Xbox 360

[WesPip]

When is Beautiful Katamari due out anyways? I CRAVES IT.

But yeah, hacking...eh, I just didn't care once I got the acheivement. All I hacked after that was safes, and maybe the occassional vending machine or u-invent.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Ninja Gaiden II screens (http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=8327)

Rez and Ikaruga to XBLA in 2008 (http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=8326)

Can I get an unadulterated "fuck yeah" from some you of you?

[nesper]

FUCK YEAH CUZ achievements for ikaruga

[I-n-j-i-n]

Great news for 360 fans I guess, because Ninja Gaiden 2 will become a full exclusive.

It's almost a foregone conclusion that it'll be the best action game ever made if they can even marginally improve on the first game.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I give a double FUCK YEAH for Phithis and Injin.

Seriously, this system is made of too much win.

[anosou]

Rez AND Ikaruga?
I think I'll have to get an X360.. It's about as much as a copy of Rez anyway XD

[Bahamut]

I've known about Ikaruga hitting XBLA for a long time, but damn, it always feels good to have a 360.

[Zeklan]

REZ in HD?
Oh this is going to kick soo much ass.

[WesPip]

But...NO TRANCE VIBRATOR?
Oh wait, the 360 has USB ports. Hmmm...

[Broken]

I was considering making a seperate thread just to celebrate the awesomeness that is Ninja Gaiden II, but I figured that's why people have been posting on this thread.

But yeah, I want a 360, NOW!

[atmuh]

hey ue i didnt know you were in the call of duty 4 beta also
i got in through gamespot yesterday and am having much fun

i suck horribly though

[I-n-j-i-n]

I was considering making a seperate thread just to celebrate the awesomeness that is Ninja Gaiden II, but I figured that's why people have been posting on this thread.

But yeah, I want a 360, NOW!

The video can't come fast enough really. It's like waiting for a new video on E3 years past.

Also, Call of Duty running at 60 frames per second is making my eyes hurt. It's almost too beautiful how well it runs.

[UnforgivingEdges]

hey ue i didnt know you were in the call of duty 4 beta also
i got in through gamespot yesterday and am having much fun

i suck horribly though

Yeah, we got two invites at GAF for media purposes. Most of the people playing it are like machines; it's all they do. It looks and plays great, but the class system has some balancing issues with gun strength and whatnot.

If you ever want to play, just send me an invite (if you can pry me away from NHL 08 :P)

[Alpine Flame]

Is anyone else getting their butt kicked horribly on puzzle fighter? I played through hard mode twice for a warm-up, and then was smashed by the first person I played. I seriously think I'm doing something wrong.

[Dead Hex]

Oh man, the Ninja Gaiden 2 gameplay videos are out on XBLM. I was a huge fan of the first one for the Xbox, and I loved Black and bought Sigma as well, so my $60 was already down for this game, but this all but confirms my longing for the game.

In other news, stupid Xbox Live gold ran out, now all I have is Silver. I only played the CoD4 beta for like a week god dammit. Oh well. Stupid being a poor college student.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

You think you're poor? I can't even sprint the 12 bucks for enough marketplace points to buy the full version of Puzzle fighter.

[Dead Hex]

You think you're poor? I can't even sprint the 12 bucks for enough marketplace points to buy the full version of Puzzle fighter.

I can't even afford to go to kinko's and print off a copy of my Social Security Card so that I can keep the job I was just hired in to. So yes, I think I'm poor.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I can't even afford to go to kinko's and print off a copy of my Social Security Card so that I can keep the job I was just hired in to. So yes, I think I'm poor.

Oh yeah? Well... Uh...

Shit, that's poor.

[WesPip]

If it's any consolation, I'm making decent money now.
Not enough to give you any, but more than enough for myself.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Anyone catch Tri-Ace and Square making TWO brand new RPGs for 360? Best news is that they are not sequels at all but totally new.

[Dead Hex]

Yeah, Infinite Undiscovery looks really cool, as does Last Remnant. It'll be interesting to see what else Tri-Ace brings, I'm hoping for a Valkryie Profile, but I'm sure that's wishful thinking.

And hey, I'm not going to be poor for long, it's just a short term thing, so I can become poor again when all these games come out this holiday for the 360, Wii, and... well the PS3 will continue to collect dust, anyways, until next year.

[Soma]

I picked up Eternal Sonata today with the Alegretto faceplate. Game's really fucking pretty but the intro almost put me to sleep. No seriously.

EDIT: it's not the alegretto faceplate but Frederic Chopin himself, i just got them mixed up apparently.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Yeah, Eternal Sonata really has a sleepy feel to it. I'm probably aiming for a rental since there is Halo and Mass Effect and who knows how many 360/wii games are coming out soon.

[atmuh]

shut up about scam sites i got the guitar hero 2 bundle HERE (http://www.yourfree360games.com/index.php?ref=236346) for only $10. I'd say go for it you can get some games(including halo 3)/accessories (including the halo 3 controllers/headset) for REALLY cheap.

[Arek the Absolute]

Lol Reference Number

[atmuh]

Lol Reference Number

hey nothing wrong with sharing the free stuff but then takin a lil in return :]

[Alexis]

I just got one. Don't get me wrong, it's a great system. I'm just pissed off that my schools internet network is blocking xbox live, so I can't get on to play with people. Not cool.

[Dead Hex]

I just got one. Don't get me wrong, it's a great system. I'm just pissed off that my schools internet network is blocking xbox live, so I can't get on to play with people. Not cool.

Talk to your school's network admin? If they don't allow it, just kill him/her, and do it yourself. It works everytime, as long as you know how to do it right.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I'm pretty sure your admin will give you the greenlight for the 360.

[Bahamut]

I'm pretty sure your admin will give you the greenlight for the 360.

Not necessarily...there are schools out there that intentionally try to block online gaming.

[The Damned]

Then you need to switch schools.

[Alexis]

No I called the computer help people to see why I couldn't use MY internet that I'M paying for in this apartment to use the Xbox live and nobody using the schools internet is allowed to use any sort of gaming network, it is completely blocked. Which is bullshit.
And of course, internet is included in my rent no matter what, so this is fucking bullshit.

[Airwalker]

Yeah, I looked at your school's network policies (http://www.cts.duq.edu/content_pages/students/s_network/s_netw_policies.html) (thank you, Facebook... now I'm a stalker) and they seem to consider a game console as dangerous as hubs and switches.

I got no solution. All I can say is, that sucks hardcore.

[WesPip]

Haha, holy shit that's terrible.

[Effef]

they seem to consider a game console as dangerous as hubs and switches.

lol wut

THIS IS DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT

YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONNECT MORE THAN ONE COMPUTER AT ONCE

God help you if you ever decide to use Linux, they might assasinate you.

EDIT: Holy hell, I just read that disclaimer. You can't do ANYTHING. Just get your internet from somewhere else, it would be totally worth whatever price.

[Alexis]

Yeah, I looked at your school's network policies (http://www.cts.duq.edu/content_pages/students/s_network/s_netw_policies.html) (thank you, Facebook... now I'm a stalker) and they seem to consider a game console as dangerous as hubs and switches.

I got no solution. All I can say is, that sucks hardcore.

Yes! I have a real facebook stalker. :-D
I'm too excited about this.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So last Remnant looks kind of cool. Any details on it? From what I can tell, it looks like it has a CTB style like Final Fantasy X had, although I could be totally wrong.

Also, once I get my paycheck at the end of this week, it's Halo 3, Eternal Sonata, and Oblivion: GoTY time!

[case]

I should be on Halo 3 a good portion of this week, unfortunately. I hate it when games take over my time, but if its a good game, I can't help it. The Last Remnant seems pretty cool, I also thought that the overall design of the game was a huge pull from FF's style, but to me, that's a very good thing. Always nice to see good RPGs come from other companies besides ones with 'square' in the name. Plus the backstory sounded cool, but that might just be because I liked the Highlander TV show.

Was anyone else completed disappointed with Two Worlds? Or were you all smart enough not to buy it... Bioshock was cool, but I haven't put more than a couple hours on each game, they don't have that "entranced me to the point of potato-ism" quality for whatever reason. For now, I pass the time wrecking my coworkers in PGR3 and Forza2 (when my xbox works). Hey, look ma, I'm ranting!

[Dead Hex]

I should be on Halo 3 a good portion of this week, unfortunately. I hate it when games take over my time, but if its a good game, I can't help it. The Last Remnant seems pretty cool, I also thought that the overall design of the game was a huge pull from FF's style, but to me, that's a very good thing. Always nice to see good RPGs come from other companies besides ones with 'square' in the name. Plus the backstory sounded cool, but that might just be because I liked the Highlander TV show.

Square is publishing last remnant. I think that Infinite Undiscovery looks much more interesting than Last Remnant though, and the fact that everything is real time is great. I just wonder how they are going to have you control/command the rest of your party in battle.

[case]

Whoops, thanks for the correction! Is Infinite Undiscovery coming out for 360? Haven't heard of it yet... Although "realtime" combat and such is fun in concept on RPGs, sometimes I'd really rather it just stick with turn-based methods.

[Dead Hex]

Whoops, thanks for the correction! Is Infinite Undiscovery coming out for 360? Haven't heard of it yet... Although "realtime" combat and such is fun in concept on RPGs, sometimes I'd really rather it just stick with turn-based methods.

Yeah, Infinite Undiscovery is Square-Enix/Tri-Ace's other exclusive 360 RPG. I get what you are saying about the realtime/turnbased stuff though, sometimes I do like just straight up classic turn based combat. Sometimes I like real-time though, like in Fable, or Sudeki. Sudeki also happened to be pretty good, thanks to random pointing at Family Video, I found it.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Considering Tri Ace is a veteran in real time RPG systems, I have confidence. It's not like the crapshoot effort that happened to stick with FFXII, even though a lot of things were broken in FFXII too.

[case]

Well, I'm convinced... if there's a demo, I'll at least give it a shot, and worst comes to worst, I end up blowing yet another $60 on a good game. ;)

[atmuh]

my halo 3 wireless headset from yourfree360games arrived today!!!!
I SPENT TWO DOLLARS ON THIS THING

[Citris]

I finally beat Bioshock. It took me a while since I don't own a 360 so I had to play my friend's at his house.

Seriously one of the best games I've ever played. I've never felt so proud\happy to play a good guy in a game before.

I don't have to be afraid of the internet and it's spoilers anymore!

[atmuh]

guitar hero from yourfree360games came today
i really love the internet
a lot

[TheCatPhysician]

lol guess who's 3604free ref link is on the main page of anything4free?

hopefully that was a good $10 investment

[Bigfoot]

So I'm finally getting a 360 soon. I dunno what the hell to get for my first game though.

[TheCatPhysician]

you should try the game "halo 3"




seriously though it's awesome

[atmuh]

So I'm finally getting a 360 soon. I dunno what the hell to get for my first game though.

get bomberman live
fo serious
screw major titles the arcade in itself has enough

[Bigfoot]

you should try the game "halo 3"




seriously though it's awesome

I heard that game sucks.

get bomberman live
fo serious
screw major titles the arcade in itself has enough

Haha, yes, I actually believe this. At a tournament I went to, some people brought their 360, and 90% of the games they were playing were arcade.

[atmuh]

Haha, yes, I actually believe this. At a tournament I went to, some people brought their 360, and 90% of the games they were playing were arcade.

ya man
between uno bomberman castlevania aegis wing (GREAT free game) and soon to be tetris and ikaruga its quite nice

and halos pretty good, worth getting for free which is what im doing :]

[WesPip]

ya man
between uno bomberman castlevania aegis wing (GREAT free game) and soon to be tetris and ikaruga its quite nice

and halos pretty good, worth getting for free which is what im doing :]
YOU IGNORED REZ.

Also, I don't much care for Aegis Wing, to be honest. I tried it...I've never been a fan of that genre.
However, I'm more of a platformer type, and I liked Cloning Clyde. Yeah, it's pretty short and pretty simple, but I still enjoyed it.

[Brushfire]

YOU IGNORED REZ.

Also, I don't much care for Aegis Wing, to be honest. I tried it...I've never been a fan of that genre.

Living in Japan, I have played shooters that were alot harder than Aegis Wing. The game itself was boring compared to games like Raiden Fighters and such.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Living in Japan, I have played shooters that were alot harder than Aegis Wing. The game itself was boring compared to games like Raiden Fighters and such.

Yes, but it's FREE.

Anyway, Bigfoot, you can listen to the Gears of War or Halo 3 or BioShock suggestions if you want (and you should), but my favorite 360 game this year is Project Sylpheed. Fucking fantastic game, and it's only $40.

I would also recommend Condemned: Criminal Origins. It was a launch title, and it was the BEST launch title. It's also scary as fuck.

Another great, cheap gem: Earth Defense Force 2017: the best co-op game in next-gen. Just an absolute crazy fun off-the-wall arcade-type game.

Finally, I just finished Dead Rising today, and while not for everyone, I had a great time with it. A very interesting unique Capcom title. And it's only $30 now.

[Kureejii Lea]

Dead Rising is awesome. Dressing Frank up hideously makes all the cutscenes worth watching again. Him trying to pin down Isabella while wearing a Servebot head is so deliciously wrong.

So, uh, anyone else hear something about Bungie separating from Microsoft?

[KakTheInfected]

So, uh, anyone else hear something about Bungie separating from Microsoft?

They're still making games for them though, and apparently, Microsoft gets to pick and choose what Bungie can put on other platforms.

This likely just means Bungie will make some PC and DS games. I'd like to see Bungie make an original FPS title for the PC and not a game built around archaic dual analog controls.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Dead Rising is awesome. Dressing Frank up hideously makes all the cutscenes worth watching again. Him trying to pin down Isabella while wearing a Servebot head is so deliciously wrong.

The greatest to me was being able to put on a Mega Man helmet and Mega Buster in the movie theater. So great.

[Kureejii Lea]

The greatest to me was being able to put on a Mega Man helmet and Mega Buster in the movie theater. So great.

Aw, c'mon, the real versions are better. Real Mega Buster = shiny OHKO. The boots even make the right sound when you jump.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Aw, c'mon, the real versions are better. Real Mega Buster = shiny OHKO. The boots even make the right sound when you jump.

I never found the rest of the costume :(

[I-n-j-i-n]

This likely just means Bungie will make some PC and DS games. I'd like to see Bungie make an original FPS title for the PC and not a game built around archaic dual analog controls.

I don't see why Bungie would even bother with FPS games in a long while. From all the interviews, it seems like they want to do something totally new or possibly an entirely new franchise. Also, if they want a FPS game that sells, they'd stick to consoles or even make another Halo sequel or spinoff.

And archaic dual analog controls? Bungie has refined that to perfection and it's not a sticking point to them. Not to mention the possible keyboard+mouse connectivity they may plan for future 360 games. Moot point. I guess it'd be a point to bring up if people actually griped about a bad control scheme. Just about nobody did so for Halo 3. It's not even an issue.

Also, I think a possible breakup would make Bungie Microsoft's 2nd party instead of 1st. MS seems to be going down that path by making deals for exclusivity instead of simply owning all of the companies.

Even if they did make a PC FPS game that is not Halo, I bet it'll be like BioShock and make it be a console exclusive that way.

[KakTheInfected]

And archaic dual analog controls? Bungie has refined that to perfection and it's not a sticking point to them. Not to mention the possible keyboard+mouse connectivity they may plan for future 360 games. Moot point. I guess it'd be a point to bring up if people actually griped about a bad control scheme. Just about nobody did so for Halo 3. It's not even an issue.

Yeah dual analog is great, as is hooking up your 360 to a 1080p set with an RF switch then taking an icepick to your ballsack. Some people might not care about the controls on console FPS but when it's vastly inferior to an input device that has been used in the genre since the early to mid-90s, it IS archaic.

Anyway, I suppose you're right about Bungie not wanting to do another FPS but they've already confirmed that if Halo 4 is made, they'll be a part of it. Go figure.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I won't know about whether it's archaic since it is a newer form to control FPS's and I think Goldeneye and Turok proved it a decade ago that it can work for console shooters. It really would feel strange to put in a much tighter control scheme in a console shooter and otherwise I guess. I can't imagine something like Gears of War having pinpoint control like with PC games. I think it's almost a part of the whole FPS genre for console games. It really feels to me like FPS games as of late has incorporated the more sluggish controls for the games themselves. Which is why a lot of FPS games made specifically for consoles have a distinctly different feel (not inferior or superior. That question is too subjective for me to get into).

As for Halo 4, I'm guessing that may be after a possible new project, but I'm not going to be surprised if they are making it right now to extend the 360's lifeline (as if that wasn't fulfilled 100% as far as a Halo goes since Halo 3 did everything a 'finale' could).

[Bahamut]

I still think that the notion of keyboard/mouse being superior to all is total bullshit. The keyboard is such a limiting & unergonomic control device, especially in a FPS - Metroid Prime 3 is a perfect demonstration of the best of both worlds. Eventually, PC FPS won't be able to compete against console FPS for that simple reason of an unrefined control scheme that only touts itself as superior because people have gritted through and forced themselves to get used to it.

[KakTheInfected]

I still think that the notion of keyboard/mouse being superior to all is total bullshit. The keyboard is such a limiting & unergonomic control device, especially in a FPS - Metroid Prime 3 is a perfect demonstration of the best of both worlds. Eventually, PC FPS won't be able to compete against console FPS for that simple reason of an unrefined control scheme that only touts itself as superior because people have gritted through and forced themselves to get used to it.

I'm not sure how to respond to this. Really, all I can say is you're wrong because...well, you are. Having preferences is one thing but saying a controller (Prime 3's setup included) is superior to a mouse/keyboard in FPS is pure lunacy. A keyboard and mouse setup is not only ridiculously more accurate and fast, but you have a shitload more buttons to work with...and exactly what is limiting about it?

It may be less comfortable than using a controller sitting on your couch (or even less fun; I find shooting with the Wiimote MUCH more enjoyable than using a mouse), but when I'm playing a competitive online FPS, I want absolute control over the game. Not analog sticks and aim assist.

And yes I'll stop derailing this thread now.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I think it's because a lot of consoles games cater to the console control while PC games makes use of twitch controls more. FPS for consoles restrict the movement according to the slower response that makes it more tightly controlled compared to the looser control for the PC FPS games.

It has nothing to do with which is intrinsically better other than how they fit with eachother. Unless it's seamlessly done either way like with the Call of Duty games.

[Kureejii Lea]

I never found the rest of the costume :(

They're gotten through Achievements. Y'know how the helicopter pilot at the start of the game mentions the town's population? The real version of the Buster is gotten by killing that number of zombies in a playthrough - 50, 000+.

[Bigfoot]

So...who wants a life sized Big Daddy? (http://kotaku.com/gaming/bioshocked/win-your-own-72-big-daddy-on-ebay-307868.php)

[Bigfoot]

Got my 360 tonight with Gears of War. :D

[UnforgivingEdges]

Everyone should go download and play the new Bladestorm demo. It's like Dynasty Warriors done right. So awesome! I am picking this up day one.

[WesPip]

Got my 360 tonight with Gears of War. :D
Needs mor XBL tag.

Also, I'll totally download that once Im done on the comp, ie: in like 5 minutes.

[Bigfoot]

I dunno what to make my gamer tag actually haha. Of course Bigfoot is taken. I might just go with BigfootKevin. I didn't really want a long name, but oh well.

[atmuh]

be my fwend :]

[Brushfire]

be my fwend :]

I will be your friend!!

[Bigfoot]

I'll be both of your friends :P

[Brushfire]

I'll be both of your friends :P

Add me and I will own you (maybe) in some Halo or Splinter Cell.

[Bigfoot]

Maybe Halo(when I get it). Never was a fan of Splinter Cell.

[I-n-j-i-n]

On that note, the new Splinter Cell looks awesome. A stealth action game starring a hobo. It just can't get any more cool than that. A terrorist/agent hobo.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So it's kind of a back and forth thing with Ace Combat 6. Is it a 360 exclusive once and for all or will it be a timed exclusive like everyone's been saying? Also, thoughts on PGR4 for any of you that might have bought it already.

And for anyone grabbing Beautiful Katamari, add me. I'm totally up for some online play on this bitch.

[Bigfoot]

So it's kind of a back and forth thing with Ace Combat 6. Is it a 360 exclusive once and for all or will it be a timed exclusive like everyone's been saying? Also, thoughts on PGR4 for any of you that might have bought it already.

And for anyone grabbing Beautiful Katamari, add me. I'm totally up for some online play on this bitch.

I plan on picking it up(PGR4). Gametrailers gave it a pretty decent rating

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/25840.html

[Bigfoot]

I got Halo 3 tonight. Ugh, getting used to aiming with this controller is going to take a little bit to get used to.

[jon02129]

Hey all, can anyone tell me where i can start a game specific thread for Portal, and not have it closed? I really want to have a good thread on the connections of Portal and Half-Life.

Frankly, i think im the first to discover this and really want to share (especially since i'm not a big HL guy, never finished one of them).

PS: Has to do with www.ApertureScience.com

Thanks!

[atmuh]

i get another free game from the site again
hmm dont know what to pick
i guess orange box is the obvious one now

[WesPip]

...
Though the service is for Canada OR US, a few of the offers appear to be US only, such as one of the ones you recommended to me ;.;

[atmuh]

hopefully the ones in the pm i sent will work
i know theres also one that is canada only

[Maco70]

I have a question.

My room mate bought a 360 with halo 3.
I promised myself I wouldn't get into it.
Two days later, I had unlocked half of the achievements in H3.

Now, if were to buy a memory card for a 360, is it possible for me to move my gamer profile (and gamer achievements) to another 360?

[Brushfire]

I have a question.

My room mate bought a 360 with halo 3.
I promised myself I wouldn't get into it.
Two days later, I had unlocked half of the achievements in H3.

Now, if were to buy a memory card for a 360, is it possible for me to move my gamer profile (and gamer achievements) to another 360?

If you sign up for Xbox Live, when you recover your Gamertag it will come up with all your achievments and stuff (not your game saves tho) no problem.

[Maco70]

If you sign up for Xbox Live, when you recover your Gamertag it will come up with all your achievments and stuff (not your game saves tho) no problem.

Is there a way to do it without live?

[Brushfire]

Is there a way to do it without live?


You only have to have Live Silver for it. And that is free but I don't think there is any other way. I could be wrong tho.

[atmuh]

preordered guitar hero 3 for free :]
this site keeps getting better and better

[Bigfoot]

preordered guitar hero 3 for free :]
this site keeps getting better and better

Oh yeah, well I just got Gears of War, new, for $9 :P

[atmuh]

Oh yeah, well I just got Gears of War, new, for $9 :P

i can get if for nothing

[Bigfoot]

How long does it take you though?

[atmuh]

10 minutes
then a week for amazon to ship it

[Bigfoot]

Free stuff is a myth.

[atmuh]

yaiknowrite

[Bigfoot]

How 10 mins though? I thought you have to get referrals. So unless you have like a ring of 10 people that just do each others referrals, wouldn't that take a bit? :P

[atmuh]

nah for 360 games its either 1 offer and 2 refs or 2 offers
some are free many are $1 and most take little time to do and a quick call to cancel

and if you dont wanna give out a CC number you can always get one of those $20 prepaid cards and get like 3 or 4 games out of it

[Brushfire]

So I am sitting here playing Oblivion and was wondering how in the hell do I get the final Thieves Guild mission to trigger?

[Alpine Flame]

So I am sitting here playing Oblivion and was wondering how in the hell do I get the final Thieves Guild mission to trigger?

You have to use the special Gamefaqs "extreme" code... and it only works on the PC. I would divulge the details... but the development team still doesn't like me much...

[UnforgivingEdges]

Every Extend Extra Extreme hits the XBLA this Wednesday. It has like 5 game modes, one of which is the ability to use your own custom songs from your HDD for use in the game.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I love how a lot of high profile releases on the 360 are good old 2D, oldschool types of games that gets a heavy modern make over.

Every Extend Extra could be a nice spiritual successor to Geometry Wars. Finally.

[KWarp]

Why are Xbox 360 wireless goodies so freaking expensive? $100 for a wireless adapter, $50 per controller. Rock Band actually wired some of their instruments to keep costs down. What's going on?

[I-n-j-i-n]

Why are Xbox 360 wireless goodies so freaking expensive? $100 for a wireless adapter, $50 per controller. Rock Band actually wired some of their instruments to keep costs down. What's going on?

Market prices? The Wiimote (actually $60 for nunchuck+wiimote) and other wireless controllers costs around that much, the PS3 Sixaxis is precisely $50.

Also a lot of 3rd party wireless adapters are $100 or even more. I wish both prices were a lot lower too, but they're just going by the market.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So... DDR or Beautiful Katamari?

[Alpine Flame]

So... DDR or Beautiful Katamari?

B. K. ... All the way!

[Bahamut]

Also about Rock Band, having just the guitar wireless would be stupid anyway. All the other instruments are wired, so making just one wireless is silly, especially since all of it is packaged as one.

[Brushfire]

So... DDR or Beautiful Katamari?

I'm gonna have to "roll" with Katamari on this one. The Katamari games haven't had a long track record of sucking in America. If DDR would stop putting Kelly Clarkson and Fall Out Boy in there games and maybe put some music you can, oh I dunno, dance to maybe I'll go back.

[Bigfoot]

If anyone hasn't picked up BioShock yet, Target has it for $49.99 until Saturday

[Citris]

If anyone hasn't picked up BioShock yet, Target has it for $49.99 until Saturday

Who in their right mind has NOT picked it up yet?

[Bigfoot]

Who in their right mind has NOT picked it up yet?

Me :P But I can't get anything until I pay off the credit card.

[Brushfire]

I got Bioshock when it first came out but I let a friend borrow it and he hasn't given it back. I haven't even beaten it yet. >___<

[Bahamut]

Who in their right mind has NOT picked it up yet?

I haven't - I'm broke, saving up for when I go back to NY for Thanksgiving break...and stuff like tennis takes priority for me.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I'm gonna have to "roll" with Katamari on this one. The Katamari games haven't had a long track record of sucking in America. If DDR would stop putting Kelly Clarkson and Fall Out Boy in there games and maybe put some music you can, oh I dunno, dance to maybe I'll go back.

Yeah, I went with BK and I don't regret it. I have the insatiable desire to play it at all times, even though I have to practice for my Taekwon Do skills test.

I might grab DDR later on since a friend of mine has like 3 different versions for the PS2. I'm gonna grab Eternal Sonata next being that I need my JRPG fix.

I'm just glad to see so many Japanese games making it to the 360 now.

[Azul v2]

What, no talk on the X-box 3, estimated to release in 2009? i guess 4 years is enough for a console nowadays.

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Gaming/Console/P4G5C3U2?page=1

[Penfold]

Yeah, I went with BK and I don't regret it. I have the insatiable desire to play it at all times, even though I have to practice for my Taekwon Do skills test.

I might grab DDR later on since a friend of mine has like 3 different versions for the PS2. I'm gonna grab Eternal Sonata next being that I need my JRPG fix.

I'm just glad to see so many Japanese games making it to the 360 now.

Off topic, but what style of Tae Kwon Do?

[WesPip]

What, no talk on the X-box 3, estimated to release in 2009? i guess 4 years is enough for a console nowadays.

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Gaming/Console/P4G5C3U2?page=1
What? That's retarded.
Fucking Microsoft.

[Bahamut]

What? That's retarded.
Fucking Microsoft.

It could just be like what the PSX was for the PS2 - an entertainment version.

[The Womb]

It could just be like what the PSX was for the PS2 - an entertainment version.

Yeah I only read the first page but It sounds just like an Xbox360 with a built in HDDVD Player, I know my friend wanted that quite badly so if it was that this wouldn't be a stupid move

on a side note the First page made it sound like the PS3 was dominating the Gaming Console market

Xbox that will incorporate not only a new HD DVD drive but a large hard drive and new entertainment software that is a spin off from its struggling media centre offering.

[Bahamut]

So...somehow my brother and I miscommunicated, and we have 3 Halo 3s....I'm willing to sell a sealed one to anyone here for $45 shipped.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Off topic, but what style of Tae Kwon Do?

ITF Moon college Taekwon Do.

