Xbox 360 Thread

[M.O.T.H.]

Indeed. That's why I'm giving up on Oblivion for the time being. I want to play each game exclusively and they're both very long games.

[ElectricEye]

Yeah, I need something that will take about that long to play as well. NCAA would usually be perfect, but I'm burned out. Getting into an FPS again for a week or two would probably be ideal, but that just feels like too much work.

I'll probably just finish Arkham Asylum.

[Jvig43]

AA is good, a little repetitive but it's fun. AC looks like it will be a pretty amazing follow up.

[Matthew Jones]

So jealous of you guys with Xboxes. Mine died (death #4) a few months ago and I never got it replaced since it was out of warranty. I want Madden, dammit!

[Jvig43]

I tried playing Madden 11 at a friends and once again All madden mode just raped us with the stupidest things possible. It was 14-0 within the first forty seconds and we hadn't even touched the ball. It was just stupid haha

[M.O.T.H.]

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

I've heard good things about Nier, but I've also heard some pretty bad things about it as well.

Well....I'm four and a half hours into it and I think it's really solid. It has really surprised me, actually. I didnt think it would feel as polished as it has. Most non-AAA RPGs happen to be pretty damn shoddy. That's not to say it's even close to perfect, but in comparison to most budgeted RPGs, it's very strong. It's such a weird experience...but I like it. Why is it weird? Because it crams so many different gameplay elements into the game. It is certainly an RPG first off, full of tons of quests and what not. But it blends together so many different things. It seemingly borrows elements from God of War, Monster Hunter, Bayonetta, Harvest Moon, Zelda, Diablo, Shadow of the Colossus, old school Final Fantasy, Braid, the Last Remnant, Resident Evil, etc. It's all over the place in regards to the gameplay, but it works. You'll spend time hacking n slashing, you'll spend time in a top down view, spend time in more of a 2D view when entering some buildings ala braid, you'll also see some 2D platforming, you can harvest crops, hunt wildlife, ride boars, there are truly epic boss battles with wondefully designed monsters of gigantic scale, you can talk to every NPC in the game, granted they may not have much to say, other than a few lines, but everyone can be interacted with. It's pretty crazy.

They put a lot into this game. And I didnt even get to the story, which is weird as hell. lol. It def. has me interested, though. And surprisingly enough, the voice acting is actually not that bad. Normally there can be some translation issues, which could lead to some really odd sounding conversation. But really, other than the weird story...you cant really blatantly tell that it's a Japanese developed game. The voice work is actually good, after you get passed the opening sequences, and the score happens to be amazing.

That said, there are some things I dont like...first off, the primary villain, "the shades" are horribly designed. They're just a bunch of yellow lines in the shape of either humanoids or little creatures. Pretty lame. I also dont like the fact that they seem to endlessly respawn even after clearing an area of them. I also dont believe there is any fast travel. So, you'll be back tracking a lot and have to take long trips to the same areas often.

As I say with a lot of games...it's not for everyone, but I def. think RPG fans should give it a try, for sure. You've never played a game like this, it's a very unique gaming experience. And it's a game that tons of people dont even know about and it's already in the bargin bin.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

New Madden demo out today. With my current state of being underwhelmed with NCAA 12, I decided to test it out.


Only one game so far, but here's what I noticed...

-Have to play on slow game speed, otherwise everyone is skating around the field.

-Running game is extremely similar to NCAA 12.

-Attempting to return punts is nearly impossible due to inept blocking.

-Too many INTs in ridiculous fashion.

-Too many big hits/fumbles (especially on kick returns)

-Passing deep is way way too easy for both sides.

-QBs move way too well. Especially laterally. Then when Rodgers made it out into the open field, he made Michael Vick look slow.

-Presentation/Graphics are obviously much improved.

[Malaka]

Ugh, the Madden developers saw Vick have a good year and like omgz we need to make QBs able to run so people will itz realistic.

