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Well, I've had my XBox for approximately 4 hours now (as I start to write this), and what do I think?
Well, let's start with the basics.
I bought the Microsoft Gamer Bundle Pack Thing from SR Egham after work. This means I got: 1 XBox with Controller. 1 Extra Controller. 1 Copy Halo. 1 Copy Project Gotham Racing. = £399.99. I also got a DVD kit thing, but haven't watched any DVD's yet.
Size:
Yes, it is larger than a PS2. It's deeper than a PS2, and slightly wider, and slightly taller. But it's not huge. I was slightly worried, from pictures I'd seen, that the top had a bit of a curve to it, but it's flat, so I can store my DreamCast on top, which is nice.
It's also reasonably heavy, but as the only time you'll have to carry it is from the shop to your car, then from the car to your house, it shouldn't cause too much of a problem.
Controller:
Yes, it is large, but for me that's not a problem, but it may be an issue for people with smaller hands. I liked the DreamCast pad, and this is similar. When I first got my PS2 I hated the pad, it took me ages to remember where the buttons were, and I didn't like the fact that the analogue sticks were to the side of, instead of above, the digital pad - which is how it is on the DC and XBox pad.
Suffice to say, if you've owned a PSX and/or a PS2 and you're used to the pad, it WILL take some getting used to. If you liked the DC pad, you should have no problems.
I've just been playing my XBox for 4 hours straight, and I have no problems with my hands at all.
My first experience:
I got the XBox home, and I set it up quickly, then stopped. What if it's rubbish? What if I've just wasted over £400? What if I really really regret buying it? I stopped myself thinking like that, and turned it on, with no game in.
Initially a green main menu screen comes up, with the three options MEMORY, MUSIC and SETTINGS. They're all pretty obvious, but I'll run through them briefly. Memory allows you to see how much space you have on the HDD and memory card, and delete unwanted save files etc.
MUSIC menu lets you play music CD's, or copy them to .MP3 format for playing in-game. Settings lets you set stuff like clock, calender, stereo/mono sound etc etc. All the usual stuff. It's all done in smooth, clear, obvious menu's, although they are rather green, perhaps too green for some peoples taste.
To be fair though, you won't be spending much time looking at them. Out of curiosity I ripped a CD to listen to in-game, it was a full 80 minute CD and it took (I didn't time it BTW) in the region of 10-15 mins. So I went and made a sandwich while it was doing that.
The Games:
Ok, first game I played was PGR. I won't review the whole game here, for obvious reasons. Suffice to say the graphics are NOT as good as GT3, but then what is? To be fair, PGR is a launch title and GT3 wasn't. If you compared PGR with Ridge Racer V, PGR would win hands down.
PGR's handling is not as realistic as GT3's, which is good in my view, as GT3 was TOO realistic for my taste. PGR has handling that is, at a guess, 65% realistic, which is a good mixture in my opinion.
Anyone who is familiar with M:SR on the DreamCast will be right at home, although the modes of play are slightly different, the handling and Kudos system are much the same.
An added bonus of PGR is the ability to play music tracks that you've copied onto the HDD. This is not amazingly handy, as you can always turn the volume of the telly down and play a CD normally if you want, but it's one of a number of nice little touches that just help to make the game as great as it is.
To sum up, if you thought GT3 was too simulation like, chances are you'll like this. There's a reasonbly steep learning curve if you've not played M:SR at all, but if you have played and liked M:SR, you'll love PGR.
Second game, Halo:
I was wary of playing this. I had heard all the hype, and I was readying myself for a let down. But it didn't let down. The controls were a little difficult to get used to, probably not helped by the fact that I haven't played an FPS on a console for AGES.
The mood was set with the music to the main menu, a haunting kind of latin tune, almost something you would expect to hear a load of monks singing at a ceremony. Then the proper game music kicks in, but the monk type stuff does it's job certainly, setting the mood and getting you ready for the game ahead.
Again, I won't do a full blown review of the game here.
I've only done the first two levels, and haven't played any multiplayer, but I can see that this is a good game. Whether it's really a 10/10 game remains to be seen. The graphics are great, as are the sound effects. The controls are pretty spot on, when you get used to them. Although the handling of the Warthog is a right git!
