Uninspiring demo madness: NBA 2K8 and Sega Rally samples now on Live

by Justin McElroy { Sep 19th 2007 at 9:09AM }

We love telling you guys and gals about demos, because its the closest we can get to giving you a free game (except, of course, for when we do). But honestly, for the past two Xbox Live demos, we've been stymied about what to say beyond a headline. So, let's get this out of the way: Sega Rally and NBA 2K8 demos are both on Xbox Live. ... Now what?

We're not the only ones who are uninspired. Look at the real, actual dash description of NBA 2K8: "Download the demo." Sega Rally's not much better, promising a "unique mix of fun, bumper-to-bumper racing and next gen technology". What does that even mean? Luckily, we have you dear readers to turn to. We're hopeful that your demo impressions will at least make this post worthy of the server space it's taking up.

Read -- Demo: NBA 2K8
Read -- Demo: SEGA Rally

Tags: demos, nba2k8, segarally, xboxlive

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

WiseGuy @ Sep 19th 2007 9:25AM

Boring. Tried Sega Rally. There are much better racing titles out. Wow, your car gets dirty. Dirt seemed like a better game. PGR4 is due out soon and I'm sure for the same price. It's not a bad looking game but there is no car damage and an invisible wall around the race track to prevent you from having any fun.

unosturgis @ Sep 19th 2007 9:44AM

Does it make you want to punch a crippled kitten?

Justin McElroy @ Sep 19th 2007 11:04AM

If "punch a crippled kitten" becomes a hot internet meme I'm buying all you guys Slurpees.

unosturgis @ Sep 19th 2007 7:49PM

haha im working on it :)

stuka @ Sep 19th 2007 9:41AM

I drove the very first turn in Sega Rally and had enough. Oh, the sweet memories of the original rally demolished. Ain't even gonna touch NBA.

drdre74 @ Sep 19th 2007 9:46AM

Cool I'm gonna try out the NBA 2k8 tonight. I've been waiting on that one. The sega game was trash. wasn't even fun to play. I couldn't even finish a lap it was so boring.

Rask @ Sep 19th 2007 9:48AM

Being the copywriter for these demo descriptions sounds seems to be as challenging a job as being speechwriter for Pres. Bush.

t_m @ Sep 19th 2007 10:02AM

i;d heard good hype about sega rally... having each lap alter the terrain SOUNDED really cool...

JK @ Sep 19th 2007 10:19AM

Yah, you get ruts in the road and your car gets dirty, that's about the extent of 'aweseome' in the game. Invisible walls, no damage, crappy "yaw/drift" steering, game was horrible.

Meridimus @ Sep 19th 2007 10:48AM

I thought Sega Rally acheived some nice technical feats but the game itself is pretty bad. Especially the shredding guitar and pan pipes soundtrack, eew.

Meridimus @ Sep 19th 2007 10:49AM

2k8 was fun, I have 2k7 and this version seems more polished.

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring) @ Sep 19th 2007 10:51AM

i won't play another basketball game until you can set the net on fire

man that was an awesome game

Poisoned Al @ Sep 19th 2007 11:17AM

God, how skittish are the controls on Saga Rally? You're forever correcting your nose. At least you could do something about the handling in DiRT. Dirt looked nicer too.

Jim Halpert DM @ Sep 19th 2007 11:20AM

2k8 looks to be the best basketball game to come out in a long time. The demo for 2k8 is a lot better than the one for NBA Live 08.

Joe Smith @ Sep 19th 2007 11:33AM

Joystiq - don't you ever get tired of trying to sound like a bored, jaded, spoiled kid? Is it so hard to fill the space in this blog that you even need to start ragging on the DESCRIPTIONS of demos used in the Dash? I think maybe you need a long break.

KiraXD @ Sep 19th 2007 12:32PM

omg sega rally was craptastic... its easier controlling a drunk, half retarded blind dragon in LAIR, with sixaxis, than it is to control the spastic drift of the cars in rally.

adium @ Sep 19th 2007 12:33PM

Sega Rally is a let down.

The first lap was horrible, i couldnt stay on the road and was in last, the second lap id got used to it and was in 1st surprisingly quick, 3rd lap i was bored and guide+y+up+a

Shibathedog @ Sep 19th 2007 12:57PM

man I give up, for some reason or another, It's impossible to develop a decent rally racing game. It just can't be done. I had high hopes for that game (probably because I deliberately avoided reading anything about it until the demo came out)

Stupidiot @ Sep 19th 2007 1:02PM

I agree, I found the game mechanics in DiRT to be pretty boring too.

CIA @ Sep 20th 2007 1:52AM

RalliSport Challenge 2 :)

B1gC72 @ Sep 19th 2007 2:11PM

i wish the PSN would get these multiplatform games at the same time as the 360. i always have to wait like 3 days after the 360 demo release for them to add it to the PSN. screw this once a week upload crap, i want games!

I Dex I @ Sep 19th 2007 2:25PM

I could barely control the car in third person view. with the hood cam the control is much better. Try it. I may pick this up when it comes out. I love the crisp colorful SEGA style graphic (HD all the way)...

qtipboy @ Sep 19th 2007 4:59PM

what's jason richardson doing wearing a warriors jersey still? lol

Imadogg @ Sep 19th 2007 8:04PM

Looks like 2K7 to me but no idea

2K8 does seem a lot more polished, the animations are a lot better too. Can't wait.

The Live demo was terrible, Live is gonna be better this year than 07, but still gonna suck.

Derrick @ Sep 19th 2007 5:43PM

I must be the only one that really enjoyed the Sega Rally demo. It's simple but controls well, and the track deformation is neat. I don't play a lot of rally games but I had a lot more fun with this demo than I did playing DiRT (although the slo-mo replay in DiRT was pretty awesome with all the debris flying around).

Andoru @ Sep 19th 2007 10:58PM

Sega Rally is awesome! The other noobs don't understand that it's roots lie in the arcade days of yore. Maybe they're too young to remember? I'm actually surprised this isn't an arcade release as well. Perhaps Sega will do an after-the-fact arcade port like Namco did with Soul Calibur III. Anyway, those who don't like it don't understand it. Those who call it bad or crap are ignorant and apparently, not up to the challenge.

refinedsugar @ Sep 20th 2007 7:25PM

I only download demos off XBL that feature well written, engaging, witty descriptions chalk full excitement and intrigue too. The demos might be free, but with the balance of the world at stake, I can't be left to make up my own mind or trust a game's title. No sir.

Lupos @ Sep 21st 2007 11:26AM

I played the rally demo repeatedly last night and had a blast. Dirt doesn't feel nearly as connected to the road and I like the sort of arcadey feel. I had a rough time the first race and after that was getting 1st and 2nd each time. I'm no race game junky but this was "fun to play" which is key for me. Also it looked bright and shiny and had bizarre music, just like I expect form sega games. Blue sky all the way.