a Covenant Elite. Not just any Elite, but the commander of the mission to activate the original Halo! Using cloaking abilities and the likes I killed many other Covenant creatures who considered me an embarrassment. A failure to the cause. And even heard my character shout, “Come out so I may kill you!” I couldn’t stop laughing when I first heard that, and so I played and played and played just to see what would happen next.
I did decide to play Paper Mario some more last night too. I spent a lot more time on it and did find it quite amusing. It is a game that will grow on me. Like all RPGs it starts off a little slow and monotonous, but it did turn out to be much more enjoyable than my first impression from the night before.
As it stands, Halo 2 is winning. It has fast paced game play, a great story with fantastically modelled cut-scenes resulting in a more cinematic feel than any other game I have played…other than those point and click games actually filmed, and having not yet tried the multiplayer modes, I’m sure I’m going to be hooked on Halo 2 for a long time yet. However I am about to give Paper Mario another bash. Am looking forward to getting further into the game to see what surprises await.
Although I still love Nintendo more than any other developer, this is how the situation currently looked from where I’m standing…
Nintendo <:::::::::::::::::::||:::::> Microsoft Game Studios
…bound to change in the near future, when the whole initial ‘wowness’ of the game wears off, but it’s still a victory for Microsoft.
Here’s to Halo 3!
However, since Thursday I have found myself in a bit of a dilemma. Arrived by the power of Gameaday was my limited edition copy of Halo 2. And by the power of Special Reserve Pre-order, arrived my copy of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Two games arriving at exactly the same time, both fairly different but longed for by myself equally. With tiredness quickly taking over my already fatigued mind from a long day at work, I had to make a choice: Halo 2 or Paper Mario?
After much umming, arrring and even erring, I finally decided which game was to take priority on night one. I put the game in the console, powered up my TV, Logic 3 Soundstation 3 2.1 speaker system and my hi-fi and waited for the game to start loading. That single moment seemed like an eternity. The hype machine had failed to grasp me like it had others but I was still clearly excited at the prospect of finally getting the chance to play this game. Suddenly, the Bungie logo appeared on screen with an electric guitar addition to the Halo theme! It was only a small change, but it was enough for me to think “Yes!” like I was in a Clairol Herbal Essences advert.
Feeling guilty for less than a second about not playing Nintendo’s game first, I soldiered on and started playing Halo 2 properly. At first, I became critical of the cutscene graphics. Textures seemed to just appear as the camera got to a certain radius of a three dimensional object, such as skin texture, clothing, etc. But I quickly shook the criticism off and waited for the gameplay which was superb. Classic Halo action with a modified game engine, more weapons and better AI. I played on and on feeling the tiredness overwhelm me and decided to put down the controller and give Paper Mario 2 a quick go.
I felt rather let down initially, only having the will to reach the first save point. It looked fun and stuff, but wasn’t able to keep me playing like Halo 2 was. After saving, I decided to turn off my GameCube and go to bed. Had to have some sleep before work the next day.
When I got home yesterday, the first thing I did was to play Halo 2. I was incredibly surprised to find myself playing as a Covenant Elite. Not just any Elite, but the commander of the mission to activate the original Halo! Using cloaking abilities and the likes I killed many other Covenant creatures who considered me an embarrassment. A failure to the cause. And even heard my character shout, “Come out so I may kill you!” I couldn’t stop laughing when I first heard that, and so I played and played and played just to see what would happen next.
I did decide to play Paper Mario some more last night too. I spent a lot more time on it and did find it quite amusing. It is a game that will grow on me. Like all RPGs it starts off a little slow and monotonous, but it did turn out to be much more enjoyable than my first impression from the night before.
As it stands, Halo 2 is winning. It has fast paced game play, a great story with fantastically modelled cut-scenes resulting in a more cinematic feel than any other game I have played…other than those point and click games actually filmed, and having not yet tried the multiplayer modes, I’m sure I’m going to be hooked on Halo 2 for a long time yet. However I am about to give Paper Mario another bash. Am looking forward to getting further into the game to see what surprises await.
Although I still love Nintendo more than any other developer, this is how the situation currently looked from where I’m standing…
Nintendo <:::::::::::::::::::||:::::> Microsoft Game Studios
…bound to change in the near future, when the whole initial ‘wowness’ of the game wears off, but it’s still a victory for Microsoft.
Here’s to Halo 3!
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Well if you compare Goldeneye and Rayman then Goldeneye would win hands down. Bad example indeed.
