Joystiq hands-on: Xbox 360 wrap-up
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Oct 14th 2005 at 5:00PM }
Let's recap this week's Xbox 360 coverage:
Final Thoughts
As my mind settled and I geared up to bring you Joystiq's Xbox 360 coverage, dispelling hype became my primary objective. Unfortunately, a number of readers, having already invested hundreds in Microsoft's product, were not pleased with my assessments. Complaints poured in. What did I mean by lack of innovation? Was I being paid off? Or was I simply thinking beyond the means of the game developers—beyond the capabilities of the Xbox 360?
Its unfortunate that my key point, that is, what I think characterizes the Xbox 360 as a next generation console, has seemingly gone unnoticed. Let me reissue it the innovation that the Xbox 360 will bring to the gaming industry is a console-based community. Its Xbox Livethe next generation of this service, designed for anyone and everyone. Sure, its also hardware upgrades, cosmetic design changes, and thoughtful features (e.g. the ability to shutdown the console with the controller). But these upgrades are a given with any next-step in the gaming front.
The Xbox may have lost Microsoft billions, but it also gave them a leg up. It was the testing ground for the Xbox Live service, which has the potential to propel console gaming into uncharted territories. What disappointed me about the launch lineup is that, aside from PGR3, I didnt see any evidence that the developers had grasped this groundbreaking concept. A feature like Gotham TV (see my PGR3 post) has the potential to turn ordinary couch potatoes into legendsand gaming enthusiasts into bona fide students of the game.
Dont get me wrong, theres plenty of fun to
be had with the Xbox 360 launch lineup. But let me be very clear here, in a year or two, I think were gonna be playing
in a whole new ballgame. I do understand the nature of a launchand I respect Microsofts decision to keep to a
timetable in order to be the first one out of the gate. And I know its rare when a launch title isnt completely dated
by the end of a consoles lifespan. Because of this, I felt it was my duty to state that I dont think any of the Xbox
360s launch titles are gonna break that mold. Does that mean you shouldnt buy the Xbox 360? No. Does that mean you
should wait for a price drop and some better games? Not necessarily. Put it this way, if by November 2006 the Premium
Bundle has dropped to $300, youll have spent less than $10/month covering the difference between this (projected)
discounted price and the $400 launch price. Thats pretty insignificant for the majority of us with a gaming
budget.
My first impressions of the Xbox 360 are inherently linked to both my past experiences and my current preferences as a gamer. Ive been critical of certain aspects of these games because of my familiarity with their predecessors. Honestly, I think more could have been done to bring something fresh to the scenebut I know that will come. Im excited about the Xbox 360Im excited about the next wave of consoles in general. But I dont want to be a victim of hype. And I dont want you to be a victim of hype either. The Xbox 360 is not going to blow your mind. But Ill be damned if after an hour or two of playtime youre not wearing a big grin across your face.
And the Joystiq Award goes to
-
Biggest Surprise - Condemned: Criminal Origins
-
Best Xbox Live Experience - Project Gotham Racing 3
-
Sleeper Hit - Kameo: Elements of Power
-
Biggest Disappointment - Dead or Alive 4
-
The ? - Perfect Dark Zero
-
Best Overall - Call of Duty 2
[Note: These awards are based on first impressions of near final builds. In other words, this is just a bit of speculative funtake it with a grain of salt]
A Different Perspective
Check out what Evil Avatars Nick Puleo had to say:
-
Xbox System - http://www.evilavatar.com
/forums/showthread.php?t=6099 -
PGR3 - http://www.evilavatar.com
/forums/showthread.php?t=6116 -
Kameo - http://www.evilavatar.com
/forums/showthread.php?t=6103 -
Oblivion - http://www.evilavatar.com
/forums/showthread.php?t=6129 -
Perfect Dark Zero - http://www.evilavatar.com
/forums/showthread.php?t=6110 -
And the rest of the titles - http://www.evilavatar.com
/forums/showthread.php?t=6131
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ArrestedDevelopment @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Thank you! Intelligent and honest reporting -- I love it.
