(VERY OT) I'm thinking about getting an X-Box...

[trancejeremy]

I got one a few months ago, about a month before the price drop.

I'm glad I bought one, but it doesn't have the tons of good, cheap games the PS2 has.

The only cheapie I've bought that I really liked was Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance ($10 at Best Buy a few weeks ago). I was disappointed in Project Gotham Racing - I thought it was a racing game (like Tokyo Extreme Racer), instead it's like a nightmare - the gameplay is like the driver's tests from Gran Turismo, driving through cones all the time.

The price on the two killer apps the PS2 has (GTA3 and GT3) is now down to $20. OTOH, the Xbox's killer app, Halo, is still $50 (as is just about everything else really good, though DOA Volleyball usually sells for $30 now). If you don't mind paying $50 for good games, then it's really worth it. Or if you really like FPSes, it's greats.

The coolest thing is probably the custom soundtrack feature. A lot of games don't support it, but basically, you can rip a cd you own to the hard drive of the Xbox, and listen to that in a game. Very few games have the sort of music I like (trance & house) so this is a very cool feature.

 

[drquestion]

Originally posted by trancejeremy:
I was disappointed in Project Gotham Racing - I thought it was a racing game (like Tokyo Extreme Racer), instead it's like a nightmare - the gameplay is like the driver's tests from Gran Turismo, driving through cones all the time.

I think Rallisport Challenge is a Platinum Hit now, so it should sell for $20. That's a very nice racer, if you like rally racing games.

Dead to Rights and Morrowind are also both $20 now, and both fun games. There are also some games that didn't sell quite so well but were reputedly quite good, like Panzer Dragoon Orta, that can be had for $25-30.

In general, though, trancejeremy is right. There aren't nearly as many really desirable games in the cheaper end of the price spectrum for Xbox as there are for PS2.

drquestion

 

[MythosaAkira]

I play more stuff on my PC than my X-Box, but I'm pretty happy with it (and playing something with the wireless controller while sitting on the couch is far more comfortable than playing PC games )

With games like Halo, Halo 2 (when it comes out), Morrowind, MechAssault, Project Gotham Racing (I liked it), and the others, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Vrylakos]

I got one a few months ago, about a month before the price drop.

I'm glad I bought one, but it doesn't have the tons of good, cheap games the PS2 has.

I have bought most of my games from Costco and a Blockbuster that had really cheap new games.

I enjoyed the Buffy game, especially after finding the hidden "arena mode". I got that for $18 at Costco.

I bought Baldur's Gate. Fun, if you like Diablo/Gauntlet type stuff. Same price and place as Buffy.

Paid full price for Halo, and it's worth every minute of it. Hoo, working up the nerve to try Heroic difficulty after getting dusted the first fight I got into.

Bought Morrowind at Blockbuster, used, $25 - my daughter loves it, but I myself have not tinkered with it at all.

Also got Silent Hill 2. Only part of the way in, but if you liked the first, this is also good, it seems. Used, Blockbuster, $18.

Bought Dead or Alive 3. Pretty good fighter! Best Buy, uhm... $30 on sale.

Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball. $30, Best Buy, on sale. Pretty fun. Seems simple at first, but you start to see the complexity after a while, and the Zack Island mode give you plenty of silly diversions.

Mechassault, new, $20, Blockbuster. Played a little, really want to try it with Xbox live, but haven't as of yet.

Metal Gear Solid, $20, new, Blockbuster. Not played. I liked the PS version, so I as hopeful.

Gun Valkyrie: A weird game that seemed like I would like it a lot, but it's really hard to get the hang of and the control system gives my carpal tunnel grief. $15, target.

I'd like more mecha games for the Xbox... haven't got Steel Battalion, but maybe I should. Is it even still available?

Vrylakos

 

[Welverin]

and the new Castlevania game that will come out as an X-Box exclusive (at least as I understand it from EGM).

Must have gotten confused somehow, that's going to be a PS2 exclusive. The console version of Thief 3 will be Xbox exclusive however, and everyone should be getting that.

 

[Vrylakos]

Must have gotten confused somehow, that's going to be a PS2 exclusive. The console version of Thief 3 will be Xbox exclusive however, and everyone should be getting that.

Oh, hell yes. Hm, though I wonder if I should go PC or Xbox for that one...

Vrylakos

 

[Welverin]

Oh, hell yes. Hm, though I wonder if I should go PC or Xbox for that one...

PC of course. Keep in mind however that I am an elitist snob when it comes to PC games compared to cosnole games, in this case there's actually good reason though (keyboard and mouse, likely mods; no rumble feature for lock picking however).

 

[Vrylakos]

PC of course. Keep in mind however that I am an elitist snob when it comes to PC games compared to cosnole games, in this case there's actually good reason though (keyboard and mouse, likely mods; no rumble feature for lock picking however).

Yeah, not to mention possible downloadable contect by fans at some point in the future.

The Thief levels by fans I've played have had some real gems among them... Wow... I think I need to go play Thief.

Darren

 

[Welverin]

Any in particular I should search out?

I never look to hard for Thief, downloaded a ton of HL mods however.

 

[Vrylakos]

Any in particular I should search out?

I never look to hard for Thief, downloaded a ton of HL mods however.

Any of the Calendra series. Calendra's Cistern and Calendra's Legacy. Also, let me see... the Inverted Manse if you like undead... it's a REALLY good, perhaps the ultimate, undead adventure.

Uhm, jeesh, I've got more at home, but those are stellar.

If you go to http://www.thief-thecircle.com/missions/

Look for the highest rated missions. IM and the Calendra ones are excellent, and I've played through those. Calendra has a bit of adult 'cheesecake', though, so if you're playing with kids, be warned.

Vrylakos