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As most people in this forum know, I am a PS2 owner. At present there is no doubt in my mind that the PS2 console is a good console to own. In the past I have failed to resist temptation and ended up owning more than one console in a single generation (N64 and PSone together). However, this time I intend to stick to one platform, and as I own a PS2 already, that would seem the logical choice.
This could change though. If I can find a good enough reason why another console in this three way battle is significantly better than the PS2, then I may be forced to save up even more pennies, and spend them on a new console. For now, I will ignore the GameCube, and examine the X-Box, as that is due to arrive first. To convince me to buy an X-Box, there will have to be a fairly large incentive, as the current price of an X-Box would allow me to buy 8 PS2 games.
A visit to a local computer games store in town only a few days ago led to an interesting experience. I had intended to pick up a free demo disk as I had heard they were offering a "Sega Trilogy" featuring Ecco, Rez and Headhunter, but while I was there, I noticed a large black cabinet over by the counter, and inside it, an X-Box. Curious, I wandered over, and as there was no queue, began a few little trials.
First up was Amped, a snowboarding title. Now, as a big SSX fan, its possible my views could be a little biased, however, I consider myself quite capable of looking at a game from a completely fresh perspective, and that is what I tried to do. Graphically, I was quite impressed, as everything ran quite fast and smoothly, and I particularly liked the snow spray effects as the board turned. However, the graphics seemed as far as the game would go, as the gameplay was more akin to Shaun Palmers snowboarding, which heads for a more realistic... and sadly less interesting ride than the more arcade style thrills of a game like SSX. This is not to say the game was bad, only that I myself didn`t like it.
Second on the list was Project Gotham. By this time the shop assistand had come over to see if I needed help (i.e. to check I wasn`t breaking things) and had this annoying wish to tell me about the X-Box. Not wanting to disappoint him, I let him ramble on, though sadly he told me nothing of use, other than that Halo was good, but then I already new that. Anyway, continuing on with Project Gotham, I`d have to say that I was again disappointed. It looked "shinier" than Gran Turismo 3, but didn`t have quite the depth and texture to the looks. When I looked at the cars, they seemed hollow in comparison to those in GT3. Similarly the handling was more arcadey than GT3, which is something I dislike in racing games. Considering its a launch game, it does look very good, but arriving nearly a year after GT3, it should be a lot better.
I had no interest in any of the other playable demos, but there was a rolling demo of Halo to be seen. I started it off, and was able to watch a few moments of it before the console reset itself (I still don`t know why, and the shop keeper didn`t either). This point aside, the game did look very fine. Graphically, it was superior to any first person shooter I have seen, and that includes my beloved TimeSplitters (whose graphics weren`t its strong point anyway). Obviously there was no chance to get a feel for its gameplay, but it looked to me like a cross between Half Life, and several other FPS elements, mixed with a little Deus Ex perhaps. This is not a bad thing though, as it seemed to take the best of each. This does look to be a good game, but to be honest I will be quite happy to wait for TimeSplitters 2, and settle for that, even if it is slightly less good (which we don`t know yet).
Overall, I was quite impressed with the X-Box, and can see that it will pose a significant threat. Its launch price could cause problems, as many won`t want to spend the full £300 . This tactic worked for Sony with the PS2, but that was in a market empty of competition. Things are different now. However, X-Box`s strength is in its looks, and whilst PS2s specs may be open ended, allowing a lot more progress later on, most people who wander into a shop will look straight at the CPU and think "Ooh thats the best one, pointing at X-Box". On top of that, games such as DOA3 do look quite fantastic (though if it plays like DOA2, I`m not interested) which means the tv screens of X-Box will be the most customer friendly.
My decision based on what I already know is that I will not be getting an X-Box at launch, or even this year. Should the price drop by a large amount later on, then things may change, but for now, there is nothing that makes *me* want an X-Box. It will be popular, and it will be good, but I have quite enough to look at and use with the PS2. I await 2003 with an open mind though, but until then, no thanks Microsoft.