Ipsum @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
A fair review, and it was pretty much what I thought when they demo'd it over the summer to us. Not innovative, but shiny. Kudos, James.
Jason @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
No one should be pissed at another person's opinions. I find it interesting how the PS3 fans jumped on everything that was said negative and ran with it, while when you said something positive they all called you a fanboy. As a person who owns all 4 128bit systems (yes the DC is 128) Im looking forward to this next Gen of systems. Lets roll with the new games.
Gunnar @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I think this review, the whole series, was great. In fact it just may have brought me back to the XBOX 360 camp. This review, compared to many others seemed very real and seemed to try to presenta decent non-bias. Perhaps the next gen of gaming isn't actually graphics, but gameplay and the online community the 360 will have. If so...we all benefit.
daver @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
One Question -
Will it blow the mind of someone who has never played the Xbox, but rather only possesses a Gamecube ??????
CrAzY American @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I agree..thanks for the unbaised opinion. Ill be picking one up and i agree with you...In a year, we will happier with what has come along.
daver @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
One Question -
Will it blow the mind of someone who has never played the Xbox, but rather only possesses a Gamecube (like me) or those with PS2 ??????? In other words is it that much better than either of the above mentioned to blow your mind ?
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"Perhaps the next gen of gaming isn't actually graphics, but gameplay"
Wow...looks like someone with half a brain figured that out.
Now if only all the stupid biased fanboy can figure that out...
PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I think you hit the nail on the head.
"Unfortunately, a number of readers, having already invested hundreds in Microsofts product, were not pleased with my assessments."
For the rest of us who are making up our minds, your coverage has been excellent. Thanks for "bringing" it. Sometimes we shoot the messenger.
PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
And Daver, WTF are you talking about?
I was lost in question marks.
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I don't know if it was here or somewhere else but someone described the 360 launch lineup as solid but not spectacular. I'd have to agree. The launch lineup as a whole is better than what the PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube did but there does not appear to be a Halo-esque title in the bunch.
The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
The X360 is next-gen no doubt about it. What the HECK are people expecting? I just think we as gamers EXPECT too much. These are first gen games on a totally new architecture. So its hard to judge all this properly. Remember, the PS2 and look at it now. I wonder if everyone will hold SONY to the same standard? I think people HATE MS. As far as PD0, MS needs to hold this game off for a year and get it out for the Fall of 2006 is possible. I do not blame RARE for this I blame MS for rushing a product.
I give MS kudos for all they have done.
daver @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Pickypants you are on drugs ! ;)
I simply ask this simple little question:
Xbox is technically superior to PS2 and Gamecube so if one does not possess an original Xbox is it fair to say that said person will be blown away by the 360 ? ( Note the single question mark ! )
PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Thanks for the one mark. I dont know what blows you away, but if you are talking purely in graphic content, then yeah, 360 will blow you away.
Arch-360 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
i think sonys hype machine has upped everybodys standards by 2000 points.i cant wait to see the dissapointing reaction when that heap of hype comes out.
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"As far as PD0, MS needs to hold this game off for a year and get it out for the Fall of 2006 is possible. I do not blame RARE for this I blame MS for rushing a product."
So what is your excuse for the other Xbox games that RARE released on the Xbox? It's funny how a company called "RARE" hasn't released a good and original game in 5+ years.
Nintendo should never have sold them b/c at least they didn't rush them...MS on the other hand is notorious for rushing just about everything.
Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
The GameCube is a very capable system.
Case in point: Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 4 is made of 10,000+ polygons. Few character models on Xbox, PS2, and GameCube are as refined.
I have played games on my GameCube, such as Resident Evil 4 and Metroid Prime, that matched any other game on Xbox and PS2 in terms of overall quality.
Brief, you are as likely to be blown away whether you own a Xbox, a PS2 or a GC.
subvertman @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Xboxlive rocks.
PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Arch-360. Why the hell would we listen to anything objectively from someone who has 360 in their goddamned name.