I guess I once again will pass on buying Madden. It's too bad because I am already seriously bored with NCAA -____-

[49erNation85]

Downloading Madden 12 demo now!Give my short review later.Glad to be home when demo is released on 360!

[Go_Eagles77]

Damn, I was thinking about getting Madden this year after skipping it last year, that doesn't sound too promising though.

[OSUGiants17]

I beat the Bears 63-7, Set NFL Records with Rodgers and Cobb. 7 passing TD's for A-Rod, 5 TD's and 400+ yards for Cobb, 5 Sacks for Clay Matthews, 3 for Picket, 1 for Raji and 2 for Jenkins, Jenkins had a forced fumble that he picked up and returned for a TD and belly flopped into the end zone with. Every play I called a post or deep in for Cobb and he was wide open with Urlacher huffing and puffing 10 yards behind him, then we he got hurt even the 6th string WR did the same as him. The game is soooooooo slow, put it on normal for the first quarter, fast for the 2nd and 3rd then very fast for the 4th, still a slow game. The D-Pad controls blow, why change the Hot Route button and shift line buttons? The camera angles suck too as do the new kicking controls. Why can't they ever realize if it ain't broke, don't fix it? God I was praying Madden would be good, I LOVE the NFL and desperately want a NFL game, but Madden just keeps on sucking. NCAA is good this year, but last year was so much better. Wish 2k could make football games again and EA could make MVP baseball again. These monopolies suck

/rant

[njx9]

why doesn't, say, 2k just make an NFL game, but do what NCAA does to a broader extent? For instance, change the team names, player names and logos. But store all of that information in XML files or something (off the top of my head, because it would be super easy). Users could then generate their own 'roster' (though 'league' may be more appropriate) file to replace the team names, player names and logos. seems like ea and the nfl couldn't claim infringement there, though i'm sure they'd try to prosecute users distributing the files because they're all scumbags.

[OSUGiants17]

Originally Posted by njx9

why doesn't, say, 2k just make an NFL game, but do what NCAA does to a broader extent? For instance, change the team names, player names and logos. But store all of that information in XML files or something (off the top of my head, because it would be super easy). Users could then generate their own 'roster' (though 'league' may be more appropriate) file to replace the team names, player names and logos. seems like ea and the nfl couldn't claim infringement there, though i'm sure they'd try to prosecute users distributing the files because they're all scumbags.

I wish, but sadly it will never happen :(

Would love to see them make a game called "2k Football", with 32 teams from the same cities with the same colors, jerseys and rosters only no names and no logos. Then, allow fans to upload rosters so I could download the names and play a good "NFL" game

[njx9]

it'd be so tempting to open source it and see what kind of development help the project could get, but no one apparently wants to play football on a pc and the pool of people who can write code and like football seems small.

[ElectricEye]

Originally Posted by njx9

why doesn't, say, 2k just make an NFL game, but do what NCAA does to a broader extent? For instance, change the team names, player names and logos. But store all of that information in XML files or something (off the top of my head, because it would be super easy). Users could then generate their own 'roster' (though 'league' may be more appropriate) file to replace the team names, player names and logos. seems like ea and the nfl couldn't claim infringement there, though i'm sure they'd try to prosecute users distributing the files because they're all scumbags.

Didn't Backbreaker try(and sucseed, a little bit) to do that? Granted, the product was sub-par from a gameplay and atheistic perspective(the engine was more promising than anything EA has put out in years) but efforts have been made. The quality just hasn't been there.

[49erNation85]

Well I'm at half time in my first game and I have to say is wow.The game looks and feels almost like NCAA and Madden usually never comes close IMO.Running was fairly easy as well.Broke an 80 yard run with Forte.I love how the new presentation is looking so far. It will be a fun year of Madden I must.I just hope I'm not disappointed with the full build of franchise mode and super star mod

[M.O.T.H.]

Backbreaker isnt the greatest example, though. With the wierd gameplay and giant hulking players. I'd love a more, real to life type game/sim. But it wont see great success, regardless. Without that NFL licence. But there are def. developers out there that can make a much better football game than Madden. Even the visuals are rather stale. Granted, you have 22 interactive characters to play with, but it could certainly be improved upon.

As for 2K, I wouldnt doubt they could make a better game. I just happen to think the 2K football games were overrated. The gameplay felt pretty damn awkward to me. Running was messy, you can dive 10 yards with every player, I dont remember liking the passing at all. But its been a while, I'm sure they could sure up a lot of these things today. I'd love to see an entirely new developer work on an NFL game, however. Never gonna happen, sadly.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

Didn't Backbreaker try(and sucseed, a little bit) to do that? Granted, the product was sub-par from a gameplay and atheistic perspective(the engine was more promising than anything EA has put out in years) but efforts have been made. The quality just hasn't been there.

i thought backbreaker basically scrapped any semblance of looking like the nfl to avoid lawsuits, which, imo, doomed it before it started. no one wants to play with a few teams that might as well be afl teams, no matter how good the football gameplay is.

[M.O.T.H.]

That said, the gameplay was still crap. But you're right those type of games will never see mass popularity.

Even that All-Pro football 2K created, did horrible in sales. It was supposed to be a new game series, and I think they only made one of them.

[SRK85]

I played the demo it was much better than Madden11. I don't know if I will drop 60$ on it. I may wait to find it used. In the mean time I am going try to find action replay for PS2 and dl the 2011-2012 rosters for NFL 2k5 this week.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by M.O.T.H.

That said, the gameplay was still crap. But you're right those type of games will never see mass popularity.

Even that All-Pro football 2K created, did horrible in sales. It was supposed to be a new game series, and I think they only made one of them.

that one looked like an nfl blitz clone from it's cover. i don't think i ever even picked it up off the shelf for that reason.

[descendency]

lol@Play Action in Madden 12. Play Action is dead.

edit: I had 10000 texture tears. Anti Aliasing looks like it's totally turned off. players "skate" (or slide) a lot. People still look like plastic dolls. The camera is weird when you score a TD.

The challenge animation was rehashed. It still looks stupid.

Tons of new graphics.

Jay Cutler has the lightest feat the the world.

Interior Blitzing doesn't suck total ass now. May be too easy.

C Gap blitzing/rushing is still tough.

Too easy to go deep.

Too many freakish INTs and too many dropped INTs that should be catches.

Madden QBs are still WAY WAY WAY too accurate.

And it's too easy to run. Ryan Grant had 10 rushes, 200 yards, 2 RuTD, 1 rec (screen) 20 yards.

Overall Madden 12 > Madden 11, but it's still just a game. I really can't wait for Madden '20 on the Xbox 3...

[M.O.T.H.]

I dled the demo...havent played it yet. I honestly cant even recall if I even played the Madden 11 demo. And I certainly didnt play the actual game. So its been a while, this should be interesting.

Well probably not...it will probably just feel familiar, like I was playing Madden 08 or something. lol.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by M.O.T.H.

I dled the demo...havent played it yet. I honestly cant even recall if I even played the Madden 11 demo. And I certainly didnt play the actual game. So its been a while, this should be interesting.

Well probably not...it will probably just feel familiar, like I was playing Madden 08 or something. lol.

The control scheme changed I think in Madden 10. It'll be a little different.

[ElectricEye]

Originally Posted by njx9

i thought backbreaker basically scrapped any semblance of looking like the nfl to avoid lawsuits, which, imo, doomed it before it started. no one wants to play with a few teams that might as well be afl teams, no matter how good the football gameplay is.

You could edit the teams into whatever you wanted. People have created(and maintained) NFL Teams and rosters.



It's just that the gameplay and visuals are crap. The people who made it were way more concerned with the physics than anything else. That element of the game looks solid. Players react to collisions and contact the way they should. You've got multiple tacklers in on plays without going to elaborate animations that break every time(Madden and NCAA do this a lot). It feels weighty too, which is something we're missing from the EA games.