XBOX 360 Initial Impressions...
When I first setup the XBOX 360 on Tuesday, I wasn't all that impressed. The first game I played was Madden 2006. I played the 1st game as the Giants and the graphics were ok, but they didn't wow me like I was expecting. Plus the controls are quite different than I was used to on the regular XBOX version of Madden. There is no longer the black and white buttons. On the new controller, there is a second set of triggers, similar to the Playstation 2 controller. With the new controller layout and the different look, it was more like switching from Madden to NFL 2k6. It was like a whole new game.
Next game I tried was Project Gotham Racing, and again, I wasn't all that impressed. The game was a lot of fun, but it didn't blow me away. Then on Wednesday, when Rachel's aunt and uncle who had been staying with us, went back to Pennsylvania, I had some free time, so I slid my tv out and hooked up the XBOX to the component connection and switched from SD to HD. I put in Madden and this time I was blown away. You can see players breath when it's cold outside, players leave footprints in the snow, and the animations seem much smoother and more realtistic. The only thing I found peculiar so far is that players jerseys never seem to get dirty. Even when you play in the rain or snow.
One major difference I see in the game play in Madden on the 360 is the protection of the offensive lines and the ability for receivers to get open more. In regular Madden, it seemed like the QB was always under pressure. The pocket would collapse in a heartbeat forcing the QB to make split secon decisions. In the 360 version, you seem to have a lot more time to make a decision. Another thing that stood out to me is the fact that the premier receivers such as Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Jeremy Shockey seem to fake out the defensive backs a lot more easily. And when you get a good tight end or wide receiver being covered by a linebacker in single coverage, the receivers seem to make more catches. So this seems to be more realtisic. In the NFL quick wide receivers like Plaxico Burress can burn a linebacker with their speed. So its nice to see this as a factor in the new game.
I can see why people are upset with practice mode being stripped out of the 360 version. With several changes in the control layout, you are forced to learn the new controls in games instead of practice mode. So my RAC yardage is really lacking in my first few games. So as good as the new Madden in, the 2007 should be mind blowing once they add all the regular stuff like training camp, mini games and of course practice mode.
Now a few quick bullet points
Next game I tried was Project Gotham Racing, and again, I wasn't all that impressed. The game was a lot of fun, but it didn't blow me away. Then on Wednesday, when Rachel's aunt and uncle who had been staying with us, went back to Pennsylvania, I had some free time, so I slid my tv out and hooked up the XBOX to the component connection and switched from SD to HD. I put in Madden and this time I was blown away. You can see players breath when it's cold outside, players leave footprints in the snow, and the animations seem much smoother and more realtistic. The only thing I found peculiar so far is that players jerseys never seem to get dirty. Even when you play in the rain or snow.
One major difference I see in the game play in Madden on the 360 is the protection of the offensive lines and the ability for receivers to get open more. In regular Madden, it seemed like the QB was always under pressure. The pocket would collapse in a heartbeat forcing the QB to make split secon decisions. In the 360 version, you seem to have a lot more time to make a decision. Another thing that stood out to me is the fact that the premier receivers such as Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Jeremy Shockey seem to fake out the defensive backs a lot more easily. And when you get a good tight end or wide receiver being covered by a linebacker in single coverage, the receivers seem to make more catches. So this seems to be more realtisic. In the NFL quick wide receivers like Plaxico Burress can burn a linebacker with their speed. So its nice to see this as a factor in the new game.
I can see why people are upset with practice mode being stripped out of the 360 version. With several changes in the control layout, you are forced to learn the new controls in games instead of practice mode. So my RAC yardage is really lacking in my first few games. So as good as the new Madden in, the 2007 should be mind blowing once they add all the regular stuff like training camp, mini games and of course practice mode.
Now a few quick bullet points
- If you don't have an ED or HD TV, I don't think its worth upgrading to a 360 just yet
- NBA 2K6 is amazing. I don't like basketball nearly as much as I like baseball and football, but this game is so much fun and looks amazing.
- The wireless controller is alot cooler and liberating than I expected.
- You can migrate your existing XBOX Live screenname over to play on XBOX 360 Live.
- The new play calling systems in Madden make the game a lot more enjoyable and easy to find a "money" play.
- The power supply for the 360 in gigantic
- Rachel's brother came over to check out the 360, before we realized it, we had been playing nearly 8 hours.
7 Comments:
How far back can you use the wireless controller?
Pretty far actually. You know the couch I have down in my basement, the one where Rachel and I sat when we watched The Longest Yard, we were sitting there and it worked flawlessly.
Well after hearing Mike's review, I think that I may hold off on getting it for a little bit.
Yeah the games in SD look about the same as the regular XBOX, so save up for a HD or ED TV, and then get the 360.
You never know Dave. HDTV's are getting cheaper and cheaper. You can get a pretty descent LCD TV for about $400-500 now. If you're gonna spend $300-400 for an XBOX, may as well experience the game play at it's best.
And I agree with you. I think these first batch of games were put together pretty quickly, because Microsofy decided they wanted to have the system launch in time for Christmas. So I think the games that come out once they have adequate developement time will be mind blowing. I dont think any of the new games fully utilize all the processing power of the 360.
No more spending for me until tax returns. Time to pay credit cards, Save for wedding (Hope you and Rachel will come), and save for furniture. ;) Then I will start looking at the big screen LCD
Wow Kelvin, you sound way too sensible :-).
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