This could change though. If I can find a good enough reason why another console in this three way battle is significantly better than the PS2, then I may be forced to save up even more pennies, and spend them on a new console. For now, I will ignore the GameCube, and examine the X-Box, as that is due to arrive first. To convince me to buy an X-Box, there will have to be a fairly large incentive, as the current price of an X-Box would allow me to buy 8 PS2 games.
A visit to a local computer games store in town only a few days ago led to an interesting experience. I had intended to pick up a free demo disk as I had heard they were offering a "Sega Trilogy" featuring Ecco, Rez and Headhunter, but while I was there, I noticed a large black cabinet over by the counter, and inside it, an X-Box. Curious, I wandered over, and as there was no queue, began a few little trials.
First up was Amped, a snowboarding title. Now, as a big SSX fan, its possible my views could be a little biased, however, I consider myself quite capable of looking at a game from a completely fresh perspective, and that is what I tried to do. Graphically, I was quite impressed, as everything ran quite fast and smoothly, and I particularly liked the snow spray effects as the board turned. However, the graphics seemed as far as the game would go, as the gameplay was more akin to Shaun Palmers snowboarding, which heads for a more realistic... and sadly less interesting ride than the more arcade style thrills of a game like SSX. This is not to say the game was bad, only that I myself didn`t like it.
Second on the list was Project Gotham. By this time the shop assistand had come over to see if I needed help (i.e. to check I wasn`t breaking things) and had this annoying wish to tell me about the X-Box. Not wanting to disappoint him, I let him ramble on, though sadly he told me nothing of use, other than that Halo was good, but then I already new that. Anyway, continuing on with Project Gotham, I`d have to say that I was again disappointed. It looked "shinier" than Gran Turismo 3, but didn`t have quite the depth and texture to the looks. When I looked at the cars, they seemed hollow in comparison to those in GT3. Similarly the handling was more arcadey than GT3, which is something I dislike in racing games. Considering its a launch game, it does look very good, but arriving nearly a year after GT3, it should be a lot better.
I had no interest in any of the other playable demos, but there was a rolling demo of Halo to be seen. I started it off, and was able to watch a few moments of it before the console reset itself (I still don`t know why, and the shop keeper didn`t either). This point aside, the game did look very fine. Graphically, it was superior to any first person shooter I have seen, and that includes my beloved TimeSplitters (whose graphics weren`t its strong point anyway). Obviously there was no chance to get a feel for its gameplay, but it looked to me like a cross between Half Life, and several other FPS elements, mixed with a little Deus Ex perhaps. This is not a bad thing though, as it seemed to take the best of each. This does look to be a good game, but to be honest I will be quite happy to wait for TimeSplitters 2, and settle for that, even if it is slightly less good (which we don`t know yet).
Overall, I was quite impressed with the X-Box, and can see that it will pose a significant threat. Its launch price could cause problems, as many won`t want to spend the full £300 . This tactic worked for Sony with the PS2, but that was in a market empty of competition. Things are different now. However, X-Box`s strength is in its looks, and whilst PS2s specs may be open ended, allowing a lot more progress later on, most people who wander into a shop will look straight at the CPU and think "Ooh thats the best one, pointing at X-Box". On top of that, games such as DOA3 do look quite fantastic (though if it plays like DOA2, I`m not interested) which means the tv screens of X-Box will be the most customer friendly.
My decision based on what I already know is that I will not be getting an X-Box at launch, or even this year. Should the price drop by a large amount later on, then things may change, but for now, there is nothing that makes *me* want an X-Box. It will be popular, and it will be good, but I have quite enough to look at and use with the PS2. I await 2003 with an open mind though, but until then, no thanks Microsoft.
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I think 2 names are missing from the GC Lineup.
Mario and Link.
Mario and Link.
Belldandy wrote:
One more thing,
> sad fact of the day, the exclusive Buffy game just helped me make the decision a
> bit more faster...roll on March 14th ! :)
Thats a game I want aswell. Also Halo, Project Gotham, DOA3 and Jet Set Radio Future are on my pre-order list with my console.
One more thing,
> sad fact of the day, the exclusive Buffy game just helped me make the decision a
> bit more faster...roll on March 14th ! :)
Thats a game I want aswell. Also Halo, Project Gotham, DOA3 and Jet Set Radio Future are on my pre-order list with my console.