How this compares to other FPS's available at the moment, I don't know. The last FPS I played was UT, and I haven't had my hands on anything since.
It IS engrossing, I plaed through the first two levels, and was about to start the third when I realised I was absolutely starving, so I was pretty hooked.
Normally in games like this, I wander around like a leper hardly able to find the most obvious switch but not here, it's reasonble free-roaming in that you can walk or drive and take which ever route you want, but you never feel completely lost with no idea what to do.
The AI is pretty funky. The monsties dodge and duck for cover etc. And your CPU controlled team mates act pretty intelligently as well.
So, should you buy an XBox?
Well, in my view, yes. I'm glad that I'm selling my PS2 and glad that I bought myself an XBox.
But as for you? Well, that's your choice. But if you like playing PC style games, without having to sit at a PC (maybe because you sit at a desk all day at work or college and you hate the idea of doing the same all evening as well), then you'll be sorted here.
If, like me, you realised that all the Sony Franchises (GT3, MGS2, FFX etc) didn't really float your boat, then it may be worht you getting one to replace your PS2. All the major multiplatform games are coming to XBox - GTA3, Tonty Hawks, FIFA, SSX Tricky, F1 2002 etc. As well as PC like games - Geoff Crammonds GP4 is confirmed, as is Championship Manager. So there is a wide range of games.
If you like playing your GT3's etc, then stick with PS2, as they'll never appear on XBox! So unless you can afford both, it's best to stick with what you've got.
What I've put here will hopefully help people decide which way to go. If you're 99% sure to get an XBox, this may just be that last 1% you need to go out and get it.
If you're 99% sure you want to keep your PS2, this may have confirmed that for you.
However, if you're still REALLY unsure, please DON'T go and buy and the strength of what I've written here. My opinions could be completely differen to yours. If you're really unsure, just go and play one, as that's the only way you'll decided.
Suffice to say, I've just been playing on my XBox for 4 hours straight. The last time I played for that long when me and three mates played multiplayer BomberMan on the SNES all day long.
Well, let's start with the basics.
I bought the Microsoft Gamer Bundle Pack Thing from SR Egham after work. This means I got: 1 XBox with Controller. 1 Extra Controller. 1 Copy Halo. 1 Copy Project Gotham Racing. = £399.99. I also got a DVD kit thing, but haven't watched any DVD's yet.
Size:
Yes, it is larger than a PS2. It's deeper than a PS2, and slightly wider, and slightly taller. But it's not huge. I was slightly worried, from pictures I'd seen, that the top had a bit of a curve to it, but it's flat, so I can store my DreamCast on top, which is nice.
It's also reasonably heavy, but as the only time you'll have to carry it is from the shop to your car, then from the car to your house, it shouldn't cause too much of a problem.
Controller:
Yes, it is large, but for me that's not a problem, but it may be an issue for people with smaller hands. I liked the DreamCast pad, and this is similar. When I first got my PS2 I hated the pad, it took me ages to remember where the buttons were, and I didn't like the fact that the analogue sticks were to the side of, instead of above, the digital pad - which is how it is on the DC and XBox pad.
Suffice to say, if you've owned a PSX and/or a PS2 and you're used to the pad, it WILL take some getting used to. If you liked the DC pad, you should have no problems.
I've just been playing my XBox for 4 hours straight, and I have no problems with my hands at all.
My first experience:
I got the XBox home, and I set it up quickly, then stopped. What if it's rubbish? What if I've just wasted over £400? What if I really really regret buying it? I stopped myself thinking like that, and turned it on, with no game in.
Initially a green main menu screen comes up, with the three options MEMORY, MUSIC and SETTINGS. They're all pretty obvious, but I'll run through them briefly. Memory allows you to see how much space you have on the HDD and memory card, and delete unwanted save files etc.
MUSIC menu lets you play music CD's, or copy them to .MP3 format for playing in-game. Settings lets you set stuff like clock, calender, stereo/mono sound etc etc. All the usual stuff. It's all done in smooth, clear, obvious menu's, although they are rather green, perhaps too green for some peoples taste.