[Soma]

So i got the 3 red lights again. Got home from work turned it on, got the lights reset it and it seems to work ok for the time being, I refuse to turn if off. It won't die unless you power it off and on so It'll probably burn my house down.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So is it normal that there's no voice heard during the linear notes detailing Chopin's works in Eternal Sonata or no?

[Soma]

So is it normal that there's no voice heard during the linear notes detailing Chopin's works in Eternal Sonata or no?

From what i remember yes. I fell asleep during a couple of those parts. about him being in frankfurt or fleeing from somewhere or another. That part is so very boring (at least to me). But yeah it's all just text and still pictures usually.

[Hector]

That reminds me of my NES. I use to be afraid to turn it off for fear that it'd take tend minutes to start it again.....and also because you couldn't save, but that's beside the point.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

From what i remember yes. I fell asleep during a couple of those parts. about him being in frankfurt or fleeing from somewhere or another. That part is so very boring (at least to me). But yeah it's all just text and still pictures usually.

All right then good. I was freaking out for a second since for some reason I had remembered thinking that it was narrated.

Sucks that you thought it was boring. I guess it might have something to do with my music background(and the fact that I love quirky JRPGs), but I thought that that was a great inclusion into this already great game.

Seriously, I'm having way too much fun with my 360. And to think that I just wanted it to say that I own Halo 3.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Eternal Sonata is really really nice but yeah. Some moments are so peaceful, so pleasant, you can't help but fall asleep. Happened to me a few times. Some great games have a habit of doing that. The battle system could've been less of a cruise control and it would have helped.

On another note, Mass Effect is getting RAVE reviews everywhere. As usual, gameplay is suspect but apparently 99% of the rest is awesome. It's like the storm before the launch that Bioshock had.

[Brushfire]

I was gonna buy Eternal Sonata (known here in Japan as Truly Bell O__O) when I got paid. The day before I got paid there was about 20 copies at the BX. The next morning they were ALL gone. It was indeed a sad day for me.

So I haven't heard anything about this Mass Effect game until about 3 days ago. Information doesn't make it out here very well. >___<

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I was gonna buy Eternal Sonata (known here in Japan as Truly Bell O__O) when I got paid. The day before I got paid there was about 20 copies at the BX. The next morning they were ALL gone. It was indeed a sad day for me.

So I haven't heard anything about this Mass Effect game until about 3 days ago. Information doesn't make it out here very well. >___<

That's Trusty Bell: Chopin no Yume, buster.

Also, the BX? What branch are you in, soldier?

[Brushfire]

That's Trusty Bell: Chopin no Yume, buster.

Also, the BX? What branch are you in, soldier?

My bad, I should get my eyes checked.

I am in the Air Force. It sucks pretty bad right now cause some of the things you can get on 360 Marketplace, I can't download because of my Japanese IP address. To make it worse the 360 has the "Connect to American Servers" burned right in there so I can't access the Japanese downloadble content.

[BardicKnowledge]

^ That's the worst of both worlds -- tragic.

Are you stationed @ Okinawa, btw?

[Brushfire]

Negative, kind sir. I am stationed in Misawa. It's cold up here....

[The Damned]

Must not be much in the way of wireless internet there.

Hint, hint.

(still waiting for those pokes...)

[Brushfire]

I know, I know.

I'm offa work tomorrow and I should be in the OCR chat tomorrow.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So anyone pick up Ace Combat 6 yet? Impressions?

[Brushfire]

I want Ace Combat 6 but the BX usually doesn't get good games until 3 months later.

Now if it were a "That's So Raven: Quest for More Attitude" game then they would be there opening day.

[UnforgivingEdges]

If anyone hasn't played it on the PSP yet, the XBLA version of Exit came out today, and it's farking fantastic. I love this game so much, and for $10 you get 220 levels. That is an obscene deal.

[atmuh]

exit kind of reminds me of old school prince of persia
and yes it is most excellent

[atmuh]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/27/rumor-360s-iptv-features-spotted-in-dashboard/

looks like there might be tv stuff

[Brushfire]

That's all well and good except as I was telling The Damned, I have an American 360 in Japan. What does that mean? It means if I want to download the National Geographic Documentaries on XBLM I have to go back to America to do so. The hardware has a "Connect to Nothing But American Servers" burned into it. because of my Japanese IP I get locked out of most downloads. The majority of American downloads are unavailable for me. Even demos of different games are forbidden. I have called Microsoft about this and asked why they hate service members (I was extremely pissed that day and thought they needed a good guilt trip) and if they are gonna fix it. Apparently they hate money, contrary to popular belief.

[Shining Mirage]

So anyone pick up Ace Combat 6 yet? Impressions?

Well, I'm currently playing it now and they've thrown in two aerial skills that I was thinking about since the third installment - -

Their "High-G" element
The overall better low-altitude combat scheme (Divine Fascination that I have...)

So to say that this is an improvement on what its predecessors left behind... is coming close to it.

The online is a fuckin' madhouse right now since all of those people from that Civilians Vs. Military competition is still floating around. I'm managing to hold my own, but goddamn....

Edit: Oh, and Ace Mode can only be properly named, "We're coming to kill you..."

[I-n-j-i-n]

So right now, Mass Effect is pretty much getting the 'BEST GAME OF THE YEAR' accolades. And I can't deny BioWare on it. GameTrailers.com pretty much gave it one of the highest raves the site has ever given out.

[Bahamut]

Best game of the year? Strange, considering Super Mario Galaxy beat out Ocarina of Time for all-time highest reviewed game on Gamerankings.

More on topic though, I have finally played the first game that rationalizes an HDTV - Call of Duty 4. It is the first game to demand that much detail that I have come upon and maintain fun factor.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Best game of the year? Strange, considering Super Mario Galaxy beat out Ocarina of Time for all-time highest reviewed game on Gamerankings.

At the very least, best RPG of 2007. You can't deny that Mass Effect HAS to be the most ambitious game to come out this year. And storytelling aspect, it's just ridiculous how intuitive it is. It truly is an experience and I'm not saying that as a cliche.

The review points are pretty high up, but review scores can't accurately describe Mass Effect in a shell.

I'm hoping the story elements of Mass Effect could have ripple effects on future RPGs, though I'm less optimistic of shallower Japanese RPGs to do the same anytime soon.

More on topic though, I have finally played the first game that rationalizes an HDTV - Call of Duty 4. It is the first game to demand that much detail that I have come upon and maintain fun factor.

Funny because Mass Effect is the same. Other than a few stutters of over-action on screen, it's a pure beauty. Lots of amazing 360 releases this month.

[UnforgivingEdges]

I would say that the most technically ambitious game this year is Assassin's Creed, but after popping in Mass Effect for the first time tonight, without a doubt BioWare has succeeded in revolutionizing the RPG as a genre. The voice acting is FUCKING INCREDIBLE. The conversation wheel gives some sort of depth behind NPC dialogue, and the combat system is almost ripped straight out of a third-person shooter.

Mass Effect is doing some amazing things to break RPG convention, and for that I am truly thankful as the genre has not evolved very much since it began compared to other genres.

[Bahamut]

Funny because Mass Effect is the same. Other than a few stutters of over-action on screen, it's a pure beauty. Lots of amazing 360 releases this month.

But the thing about Call of Duty 4 is that the detail is vital to the gameplay since much of it is about stealth. Sure, it looks good too, but the effects on gameplay impressed me most.

[Doulifée]

Just got my copy of Ace6

[New Game]
[Difficulty Level:Hard]
[Control:Pro]

taking off..

[WesPip]

So I started Mass Effect last night.
I had to fight myself to get to bed.
It's pretty sweet, seriously. Sweet.

[UnforgivingEdges]

So I started Mass Effect last night.
I had to fight myself to get to bed.
It's pretty sweet, seriously. Sweet.

You and me both. The game compels you to keep playing no matter what the cost.

[I-n-j-i-n]

But the thing about Call of Duty 4 is that the detail is vital to the gameplay since much of it is about stealth. Sure, it looks good too, but the effects on gameplay impressed me most.

Well, to Naruto (best cel-shading effects I've EVER seen, though Okami still is the better artistically) to Bioshock to Call of Duty 4 to Mass Effect and other games recently, 360 is really showing off its capabilities in every form.

The best thing about Mass Effect is mostly with its facial effects though. And the general sense of size and scale it creates, that I haven't see much of in any games like it.

[Bahamut]

Damn, I can't wait enough for Tuesday - I got 7 packages coming in, including my Bioshock for 360 that I scored for $40 and my Call of Duty 4 for 360 that I scored for $48. My 360 is gonna get much love.

[Bigfoot]

Slacked off on COD4 and finally picked it back up and played it all night. That sniper level was all sorts of amazing.

[atmuh]

i get another free game from my happy internet place i am torn on what to get THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD STUFF

[UnforgivingEdges]

i get another free game from my happy internet place i am torn on what to get THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD STUFF

Mass Effect. There can be no question. Game of the fucking year.

[Bahamut]

Slacked off on COD4 and finally picked it back up and played it all night. That sniper level was all sorts of amazing.

Are you talking about Dominion or Domination or whatever it's called? I hate that level so much.

[Bigfoot]

Are you talking about Dominion or Domination or whatever it's called? I hate that level so much.

I forgot what it's actually called, but it's 15 years in the past or something.

[Bahamut]

I forgot what it's actually called, but it's 15 years in the past or something.

This isn't on XBox Live then I take it?

Edit: Err, the level I was thinking of is called Bloc...wow I was off. But man, I love playing CoD 4 with friends on XBL

[I-n-j-i-n]

Playing the original Arcade versions of Contra and Super Contra, I can't believe how much better the NES/SNES versions were.

The vertical camera, the sluggish characters, nothing feels right with the arcade versions.