Or†ega wrote:
Nah Man. We aint gonna be
> seeing these same type of things with the Gamecube. Nintendo have learnt a fair
> deal after the N64.
Nintendo always seems to give European gamers a raw deal though, ever since the NES !
>For a start, we are getting at least 20 launch titles.
> And 50 titles by the summer. So there will be no shortage >of games!
How many are actualy going to be any good though ? And how many will fall to the god of delays ? Xbox and the PS2 have seen launch games slip by weeks in the case of the Xbox, and months, even a year or so, on the PS2. Sony have built a massive back catalogue of games for the PS2 but a mjority are getting like 5/6 out of 10.
>Although
> Gamecube does seem to have somthin missing at launch.
Lol :) I won't argue with that !
Nah Man. We aint gonna be
> seeing these same type of things with the Gamecube. Nintendo have learnt a fair
> deal after the N64.
Nintendo always seems to give European gamers a raw deal though, ever since the NES !
>For a start, we are getting at least 20 launch titles.
> And 50 titles by the summer. So there will be no shortage >of games!
How many are actualy going to be any good though ? And how many will fall to the god of delays ? Xbox and the PS2 have seen launch games slip by weeks in the case of the Xbox, and months, even a year or so, on the PS2. Sony have built a massive back catalogue of games for the PS2 but a mjority are getting like 5/6 out of 10.
>Although
> Gamecube does seem to have somthin missing at launch.
Lol :) I won't argue with that !
Or†ega wrote:
I have
> only played on Project Gotham racing though, which was very dissapointing. I
> found it very boring, and so incredibly slow.
Alot of people have said Project Gotham is slow. What car did you use? As if its one of the staring cars e.g. the Mini, it will be alot slower than a Ferrari 360. GT3 is infact really slow, as when you first start out with a small 100 BHP car its very slow, even a snail seems faster.
I have
> only played on Project Gotham racing though, which was very dissapointing. I
> found it very boring, and so incredibly slow.
Alot of people have said Project Gotham is slow. What car did you use? As if its one of the staring cars e.g. the Mini, it will be alot slower than a Ferrari 360. GT3 is infact really slow, as when you first start out with a small 100 BHP car its very slow, even a snail seems faster.
Monkey_With_Attitude wrote:
As for Nintendo and the Gamecube,
> I see it taking the same route as the N64 did. Same kind of games, delays and
> light catalouge and thats what i hated about my N64.
Nah Man. We aint gonna be seeing these same type of things with the Gamecube. Nintendo have learnt a fair deal after the N64.
For a start, we are getting at least 20 launch titles. And 50 titles by the summer. So there will be no shortage of games!
Delays seem to be a problem with all consoles at the moment aint they? Look at Metal Gear solid 2 for example...Although that was probably more tactical.
Although Gamecube does seem to have somthin missing at launch. No Mario platformer. But hopefully we should get it by the end of this year. Zelda will be with us soon, but Perfect Dark zero could still be 2 years off! Still a lot games between now and then though.
As for Nintendo and the Gamecube,
> I see it taking the same route as the N64 did. Same kind of games, delays and
> light catalouge and thats what i hated about my N64.
Nah Man. We aint gonna be seeing these same type of things with the Gamecube. Nintendo have learnt a fair deal after the N64.
For a start, we are getting at least 20 launch titles. And 50 titles by the summer. So there will be no shortage of games!
Delays seem to be a problem with all consoles at the moment aint they? Look at Metal Gear solid 2 for example...Although that was probably more tactical.
Although Gamecube does seem to have somthin missing at launch. No Mario platformer. But hopefully we should get it by the end of this year. Zelda will be with us soon, but Perfect Dark zero could still be 2 years off! Still a lot games between now and then though.
Great post, reported it for GAD. It's one of those post's I actually bother to read and all of the replies too, so nice one.
I am actually off to get myself a PS2 tommorow after being drawn away from the GC & Xbox by my own choice.