To be fair though, you won't be spending much time looking at them. Out of curiosity I ripped a CD to listen to in-game, it was a full 80 minute CD and it took (I didn't time it BTW) in the region of 10-15 mins. So I went and made a sandwich while it was doing that.
The Games:
Ok, first game I played was PGR. I won't review the whole game here, for obvious reasons. Suffice to say the graphics are NOT as good as GT3, but then what is? To be fair, PGR is a launch title and GT3 wasn't. If you compared PGR with Ridge Racer V, PGR would win hands down.
PGR's handling is not as realistic as GT3's, which is good in my view, as GT3 was TOO realistic for my taste. PGR has handling that is, at a guess, 65% realistic, which is a good mixture in my opinion.
Anyone who is familiar with M:SR on the DreamCast will be right at home, although the modes of play are slightly different, the handling and Kudos system are much the same.
An added bonus of PGR is the ability to play music tracks that you've copied onto the HDD. This is not amazingly handy, as you can always turn the volume of the telly down and play a CD normally if you want, but it's one of a number of nice little touches that just help to make the game as great as it is.
To sum up, if you thought GT3 was too simulation like, chances are you'll like this. There's a reasonbly steep learning curve if you've not played M:SR at all, but if you have played and liked M:SR, you'll love PGR.
Second game, Halo:
I was wary of playing this. I had heard all the hype, and I was readying myself for a let down. But it didn't let down. The controls were a little difficult to get used to, probably not helped by the fact that I haven't played an FPS on a console for AGES.
The mood was set with the music to the main menu, a haunting kind of latin tune, almost something you would expect to hear a load of monks singing at a ceremony. Then the proper game music kicks in, but the monk type stuff does it's job certainly, setting the mood and getting you ready for the game ahead.
Again, I won't do a full blown review of the game here.
I've only done the first two levels, and haven't played any multiplayer, but I can see that this is a good game. Whether it's really a 10/10 game remains to be seen. The graphics are great, as are the sound effects. The controls are pretty spot on, when you get used to them. Although the handling of the Warthog is a right git!
How this compares to other FPS's available at the moment, I don't know. The last FPS I played was UT, and I haven't had my hands on anything since.
It IS engrossing, I plaed through the first two levels, and was about to start the third when I realised I was absolutely starving, so I was pretty hooked.
Normally in games like this, I wander around like a leper hardly able to find the most obvious switch but not here, it's reasonble free-roaming in that you can walk or drive and take which ever route you want, but you never feel completely lost with no idea what to do.
The AI is pretty funky. The monsties dodge and duck for cover etc. And your CPU controlled team mates act pretty intelligently as well.
So, should you buy an XBox?
Well, in my view, yes. I'm glad that I'm selling my PS2 and glad that I bought myself an XBox.
But as for you? Well, that's your choice. But if you like playing PC style games, without having to sit at a PC (maybe because you sit at a desk all day at work or college and you hate the idea of doing the same all evening as well), then you'll be sorted here.
If, like me, you realised that all the Sony Franchises (GT3, MGS2, FFX etc) didn't really float your boat, then it may be worht you getting one to replace your PS2. All the major multiplatform games are coming to XBox - GTA3, Tonty Hawks, FIFA, SSX Tricky, F1 2002 etc. As well as PC like games - Geoff Crammonds GP4 is confirmed, as is Championship Manager. So there is a wide range of games.
If you like playing your GT3's etc, then stick with PS2, as they'll never appear on XBox! So unless you can afford both, it's best to stick with what you've got.
What I've put here will hopefully help people decide which way to go. If you're 99% sure to get an XBox, this may just be that last 1% you need to go out and get it.
If you're 99% sure you want to keep your PS2, this may have confirmed that for you.
However, if you're still REALLY unsure, please DON'T go and buy and the strength of what I've written here. My opinions could be completely differen to yours. If you're really unsure, just go and play one, as that's the only way you'll decided.
Suffice to say, I've just been playing on my XBox for 4 hours straight. The last time I played for that long when me and three mates played multiplayer BomberMan on the SNES all day long.
Page:
Starlights Ego wrote:
> Nice and I thought I was good at games
How many coffees did you get through?
> 20 hours is a long time to play a game and what did the missus have to say about
> all this.
:0)
I got through a mere 4 cups of tea and 2 sausage rolls in the 20 hour period.