On another note, I'm loving the dating sim aspect of.... Mass Effect.

[atmuh]

burnout paradise demo is out
with online multiplayer
get one there and play with me :]

[Soma]

burnout paradise demo is out
with online multiplayer
get one there and play with me :]

I downloaded it on xbox360 but so far have only played the ps3 demo. Pretty fucking sweet, I'm suprised that such quality games are coming out in first quarter 08. ( I downloaded both demos because only like 2 of my friends have ps3's and i don't have a bluetooth headset yet.)

[ifirit]

I thought that was why they charge $60 for games.

http://www.forbes.com/2006/12/19/ps3-xbox360-costs-tech-cx_rr_game06_1219expensivegames.html
That article was an interesting read. Mostly because, according to the numbers, the cost for creating a game for multiple consoles can increase the programming and engineering costs, which accounts for 20% of the game cost. Additionally, for each console version of the game, another portion of the cost has to be attributed to the console owner's fee, which accounts for 11.5% of the game cost. Yet, if developers choose to make a title exclusively for a single console, they can waive the console owner's fee.

So, although it may seem like developing a game for multiple consoles seems like a safe and conservative route to take in order to ensure sales of said game, the added costs of developing for multiple consoles can exceed the $1 profit margin for sales over 500,000 units (according to the article). And since marketting only accounts for about 4% of the game costs, it seems to me that console exclusivity would play a bigger role in game development, from a business prospective.

Honestly, I'd prefer to see greater console exclusivity as it appears to correlate with better quality, functionality and individuality. Besides, don't most people own multiple consoles anyway? And aren't exclusives the real reason why people choose one console over another?

[I-n-j-i-n]

I agree that multi-platform releases are a bit overrated. And it gets even more ridiculous when they transfer something like Call of Duty 4 for the DS...

Besides, it seems only the biggest publishers have the money and willpower to do releases in that scale.

[WesPip]

I think, though, that somethink like, Guitar Hero 3, for a recent example, warrants a multi-platform release.
Course, I'm still trying to get it for the 360, cause I love my sweet sweet nerd points, but regardless, some titles should be on the majority of consoles, I think.

[Zeklan]

I sent friend requests to a lot of you guys.
ACCEPT THEM!
The sun commands it.

[zircon]

I just ordered a 360 Pro from Amazon, w/ Forza & Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I'm excited. Using various internet tricks I managed to pay a total of $25 for it. I also ordered Mass Effect, which should arrive by January. CAN'T WAIT!

[atmuh]

I just ordered a 360 Pro from Amazon, w/ Forza & Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I'm excited. Using various internet tricks I managed to pay a total of $25 for it. I also ordered Mass Effect, which should arrive by January. CAN'T WAIT!

THAT I TOTALLY HELPED WITH

[Penfold]

Quick question. My current comp wouldn't handle The Orange Box well enough that I'd care to play on it and I'm not gonna be upgrading for a while yet, but I know they have it for 360. Has anyone here played it on the 360? Is it even worthwhile to get the 360 version in your opinion given the controls, or do you think it'd just be better to wait to play that sort of game on a computer? Thanks in advance.

[atmuh]

Quick question. My current comp wouldn't handle The Orange Box well enough that I'd care to play on it and I'm not gonna be upgrading for a while yet, but I know they have it for 360. Has anyone here played it on the 360? Is it even worthwhile to get the 360 version in your opinion given the controls, or do you think it'd just be better to wait to play that sort of game on a computer? Thanks in advance.

I own it on 360, and I happen to like dual analog fps gaming. Sure mouse and keyboard is better for aiming, but I prefer analog for movement. That said, I enjoyed it a great deal and I'd only recommend you get it for the pc if you intend to get really into team fortress 2 since it seems to be much more popular on the pc.

[Nazxul]

I own it on 360, and I happen to like dual analog fps gaming. Sure mouse and keyboard is better for aiming, but I prefer analog for movement. That said, I enjoyed it a great deal and I'd only recommend you get it for the pc if you intend to get really into team fortress 2 since it seems to be much more popular on the pc.

Seconded. I prefer the X360 controls and thought the X360 version of Orange Box was excellent. However, I got it on release, and I'm actually quite ashamed to say that I still haven't even tried out Team Fortress 2 yet. You can probably gather that I'm not much of a MP guy.

So if you're like me, I can assure you that you won't regret buying it.

[Effef]

Are the revised 65nm 360s out yet?

[Hum4n After All]

I'm afraid after the release of Brawl I'm going to retire my 360 for a good long while.

[Bigfoot]

I'm afraid after the release of Brawl I'm going to retire my 360 for a good long while.

Because of my 360, i've retired my Wii for a while. It's the 360's turn to take a break in March. :P

[Bahamut]

Because of my 360, i've retired my Wii for a while. It's the 360's turn to take a break in March. :P

I alternate between both of them - currently Fire Emblem for the Wii, and Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, and Rock Band for the 360.

[Nazxul]

I alternate between both of them - currently Fire Emblem for the Wii, and Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, and Rock Band for the 360.
Same.

X360: Burnout Paradise/NFS Prostreet/GHIII

Wii: Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Melee (I never owned a GC so I'm catching up) and Wii Sports (yeah, I just got my Wii recently and am still addicted to Wii Sports =P)

[I-n-j-i-n]

There's always Devil May Cry 4, Call of Duty 4 (lots of fours..), Grand Theft Auto 4 (again?), Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect expansion, Too Human (if it's any good), then Soul Calibur 4 (Four again) by June.

I'm basically only going to use the Wii for No More Heroes and SSBB for now. And maybe the occasional Galaxy. Then Kart later in the year.

That and XBLA is still pretty amazing. I'm hopelessly addicted to Puzzle Quest and Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo. Then there's the 2D remake of Bionic Commando.

[atmuh]

I was playing my 360 a decent amount but the second I got brawl that was completely over. I only turn it on now and then because I got burnout paradise and my friend likes to play it on live, but other than those rare occurrences its brawl brawl brawl.

[Hum4n After All]

Because of my 360, i've retired my Wii for a while. It's the 360's turn to take a break in March. :P

Same here.
Just been going back and forth from XBOX Live and RE:UC and Super Mario Galaxy with Luigi.
I have to finish those games before Brawl comes out.

[Penfold]

Seconded. I prefer the X360 controls and thought the X360 version of Orange Box was excellent. However, I got it on release, and I'm actually quite ashamed to say that I still haven't even tried out Team Fortress 2 yet. You can probably gather that I'm not much of a MP guy.

So if you're like me, I can assure you that you won't regret buying it.

Cool, thanks Atma and Nazxul. Just bought it online.

[Wonder KId Dj]

There's always Devil May Cry 4, Call of Duty 4 (lots of fours..), Grand Theft Auto 4 (again?), Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect expansion, Too Human (if it's any good), then Soul Calibur 4 (Four again) by June.

I'm basically only going to use the Wii for No More Heroes and SSBB for now. And maybe the occasional Galaxy. Then Kart later in the year.

That and XBLA is still pretty amazing. I'm hopelessly addicted to Puzzle Quest and Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo. Then there's the 2D remake of Bionic Commando.

Bionic Commando remake cool i need to post a song a did that was inspired by the old NES version

[Maco70]

Anyone else have "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" XBLA?

I was surprised when there was NOBODY in the lobby.

[Penfold]

Just found out about Xbox Originals...hello Ninja Gaiden Black and Psychonauts.

[Schwaltzvald]

Anyone else have "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" XBLA?

I was surprised when there was NOBODY in the lobby.

What are the chances that everybody had in some way or another got StH2 either through Nintendo's or Sony Playstation's Sonic Collections..? I can only imagine that being a huge reason for that...

This along with those who prefer/still can play it through original, working systems... Not to mention emulation+hamachi...

[Maco70]

What are the chances that everybody had in some way or another got StH2 either through Nintendo's or Sony Playstation's Sonic Collections..? I can only imagine that being a huge reason for that...

This along with those who prefer/still can play it through original, working systems... Not to mention emulation+hamachi...

I'd agree, but I own several versions of the game.
I bought the XBLA version for playing verses online.
Unfortunately...

[CC Ricers]

For XBLA games, I'm waiting on SF2 Turbo HD Remix. Is there still a chance it would be coming out at least in the summer? I hear that the animators are having a tough time making all the sprites.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Anyone play Lost Odyssey yet? I need thoughts.

[megadave]

What are the chances that everybody had in some way or another got StH2 either through Nintendo's or Sony Playstation's Sonic Collections..? I can only imagine that being a huge reason for that...

This along with those who prefer/still can play it through original, working systems... Not to mention emulation+hamachi...

I have it on Genesis and Gamecube.

Edit: Just looked it up. It's only 4 dollars. That's not a bad deal at all. Of course, it says that it 'has the benefits of high definition graphics'. I really don't know about that, but it's still a good deal.

[Penfold]

Anyone play Lost Odyssey yet? I need thoughts.

A friend of mine has...she's a JRPG fan, and she enjoys it. Haven't gotten to pick it up yet, so I can't give any better criticism at this point.

[Soma]

A friend of mine has...she's a JRPG fan, and she enjoys it. Haven't gotten to pick it up yet, so I can't give any better criticism at this point.

I bought it today. My friend recommended it with great praise. He's a jrpg fan (as am I) and he said it was in his top 5 rpgs ever. Though I'm not sure why yet, but that sold it for me. All i know is that the packaging is very shitty. It's 4 discs so it's 3 stacked on top of each other with the 4th disc in a plastic sleeve. WTF?

