Xbox 360

[Baldemyr]

Well, I went and purchased an Xbox 360 and a year of Live Gold.  One game-Forza 2 came with the set and I picked up Bioshock as well.

  First the negatives - 

1) Cost.  The machine cost me 400 CDN(about the same in US dollars) .  Ouch.  Its hard to justify paying that much for a game machine after you reach 2 decades of life.  I of course am an idiot-a year ago I promised myself I would get one if and when I got a big enough single contract to cover double its cost. I did it-and got paid.   The cost eliminates a whole set of younger gamers-and makes it a lot harder to jump from one windows PC on your desktop to another sitting beside the TV.  The saving grace for this is that Sony was even MORE boneheaded with the PS 3, losing almost a year in sales and having a 100 dollar higher price tag.

2) Microshaft.  Yeah. I am not a big fan- I was worried about integration of Xbox Live, messenger and adds everywhere.  I wasnt a fan of paying 5 dollars per month to use my game console online and I dont like Nissan Versa adds popping up on my Livepage.  Again, like the cost issue, Xbox 360 comes out on top not because of its brilliance but because of Sonys stupidity.  Sony's network is a dump...and doesnt give the slick look or flexibility of the Xobx Live system

3) Hardware.  The 360 on paper is a complete monster but Xbox's rush meant that so many units are failing-MS faces 1 billion dollars in returns so far.  Big problems involve sauldering(sorry for spelling) of the main proccessor and overheating. These issues are really quite common-WAY TOO COMMON.  Here Sony seems to have less of an issue(but still an issue).


  Now for the good part:


  The system is amazing.  My Xbox works flawlessly, Xbox Live is so wonderfully integrated, the games are absolutely amazing and I have found the system phenomenally "friendly" and money well spent.  Im serious.  Forza 2 is the finest car simulator ive every played and has led to a greater understanding of RL racing-it is just that specific and accurate.  Im up to 18 cars and have loved every moment of play.  Bioshock is a phenomenal FPS with hints of an RPG and brings me back to System Shock 2. It seriously amazing.    Best of all-it shows just how retarded Ayn Rand devotees are :)


    I find it interesting that the Xbox 360 is such an odd machine to review.  3 of my friends also bought over the last little while-and the 1 that bought it with me encountered the "red rings of death" hardware editor.  I highly doubt he would have much positive to say about it.  And yet, in my own experience, I can say the machine runs wonderfully, integrates network advantages seamlessly and has excellent games to rent/buy.  My own experience would give a review of 9.5 out of 10 (the .5 is for cost) whereas others might have given it around 2.

[geronimo]

I've been very impressed with my 360, all the more so because it didn't cost me a penny (bought for me as a 40th birthday gift!). Haven't had any problems with it - touch wood - but have heard of some of the issues. The fact that I have mine run through an HDMI projector setup onto an 82" screen with full surround makes it all the more awesome, of course  :icon_wink:

And as for Bioshock.....I'm blown away by how good a game that is. Bought it for PC and couldn't get it to run at all, despite patches, driver updates, the lot. Took it back and exchanged it for the 360 version and have barely stopped playing it since. Definately shades of System Shock 2 (same studio team, for the most part) - with plenty of The Shining, Deus Ex, and any number of other films and games thrown in. It drips atmosphere and menace. Kill for a copy!

[Perv]

always wanted a projector as my tv, projected onto a white wall.  Never got round to it though.  I have my pc linked into my 42" plasma and just change mode to flick between tv and pc.  So much easier. Gone are the days of having a separate tv and pc !!!

That BioShock looks awesome.  An up-to-date pc would be better though as the 360 is a couple of years old now isnt it?  2 years of pc upgrades is a lot.  I am about to upgrade my pc but am not going for gaming power as Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 and Footie manager games dont really warrant it  :icon_w00t:

My mate had loads of trouble playing online games on the 360, could hardly ever get connected but think its all ok now

Have a ps2 but played it less than 10 hours, have had it about 3 years.....

[King_Doberman]

I have to say that the Bioshock game sucks I got the game on the day of its Release and took it back the next day as I had finished it.

I know If it was not for the game Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars and this list of games that I am looking at getting when they are out.

Grand Theft Auto IV , Halo Wars ,

I was going to get red off my X Box 360.

I'd like to see more Real Time Strategy games on the X Box 360 as I am so fed up with all the First Person Shooter games out there.

[Perv]

I think RTS games are better on the PC than console.  I play these types more than anything else and wouldnt even consider playing them on a console after playing Age oF empires on the PS2 !!!

Theres more choice of strategy and bigger games on pc usually. First person shooter games are so coomon for the consoles I agree, cant stand them !!!!

[Bodhi]

I've been very impressed with my 360, all the more so because it didn't cost me a penny (bought for me as a 40th birthday gift!).

I got a diving trip for my fortieth.
I'll be having more fun than you  :thefinger:

Can't stand video and computer games... Repetitive boredom that's what I call it.
I used to enjoy it until I discovered that there are perhaps six games or something like that in existance. The rest is just differences in graphics and packaging.

[Perv]

I'd love to go on a diving trip but my body wouldnt have it, I may try it in St Lucia but I have a major fear of Sharks and Bull sharks are most common around Cuba I think and thats not too far away.....

maybe if they release a diving game on the pc.....   :shrug:

Yeah u cant beat real life stuff but games do have their appeal.  I hate golf in real life but Tiger Woods PGA is the nuts !!!  as long as youre not on games week in week out then I think its pretty good for the mind, reaction times and stuff.

[Bodhi]

My son loves them. And they're OK I guess but I prefer live gaming. Real people are so much more impredictable (did I stop spelling that correctly...?). But I've never tried online gaming I must confess. I'd probably get completely hooked.
Just the small roleplayinggames we have going on this site have me in their complete grasp  :icon_wink:

And sharks are nice animals. No but they ARE much more predictable than - for instance alligators - and once you know how to behave around them (I don't but I've read up on it) you practically reduce the risks to zero.

[Perv]

I've played basic online games but not anything graphical as I know I'll get addicted and havent the time.  Its a wise move to steer clear of them  :icon_wink:

I have nothing against sharks, wouldnt want to kill one or anything, I just dont want to be anywhere near them either though  :icon_w00t:  I couldnt behave rationally if a 20ft fish with more teeth than my whole family put togther was swimming around me....my behaviour would be described as "Outboard Motorish" as u would only see 2 arms rotating like propellors !!!!

I'm waiting for a really outstanding game to come out to make me buy another console.  Nothing in last couple of years has really stood out to me.  Morrowind Elder Scrolls 3 had me gripped for a while just for the sheer size of the game.  Neverwinter nights I liked but its nothing special, havent played the 2nd one though

[geronimo]

I've been very impressed with my 360, all the more so because it didn't cost me a penny (bought for me as a 40th birthday gift!).

I got a diving trip for my fortieth.
I'll be having more fun than you  :thefinger:

Hehe I got a cage diving trip with great whites for my 35th :P

[Perv]

Not for any money in the world !!!   :icon_eek:

[Custom_Hobby]

From what I hear it is safe as long as you are in the cage

[Perv]

would you choose to go into a flesh eating virus infected area in a protective suit?   :shrug:

I dont see the need to tempt fate myself but I'll cheer you on from my armchair  :icon_w00t:

[Custom_Hobby]

I trust solid steel and something I can see. I wouldn't trust the suit.

[Perv]

lol u havent seen British engineering lately mate, I'd make sure its made outside the UK.  Doubt it'd stand up to an enraged starfish if made here  :icon_w00t: