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2002 Rants

Jace’s Top 10 of 2002

10: Animal Crossing - Gamecube - Nintendo

To say this is quirky, is like saying Michael Jackson is a little odd. Your job in this game is basically to make a life for yourself, doing odd jobs, collecting things, and making friends. You can buy and sell, or donate items to the local museum. It’s a sleepy and relaxing game set in real time, at Christmas, the games get snowy and festive, in the autumn the leaves fall, and in the spring there are butterflies and new flowers. The thing is, when you finally get hooked, you’ll keep wanting to check back and see how things are going. It’s kind of multi-player too, you can have up to four players sharing the town the game is set in, not simultaneous play, but a clever way of adding interest within a family. There are downsides, if you want to go to a new town, you’ve got to buy a new Gamecube memory card. However, it’s the huge variety of objects and artifacts to be found in the game, along with the hundreds of people to meet, which keeps you coming back for more. You can even get a NES system in your house, and spend half an hour playing Excite bike, classic.

9: GTA Vice City - PS2 - DNA/Rockstar

I really enjoyed the first GTA 3, sure there were criticisms, but it was a pretty amazing world to play in. GTA Vice City first excited me thanks to the intro, the site of a Commodore 64 loading screen on a PS2 was pretty special. However, the first time you play this sequel, you feel it’s getting creaky. The programmers have added some blur effects and tried to increase the polygon count, leaving you feeling that the game isn’t fast enough, and that maybe you shouldn’t have been so excited about the first game. Well, thankfully these feelings pass, and you’re left with a game full of gang related missions in the seedy world of the Miami drugs scene, helicoptors, radio controlled cars, and big buildings and interiors to discover. The game is as good as it’s prequel until you get close to the end, where the game seems to dry up, the buildings are all bought, the missions are all done. Perhaps there is a definite ending in there somewhere and I just never found it, but surely Vice city should have been brought to a more straight forward climax.

8: Rez - PS2 - Sega

I loved the original Rez on the Dreamcast, but the beginning of 2002 saw the release of the PS2 version, and when you add the chest clamp rumbler, you’re in for a hell of a ride. To be honest, Rez is a game bigged up by the hardcore as if to snub it’s nose at the mainstream. However, it’s really a very simple shoot-em-up, but one which dazzles. It’s the kind of game that you will always want to show your friends, or that mad uncle you see once in a while who doesn’t really understand what games are about. It’s pretty easy to complete, and you’re unlikely to return to it much once you have. However, one of the only games of the year to invoke a true retro atmosphere.

7: Metroid Fusion - Gamecube - Nintendo

Am I the only British gamer to equate the original Metroid with Rainbow Art’s Turrican. Possibly, but the fact that the Gamecube version was so far removed from the original game was interesting. Nintendo aren’t exactly reknowned for making good FSPs, but MF truly is exciting. A stunning introduction leads you to an action packed first level, so full of atmosphere you’ll be in a panic state by the time you get to the end. You could argue that the game is rather easy, but that would me missing the point. The action is placed parallel to exploration, providing a compelling shooter.

6: The Getaway - PS2 - Sony Soho

So many hopes were pinned on this game, and GTA3 really blew it out of the water before it was even half developed. Thankfully Team Soho continued, and managed to create the whole of central London within the game. The game is tough, don’t expect to finish this in a matter of days, but even if you did, you’ll need to keep checking out the city it’s held in. The realism of the graphics is stunning, with real cars in a real city. If you know London at all, you’ll be able to find that resturant you once ate in, or those monuments you once looked at, or whatever. The realism factor can not be underated, but then I am originally from London. Maybe that’s the answer, one huge sprawling adventure game, set in.... the UK, finally you can drive from Lands End to John o groats in real time on your console, fantastic!!

5: Monkey Ball 2 - Gamecube - Sega

It was the least suprising sequel of the year, but Monkey Ball 2 did add a ton more party games. The only problem being that you had to finish the one player game to open them all up. The one player game is significantly more difficult, and worryingly more random, so in the end, it’ll be a matter of luck whether you ever get to see all the party games or not. Anyway, the ones i’ve opened so far have been brilliant, including the awsome Monkey soccer, and the simultaneous multi-player version of target.

4: Timesplitters 2 - PS2 - Free Radical

Finally, the sequel to Goldeneye we all wanted Perfect Dark to be. Fantastic arcade action which doesn’t rely solely on multi-player modes to entertain. The simultaneous co-operative mode is superb though. Packed full of atmos, a fun story line, and plenty of baddies to kill. What more could you need.

3: Mario Sunshine - Gamecube - Nintendo

We had to wait a while, but Mario’s Gamecube debut was stunning. While eventually the wonder of it all did wear off, and the repetative nature of the tasks in each level became evident, it still remains one of the best games in the Gamecube’s arsenal. The sad fact though, is that despite it’s graphical finesse and deep content, it failed to change the console’s fortunes, in Europe at least. Perhaps Mario style arcade adventures are yesterday’s news.

2: Advance Wars - Gameboy Advance - Nintendo

Never has the back of a box been so un-inspiring, yet the contents within so spell binding. Graphically functional battle simulation in handheld form. Hundreds of levels and a fantastic coin reward system, means that despite playing this for 100+ hours, I still haven’t come close to finishing it. Then there are the multi-player modes, which because of the turn based nature of the game, only requires one Gameboy. Surely the best way to while away a long journey with friends ever devised. Without doubt my favourite Gameboy game of all time, finally surpassing Mario Kart on GBA. Even better than Ramparts on the Lynx. Oh, and then there’s a sequel due later in the year, can’t wait!!!

1: Burnout 2 - PS2 - Acclaim

Contraversial? Possibly. If you had told me a couple of years ago that in 2003 I would be rating a racing game by Acclaim as my favourite title of the year, when there was a new Mario and Metroid game in the same timespan. Well, i’d have said you were mad. Think Acclaim, think Mortal Kombat, think of Turok, think of dodgy licensed tat pumped at the mass market from all angles. Maybe that was true, but now Acclaim bring us Burnout 2, developed by graphic engine specialists Criterion, and sequel to the slightly un-finished and bugged Burnout 1. The reason why this game is my number one is really simple, i’ve played this game for more hours than any other since its release.

The one player game was quite brief really, though challenging in the short term, there weren’t as many rewards as I would have liked. The tracks are spread rather thinly too, though well designed, you do crave some more, like the city tracks in the original. However, this is taking things at face value, judging this as a simple racing game. It is not, Burnout 2 is a battle game for two players. If you have a regular gaming buddy, then welcome to the greatest two player racing game ever created. The graphics are excellent, each area is based on real road systems, with real public traffic to drive round and hopefully avoid. Then there is the turbo, first you’ll be cautious, a little dab here, a little dab there. Then you’ll think, hey, if I hold the turbo button till the boost runs out, I get bonus turbo back. Then you’ll think, hang on, if I do stunts, like driving in the oncoming lane, or too close to cars, WHILE HOLDING THE TURBO BUTTON, i’ll get a complete second guage full.

Before you know it, you are driving at speeds which would make your eyes bleed, aiming to get seven or eight turbos (or burnouts) in a row on a road system ludicrously packed full of traffic. Now imagine it split screen, against a human rival. Arcade perfection. There are lap record charts and overall stats recorded for each track, always leaving you something to beat. If you haven’t played this game, then buy it. Forget my rants about third party games letting you down, this is a game for the mass market, the niche market, the hardcore, and your gran. The Gamecube version is out in May and apparently there are major improvements!! I think i’ve just soiled myself!!

WORST OF 2002

I thought i’d mention the biggest dissapointments of 2002, it only seems fair! Of course, these aren’t the worst games ever made of the year, just the ones with weighty aspirations on their shoulders which they failed to live up to.

5: Eternal Darkness - Gamecube - Nintendo

We all expected great things from this game, finally Nintendo was looking to an adult market, and mixing the mental state of your character with elements of your surroundings. In reality it’s an average adventure game, borrowing heavily from Capcom’s Resident Evil series. If you want a dark adventure for your Gamecube, get Resident Evil Zero, some fantastic graphics and gore, and you get to control two characters simultaneously!

4: Starfox Adventures - Gamecube - Rare

The last Rare game for Nintendo, and it certainly lacks the originality associated with the brand. Flying sections lift the game, but it doesn’t take long before the game sinks to a “been here done it before” mentality. Perserverance leads to some good features, like your dinosaur friends, but those expecting a landmark game walked away awfully dissapointed.

3: Stuntman - PS2 - Reflections

Is it any surprise that Reflections are returning to their successful Driver franchise. After a year of hype, and fireworks in the gaming press, Stuntman turned out to be a damp squib of a game. Driver had more in common with Codemasters 8-bit Stuntman simulator than Reflections would like to admit. A simple arcade driving instructor game, follow the prompts and get to the end, but with some of the most dire loading times yet experienced on PS2. Unfortunately, while Reflections left Driver on the back burner, DNA ran with a few of their ideas for GTA3. Thanks to its huge success, it is unlikely the mantle of the genre title holder will ever make it back to Reflections. Perhaps it’s fitting to add that Stuntman has now been re-incarnated as a top down driving game for mobile phones. Isn’t that exactly like Stuntman Simulator by Codemasters?

2: Soccer Slam - Gamecube - Sega

A four a side soccer game, from Sega, mmmm, interesting. Well, that’s what I initially thought, two seperate attempts at seriously playing it, even with other players, and I was convinced this was a freebie bonus game, and not a full price release, surely!! Heads up everyone, Martin Basheer couldn’t have done a better job of damaging Sega’s reputation than this does.

1: Crazy Taxi 3 - Xbox - Sega

I know, i’ve already moaned about this game in a previous rant, but I played it again recently just to make sure I was right. This game is utter dross, one of the worst cash-in titles of a franchise i’ve ever known. I’m not going to waste my breath telling you how bad the game is, but just highlight the damage these two games have done for Sega. I was a Dreamcast devotee. I forgave them for Sonic Shuffle and Outrigger, I just thought those games weren’t really for me. But, Sega’s new mantle as software publisher has brought with it rushed releases and titles which should have been burnt on the drawing board. Soccer Slam and Crazy Taxi 3 are very bad, but then there’s the less than average games, like Jet Set Radio Future, Virtua Striker 3, Beach Volleyball, Virtua Fighter 4 (I saw twenty copies of that for 9.99 in the bargain bin the other day) the list is growing.

I know Sega needed to save some money, but possibly not the best move to sack your quality control department. If this run of poor titles has stopped me, an avid Sega fan, from buying Panzer Dragoon and Toejam & Earl 3 on Xbox, what have they done for the mass market gamer. When Sega re-entered the market as a publisher, we expected them to battle with EA and become the biggest games producer in the world. Instead they’ve deflated their credibilty and left themselves viable to take over by Microsoft. Now that would be a sad end to a once legendary company.

22nd October 2002

Everybody Hates Us

I know, I know, this is meant to be a regular feature, yet hasn’t been updated over the Spring or Summer. It’s not that I didn’t want to, just that this year has been busier than ever. Still, i’m here now, and there is the rant of all rants brewing up inside me.

The one thing i’ve been most desperate to splurge onto this page, is that Microsoft Hates Us. That is the hardcore gamer. When the Xbox was in development, Microsoft heralded it as the first current console to offer region free gaming. Imagine that, you can buy your console in any country, and play any game from any country. To me it was one of the consoles biggest assets. On the Xbox’s release, little more was made of this facet, and so it wasn’t until the UK machine had been available for a month or so, that I borrowed a game, to try it on my US Xbox. I’m sure you all know what happened already, but I can’t help myself from relaying the news, how ever out of date it is. The Xbox told me that this was not a disk from my region, and to try another. In other words, just like the Gamecube and Playstation, completely region locked.

I was angry, I felt cheated, I couldn’t believe that a company so desperate to win the hearts of the hardcore gamer would cheat us this way. Of course, they can use the same excuse as the other companies, it stops piracy etc etc, the stockpile of corporate reasoning is very familiar, but you have to wonder why they went back on their word. When pushed on this point, they said that any region protection would be software only. Now, tell me how software could recognise it was in a machine for a particular region if there was no difference between them. Basically another lie from Microsoft. Microsoft hates us.

The prospect of buying two more xbox machines is not a good one. But then, why should I. At least Sony and Nintendo are honest about region protection, if you have to buy machines from more than one territory, so be it, you know the score. More importantly, having a couple of Gamecubes or PS2s in your games room doesn’t look to bad, but the thought of three Xbox stacked up on top of each other, Hideous.

Just when things couldn’t get much worse, Microsoft buy Rare, just about the greatest British games producer left. I’m sure i’m not the only one who felt disgusted by the deal. While Nintendo did own a share of Rare, they didn’t control the company, they worked together, and made some fantastic games. Along come Microsoft with their billions of dollars, and not satisfied with buying Nintendo’s share, take over the entire company. Gone are all the games in progress, Donkey Kong Racing, the next Donkey kong adventure game, Banjo Kazooie and Diddy Kong flying on GBA. The future for rare is now tied up with a company who’s future in the console industry rings of so much 3DO it’s frightening.