A month back i wouldnt dare venture into this forum, I was one of those Sony haters. Well not tottally, but just wasn't a fan of the PS. But the PS2 made me think diffrently, after playing some games I realised what a great console it is with its support etc and I know it won't go down against the other consoles as Sony is controlling it. I also see cheaper titles (such as the new platinum range) tickling my fancy.
The Xbox also intrests me though, but its a tough descion. Will it all go well for Microsoft? Will the future games be better then the launch? The launch titles don't even make me want to 'try out' an Xbox. I feel as time goes on the Xbox will strengthen with its catalogue of games and show its true power, it will last unless Microsoft mess up, mess up bad. The thing is - it has the power to do so well.
As for Nintendo and the Gamecube, I see it taking the same route as the N64 did. Same kind of games, delays and light catalouge and thats what i hated about my N64.
Prevouisly a Gamecube wanter, now a PS2.
Now a PS2 wanter, maybe soon a Xbox.
I am actually off to get myself a PS2 tommorow after being drawn away from the GC & Xbox by my own choice.
A month back i wouldnt dare venture into this forum, I was one of those Sony haters. Well not tottally, but just wasn't a fan of the PS. But the PS2 made me think diffrently, after playing some games I realised what a great console it is with its support etc and I know it won't go down against the other consoles as Sony is controlling it. I also see cheaper titles (such as the new platinum range) tickling my fancy.
The Xbox also intrests me though, but its a tough descion. Will it all go well for Microsoft? Will the future games be better then the launch? The launch titles don't even make me want to 'try out' an Xbox. I feel as time goes on the Xbox will strengthen with its catalogue of games and show its true power, it will last unless Microsoft mess up, mess up bad. The thing is - it has the power to do so well.
As for Nintendo and the Gamecube, I see it taking the same route as the N64 did. Same kind of games, delays and light catalouge and thats what i hated about my N64.
Prevouisly a Gamecube wanter, now a PS2.
Now a PS2 wanter, maybe soon a Xbox.
I have to admit that I parted company with my Playstation 2 last week. My fourth machine failed just 30 minutes after connecting it up. Sony, after nearly an hour of being passed around various support people, wanted to send yet another "remanufactured" machine, and claimed I'd only ever had one other machine from them anyway. Seeing as their operators seem to need my name spelling every time I rang then I think this was a rather stupid thing to say. All I do know is that I've had four different Playstation 2's and if Sony didn't send two of them then someone claiming to be them did...anyway.
I tried to press for a new machine but they were not having it. So I said I'd leave it and slammed the phone down - pointless but I'd been listening to various rubbish for over half an hour as it was. My Playstation 2 was put back into it's little blue box, along with the leads e.t.c I dug out the receipt and went back to the shop I bought it from. They gave me my money back straight away, but there were no more Playstation 2's in. I'd heard about the Xbox and in Dixons later that day I had the chance to play a couple. They were sufficiently impressive that I thought "stuff Sony" and preordered one right there. Next day I scanned all my games and stuff and put them on Ebay. The last 6 finish in 2 days.
The PS2 was good when it launched, but I'm sick of being let down with poor games, slipped releases, the green screen for DVDs and loads of otehr things that are annoying me. Xbox won't be without its problems but I know the games are going to be ones I like, and early reviews suggest they'll be a slight bit more challenging than rubbish like 007 and Devil May Cry. One more thing, sad fact of the day, the exclusive Buffy game just helped me make the decision a bit more faster...roll on March 14th ! :)
I tried to press for a new machine but they were not having it. So I said I'd leave it and slammed the phone down - pointless but I'd been listening to various rubbish for over half an hour as it was. My Playstation 2 was put back into it's little blue box, along with the leads e.t.c I dug out the receipt and went back to the shop I bought it from. They gave me my money back straight away, but there were no more Playstation 2's in. I'd heard about the Xbox and in Dixons later that day I had the chance to play a couple. They were sufficiently impressive that I thought "stuff Sony" and preordered one right there. Next day I scanned all my games and stuff and put them on Ebay. The last 6 finish in 2 days.
