A console is nothing without decent games. Microsoft is making sure to offer plenty of gaming options to aid the Xbox 360 launch. Twenty-nine titles, to be exact. That’s not too shabby in terms of quantity of launch games. However, quality is the most important factor in whether or not the new Xbox will trump its competition.
Initially, Microsoft is relying heavily on third-party developers like EA (“Madden 06,” “Need for Speed: Most Wanted”), Ubisoft (“Peter Jackson’s King Kong”) and Tecmo (“Dead or Alive 4”) to help carry the weight of the console’s massive release. While there is safety in utilizing these developers, it also creates a potential problem for Microsoft.
The downfall of utilizing third-party software for the 360 launch is the fact that most of the titles accompanying the Xbox 360’s release are already out on other consoles, including the original Xbox. Serious gamers may hold out until more exclusive releases become available, which will hurt holiday sales.
Of course, Microsoft is offering a handful of first-party software, too. Microsoft Game Studios’ “Project Gotham Racing 3” looks to be the must-have launch title for the 360. The no-nonsense racing game boasts the best visuals on the console so far, and its predecessors have received an extensive amount of critical acclaim.
In conjunction with Rare LTD., the developer behind Nintendo 64’s innovative first-person shooter “007: Goldeneye,” Microsoft is bringing the title “Perfect Dark Zero,” the prequel to another praised N64 title. While the graphics are a bit sub-par compared to those of titles like “King Kong” and “PGR 3,” the company is really elaborating on the title’s gameplay quality.
The last first-party launch release is “Kameo: Elements of Power,” the sequel to a less than popular Xbox title. By first impression, this third-person action game is nothing special in terms of gameplay and graphics. In fact, it pretty much looks like an Xbox port. Players will transform into various beasts to overcome obstacles, much like the gameplay of Nintendo’s “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.”
By first impression, the 360 hasn’t made much of a graphical jump from its predecessor. However, the powerhouse Xbox 360 is sure to churn out some impressive graphical quality once developers learn to further take advantage of the console’s abilities.
Some have speculated that the 360 will become the next Sega Dreamcast, which met it’s demise in 2000 with the release of Sony’s Playstation 2. However, with its Live gaming capabilities and reputation for the “Halo” series, it’s very unlikely.
Surprisingly, support for the Xbox 360 has broadly surpassed its predecessor, with names like Square-Enix (“Final Fantasy XI”) and Valve (“Half-Life 2”) backing the system.
However, the future is unclear for the 360. With Sony’s Playstation 3 and Nintendo’s Revolution just around the corner, there is no telling who will be the king of the next-gen mountain.
Hands-on, Xbox 360 gaming doesn’t feel much different than that of current generation gaming. The controls are basically the same, and games pretty much follow the same objective-based structure. However, realism prevails in some cases, and 360’s capabilities help accompany this factor in gaming.
Elements like fire, water and smoke have made a tremendous jump in realism on the 360, and most games have a more realistic flow, thanks to the high amount of frames-per-second. Still, the graphical capabilities have yet to be exploited, but that is sure to change in the near future.
What everyone can expect from Microsoft is some much-improved online play from it’s already spectacular Live system. Every game will be Live-enabled, which is a spectacular move by developers. Of course, “Halo” will return, and rumor has it that “Halo 3” will release on the same day as the PS3.
The next generation is finally here, though it will be awhile before the world will truly see its abilities. Despite that, Xbox 360 is sure to be at the top of most gamers’ Christmas lists this holiday season, and the selection of games surely helps.