Luke
02 Dec, 2005
European Xbox 360 Buyers Guide
360 Feature | A rundown of the games that'll be available when you go to pick up your X360.
Amped 3
RRP:£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: 2K Sports | P: 2K Sports
Gamerankings Score: 72% | PALGN Anticipation: 3/10
The original Amped was a launch title for the Xbox, so it's somehow fitting that the third incarnation is to be a launch title for the Xbox 360. Whilst there hasn't been a terrible amount revealed about the game modes, we do know the game will be fully Live aware, and is going to focus on a deeper level of customisation. There's also going to be more than 300 indie music tracks, which should keep the music consistantly refreshing whilst sidestepping the problem of repetition. We're still a little hesitant about the game, as we're not sure if Amped 3 will be that much different to its predecessors, but we've been proven wrong in the past.
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Call of Duty 2
RRP: £49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: Activision | P: Activision
Gamerankings Score: 91% | PALGN Anticipation: 6/10
Call of Duty 2 is the same as the PC version released about a month ago, but this doesn't stop it from being one of the more appealing Xbox 360 launch prospects. With graphics that are upgraded from its PC cousin, the game is one of the most technically polished Xbox 360 titles. We're fairly sick of World War II shooters, but this one actually breaks the mould and lets the player play through the stories of four individual soldiers as they take on odds that seem impossible. With an atmosphere and scripted events that few games can match, it's worth a look.
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Condemned: Criminal Origins
RRP: £49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: Sega | P: Sega
Gamerankings Score: 82% | PALGN Anticipation: 6.5/10
First off, it's scary - really scary apparently, and it should be made even scarier if you've probably got an awesome setup. Admittedly, it's another first person shooter, which we appreciate could be disconcerting to those having to choose just one out of the bunch. Gamers take control of Agent Thomas, an investigator in the FBI's Serial Crimes Unit, and investigate the lives of serial killers and really get to know them. Reminds us of Saw really, and that wasn't a bad movie.
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FIFA Soccer 06: Road to World Cup
RRP:$£49.99 | L: XBOX: FIFA 06
D: EA| P: CEA
Gamerankings Score: 66% | PALGN Anticipation: 3.5/10
It's quite difficult to get excited about a game that we've seen a few months earlier except with better graphics. One of the main additions to this incarnation will be the inclusion of the World Cup, as it will take greater prominance in this game. The images we've seen so far have looked absolutely incredible though, and the game looks to be one of the more advanced EA sports launch titles.
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Gun
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: Neversoft| P: Activision
Gamerankings Score: 80% | PALGN Anticipation: 3.5/10
Whilst we've had the opportunity to cover Gun for the previous consoles, we're looking forward to the Xbox 360 incarnation, however it is important to note that the only real enhancement to the game comes in the form of updated graphics. The game itself lets players assume the role of Cotton White, in a free roaming Western adventure title developed by the team behind Tony Hawk. As Cotton White, players must straddle the line between good and evil as they showdown against corrupt lawmen, a murderous preacher, renegade army psychopaths, merciless outlaws and unforgiving Native Americans, while waging war on horseback, collecting bounties, and commandeering trains. Players travel through an action-packed landscape of high mountain wilderness, deserts and bustling territorial towns in an epic story of betrayal, greed, and revenge.
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Kameo: Elements of Power
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D:Rare | P: Microsoft Game Studios
Gamerankings Score: 78% | PALGN Anticipation: 8/10
Will Rare finally prove they are worth the sizeable investment? Kameo is one of the most stunning games we've ever seen, and the environments are simply unrivalled. The game itself has had a rattled history, starting off as a Gamecube game and ending up as a Xbox 360 launch title. The future of the world depends on Kameo, who must capture, harness, and unleash a wide assortment of monsters to rescue three of her Elemental Ancestors and destroy the Dark Troll King who threatens the planet and its wildlife.
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Madden NFL 06
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D:EA | P: EA
Gamerankings Score: 76% | PALGN Anticipation: 2.5/10
For the first time in a long while the Madden NFL games on the consoles haven't been as well recieved as they were last year, however the game should be fairly decent on the Xbox. There have actually been some sacrifices to the modes for the Xbox 360, which is disappointing. We can only assume that EA are hoping the visuals will compensate for the sacrifices; we still think it's fairly disappointing that sacrifices had to be made at all though.
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NBA Live 06
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D:EA | P: EA
Gamerankings Score: 63% | PALGN Anticipation: 4/10
This is the exact same game as we saw a month ago, except ported to the Xbox 360. However, it's not fair to sell this game short just based on this as NBA Live 06 was still an incredibly fun title. EA have really added a lot of detail to the players, and personally we think that this could be one of the better looking Xbox 360 titles. We're not sure if this game is going to be as popular as NBA2K6, but we're willing to try it and find out.
