12-Mar-2002 Readers tell all after an early taster of the 360's first-party launch titles This Thursday, the most prodigiously powerful games console the world has ever seen will finally release in Europe, backed by a powerful army of stunning titles from both first- and third-parties. March 14 will mark the entry of Xbox into the last major world territory and anticipation is running high as the continent slowly turns a soft shade of green.
When it was first announced that Microsoft was entering the unfamiliar console market, an unconvinced public scoffed, but now Xbox is a reality and gamers have experienced the sheer joy of the likes of Halo and Dead Or Alive 3, few can dismiss the US giant as anything other than a major player. But after a recent Japanese launch that certainly wasn't without its problems, all eyes are on Europe and the reception Xbox will receive from the Continent.
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In anticipation of this crucial launch, we invited two game fanatics to our offices to get an early hands-on will the full range of PAL launch titles two days before the general public. The two guys in question were Robert White (16) and Stephen Sivathasan (16), both students from North London. Robert and Stephen both own PCs and PSones, but both have refrained from entering the next-gen fray, choosing to endure the long wait for Microsoft's black behemoth.
So what makes Xbox more desirable? "It's much more powerful and has much better games than anything else," answers an enthused Rob. "I've been waiting for Xbox for two years - it's definitely better than PS2. PS2 is good but it just can't keep up with Xbox games, and GameCube looks good but it's a bit of a child's console."
But after a few hours of intensive play, did the big, black box get an equally sizeable thumbs up? Or did Rob and Stephen run screaming from the building, begging for a Wonder Swan Color? Read on...
Project Gotham Racing
First up was Bizarre Creations' frighteningly realistic update of the Dreamcast classic, Metropolis Street Racer. Set in New York, London, and Tokyo, players get to race around photo-realistic locations in a range of sexy, high performance vehicles. But what did our gamers make of it? After several heated head-to-heads, Rob said: "It's got great graphics. The gameplay's not bad - it's not as good as Gran Turismo 3, but it's still a good game. The tracks are quite short, but with over 200 you're not going to get bored - I'm definitely getting this game at launch."
And Stephen? "It's wicked!" Great praise.
Halo
Next up, Bungie's remarkable first-person shooter, widely regarding as the finest of its kind on a console and one of the greatest launch titles in history. In the West at least, this is expected to be the biggest seller. But did Stephen and Rob agree?
"It completely blew me away!" said Rob. "It's one of the best games I've ever played!" We think he liked it. Indeed, so impressed was Stephen, it rendered him literally speechless. Rob's a big fan of PC FPSs, especially Half Life and Counter Strike, but he thinks it's "right up there with anything on the PC." Indeed, the lads would have been more than happy to sit and play Halo all day, but, having finally managed to drag them away from the game, we eventually moved on...
Dead Or Alive 3
Tecmo's Xbox-exclusive fighter is indisputably one of the finest looking videogames in history, and it's none-too-shabby in the gameplay department either. A significant amount of brand new content for the European version, plus a complex, rewarding fight system should make this one of the big hitters at launch.
Robert and Stephen aren't massive fans of beat-'em-ups, despite Smackdown! 2 being one of Rob's all-time favourite games, so what did they make of DOA3? "I'm not really into beat-'em-ups, but it looks awesome," said Rob. "I'd probably rent it rather than buy it." The action was frantic, with Stephen emerging as the triumphant victor. "I thought you were supposed to be the expert at games," he scoffed, after dishing out some severe punishment.
"It's embarrassing," was all poor Rob could muster.
Rallisport Challenge
Like Project Gotham, Rallisport is another visually stunning racer developed in Europe, this time with an emphasis on off-road thrills and spills. Rob was extremely keen to get behind the wheel: "Apparently it's better than Gotham," he said. And, after several fiercely fought races, he wasn't disappointed: "I'm enjoying this more than Gotham - If I had the money this would be the first thing on my list."
Stephen whole-heartedly agreed, saying: "It's definitely better than Gotham."
Amped
Another example of the staggering raw power of Xbox, Amped has a visual swagger that makes the likes of SSX Tricky quake in its frosty boots. More than just a run-of-the-mill downhill racer, Amped introduces some interesting features to the genre, in particular the concept of celebrity where gamers get bonus points for pulling stunts in front of assorted members of the press, earning new sponsorship and big money.
Rob had played Amped previously and "didn't really enjoy it," as he found the control a little to complicated to get to grips with. Nevertheless, after a few attempts Rob and Stephen were both jibbing and bonking with glee as they struggled to outdo each other's points tally. The verdict: "It's quite hard at first but does get fun the more you play it."
Fusion Frenzy
This massive collection of mind-bending mini games is reportedly Bill Gates favourite game (after "How much am I worth again, kids?" presumably.) While undoubtedly varied, the game has received something of a mixed press and, indeed, split our guests right down the middle.
Having sampled a fair chunk of the title's action, Rob and Stephen couldn't agree. "I'm not normally into party games but this is really good," beamed Rob. "I'm thinking about buying this now."
"No way: the controls are slow and it's too confusing," asserted Stephen.
Blood Wake
Last and, well, probably least is Blood Wake, the rather clunky boat battler, involving players choosing from various gunships, then taking to the high seas to indulge in salty carnage for up to four players simultaneously. Our gamers weren't particularly impressed either, with Rob observing: "It's very slow - it did get better but I don't think I'll be buying it."
So, with the gaming over, and Rob and Stephen exhausted but satisfied with their efforts, we asked them for their final verdicts on the console
Robert: "My favourite game today has definitely been Halo. I've played it before, about two or three months ago, and I was blown away then, but I got a good go at it today: I love it. I'm really pleased with the Xbox - I've been waiting for it for nearly two years now, and I'm pleased with what I've seen. I just can't wait until Thursday when I get it - I'm getting one delivered to my door at 8am with Halo and Gotham!"
Stephen: "Halo and Dead or Alive have been my top games today. Overall its' one of the best machines I've ever seen and I'm definitely going to get one."
Thus, we had a couple of very satisfied customers who had waited a very long time for Xbox, but were more than impressed with the end product. Now all eyes point to the big launch on Thursday, where the rest of Europe will finally get to experience the myriad joys of Microsoft's beast. We can hardly wait, that's for sure, but Stephen's parting comment seemed to sum up the mood perfectly: "I ain't going to work on Thursday, that's for sure!" You won't be on your own.