[Maco70]

I bought it today. My friend recommended it with great praise. He's a jrpg fan (as am I) and he said it was in his top 5 rpgs ever. Though I'm not sure why yet, but that sold it for me. All i know is that the packaging is very shitty. It's 4 discs so it's 3 stacked on top of each other with the 4th disc in a plastic sleeve. WTF?

A four disc 360 game?
O_o

I thought we'd seen the last of multi-disc games.

[Brushfire]

4 DISCS!!!!????

That is inexcusable this day and age.

Also Infinite Undiscovery looks gay.

[Bigfoot]

Anyone play Lost Odyssey yet? I need thoughts.

Watch Gametrailer's review for it. It seems pretty awesome.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/30354.html

[I-n-j-i-n]

4 DISCS!!!!????

That is inexcusable this day and age.

Also Infinite Undiscovery looks gay.

I don't see why not. It's par for course for RPGs. I think it wouldn't be a problem if it was on Bluray though..

Infinite Undiscovery does look gay, but its gameplay should be better than most of its type.

Just about all the reviews give Lost Odyssey the same symptoms of a JRPG. Technically backwards (long loading, four discs, ancient play mechanics) but pretty well done in what it does.

I'll wait until the price drop for both RPGs. I'm still waiting for Eternal Sonata to drop.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Anyone play Lost Odyssey yet? I need thoughts.

Here are my thoughts:

-The best JRPG I have played in a long LONG time. It does nothing new but does everything well and with a great level of polish

-Graphics are a mixed bag; sometimes it looks great, sometimes it looks meh

-Voice acting is also mixed: most of the characters are average to good, some are horrible, and a few are absolutely great (Kaim in particular)

-The story, oh the story. Never have I played such an emotionally powerful video game in my life. The only other time I've ever experienced the feeling of having my heart ripped out was the In Water ending of Silent Hill 2, but I'm not even off the first disc of LO yet and there have already been several instances where I wanted to just cry because you feel so goddamn bad for Kaim, who by the way is the most interesting and dynamic protagonist in an RPG EVER. I can't even begin to describe it without going into a huge long-winded rant that wouldn't make any sense anyway if you haven't played the game. I'll just put it succinctly: the game's plot is merely above average so far in terms of originality and delivery and whatnot, but Kaim's story, which is woven into the context of the game via cutscenes and A Thousand Years of Dreams (short novellas accompanied by sound effects and music) is utterly masterful. It is a true achievement in storytelling for the medium; just be warned, this game is sad sad sad. A more powerful pathos in video game characterization I never did see. It IS that good, albeit highly depressing.

-Gameplay is super challenging; weaksauce RPG lovers need not apply. Battle system is good, incorporating elements of the Shadow Hearts timing system (which makes sense given that Feelplus hired 40 ex-Shadow Hearts staffers)

-Atmospherically, it's also a stud. This is my favorite work of Uematsu in his entire career. There's a very diverse range of sweeping orchestral stuff along with disheartened sad solo piano tracks and a lot of creative things in between. It doesn't sound very Final Fantasy-ish most of the time, which is nice because it gives the game its own distinct flavor. The battle theme is also quite good.

Do not miss it, do not wait. This is a stellar, old-school RPG that reminds me a lot of the Shadow Hearts games, FF12, and the PS1 era Final Fantasies.

EDIT- Added some links

Opening cinema
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/26385.html

Battle themes
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CzM5GeeLjJ8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eM-CZvEdKu4

Map theme (one of my favorites)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qFOsFLjBP94

Ipsilon Mountains (love the guitars in this one)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=28lntoikGwo&feature=related

Uhra theme (first town in the game)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SECXS0Spf0o

Some of the morose piano scores
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_houGS-K0PA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eu3bbpZmMA4&feature=related

God, just hearing these again, being only 10 hours into the game, already fills me with nostalgia. Lost Odyssey is powerful stuff.

[Maco70]

Aerosmith free DLC for guitar hero 3 this weekend only.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Here are my thoughts:

-The best JRPG I have played in a long LONG time. It does nothing new but does everything well and with a great level of polish

-Graphics are a mixed bag; sometimes it looks great, sometimes it looks meh

-Voice acting is also mixed: most of the characters are average to good, some are horrible, and a few are absolutely great (Kaim in particular)

-The story, oh the story. Never have I played such an emotionally powerful video game in my life. The only other time I've ever experienced the feeling of having my heart ripped out was the In Water ending of Silent Hill 2, but I'm not even off the first disc of LO yet and there have already been several instances where I wanted to just cry because you feel so goddamn bad for Kaim, who by the way is the most interesting and dynamic protagonist in an RPG EVER. I can't even begin to describe it without going into a huge long-winded rant that wouldn't make any sense anyway if you haven't played the game. I'll just put it succinctly: the game's plot is merely above average so far in terms of originality and delivery and whatnot, but Kaim's story, which is woven into the context of the game via cutscenes and A Thousand Years of Dreams (short novellas accompanied by sound effects and music) is utterly masterful. It is a true achievement in storytelling for the medium; just be warned, this game is sad sad sad. A more powerful pathos in video game characterization I never did see. It IS that good, albeit highly depressing.

-Gameplay is super challenging; weaksauce RPG lovers need not apply. Battle system is good, incorporating elements of the Shadow Hearts timing system (which makes sense given that Feelplus hired 40 ex-Shadow Hearts staffers)

-Atmospherically, it's also a stud. This is my favorite work of Uematsu in his entire career. There's a very diverse range of sweeping orchestral stuff along with disheartened sad solo piano tracks and a lot of creative things in between. It doesn't sound very Final Fantasy-ish most of the time, which is nice because it gives the game its own distinct flavor. The battle theme is also quite good.

Do not miss it, do not wait. This is a stellar, old-school RPG that reminds me a lot of the Shadow Hearts games, FF12, and the PS1 era Final Fantasies.

So I picked up the game last night and I pretty much agree with Phthisis on all regards. Go pick this game up, guys. I'm only 4 hours into the game and have already had several near tear-inducing moments due to the novellas you're presented with as part of the "Thousand Years of Dreams" aspect of the game, and seriously, Jansen is quite possibly the best thing ever.

The graphics? Infuckingcredible, although yes, there are framerate issues as well as a small bit of loading. The presentation and concept of the game from what I've seen so far is stellar. Oh and guess what? It's actually challenging. There's actually a level cap that you can hit in each area, so you can't overpower yourself and just plow through bosses, no, these things require thought and planning. The ring system, skills, and formations are also pretty engaging.

The only reason I'm not still playing is 'cause I had to go to work. Meh.

[Bahamut]

Lost Odyssey is out already?

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Been out since the 12th. Go purchase now.

[Blake]

Wow...this looks awesome! And this is for 360? Holy shit, I'm becoming more and more satisfied with my decision to get a 360.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Lost Odyssey is out already?

Game is all kinds of incredible.

[Maco70]

This sounds like "omg, new game" hype to me.
But I may be wrong.

[UnforgivingEdges]

This sounds like "omg, new game" hype to me.
But I may be wrong.

I'm 13 hours in on the second disc. I stand by my previous comments.

[FR]

This sounds like "omg, new game" hype to me.
But I may be wrong.

This might be a stupid question but is this game a JRPG geared toward Americans/non-RPG gamers? The Xbox isn't know for it's JRPG games and my first impression of the game when I saw the art style was that it was made purposely like that for American audiences i.e. non-RPG gamers on the Xbox.I might be wrong, it just might be a new art style.Thanks in advance and sorry if this is a stupid post.:|

[Soma]

This might be a stupid question but is this game a JRPG geared toward Americans/non-RPG gamers? The Xbox isn't know for it's JRPG games and my first impression of the game when I saw the art style was that it was made purposely like that for American audiences i.e. non-RPG gamers on the Xbox.I might be wrong, it just might be a new art style.Thanks in advance and sorry if this is a stupid post.:|
The game was made by Hironubu Sakaguchi's new game studio, Mistwalker. He's the dude responsible for Final Fantasy. Microsoft approached him long ago and basically said "we need a title like dragon quest and one like final fantasy." At least that's my take on it (OMG moneyhats confirmed!) So thus was born Blue Dragon and Lost odyssey. Though I've heard Blue Dragon did way better in japan and that L.O. flopped. Though neither can really be championed consideriong the xbox360's abysmal adoption rate in Japan.

None of that really answered your question but no i don't think it was designed with an american audience in mind.

[UnforgivingEdges]

This might be a stupid question but is this game a JRPG geared toward Americans/non-RPG gamers? The Xbox isn't know for it's JRPG games and my first impression of the game when I saw the art style was that it was made purposely like that for American audiences i.e. non-RPG gamers on the Xbox.I might be wrong, it just might be a new art style.Thanks in advance and sorry if this is a stupid post.:|

When Mistwaler/Sakaguchi announced they were developing for the 360, their goal was to do two games: one for the Japanese market and one for the American market. Blue Dragon was for Japan, and Lost Odyssey was for North America. You can even tell in their ad campaigns: Blue Dragon got little advertising in the US, but in japan they advertised it a bunch (and it consequently became japan's best-selling 360 game). It was the opposite for Lost Odyssey, and they even went so far as to animate the mouth movements in LO for the American dub.

That said, Lost Odyssey is not a beginner's RPG by any stretch of the imagination, nor was it targeted at "non-RPG gamers." In fact, it's very challenging; I've already gotten game over on several occasions already.

[FR]

When Mistwaler/Sakaguchi announced they were developing for the 360, their goal was to do two games: one for the Japanese market and one for the American market. Blue Dragon was for Japan, and Lost Odyssey was for North America. You can even tell in their ad campaigns: Blue Dragon got little advertising in the US, but in japan they advertised it a bunch (and it consequently became japan's best-selling 360 game). It was the opposite for Lost Odyssey, and they even went so far as to animate the mouth movements in LO for the American dub.

