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View Full Version : MS 1st Party Titles: How Ya Like Me Now!


ThaMaskedGamer
11-09-2003, 07:47 AM
Well, I've always like them. But this fall, MS I think is taking it to another level by overing LIVE games that have not only great LIVE play, but also great single play campaigns. And unlike GCN, which releases one good title a quarter if you are lucky, MS just keeps hitting month after month. Not all the titles are sure fire sales success stories, but that shows MS is contradicting the critics. MS is not afraid to release games in genres without mass appeal. And MS is willing to flesh out and cover all genres, even ones that will never be popular on XBOX.

With games like Crimson Skies, Top Spin, Links upcoming, PGR2, Voodoo Vince, Grabbed by Ghoulies, and more to come MS is not resting on their laurels(what is a laurel?).

I just want to comment on Shogun's nonsensical statement that "..XBox has dropped the ball on..the ability for gamers to customize their online experince." Obviously, like most LIVE critics. This is a person who has not been on LIVE, or has not scratched the surface. You may not have the ability to create your own mods like PC games. But you definitely have the ability to play the games in a variety of ways, and show your creativity. There are numerous online communities where gamers are playing LIVE games in ways I'm sure the developer nor MS had ever dreamed of. Take a look at http://www.motogpdesigns.com for an example. But that is just cosmetic creativity, it doesn't even show the wild ways people are playing this game. One lap dirty lapper racers, which are so popular hundreds of people try and qualify, to the serious racing leagues like our own TeamRacingLeague at xblgames.com.

Then you have TopSpin, a game with only 16 pros, but a create a player mode so good, you can actually make your own Venus or Serena, or make a player that resembles yourself. This is something, that someone pointed out to me, and I was damn so true. Then you have Crimson Skies, where there are actually teams using precise dogfighting tactics in team unison. These guys are really serious with theirs. And the new Rainbow6 where u can play deathmatch, coop terrorist hunt, coop caimpaign, anyway you want. LIVE is exactly about playing games the way you want, and with whom you want. Its only gonna get better or worse(for LIVE haters) when SegaGT, PGR2, and CounterStrike, Links come about. So while Sony dabbles with online content, gamers serious about real competition, across the GLOBE are on LIVE. You kiddies can go back to playing Mario Kart now.

sjsharky
11-09-2003, 10:33 AM
Hallelujah, preach on, brother Maskedgamer. I'm a believer! and those non-believers are going to hell. Hallelujah, amen.
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Disclaimer: Please dont flame me with the "I'm offended by your religous references" :eek: posts, I'm just having a little fun. :)

Tappy_Tibbons
11-09-2003, 10:53 AM
yea man, Crimson Skies has been, by far, the most impressive online game I've ever seen.

I think downloadable content alone makes Xbox LIVE superior to PS2 in every way.

ThaMaskedGamer
11-09-2003, 11:05 AM
One thing about playing LIVE games, they tend to hook you. No doubt you know this with the many hours you logged on Wolfenstein. But this is what pisses me off about Crimson Skies, it is soooo good that it hooks you but you run out of content rather quickly. And it is sad to think I may have to take this game back, because I already feel I have seen it all. The real problem is the lack of levels which u and I already discussed Tappy. You have Arixio which is the best, Sea Haven a close second, then you have Chicago/Windy City two that are kinda one, and the Lost City, which you either love or hate, and I hate it. So to me, it basically boils down to only having 3 maps online. Which are all smaller than their offline counter parts. I know there will be more planes, but the variety in planes is already diverse, there first needs to be more maps. At least the outdoor Lost City map, which is awesome. In the end, I think i'll keep it. I have a funny feeling, I'd just have to buy it again after they put up some new content.

I don't it is the best online game yet though, my opinion is its still MGP2, and I like the variety and cohesive team play of R6. I don't have Top Spin yet, but I think that will provide competition and distinct style of play online, I foresee a lot of tournaments, even moreso than MGP2. I do think that Crimson Skies is the easiest to get into, the one that will have you gripping your controller the hardest, and arousing the most shouts and laments as you kill or be killed. I just miss the Zephyrs, wish they were included in online play somehow. But at least all the gun turrets are there(which i know u hate Tappy).

Tappy_Tibbons
11-09-2003, 11:17 AM
Yea, Crimson Skies is painfully small online...no arguing there.

For some reason, CS put more strain on me than any online game I've ever played. I feel that online games I become skilled at have a "comfort zone" which I can, for instance, play RTCW almost with my eyes closed but CS required so much "brain" out of me to play, it really kept my adrenaline going and didn't leave ANY room for relaxation.

ThaMaskedGamer
11-09-2003, 11:48 AM
In a way its similar like that to MGP2. In MGP2(full sims) you can not relax at any point on the track, if you do so you will either crash or lose position. Imagine doing a real lap race, which we do, for 28 laps. To finish in the top 5 requires Monk like concentration and skill. In CS, if you try and relax, fly around, the next thing you know someone is ripping your plane to shreds. Its amazing to me how guys can have 15 kills and only 1 or 2 deaths, in a room with 10+ people. It just doesn't seem possible. The 15 kills yeah, but only 2 deaths or less amazing.

Tappy_Tibbons
11-09-2003, 12:43 PM
Yea, well, online gaming is really showing that there are different kinds of gamers. I like FPS because there are sporatic breaks, something like Moto GP would be a great experience I imagine, but it would be a lot of practice and work. I admit, I have been fiending Crimson Skies since I brought it back. I got up to 4 stars but had to leave really quick while serving so it killed my stats but like I said before, it was just really small.

Counter Strike? I'LL BE THERE!

"The Game"Evolution
11-10-2003, 09:52 PM
<div class=\"smallfont\">yea man, Crimson Skies has been, by far, the most impressive online game I've ever seen.

I think downloadable content alone makes Xbox LIVE superior to PS2 in every way.</div>

Indeed.Even though Sony has their own HD coming next year I dont believe that it'll sell well. Plus I dont approve of making any games that REQUIRES the usage of the HD just in order to play them.(Like FF 11)

Other than Madden and SOCOM II whats really impressive on the online roster of the PS2 lately? Resident Evil Online looks to be promising.Other than that you cant beat being able to download new content to an online.That just makes the replay value of a title even higher.

sjsharky
11-10-2003, 09:58 PM
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Indeed.Even though Sony has their own HD coming next year I dont believe that it'll sell well. Plus I dont approve of making any games that REQUIRES the usage of the HD just in order to play them.(Like FF 11)

Other than Madden and SOCOM II whats really impressive on the online roster of the PS2 lately? Resident Evil Online looks to be promising.Other than that you cant beat being able to download new content to an online.That just makes the replay value of a title even higher.</div>

Welcome back, Game. Glad to see they didnt completely run you off. :D