Initial Xbox 360 Impressions

Occasionally, we change things up around these parts and talk games. I wasn't originally planning on getting an Xbox 360, but an opportunity presented itself so I picked it up. As far as I can tell, I'm not really the typical customer of this machine. I have a GameCube and PS2 but never saw a need to get an original Xbox.

I've read various things that suggest that the 360 isn't that big of an advancement beyond the original Xbox, or that you need an HD TV to see any different. As far as I'm concerned, that's flat wrong. This is an impressive piece of hardware.

I picked up four games with the system: Project Gotham 3, Fight Night 3, Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo. I'm a pretty big fan of racing games and Gotham is exactly the type of game I like. It's more than a simple one-off arcade racer, but it doesn't descend into the gear head insanity that is Gran Turismo. Gotham is shockingly gorgeous and a lot of fun to play.

Boxing games aren't really my thing, but Fight Night 3 does a great job of what it sets out to do. Again, the visuals are absolutely jaw-dropping and my roommate seems to approve of the controls. From a presentation perspective, I love how the game moves all of the superfluous bars and meters out of the way and presents the player with a cinematic view of the action.

I just started playing Perfect Dark Zero. While I typically like this type of game, it's so far been an exercise in frustration. Maybe not having a mouse to work with is part of the problem, but I feel like I'm never directing my attention to the place that the game wants me to.

I sort of stumbled through the intro level and now I somehow keep breaking cover in the second level. I have to assume the game designers believe they're making it clear to me what I should be trying to accomplish, but I just feel dumped in the middle of the level with vague hints and none of the flexibility of real life. I can't jump in the water to evade anyone, for example.

I guess I'll keep at the game for a bit longer, but at this point I really wish I had Metroid Prime 3 in front of me instead. It's a similar type of game, but Metroid just feels much, much more polished and imaginative. Maybe Halo 3 will pan out well. I haven't taken Kameo for a spin yet so I'll have to report back on that one.

The bottom line is that contrary to some negative press, this system appears to have real potential. I still suspect I'll end up a bigger fan of PS3 or Revolution in the long run because the Japanese game design ethic just seems so much more solid. But for now, the 360 is the only game in town, and there are at least a few good titles for it.

Update: I left out two rather important points in the original post. First, it's important to point out that this thing is loud. That is it might actually overpower the TV's lower volume setting. Not quite at a dual G5, but miles away from a Mac mini.

I actually called Microsoft to make sure there wasn't something wrong with mine. They tell me unless there are some lights indicating a problem, that the fan noise is normal. Since this is an entertainment device the noise is an inconvenience for me, not a deal breaker. If I had to have it on all day while working, I'd probably toss the thing out the window.

The second point is that the industrial design is much more understated than the original Xbox. Comparisons to the Apple/iPod design sensibility are unavoidable. Just further evidence that Microsoft wants to be Apple so bad.

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