That said, Lost Odyssey is not a beginner's RPG by any stretch of the imagination, nor was it targeted at "non-RPG gamers." In fact, it's very challenging; I've already gotten game over on several occasions already.

When I said "geared toward American audiances" I meant the art style and maybe the story.I thought the characters were made so American gamers can associate more with the characters ("omg that guy looks like me and not some weird Japanese thing" kind of thing).I haven't played Blue Dragon and didn't know that is was the same developer so that's for the info.

[I-n-j-i-n]

The main theme is the best one Uematsu did since FF8, IMO. I think I have to buy the game now. I heard nothing but praise for the story too. I guess it helps that it was based on a novel to begin with.

[UnforgivingEdges]

. Though I've heard Blue Dragon did way better in japan and that L.O. flopped. Though neither can really be championed consideriong the xbox360's abysmal adoption rate in Japan.

Blue Dragon can be championed; the game has sold 200,000 copies in Japan. That's almost 45% of the entire Xbox 360 userbase in the entire country. That's absurd.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I'm 10 hours into the game so far... I don't know how much more I can take. :'(

[UnforgivingEdges]

I'm 10 hours into the game so far... I don't know how much more I can take. :'(

I think I know what part you're talking about. That killed me, too. The second disc has been so far much happier.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Yeah so far it's been pretty mellow. Even the novellas that I've read so far haven't been so bad. I'll even dare to say that one was nice and happy. This could all go downhill I'm sure. I've even been surprised by a few of the gameplay mechanics added into the mix as well. I don't wanna mention 'em, but they're cool nonetheless.

Hurray for Jansen though!

[Soma]

I'm about 10 hours in also, Crimson Forest. This is the first time that I've actually cared about characters in an rpg. Like really feel for them. I guess that's something.

[Hum4n After All]

Hurrah!
Gears of War 2!
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/splash/g/gearsofwar2/default.htm

[Maco70]

Hurrah!
Gears of War 2!
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/splash/g/gearsofwar2/default.htm

The trailer didn't say a whole lot...
I hope it has a better story than the first.

[atmuh]

everyone download jelly car
NOW

[I-n-j-i-n]

Lots of two's with 360 this year. Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Too Human and maybe next year, Mass Effect 2.

But I can't complain since all these games should be worth the money unless Fable developers lies about its potential again.

And I'm about to DL Jelly Car. Looks pretty... funky. Lots of strange games on XBLA nowadays. Which is good.

[atmuh]

jelly car is absolute excellence
i wish there was a full version id but it right now

little gamers is pretty funny and the dishwasher is pretty sick

the rest are eh

[Terial]

I really would like to get a 360 sometime, a lot because of Blue Dragon and Lost Oddysey. But then again, those games aren't killer apps for me. I bought my PS3 because I wanted to go ahead and purchase one so that I'd have it before Final Fantasy XIII came out. Really, FF XIII sold me a PS3, I wasn't about to pass it up. Then I started picking up other stuff for my PS3, like Oblivion, which I had never played before on 360 or PC. All I can say is, wow. If I had played Oblivion before then, I probably would have picked up a 360 for it, and some other games.

But then again, it seems like, most of the 360 games that I want to play end up being PS3 games sooner or later, or getting a PC release with added content and more impressive graphics around a year later. That, and, really it's true, a lot of the 360 exclusive games are shooters, which I'm not really big on.

Oh yeah, and one reason I'm glad I have a PS3 over a 360, Uncharted. I've beaten pretty much everything in it, but it's really been some of the most fun I've ever had with a video game, everything in it is just so fun, especially when you get to the point in the game where you realize, my god, it's actually feasable to run up and punch these guy's lights out and dodge all these bullets.

Jee. Kinda sounds like I just came in here to take about the PS3 <<; I will say though, I wish the PS3 controller was as comfortable to hold as a 360 controller, it really really really, just forms to your hand. I've never had much experience with it asides from picking one up randomly to mess with it in my friend's room. It just seems like it'd be extremely comfortable for hours and hours of gaming.

[sgx]

Eh...I'll probably grab a PS3 in a year or two when the prices go down and I want a bluray player. I mostly want Uncharted and the Insomniac games, maybe Killzone 2. Japanese RPGs haven't changed in about 7 years so I'm basically done with them.

I'm pretty excited about Too Human. The style and story looks cool, and the gameplay, while it probably won't be as finely tuned as God of War or anything like that, it seems very versatile with the different types of weapons and options available. I like me some action rpgs.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I don't know about the PS3 controller. It's serviceable, but the 360 is as best as it can get ergonomically IMO. I do think the PS3 has the better digital pad though.

As for other games, I think it's a plus that most games comes out in 360 sooner or just released side by side with PS3. And there are a few PC/360 exclusives out there so it's not like all of them will convert to the PS3. I think that'll become more unlikely as Microsoft decides to rein them in instead of letting them loose on their nearest competitor.

[Soma]

I like the PS3 controller more than the 360 one but it's just personal preference.

Lost Odyssey OMG so I'm on disc 3 now (almost 4) about 30 hours in near the Burning Cave. I wasn't expecting it to be this great. It's wonderfully traditional. Storyline is suprisingly fresh in some ways but not in others.

[Penfold]

Jelly Car is pretty interesting, though it definitely has that flash game feel, which would probably keep me from actually paying for the game.

Hoping to actually put time into Lost Odyssey this weekend, since all I've been able to do with it was pop it in and watch the opening cinematic so far.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So I love the hell out of Lost Odyssey, and I was wondering if Blue Dragon was worth checking out. I played some of the demo and I thought it was somewhat cool.

Any opinions?

Edit: Although I've been from Tosca all the way to Ghotza and I've only seen about maybe 4 novellas total... I can help but think I'm missing a few.

Also I can't believe I haven't seen the Ninja Gaiden 2 video yet. Hopefully now that it's about to be released, Team Ninja is gonna work on DOA: Code Chronus.

[Bigfoot]

I haven't gotten pretty far in Blue Dragon(a few hours at most), but so far it's been pretty bland.

[Terial]

Does anyone else feel like the 360 wireless controller is just extremely heavy compared to the PS3 controller? Then again, I guess it does have a comfortable underside with, is it a rubber layer on it? and it has vibration so I guess it does have those weights to spin. But really, with 2 AA batteries in it, the thing gets heavy after I'm so used to the barely-weighing-anything PS3 controller.

[Bigfoot]

The PS3 controller just extremely light. I think it might even weigh less than the Wii's classic controller.

[Maco70]

Jelly Car is pretty interesting, though it definitely has that flash game feel, which would probably keep me from actually paying for the game.

I'd agree.
Dishwasher however is pretty freaking awesome, I hope they release into XBLA.

[Soma]

Does anyone else feel like the 360 wireless controller is just extremely heavy compared to the PS3 controller? Then again, I guess it does have a comfortable underside with, is it a rubber layer on it? and it has vibration so I guess it does have those weights to spin. But really, with 2 AA batteries in it, the thing gets heavy after I'm so used to the barely-weighing-anything PS3 controller.

The wireless xbox360 controller is even a behemoth next to the Dual Shock3. I use the DS3 with rumble turned off rather than the six-axis just because it feels more like what a controller should feel like (weight wise). If you're wondering i hate rumble, it hurts my hands.

So i got the achievement in Lost Odyssey for the 500 perfect combat ring attacks. Also in Lost Odyssey I didn't notice it at first but it has a dungeon level cap. Every new dungeon you visit you gain levels like crazy at first, then the Exp drops to shit after about 2 levels preventing you from over leveling. It's a cool feature I guess but i spent one too many hours leveling with very little progress before i noticed.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Edit: Although I've been from Tosca all the way to Ghotza and I've only seen about maybe 4 novellas total... I can help but think I'm missing a few.

Once the game world opens up on disc 4, you can go back and get the dreams you missed.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Does anyone else feel like the 360 wireless controller is just extremely heavy compared to the PS3 controller? Then again, I guess it does have a comfortable underside with, is it a rubber layer on it? and it has vibration so I guess it does have those weights to spin. But really, with 2 AA batteries in it, the thing gets heavy after I'm so used to the barely-weighing-anything PS3 controller.

I think the weight feels comfortable for the 360. Its bulkiness needs to be a bit grounded unlike the much slimmer PS3 controller. In that sense, I actually like both controllers' weight. The wired 360 controller really is noticeably lighter too.

As for Jellycar and other XNA games, they do feel like internet/Newground games ported to 360.

I think Jellycar has potential, but it looks like the most barebone technical demo of a game and not even close to being finished. I got a weird Katamari + LocoRoco hybrid feeling from it.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Ninja Gaiden II definitely looks cool, although it just seems like more of the same. This isn't necessarily a bad thing and I'm probably gonna pick it up anyway since I'm a Team Ninja fan, but it just seems like they haven't really done anything "next gen" with the game apart from maybe subtle graphical enhancements. All the additional things like new weapons and levels could have been in another Xbox iteration of the series, so why the wait for the Xbox 360?

I mean don't get me wrong, the original Ninja Gaiden was beyond boss, but let me offer DOAXBV, DOA4, and DOAX2. SIGNIFICANT gains in terms of graphics and tweaks. I mean even if you were to do a side-by-side comparison of DOA4 and DOAX2, both being on the 360 with a year's(I think) difference in release time and you go to yourself "holy crap! This really does look great." I don't get that same feeling from NG2.