Wait, you hate Sony and love Xbox?!??!!??!!?
NO WAI!
Although your punctuation is terrible, most of your words made sense. I think this is a better rewrite of what you were trying to say.
"I THINK SONYS HYPE MACHIEN HAS UPED EV3RYBODYS STANDARDS BY 200 POINTSI!11!11! OMG WTF CANT WATE 2 SE DA DISAPOINTNG REACTION WHEN TAHT HEAP OF HYPE COMES OUT!!!1 WTF"
/served
Angel @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
In terms of power, the ps2 is a 5 year old machine and computer technology has come a long way since then. After looking at the new wave of pc titles, i went back to my ps2 and couldnt stand the flat looking graphics. This is the same thing that happened with the origional playstation after i got my hands on a ps2, ps1 graphics looked utterly disgusting, they were blocky as hell, and i couldnt understand how i played with this machine for so long and thought gran turismo and metal gear were photorealistic. So im sure you might not think the 360 graphics look like a big jump, but when you experience it yourself, try plugging in your ps2 and see whether or not you want to carry on playing those games.
After every couple of years, are expectations of graphics change, 5 years down the line well be dissapointed with the 360 graphics and wonder what all the fuss was about, but for now, all we have to look forward to are mostly decent games in there own right.
Its ok to expect more, and rest assured, more will be comming. Just be patient.
Arch-360 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
served? i think not. as if sayign served doesnt make oyu look stupid enough. arguing with the truth is really pushing it.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Very nice coverage, bro. You make it perfectly un-biased in my opinion. Do not let the fanboys get you down.
Matthew @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I think, basically, what the reporter is feeling is what Nintendo's been saying all along. First off, the graphics didn't blow him away. Second, he didn't feel there was enough innovation. He felt there needed to be a change. I'm not trying to sound like a Nintendo enthusiast, but it seems like everything that Nintendo's been saying about future console's that don't change, is coming to fruition. We've basically gotten to a point where graphics really won't impress anymore. They look good, but there's really no excitement beyond that. The Xbox 360, at least to me, seems simply like the consoles we have now with more powerful hardware. That's not exciting anymore. At least not for me. Maybe for the hardcore, I don't know. I just don't feel like videogames has the fresh appeal it use to have, so innovating might be more important than ever. I have to admit it, and I really don't care if I get any bashing, but Nintendo, in my book, are taking the right direction.
Desert @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Wow, you sit and preach about innovation, yet CoD2, which has been done to death, was your favorite game. Nice.
It's no wonder companies don't innovate with all these idiots who only buy and play FPS war games..
Arch-360 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
you know whats funny about this thread right now? all the sony fanboys are ocming out of their holes and agreeing with every thing that putts down the 360. again. i will say i cant wait till we see the REAL PS3 games. i have a feeling games like fifth fantom saga are what the PS3 is all about.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I was wondering this last night...
Isn't Nintendo bound to follow the paths of Microsoft and Sony?
I mean. Both companies basically only bring new graphics to the table. Which don't get me wrong, is great (future 360 / rev owner).
But I mean, how can you top the Revolution? Isn't it possible that Nintendo is doomed to just work on things such as graphics after the Rev?
SilverScyth @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Did anyone read the EvilAvatar previews? They give a quite positive impression.
I have a feeling some of these titles will be quite controversial (PDZ) when it comes time to review them.
MthdDirector @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Well written, James. I agree 100% regarding new titles utilizing Xbox Live.
Clu @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I think if anything, the graphical leap of last generation (PS1 to PS2) was bigger than the Xbox to 360 advancement. now don't all hate me at once I just think they've got less room to go up now, and the power to graphic-output ratio has increased exponentially. it takes a hell of a lot more time and ability to increase by 1% now than it did five years ago.
it takes a lot less time to cut a piece of wood with a saw, then it does sand the edges. now we want intricate carvings as well so twice the work won't get you half the output. we're all going to have to wait a little longer for the masterpieces.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Yea arch I see that aswell. And by Fantom Fifth Sega, do you mean crappy-remade-graphics?
PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"served? i think not. as if "sayign" served doesnt make "oyu" look stupid enough. arguing with the truth is really pushing it. you know "whats" funny about this thread right now? all the sony fanboys are "ocming" out of their holes and agreeing with every thing that "putts" down the 360. again. i will say i cant wait till we see the REAL PS3 games. i have a feeling games like fifth "fantom" saga are what the PS3 is all about."
Awesome 360. I dont even have to think of anything original to make fun of you. I can just copy/paste your idiocy.
And /served is a joke.
/served
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Alot of the whole real next-gen idea has alot to do with the price. Sony / Nintendo / Microsoft are trying to make the largest leaps, but at the lowest prices.
Well, Sony not as much. And we all know what that has resulted in.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Although I do agree with many of Arch's opinions. That was a pretty nice burn by PickyPants.
PickyPants @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Interesting point Dimitri.
I dont know if Nintendo's rev will be "toppable."
Nintendo has always gone their own way. When Genesis made their graphics a perogative, Nintendo made Super Mario RPG and Earthbound. Definitely not Next-Gen in look. For the 64 vs. PSX, Nintendo went for the much faster, but worse looking cartridges for SSB and Mario64. And the Gamecube went for titles like Viewtiful Joe and Paper Mario 2/Wind Waker.
I don't think Nintendo is "in it to win it." They seem content to muddle about creating interesting worlds to play in, and while sometimes I look at screenshots of truly next-gen graphics I cry a little, as long as Nintendo keeps their games fun, I won't have any problems with them.
PS3FANFOREVER @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
MS IS TAKING THE FUN OUT OF PLAYING BY MAKING THE 360 A MACHINE FOR EVERYTHIN(MP3,VIDEO,CHAT,ECT ECT)I LIKE SONY, COS THE FOCUS BETTER ON WHAT HAVE DO BE DONE,AND KEEP IT SIMPLE.
MS IS GOOD IN OTHER THINGS & SHOULD FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A GOOD VISTA ;-)
Chance @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
#25, I don't think Nintendo will need to follow the paths of MS or Sony. Rather I think that Nintendo will continue to refine and redefine the videogame interface. I think it's great that MS and Sony are really trying to push the boundaries of graphics on the console, but Nintendo has always chosen to pour thier R&D into the controller.
The company invented the D-pad, shoulder buttons, rumble pack, and the analog thumb stick. Without these inovations we would still be playing with an atari style controller.
...And as the PS2 demonstrated, you can dominate the market even if you have the weekest graphics in a respective generation of consoles. Point: MS and Sony will continue to press toward the ever moving target of photo realism. Nintendo will continue to do their own thing. But at the end of the day, the console that can offer the best gaming experiance will win.
thetrash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I like daver above only have one console. Will this look better than my atari 2600? Ok thanks bye.
Sienar @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
On the topic of polycount, why is everyone so pissspoor about the 360 not being up to snuff?
Each car in PGR will have over 85,000 polys, which is a 8 fold increase over the best in GT4. However, comparing a launch title to the latest and greatest racer on the PS2 is unfair. I bet that Ridge Racer V was in the 7000 poly range, maybe more, but this yeilds a roughly 12 time increase in poly pushing power. If you go by Bizarre's 96000 average, the increase is even more significant.
Now I'm sure some fanboys will tear me apart about how RRV was a old game and didn't take full advantage of the PS2's hardware, but every launch game doesn't showcase a systems full potential. The fact remains that as systems beome more powerful, increasing the power by 10 will resulting in gradually diminishing returns. We are already seeing this effect, and it will only become more pronounced with time. But that being said, the 360 and PS3 have alot of power which will take dev's a considerable amount of time to tap, meaning the second gen games will really showcase what these consoles are capable of, Gears of War and MGS4 being examples(I highly doubt MGS4 will be a launch title, even if PS3 hits in late '06)
Sorry if this is a bit off topic, but I doubt this would ever be read in the PGR3 thread.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
PS3FANFOREVER
"MS IS TAKING THE FUN OUT OF PLAYING BY MAKING THE 360 A MACHINE FOR EVERYTHIN(MP3,VIDEO,CHAT,ECT ECT)I LIKE SONY, COS THE FOCUS BETTER ON WHAT HAVE DO BE DONE,AND KEEP IT SIMPLE.