The PS2 was good when it launched, but I'm sick of being let down with poor games, slipped releases, the green screen for DVDs and loads of otehr things that are annoying me. Xbox won't be without its problems but I know the games are going to be ones I like, and early reviews suggest they'll be a slight bit more challenging than rubbish like 007 and Devil May Cry. One more thing, sad fact of the day, the exclusive Buffy game just helped me make the decision a bit more faster...roll on March 14th ! :)
The X-box doesn't really intrest me there are only a couple of games which are coming out at launch or not not long after which would really be worth getting, in my opinion anyway. Halo i will get that for the PC but i'm very intrested in getting a Gamecube the thing is though if i get one i will probably only have enough money for a couple of PS2 games and maybe 1 Gamecube games for a long time after. Might be forced into taking up a back braking paper round again.
Thats fair enough. If you can see a reason why you personally would enjoy having an X-Box, and believe it to be worth it, then thats fine. For me though, I haven`t quite discovered a real reason to be interested (Halo isn`t enough).
I`ll take a look at Gamecube nearer the release.
I`ll take a look at Gamecube nearer the release.
I'll be getting an X-Box on launch day, but I won't be parting with my PS2. Halo is obviously the first title I'm picking up and I'll probably pick up DOA3 too.
I only played 1 game on the demo in a shop and of course had to also endure the staff trying to get me to reserve one with them. I played Project Gothem and it was ok, definatly not a GT3 beater, but I think I could get into it.
I had MSR on my Dreamcast before it fizzled out so it wasn't hard to start playing it, its really MSR in a new box with a new name.
Maybe some of you can back me up on this - the cornering was crap considering the slow speed you seem to be going at. Thats really the main complaint I have about this game. Not many people I know look down at the speed their going, they use their judgement to guess it so they know when to break. I'm like this and when I came to corners, I found I was either breaking too late or spinning out on handbreak turns qute a lot. It didn't look like I was going very fast at all to warrant me slamming into the walls as much as I was.
Halo looks excellent though. I think I'll love it cause when I sit down and think of my favourite kind of game, it tends to be something based around an intense battlefield with allies running around and doing things alongside you. Dunno bout the rest of you but the "mans last hope" thing where the human race throw you against a whole opposing army on your own seems a little old. I love a game where you can help allies and vice versa. Especially when its not scripted into the games story so theres no game over when someone on your side gets their head blown off.
I'm not just buying the X-Box for 1 or 2 games though, theres a few that I like the look of that will be coming out shortly after such as Gun Metal and Crash.
I think Halo will keep me hooked for ages - especially when the online option comes into play. The co-operation mode looks excellent :-) Can see me having plenty of late nights on that with my cousins ;-)) Used to love playing Doom on PS1 on link up, so Halo will no doubt be amazing.
:-)
I only played 1 game on the demo in a shop and of course had to also endure the staff trying to get me to reserve one with them. I played Project Gothem and it was ok, definatly not a GT3 beater, but I think I could get into it.
I had MSR on my Dreamcast before it fizzled out so it wasn't hard to start playing it, its really MSR in a new box with a new name.
Maybe some of you can back me up on this - the cornering was crap considering the slow speed you seem to be going at. Thats really the main complaint I have about this game. Not many people I know look down at the speed their going, they use their judgement to guess it so they know when to break. I'm like this and when I came to corners, I found I was either breaking too late or spinning out on handbreak turns qute a lot. It didn't look like I was going very fast at all to warrant me slamming into the walls as much as I was.
Halo looks excellent though. I think I'll love it cause when I sit down and think of my favourite kind of game, it tends to be something based around an intense battlefield with allies running around and doing things alongside you. Dunno bout the rest of you but the "mans last hope" thing where the human race throw you against a whole opposing army on your own seems a little old. I love a game where you can help allies and vice versa. Especially when its not scripted into the games story so theres no game over when someone on your side gets their head blown off.
I'm not just buying the X-Box for 1 or 2 games though, theres a few that I like the look of that will be coming out shortly after such as Gun Metal and Crash.
I think Halo will keep me hooked for ages - especially when the online option comes into play. The co-operation mode looks excellent :-) Can see me having plenty of late nights on that with my cousins ;-)) Used to love playing Doom on PS1 on link up, so Halo will no doubt be amazing.
:-)
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