There is one way I can take revenge on Xbox and Microsoft, and not with lies. I can tell the truth about their software line up, and the games that have come out for the machine recently.

6/12/02

A Reader of Rant Replies:

Jace,

I read your latest rant (admittedly a while after it was published), but I have to express my disappointment. If there is one thing about MS and the Xbox, it is not that they hate 'hardcore' gamers ... on the contrary, I would argue that this is their main audience. (Yes, they are of course aiming at the casual gamer too). With their recent push and growing sales, the release of some excellent games and the arrival of Xbox Live, you cannot argue that the Xbox is a game console worth having.

MS has always said the Xbox would be region-free, they even confirmed this at the recent X02 event. But as you said, your UK games didn't work on a US box. Why ? Because the developers need to implement this feature in their games. After all, it has been confirmed by many gamers that recent released Live games appear to be region free (which makes sense as this ways there are no compatibility problems online when playing versus other region players).

However, I do admit that this is not documented on the cases or manuals and maybe MS should set the example with their own published games. Of course, you wouldn't have been aware of these facts when you wrote the article, but that shouldn't mean you can jump to conclusions. What made you think that the Xbox was at fault ? Did it never cross your mind that the games were region locked ?

Also, with regards to MS buying Rare, it appears you did not have all the facts. Nintendo had the option of buying Rare outright since '94, however when they confirmed they were not interested, Rare started looking elsewhere. Several Rare employees visited Bungie, to find out what it is like to work with MS. Bungie advised them that MS left it alone to make it's own decisions and that it had no commercial pressure. Although Nintendo didn't control the company, it is obvious that their relation wasn't the same anymore. As for the games in progress, Rare will continue working on GBA games, they are still continuing with Kameo (although on Xbox), they finished Starfox Adventures (because they wanted too). As for the others, well Nintendo owns the rights to Donkey Kong and the likes, so it will be up to Nintendo to continue with these franchises.

I seem to get the impression that you have a disliking for the Xbox (or is it MS?). Why ? I know you like Nintendo (and who wouldn't), but I am sure that is not stopping you from enjoying games on other consoles.

As for your final statement. Taking revenge on Xbox and Microsoft by telling the 'truth' about the games. If you are planning to take revenge, won't that make your reviews biased ? Or will you only limit yourself to reviewing the bad games and miss out the really good ones ?

I would love to hear from you on your thoughts and to see if your opinion has changed recently.

Kind regards, Bruno (Bruno Geerts)

JACE REPLIES:

Hi Bruno,

Firstly, I thoroughly enjoyed your reply, and it's great to have someone prepared to wrestle horns with me.

I can take some of your points on board, my opinion is going to be pretty hard to change though. Let's start with region protection. I did know that this was software implementable, but if the console is truly region free, why do they make the hardware differentiable in alternate territories. If there was no way the software could tell which region it was being played on, then all software would be region free. You can argue that hardware in PAL territories is going to have to be slightly different to handle the different TV system, yet Japanese Xboxs and US machines remain incompatible. There is no reason for the hardware in Japan to be different to the US, the N64 was exactly the same in both territories.

However, what really blows this argument, is that the UK games I have tried on my US Xbox were released by Microsoft. If they treat it as a feature, and take the line that it is up to publishers if they want to use region protection, how do they justify using it themselves. Indeed, if Microsoft chose to advocate region free gaming, most other publishers would probably follow suit.

Rare, is a bone of contention, because I love their previous output. Not because of them being related to Nintendo, i'm talking all their output from Jetpac and Underwurlde to RC ProAm to Banjo Kazooie. While I accept that yes, they may be left to their own devices, and may still produce original games, I fear that they will be led to some extent by Microsoft, why wouldn't they be, Microsoft is their sugar daddy now. This will lead to no doubt more adult content, perfect dark is the property MS most wanted from the deal. But, how many FPS games does the Xbox need?? While they were working for Nintendo, Kameo was in development, but hardly the most exciting project in their portfolio. Most exciting was Donkey Kong racing, a mix of mario kart and Donkey Kong, but riding real animals, each beast with it's own strengths. The demos looked stunning.

Microsoft aren't exactly known for nurturing originality. I suppose that could have changed, and maybe they've got some top games guys coming up with the new Monkey Ball, Samba De Amigo, or Animal Crossing. For the sake of the industry, I hope you are right. However, I feel they believe the only games console owners want are FPS and racing games, like they think PC owners just want FPS or RTS. Even you must admit that the Xbox catalogue hardly demonstrates originality.