MS IS GOOD IN OTHER THINGS & SHOULD FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A GOOD VISTA ;-)"
Might I add the PSP has music + movies + image collectivity. And the PS3 plans to have movies / music / and plans to use a ripoff of Live!
Stephen @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Good job on the review! Keep it up.
I look forward to your review on PS3 and Revolution before they are about to launch too!
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
It's pretty easy to find out usually who the Xbox fanboys are b/c all they talk about is polygon count and how detailed everything looks. The marketing guys, Cliffy B., RARE, etc. all say the same thing when they speak at conferences.
It's obvious that it is a powerful system...the videos are showing that. How about these guys actually try to sell the part that matters...ya know...the GAMEPLAY!!!
It's gonna be expected that the next gen consoles are gonna blow everyone away in the graphics department. The N64 did it, the PS1 did it, the PS2 did it, the Xbox did it, the Gamecube did it, etc. Yet it seems like the only only who knows whats important is Nintendo.
PS3FANFOREVER @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Does anyone know if ms and sony have limits to there graphic power, i mean what would happen when
on of them would develop something amazing eg game play 4D?
or are there rules and limits?
thanks
Mattisdada @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
*cough*revolution is better*cough*
Shannon @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Just a question to the author, do you not think this is one of, if not the best system launch line ups ever? Never mind it not being next gen enough or revolutionary enough. But it terms of quality and fun. I cant recall the last time a system with more than one good game. Maybe its just me and the fact I dont sports titles and racings games. But the Xbox 360 is the first next gen system with a few titles that make me want to own the system right off the bat. I realize and admit that they arent tapping into the consoles full potential, but what launch games ever do?
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Mattisdada
*cough*revolution is better*cough*
Now. I am all for the revolution. But honestly, the 360 isnt even out yet and you say it is not as good as the Rev. For fuck sake, the rev isnt even coming out until next year and you say its better.
Pure fanboy.
Geof @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
PS3FANFOREVER
How can you say all the features of the 360 is what is bad about the 360? They're ontop of gaming.
Besides, your beloved ps3 isn't a game machine, remember?
Quote:
"The PlayStation [3] is not a game machine. We've never once called it a game machine,We haven't been creating our [past] PlayStations for the sake of games.The PS3 isn't designed to lean towards games. It's not a computer for children. In the sense that our goal has been [to create] a computer that's meant for entertainment, you could say that the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 had existed as steps towards the PlayStation 3."
-Ken Kutugari
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Umm... Geof...
I kind of already made that point about half a dozen posts before you. Nice reading!
Geof @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
yeah but i thought the quote would be a nice addition.
It makes me giggle like a little girl
Arch-360 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
picky pants.
i really dont think that serving me is a very good idea without any argument at all.right my idiodicy. why dont ou try and make up an argument that goes along with that instead of wasting your breath? anyways. the mere fact that we dont know which systems GPU is more powerful, means that the next gen graphics king is still up in the air. but im sure sony will reveal something at their next conference completly absurd offcourse. like our system is 50X more powerful than the 360. something stupid like they did with the dreamcast. anyways. i have a feeling though that MS is expecting this and has something up their sleeve as a counter.
and it doesnt matter if the 360s games dont look that great now. im sure the PS3s launch titles will look no different. wait a year then make a comparison.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
" i have a feeling though that MS is expecting this and has something up their sleeve as a counter"
It is going to be the secret launch title. No one knows what it will be, but I have a feeling it will be Gears of War.
I only assume it would be GoW because of all of the videos and released info of the game.
Some stupid people say Halo 3.