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Need for Speed: Most Wanted
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: EA | P: EA
Gamerankings Score: 85% | PALGN Anticipation: 4.5/10
After the phenomenal success of the most recent three Need for Speed titles it was unexpected that EA would go back to the drawing board and reinevent the Need for Speed series yet again. Police now play a more pivotal role in the game, and your objective is to try and track down the most wanted racers for a race. It's not serious, just pure unadulterated fun. It's worth noting that the game is available on current generation consoles; and aside from visual improvements the title is basically the same on the Xbox 360.
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Project Gotham Racing 3
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: Bizarre Creations | P: Microsoft Game Studios
Gamerankings Score: 90% | PALGN Anticipation: 7/10
This is it; if you're after a single handed reason to own the Xbox 360 then Project Gotham Racing 3 looks to be it. The game looks to be one of the most visually amazing titles we've ever seen, and not only have the visuals improved but the gameplay has as well. The game will include a unique track editor option, which should be quite a bit of fun if it isn't too difficult. The unique Kudos system; which rewards players for style will also be included in the game, so the title is moving forward but still paying homage to its predecessors. One of the best things about Project Gotham Racing 3 is that it is going to be fully compatible with Xbox Live. It will actually be possible to watch players on Gotham TV, and track how well other racers are going; there is no other game we are more anticipating than this one (well, except Kameo and PD0 - Ed).
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Perfect Dark Zero
RRP:$£39.99 ($£49.99 Limited Edition) | F: Xbox 360
D: Rare | P: Microsoft Game Studios
Gamerankings Score: 86% | PALGN Anticipation: 8/10
This could be the FPS to own for the Xbox 360. After the MTV debut of Perfect Dark Zero a lot of people crossed it off their launch list; and then a few weeks later screenshots were released that looked absolutely amazing. We're still not sure what to expect of the game, with very mixed reports from sensitive controls to lush environments. Perfect Dark Zero is actually a predecessor to Perfect Dark, which was an incredible title on the Nintendo 64, so Rare have a lot to live up to. A limited edition 2 disk set will be available on launch as well, and it is the same price as a normal game, so you're definitely getting your value with this title.
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Peter Jackson's King Kong
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox
D: Ubisoft| P: Ubisoft
Gamerankings Score: 82% | PALGN Anticipation: 6/10
Traditionally movie to game titles are fairly average with only a few exceptions to the rule. Ubisoft are hoping that King Kong sets a precedent for movie to game adaptations from now on. This game is identical to the current console versions, but looks incredible on the Xbox 360. We've seen the game in action on the Xbox 360, and it is simply amazing and really brings the King Kong world to life. In the game you will be able to take on the role of King Kong and the role of a civilian, so it is promising to mix genres; let's just hope this is done well enough.
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Quake 4
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: ID Software | P: Activision
Gamerankings Score: 77% | PALGN Anticipation: 5/10
After seemingly years of waiting PC gamers finally got ahold of Quake IV for the PC. Whilst the game wasn't incredible, and didn't flare as well as we'd hoped in multiplayer, there is still something incredibly addictive about going around killing Stroggs. In a desperate attempt to survive a Strogg attack on Earth, an armada of Earth's finest warriors is sent to take the battle to the Strogg home planet. Earth's initial assault force is nearly annihilated immediately, but one marine manages to infiltrate the base, bring down their planetary defense systems, and kill the Strogg's collective brain and leader - the Makron. Earth assumed the destruction of the Makron would end it all, but it didn't. Quake IV for the 360 won't offer anything remarkably new, but should look even better in high definition than the visually impressive PC version.
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Tiger Wood's PGA Tour 06
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox 360
D: EA | P: EA
Gamerankings Score: 69% | PALGN Anticipation: 4/10
Whilst not exactly bringing anything new to the series, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is arguably one of the best golf games of all time; and in theory it should be even better if it looks better. The game features 17 licensed golfers, and 11 authentic PGA tour courses. If you've been holding out on Tiger for the current generation consoles then this game is likely to be worth a purchase, but if you've got the console versions this game isn't going to offer anything extraordinarily new.
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Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
RRP:$£49.99 | F: Xbox
D:Cavia | P: Capcom
Gamerankings Score: 77% | PALGN Anticipation: 2.5/10
The Tony Hawk series is in dire need of reinvention, and Neversoft have attemped to do this with Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, which is a game based in Los Angeles, with no load times at all. For the first time in the series you can skate or bike through the open environment. Anyone who was sick of the mindless tasks in Tony Hawk's Underground 2 will be happy to know that they have been eliminated in this incarnation. Whilst the game isn't the best in the series, it is definitely a step in the right direction. It's worth noting though that this game is mainly just a port, so it's very similar to the console versions, except with better graphics.
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That summarises every single launch title and it should be clear by now which ones are worth purchasing and which ones are best left on the shelf. Stay tuned to PALGN for more comprehensive launch coverage beyond December 1st.
The average rankings were taken of www.gamerankings.com and are correct as of 1st of December, 2005.
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