I'm proud of my Nintendo-ness, don't get me wrong. And I totally disagree about not being able to compare two games of different genres.
It is difficult to compare certain aspects, such as longivity, etc, but actual enjoyment can be compared.
Paper Mario 2 is ever so slowly growing on me more and more, and Halo 2 isn't as enjoyable now it has been completed. However I still really enjoy it.
Thinking about it, XIII was probably better.
It is difficult to compare certain aspects, such as longivity, etc, but actual enjoyment can be compared.
Paper Mario 2 is ever so slowly growing on me more and more, and Halo 2 isn't as enjoyable now it has been completed. However I still really enjoy it.
Thinking about it, XIII was probably better.
Not that i'm slating your essay or am I disagreeing with you (albeit a bit late too, this post is quite old now) but I dont think you can really compare these 2 games. Its like trying to compare Goldeneye (N64) and Rayman! They are 2 totally different games. The fact that the CUBE at present doesnt have anything to match Halo, so there really is no comparing to be done. In the days of the N64 when Perfect Dark was released there was nothing, absolutely nothing on any other console that came close to matching it and I think thats the situ we are in at the moment with Halo 2 (not that I have an XBox).
I, by the way AM a Nintendo fanboy and proud of it! You should be too!
:-)
I, by the way AM a Nintendo fanboy and proud of it! You should be too!
:-)
Not through lack of trying mind...
You haven't completed Mario Sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My... GOD!
Mario Kart I played an awful lot after I finished it, it is very very fun.
I liked the simplicity of the original Pikmin, but the bells and whistles are all very good.
My... GOD!
Mario Kart I played an awful lot after I finished it, it is very very fun.
I liked the simplicity of the original Pikmin, but the bells and whistles are all very good.
Super Smash Brothers I only ever go back on to play multiplayer, Pikmin is class and I actually prefer it to the sequel. I'll probably end up playing that again at some point. Wind Waker will get a re-play from me at some point too. I did start it the second time. Mario Kart I have never felt the urge to restart. But I'll play it multiplayer or have the odd time trial. Mario Sunshine I've got stuck on - can't figure out where to go next...which is strange.
Pikmin, Sunshine, Wind Waker, Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers had me going back again and again and again.
Dringo wrote:
> Edgy wrote:
>
>
> Not one GameCube game has got me like that before.
>
> Really????
>
> Loads have for me.
NES, SNES, Game Boy and N64 have. But GameCube hasn't quite had the same effect on me yet...it's come close mind. It's only Halo 2 that's done that for me with this generation of games so far...
> Edgy wrote:
>
>
> Not one GameCube game has got me like that before.
>
> Really????
>
> Loads have for me.
NES, SNES, Game Boy and N64 have. But GameCube hasn't quite had the same effect on me yet...it's come close mind. It's only Halo 2 that's done that for me with this generation of games so far...
Nintendo <::::::::::::::::||::::::::> Microsoft Game Studios
I've completed Halo 2 on normal mode and given Live some play. And to be quite honest, I thought the ending was good, provided an opening for Halo 3, which 'should' be the final game in the series. Or atleast of the story involving the Halos. Master Chief, being Microsoft's lead character, will probably end up in other FPSs based on the Halo series too I imagine.
I've been playing Paper Mario 2 a bit more now - just found out about a computer that's in love with Princess Toadstool. I haven't felt any real excitement whilst playing so far, but it hasn't felt like a chore to play either. I think this one is definately one that will start to grip me shortly.
Halo 2 I wont be going back to for a little while now. I attempted the first stage on Legendary mode...3 hits from one of those little grunts and I died...the power button was soon pressed.
I'll be playing it on Live though.
I've completed Halo 2 on normal mode and given Live some play. And to be quite honest, I thought the ending was good, provided an opening for Halo 3, which 'should' be the final game in the series. Or atleast of the story involving the Halos. Master Chief, being Microsoft's lead character, will probably end up in other FPSs based on the Halo series too I imagine.
I've been playing Paper Mario 2 a bit more now - just found out about a computer that's in love with Princess Toadstool. I haven't felt any real excitement whilst playing so far, but it hasn't felt like a chore to play either. I think this one is definately one that will start to grip me shortly.
Halo 2 I wont be going back to for a little while now. I attempted the first stage on Legendary mode...3 hits from one of those little grunts and I died...the power button was soon pressed.
I'll be playing it on Live though.
Edgy wrote:
>
> Not one GameCube game has got me like that before.
Really????
Loads have for me.
>
> Not one GameCube game has got me like that before.
Really????
Loads have for me.
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