Finally, your comment about telling the truth about bad games. Well, I promise, I don't just buy Nintendo games. I do buy Xbox titles too, and that's how I know that magazines seem to be appraising them far too highly. Crash! (Totalled! in the US) is a prime example. It's little more than a torid technical demo, yet Edge gave it 8/10. I am yet to play Blinx, but a review will come soon, and I promise it will be my honest opinion. I'm not going to lie about games, I'm not writing this for money, I just want to tell the truth. There are great games on Xbox, Halo is a brilliant FPS, Project Gotham is probably the best straight racing game i've ever played. It's just a shame that the only promising games Microsoft have left in the ammo cupboard are the sequels to those very games.

I wonder how many people reading this have an opinion on when Microsoft will score its first UK number one in the all formats chart. I like the thought of there being three players in the console market, as consumers will hopefully get a better deal because of it. But, how long do you think it will take Microsoft with the current games it has lined up for next year, and will it be a FPS. I'm guessing not next year, and not with an FPS. We've seen it, done it, worn the T shirt then burnt it because it got too smelly. I praise mass market games like the current number one, Vice City on PS2, for proving that the gaming public actually prefers originality. Though I fear there will be at least three copy cat games fighting for next years Xmas pole position.

So, my opinion hasn't really changed. I really do struggle to find things I like about the Xbox, as does the gaming press. If I read one more article praising the extra long controller cables i'll scream!! Still, i'm still an Xbox owner, and a buyer of many games on the format, so Microsoft still has a few of my toes in their camp. I just hope Xbox Live let's me stick an arm in.

Just a few days after writing the above, a truer picture of the Xbox UK launch has emerged. While initial sales made an impression on the all formats games chart, the last two weeks have seen a severe decline. This has been largely effected by the launch of the PS2 budget range, which has seen a flurry of old titles re-enter the chart. Metal Gear Solid easily held the number one spot even in the week of the Xbox launch, but now we have a situation where Gran Turismo 3 is at number two, while Halo (the biggest selling Xbox title) is down to number 13. It’s a familiar cycle, hardcore gamers and early adopters taking the console and games in the first week of launch, and then a severe slow down in sales. Now is the time to start seeing the real picture. Microsoft have already released an announcement, blaming the choice of Spring launch as derogatory to the numbers, figures which of course they are more than happy with.

As a serious gamer, it’s easy to dismiss real sales, and the effects they will have. The Dreamcast managed to fill up the top ten for far longer when released two years ago, despite similar Sony competition. The gaming public don’t always care for great games, it still upsets me when I recall how Zelda Ocarina of Time only stayed at number one in the UK chart for one week, while the sequel barely scraped into the top forty. Perhaps Sega had the right idea, leave the hardware to someone else, and get on with the games. They have had a brilliant start, with Virtual Fighter, Rez, and Headhunter on the PS2, Monkeyball and Sonic Adventure 2 on the Gamecube, and of course Gun Valykrie and Jet Set Radio Future on Xbox. Each game, though some are just updates of Dreamcast games, is a quality investement. It’s nice to have a major player accross all formats that you can really trust. Let’s just hope they start to sell some games to the mass market, instead of us Sega fans. It is with Sega’s situation in mind that I come to Gamecube.

Sales were less than that of Xbox for the US launch, a shocking statistic, particularly considering the difference in price. The difference is small though, and hopefully Nintendo’s price point will pull them back in front. Either that, or Mario Sunshine, or Zelda will. The Gamecube comes with a great initial line up for the UK launch, we may have been last in line, but there are twenty titles, including four by Nintendo, two by Sega, and Rogue squadron. It is in stark contrast to the launch of the N64. The other advantage, though one possibly not remembered by the mass market, is the prospects of the Gamecube. Xbox has Halo, but what will it have? There are no major announcements of stunning projects, nothing to stir up the anticipation every console needs.