But hey, it's another great Ninja Gaiden game, and now the team will probably start(or continue) work on Code Cronus.

[Hum4n After All]

My Xblow took a dump in my hands twice this week.
I think it's done.
Just right before Brawl.
What great timing.
Piece of shit.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Ninja Gaiden II definitely looks cool, although it just seems like more of the same. This isn't necessarily a bad thing and I'm probably gonna pick it up anyway since I'm a Team Ninja fan, but it just seems like they haven't really done anything "next gen" with the game apart from maybe subtle graphical enhancements. All the additional things like new weapons and levels could have been in another Xbox iteration of the series, so why the wait for the Xbox 360?

I mean don't get me wrong, the original Ninja Gaiden was beyond boss, but let me offer DOAXBV, DOA4, and DOAX2. SIGNIFICANT gains in terms of graphics and tweaks. I mean even if you were to do a side-by-side comparison of DOA4 and DOAX2, both being on the 360 with a year's(I think) difference in release time and you go to yourself "holy crap! This really does look great." I don't get that same feeling from NG2.

But hey, it's another great Ninja Gaiden game, and now the team will probably start(or continue) work on Code Cronus.

I think we'll have to wait and see the actual game in motion though. The quality of videos were beyond atrocious and the supposedly "HD" videos were just normal resolution videos that were upconverted.

This sounds ironic of one of the most beautiful action games ever made (Ninja Gaiden Xbox), but Ninja Gaiden has always been about the actual gameplay and it looks like it'll get more chaotic and frantic, which is actually a good thing for the franchise.

Still waiting for the inevitable demo that is teasing everyone in the GDC page..

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

That's actually what I was thinking. Instead of worrying about aesthetics and such, they're putting a focus on just making things much more erratic by adding more enemies on the screen at once and making things go MUCH faster. If I remember correctly(and I've only gotten past the first 5 or so levels, so I could be wrong), the original Ninja Gaiden didn't have nearly as many ninjas fighting you at once like in that GDC video. Of course I could be wrong about that.

Anyway I'm definitely grabbing the game anyway if just because I missed the first game and had to stick with borrowing it. Here's to hoping for a playable demo!

[Bahamut]

Good god, Lost Odyssey is amazing (first impressions).

Only question is, are you supposed to get raped by that first boss? I turned it off thinking it was the wrong thing, but I'm guessing you're not supposed to die and you're supposed to level up like crazy...is this true?

[I-n-j-i-n]

That's actually what I was thinking. Instead of worrying about aesthetics and such, they're putting a focus on just making things much more erratic by adding more enemies on the screen at once and making things go MUCH faster. If I remember correctly(and I've only gotten past the first 5 or so levels, so I could be wrong), the original Ninja Gaiden didn't have nearly as many ninjas fighting you at once like in that GDC video. Of course I could be wrong about that.

Anyway I'm definitely grabbing the game anyway if just because I missed the first game and had to stick with borrowing it. Here's to hoping for a playable demo!

If you set Ninja Gaiden (or at least Ninja Gaiden Black) on Hard mode, which is the optimal way to play it, you can get around 7 enemies on screen at once. But it never felt quite as chaotic as NG2 apparently is.

As for Lost Odyssey, I was always on the fence about it but now I think I must buy it from all the rave reviews it's getting. I have no qualms if the game is painfully stereotypical of JRPGs either. And I almost forgot the Sakaguchi/Uematsu duo ever existed. 10 years or so since FF7 is really a long time.

[Broken]

So, apparently (as in I heard from someone else) there is an automatic save function in NG2 which records your gameplay for submission online. If this is true I can see a second coming of the Master Ninja contest which is always amazing to watch and I'm sure is much more fun to participate in. I'm extremely pumped for this game. I need to buy an Xbox 360 first, though.

[UnforgivingEdges]

Good god, Lost Odyssey is amazing (first impressions).

Only question is, are you supposed to get raped by that first boss? I turned it off thinking it was the wrong thing, but I'm guessing you're not supposed to die and you're supposed to level up like crazy...is this true?

Excellent, another convert. For that boss, use Seth and Kaim to heal Jansen, and have Jansen spam flare over and over again. Boss is weak to fire.

[Soma]

Excellent, another convert. For that boss, use Seth and Kaim to heal Jansen, and have Jansen spam flare over and over again. Boss is weak to fire. I barely lived through that bird boss battle, I think I was lucky. The second boss gave me a lot of trouble but it was easy once i learned some much needed skills.

also for anyone who is playing L.O but wants a guide (spoilers ahoy). It's safe to use as long as you don't scroll down too far. http://www.wikicheats.com/index.php/Lost_Odyssey_(XB360)/Walkthrough

[Groovemaster303]

Like DMC4 before it, Ninja Gaiden 2 will probably be more of the same and to me thats a good thing.

I'm also looking forward to Rainbow Six Vegas 2 which will also be very much like the first.
Still as long as the single player campaign has a decent story and enough thrills that will be enough for me.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Good god, Lost Odyssey is amazing (first impressions).

Only question is, are you supposed to get raped by that first boss? I turned it off thinking it was the wrong thing, but I'm guessing you're not supposed to die and you're supposed to level up like crazy...is this true?

When we said the game was challenging, we meant it. :P

Also: One of us. One of us.

The more people who buy this awesome game(and yes Injin, it does have it's traditional points, but the ring system alone makes it that much more awesome), the more games MistWalker will make, so buy the game, damnit! ><;

There IS one grating moment in the 3rd disc that makes me cringe not unlike FFX's "Laughing scene"... I'm sure Phthisis knows what I'm talking about...

But as usual, Jansen saves the day with his awesomeness.

Edit: What's this talk about the 360 going BluRay? I'm hoping it just means a BluRay drive add-on akin to the HD-DVD drive and not what several people on the interwebs are worrying about.

[Bahamut]

Yeah, my first impressions of Jansen is that he's hilarious, like that response he made to Seth when you first get to the Ipsilon Mountains. The Thousand Years of Dreams sequences are well done too...game just has impressed me a lot, excepting that certain areas have low encounter rates, making it a little sucky for leveling :-( .

[Penfold]

Still haven't put any time into Lost Odyssey. Decided I should probably get through Blue Dragon before starting any other RPGs at the moment (and also spent a good chunk of time this weekend on Portal advanced maps). On that topic, I'm really enjoying Blue Dragon, though it is very traditional JRPG fare (which I'm a fan of personally). It is certainly no Chrono Trigger, but I like it nonetheless.

EDIT: Oh, and the music for the most part is pretty good...except for the boss battle song, which is fucking terrible. The guy's singing voice and the lyrics made an otherwise acceptible battle song into audio torture.

[Bahamut]

So I've been playing more Lost Odyssey...and it definitely makes me excited for what the top notch RPGs of this generation will be like. I'm just having too much fun with it.

[Maco70]

Think the 360 will ever have a blu-ray ad on?

[Bigfoot]

If anyone's interested, 12-month Xbox-live card for $38.75/(regular $49.99) with free shipping. $3.23 a month doesn't sound too bad :P

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=201975268&adid=17070&dcaid=17070

[Terial]

Okay, I've been putting it off for quite a while now, but I'm starting to want to buy a 360. Mostly because of Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. I really want to support Mistwalker and, really I want to enjoy these games that look so fun.

What I'm wondering is, are there any credible rumors of another price drop on the 360 anytime soon? I'd really like to get an elite, because I really am on the HD bandwagon and want the benefits of HDMI, like with my PS3.

Then again, I'm not sure if I want to spend the money for a console on just two games, especially for an elite 360, which costs almost as much as a PS3. ...Although I did buy my PS3 solely for Final Fantasy XII /Versus, so I can't really use that excuse, even though I enjoy so many of the games I've bought for it.

[zircon]

I don't think you need an Elite for HD. I'm pretty sure you get that with just the Pro... it might not come with the cables though.

[Solid Krono]

So I'm probably going to buy a 360 finally, and I was wondering what games you all would recommend I get? Doesn't matter how obvious or obscure it may seem, I'm open to all suggestions.

[Penfold]

I don't think you need an Elite for HD. I'm pretty sure you get that with just the Pro... it might not come with the cables though.

Exactly. Recently got a Pro with HDMI port, and had to buy the HDMI cable separately (Pro only comes with component cables). Incidentally, I had heard that only the offical 360 HDMI cable will feed audio and video without using a separate audio dongle. I didn't really care to check the validity of this and just bought the offical 360 HDMI cable.

Also, Terial - those 2 games were the same reasons I bought a 360 myself.

[UnforgivingEdges]

I don't think you need an Elite for HD. I'm pretty sure you get that with just the Pro... it might not come with the cables though.

All 360 models come with HD cables (component). The PS3 does not.

So I'm probably going to buy a 360 finally, and I was wondering what games you all would recommend I get? Doesn't matter how obvious or obscure it may seem, I'm open to all suggestions.

In order of importance to buy:

Mass Effect
Lost Odyssey
Rez HD (XBLA)
The Orange Box
Gears of War
BioShock
Earth Defense Force 2017
Project Sylpheed
Rock Band
Assassin's Creed
Condemned: Criminal Origins

That should be plenty of gaming for you, and I'm ignoring some titles that a lot of people enjoyed that I either haven't played or liked, but not enough to buy them (Dead Rising comes to mind). But Mass Effect is the best game I have ever played, Lost Odyssey is so good, and many of the other games I listed should satisfy any desire you have to play that particular genre.

Then there's the Xbox Live Arcade, and I could make another list full of awesome games about the same size, but I would suggest once you buy the system you connect to the inetrnet and look through the XBLA library and give the fee demos a try to decide what you like.