And that my friends, is HARDCORE gaming.
> Nice and I thought I was good at games
How many coffees did you get through?
> 20 hours is a long time to play a game and what did the missus have to say about
> all this.
:0)
I got through a mere 4 cups of tea and 2 sausage rolls in the 20 hour period.
And that my friends, is HARDCORE gaming.
If you want to know what I thought about Grand Prix 3 and what I would like to see in Grand Prix 4, head over to the PC Gaming forum. It's a topic called Grand Prix 4.
GP4 looks the 'nads!
I've seen some screenshots and video clips and it does look fantastic.
Given the previous games (which I've been a fan of since the very first on the the Amiga about 10 years ago), I think it's safe to assume that this one will be just as good as the others.
It's definately on my wishlist and I WILL be getting it, unless pretty much every review says it's rubbish.
According to SR it's due to be releaed in June, but GP3 was delayed a lot, so I'm not holding my breath...
I've seen some screenshots and video clips and it does look fantastic.
Given the previous games (which I've been a fan of since the very first on the the Amiga about 10 years ago), I think it's safe to assume that this one will be just as good as the others.
It's definately on my wishlist and I WILL be getting it, unless pretty much every review says it's rubbish.
According to SR it's due to be releaed in June, but GP3 was delayed a lot, so I'm not holding my breath...
My major concern about the X-Box was the games. I didn't really see much that I really wanted. I'm interested to see if they make any major alterations to GTA3 and Grand Prix 4 is intriguing as well. I've been considering it for a while now.
You what?
Can you speekee English velly good?
Can you speekee English velly good?
You know I've only just realised I'm signed into my ego
heh
So err I'm hungry, yum yum.
heh
So err I'm hungry, yum yum.
Nice and I thought I was good at games
How many coffees did you get through? 20 hours is a long time to play a game and what did the missus have to say about all this.
:0)
How many coffees did you get through? 20 hours is a long time to play a game and what did the missus have to say about all this.
:0)
Starlights Ego wrote:
> OOT, in one sitting, in twenty hours?
Impresive feat indeed my
> friend.
Although I'm sure it should have took longer, you didn't use a guide
> book or anything did you?
Guide books are evil, I wouldn't spit on one!
However, it was the second time through. I'd finished it once and was wondering how long it had taken me (I thought it would have been AGES), then I read somewhere that it was possible to clear the game in 30 hours - if you knew what you were doing.
30 hours? I thought. Not a chance, even though I do know where I'm going.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to investigate, so I sat down to play. 20 hours later I was whooping Ganondorf having not died or saved in that time. Mighty impressive I thought, if I can just get through this without being killed, thats the game done in one life in one sitting!
I did it, the end sequence rolled and it didn't let me save.
That was quite irritating, going back to my save and finding it with 3 hearts and nothing else.
> OOT, in one sitting, in twenty hours?
Impresive feat indeed my
> friend.
Although I'm sure it should have took longer, you didn't use a guide
> book or anything did you?
Guide books are evil, I wouldn't spit on one!
However, it was the second time through. I'd finished it once and was wondering how long it had taken me (I thought it would have been AGES), then I read somewhere that it was possible to clear the game in 30 hours - if you knew what you were doing.
30 hours? I thought. Not a chance, even though I do know where I'm going.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to investigate, so I sat down to play. 20 hours later I was whooping Ganondorf having not died or saved in that time. Mighty impressive I thought, if I can just get through this without being killed, thats the game done in one life in one sitting!
I did it, the end sequence rolled and it didn't let me save.
That was quite irritating, going back to my save and finding it with 3 hearts and nothing else.
You've definately whetted my appetite for the 'incredible X machine'
Bu on the lines of the controller. It is quite big, and being a Playstation guy I was expecting problems from the controller.
But the only real problem was the joystick on the top left hurt my thumb a little while playing JSRf, but Im sue I'll get used to it as the rest of the controller was comfy.
Bu on the lines of the controller. It is quite big, and being a Playstation guy I was expecting problems from the controller.
But the only real problem was the joystick on the top left hurt my thumb a little while playing JSRf, but Im sue I'll get used to it as the rest of the controller was comfy.
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