The PS2 may not have had Metal Gear or GT3 at launch, but it had plenty of demos, and the public were prepared to buy the console and wait. Xbox had a great launch line up, but there is no killer ap of notable worth waiting in the wings. I am a very well informed gamer, and I can’t name one Xbox game i’m looking forward to. Then compare the Gamecube, I’m looking forward to Mario Sunshine, GC Zelda, 1080 2, Mario Kart, Dinosaur Planet, Donkey Kong Racing, Pikmin 2, Resident Evil Series.. I could go on. I love Xbox and Gamecube at the moment, I am actually playing Xbox a hell of a lot more. But, i’m safe in the knowledge that the Gamecube is where my future entertainment is coming from. Microsoft have some catching up to do. Now, May sees GC hit UK shores, the third biggest country for videogaming on the planet (after US/Japan). Fingers crossed they sell enough to stay firmly in the fight. The consoe war isn’t about who wins, it’s about how many top notch triple A titles we can all experience out of battle. Let’s hope it makes it to the final round.

21st March 2002

WAR GAMES

Well, finally there are Xboxes in UK shops, and the battle between Sony and it’s new rival can begin. Let’s face it, the Microsoft ball isn’t just rolling, it’s getting ready to smash Sony to pieces. My hands are up, I was one of the great Xbox doubters. The reason? well, in hindsight I think it is down to the intense rivalry between PC and Console gamers. Back in the days of the Spectrum and Commodore 64, UK gamers would be seen in playgrounds accross the country defending their chosen format to the hilt. It was a phenomenon which didn’t really go away. Amiga and ST gamers were quick to despise Megadrive and Super Nintendo gamers, dismissing the consoles, and their users in a “your Mum does it for money” kind of way. I am guilty too, as part of an Amiga demo crew, I couldn’t believe these Japanese consoles could walk in and try to threaten the UK games scene. Back then we had weapons, you could easily counter the graphic power of a Megadrive by weilding your copy of Dungeon Master, or Wings. The Super Nintendo would have been harder to defend against, but thankfully I had already succumbed to console gaming by then. History is a powerful thing, it’s waves ripple through to future generations.

The Playstation had a hard time against the established core of PC Gamers, many who had upgraded from their Amiga’s ignoring console formats completely. The continual evolution of the PC format has given them an ever growing armoury of techical leaps, enough to thwart even the most ardent defender of consoles. Possibly the biggest mockery of console finery is the PC’s ability to emulate even modern consoles. It’s long been possible to play Dreamcast, N64 and Playstation games on your PC. Enter Xbox, possibly the console to re-unite the gaming fraternity after at least twelve years of bitter fighting. PC Gamers want to hate the Xbox, but they know it is far too close to home to be disregarded. With Microsoft responsible for the vast growth in PC use, and with Invidia providing the juiciest technical improvements for PCs, and the beating heart of the Xbox, PC gamers will be insulting themselves if they have a go at your Xbox. PC Gamers biggest dig at consoles in recent years is the lack of multiplayer network gaming, something the Xbox has been designed to do. Microsoft are walking a very fine line, as a backlash from loyal PC users is a distinct possibility.

While Bill Gates swears that his company will continue to push the PC, and release as much software for it, one of the biggest games for the format, Bungie’s Halo, was bought up and swiped for an Xbox only release. While Microsoft obviously thought this move would encourage PC gamers to invest in a console, at the same time many PC gamers viewed the act as grossly unfair. Even now there will be someone out there spreading rumours of a PC version, but after scoring it’s first killer Ap for the console, Microsoft are unlikely to free up a conversion, at least for the forseeable future.

Xbox has been selling in huge numbers, already beating sales estimates in the US. As a user of all three current consoles, I can only imagine that Sony are bringing forward plans to release Playstation 3. I find it incredible that in only a couple of years Sony’s machine now seems slow, and glitchy. Indeed, I am starting to regard the PS2 in a similar way to how I think of the original Playstation, old. The Xbox and Gamecube have both impressed with initial releases, easily outpacing Sony’s hardware. But, it’s with more recent releases that the true power of Xbox can be seen. The smoke and dirt effects in Wreckless brings a visual reality we haven’t seen before on a console. While PC gamers, if they felt inclined, could highlight that the Invidia chip in the Xbox has been supersceded, they would have a hard time trying to find a comparable graphic feast on the PC. It is pretty easy to see what is happening. The PC with it’s open architecture and evolving hardware leaves programmers writing for the optimum set up, each game suited to the next generation of graphics card, and none ever taking full advantage of current hardware. In comparison the Xbox benefits greatly from it’s unmovable specification. As highlighted by current Xbox developers, the machine is at the beginning of it’s cycle, and the next few generations of games will be far more impressive than the current batch. Contrast this to Sony’s PS2, a machine which had the most awful launch line up in recent history, and has struggled to bring good quality games to the public, technically impressive or otherwise.

 

 

 

 
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