SpartanEvolved
SpartanEvolved
Please note, this (series of) rant(s) is not intended to offend anyone here. It (they) is (are) an attempt to counter people bashing the 360. I am probably biased in my views, but will attempt to remain fairly neutrel.
The question I ask is: Can you determine how good a console is BEFORE it is even available to the public?
Some people seem to think yes, you can. Most of the general public has not even played a 360 with the full, complete, retail copies of the games available at launch. Those that have are almost exclusively contest winners and reviewers for magazines and websites.
My Launch Game Rant
Some people really bug me. Nobody from here is doing this, thankfully, but some people from other places are and they really irk me. They seem to think that not-so-killer launch lineup means a console sucks. Most consoles do not launch with truly awesome games (Microsoft got lucky with Halo taking off as a launch title). The Gamecube did have some pretty good 1st party launch titles, but didn't have a killer app game (Super Smash Brothers Melee) until a week or 2 after the launch. Still, my point is most games available at or shortly after a system launches are not all that great. I don't know about the PS2, but I imagine it was similar.
Launch titles are not typically a real representation of what the system can REALLY do. Look at a Xbox, Gamecube or PS2 game released in 2001. Now look at a Xbox, Gamecube, or PS2 game released in '04 or '05. Huge difference!
My point is: Though launch titles do have a great impact on a console, do not judge a book by its cover. Give the developers time to acquaint themselves with the system.
My PDZ Rant
But so far the launch lineup is faring pretty well anyways. The games expected to be good (Call of Duty 2, Condemned, Project Gotham Racing 3, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Kameo: Elements of Power, and NBA 2K6) are scoring in the range of 8 - 8.9. The only "X" factor is Perfect Dark Zero, which is expected to be the best launch game available but has not been reviewed by any major site (GameSpot, IGN, etc) for some reason...I forget at the moment. Some people are saying it isn't being reviewed yet because the game bombed big time, but really I think it is simply because the reviewers are taking their time to review the game and experience the XBL play. They know that this game is expected to be the "killer app" for the 360 and don't want to make a hasty review. I expect this game to be good. Not "OMGWTFBBQLOL ITS LIEK HALO" good, but good enough to play and have fun. But, if it bombs, so what? Rare will have to lick the wounds, especially for their reputation, but the world will go on.
My point: PDZ may be good or it may bomb, but don't expect a colossal hit.
The answer to my initial question, is no. Impressions can be deceiving.
Go to the Perfect Dark Zero board at GameFAQs if you want to see people bashing it. Or the 360 general board there. †
† I hold no responsibility for any brain damage or IQ loss suffered by visits to that site.
The question I ask is: Can you determine how good a console is BEFORE it is even available to the public?
Some people seem to think yes, you can. Most of the general public has not even played a 360 with the full, complete, retail copies of the games available at launch. Those that have are almost exclusively contest winners and reviewers for magazines and websites.
My Launch Game Rant
Some people really bug me. Nobody from here is doing this, thankfully, but some people from other places are and they really irk me. They seem to think that not-so-killer launch lineup means a console sucks. Most consoles do not launch with truly awesome games (Microsoft got lucky with Halo taking off as a launch title). The Gamecube did have some pretty good 1st party launch titles, but didn't have a killer app game (Super Smash Brothers Melee) until a week or 2 after the launch. Still, my point is most games available at or shortly after a system launches are not all that great. I don't know about the PS2, but I imagine it was similar.
Launch titles are not typically a real representation of what the system can REALLY do. Look at a Xbox, Gamecube or PS2 game released in 2001. Now look at a Xbox, Gamecube, or PS2 game released in '04 or '05. Huge difference!
My point is: Though launch titles do have a great impact on a console, do not judge a book by its cover. Give the developers time to acquaint themselves with the system.
My PDZ Rant
But so far the launch lineup is faring pretty well anyways. The games expected to be good (Call of Duty 2, Condemned, Project Gotham Racing 3, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Kameo: Elements of Power, and NBA 2K6) are scoring in the range of 8 - 8.9. The only "X" factor is Perfect Dark Zero, which is expected to be the best launch game available but has not been reviewed by any major site (GameSpot, IGN, etc) for some reason...I forget at the moment. Some people are saying it isn't being reviewed yet because the game bombed big time, but really I think it is simply because the reviewers are taking their time to review the game and experience the XBL play. They know that this game is expected to be the "killer app" for the 360 and don't want to make a hasty review. I expect this game to be good. Not "OMGWTFBBQLOL ITS LIEK HALO" good, but good enough to play and have fun. But, if it bombs, so what? Rare will have to lick the wounds, especially for their reputation, but the world will go on.
My point: PDZ may be good or it may bomb, but don't expect a colossal hit.
The answer to my initial question, is no. Impressions can be deceiving.
Go to the Perfect Dark Zero board at GameFAQs if you want to see people bashing it. Or the 360 general board there. †
† I hold no responsibility for any brain damage or IQ loss suffered by visits to that site.
I just want to comment on pre-judging a system. Unfortunately you can't stop it. It happens everywhere, on this board and on others. Almost everyone has some type of bias towards a particular system(s). We're just going to have to live with it. In the end, like you mentioned, it's all about the gamplay not the hardware.
