Official Xbox 360? Thread...Part Deux

[jlmadyson]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
Thanks for the link jlmadyson. Too Human was one of the games I was really looking forward to when I first got my 360 early last year....at that time, it was slated for a August/September release. Since it's piss-poor E3 showing, it all but fell off the map.

I'm downloading the video now.

No problem, yea they have put some serious work into this in the near year since it's last showing,

 

[Queasy]

Forza 2 Demo coming this month will have 24 cars but no online play and no customizations.3

The Forza 2 Marketplace Demo is Coming!

And thanks to a full-page ad in a recent issue of Official Xbox Magazine, you already knew that. Although the real question keeping a lot of you up late nights is when when when, and in that respect, I regretfully do not know. We're currently cranking to finish both the final game and the demo (well, the two are somewhat related, no?) simultaneously, which means both versions are being tested and bug fixed with the same Turn 10 fervor. So the good news is that the demo is basically finished when the game is finished. Of course, this trial version will also need to be submitted for certification; but being a downloadable demo on Xbox Live Marketplace means there's no huge delay in waiting for the game to get pressed, packaged, and shipped onto shelves.

But equal amounts of you have also been asking for details on what exactly the demo will feature -- which car(s), which class(es), which track(s), multiplayer? To answer some of those questions, I will reveal to you what I can about the FM2 demo that you're all going to be downloading and playing until the game comes out. So here we go. The Forza 2 demo will indeed feature a handful of our favorite cars in the game, separated into three different classes (C, A and R2) to give you a taste of the automotive flavors across the spectrum of the roster. Although I'm not going to reveal the R2 cars right now (remember, we conclude our car list next week with the full list of our Race class cars), here are all the cars you can play around with in the other two classes:

1997 BMW Motorsport M3 E36
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2003 Dodge Viper SRT10
2003 Dodge SRT4
2004 Ferrari F430
2005 Ford Ford GT
2005 Ford Mustang GT
2002 Honda Integra Type-R
2005 Lamborghini Gallardo
2006 Lexus IS350
2004 Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed
2005 Mercedes SLR
2003 Nissan Fairlady Z
2007 Porsche 911 Turbo (997)
2005 Subaru Legacy B4 2.0 GT
2005 TVR Sagaris


These 16 cars A and C class cars will be completed by 8 more Race class beasts for a full list of 24 demo vehicles. Although you'll be able to cycle between the different manufacturer colors for these cars (obviously, not the R2 cars), we're holding back on all of the sweet customization stuff for the final game. Besides, there's no point in decking out your ride and then not being able to save the design or upgrades after you exit the demo. The races themselves will be exhibition style (i.e., against 7 other A.I. driven cars) on one of our new tracks. What about the other functions of the game?

Although there was discussion about including our innovative Xbox Live features in the demo, we wanted this playtest to focus on core gameplay elements -- like how it feels to drive our wide selection of cars at 60fps, the visuals on a new tracks, the damage, wheel-to-wheel racing, stuff like that. Most importantly, it gives you a very good idea about how the game feels -- something that will certainly be amplified by the demo's support of the 360 force feedback wheel. Again, the when question is still an unknown, but the good news is that it won't be much longer now!

 

[blurredvision]

I'm looking forward to the Forza 2 demo, and hopefully after playing the demo, I'll be looking forward to the game.

 

[jlmadyson]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I'm looking forward to the Forza 2 demo, and hopefully after playing the demo, I'll be looking forward to the game.

What are your impressions so far of the new TH footage?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: jlmadyson

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I'm looking forward to the Forza 2 demo, and hopefully after playing the demo, I'll be looking forward to the game.

What are your impressions so far of the new TH footage?

Well, it definitely looks much better than the E3 footage from last year. The graphics look significantly better (I love the depth of field effect when fighting), although I hope they do something with those big, wide-open spaces. I understand you need room to be jumping, shooting, and fighting, but it seems too cavernous. I'd like to see some HUGE bosses to fight in those big spaces, that would be awesome.

I still have concerns, though, as to whether it turns out to be anything more than just another 3rd-person shooter with nothing special. They need a great story, and plenty of different moves to keep people interested.

 

[Queasy]

Two XBLA games this week

Two great titles coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade this week!

*
Gyruss: 400 Microsoft Points (rated ?E for Everyone?)
*
3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures: 800 Microsoft Points (rated ?E for Everyone?).

From the media alert:

Defend the Galaxy with ?Gyruss? on Xbox LIVE Arcade

In ?Gyruss,? gamers fly a space ship from Neptune to Earth while battling enemies, satellites, asteroids and laser beam generators. Along the way the player?s ship can be upgraded to better tackle the ever-increasing enemies that attack during the journey to Earth.

Game Features

* Enhanced for Xbox LIVE Arcade ? includes voice support, new graphics, digitally enhanced sound, and leaderboards
* Play the original game or an enhanced version which includes 3D rendered graphics
* Multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE includes split-screen cooperative and versus modes
* 23 levels to clear
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

?3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures? Tees Up on Xbox LIVE Arcade

From the creators of the popular Xbox LIVE Arcade game ?Assault Heroes,? Sierra Online delivers the ultimate mini-golf experience with clever mind-bending, imaginative courses and animated stylish 3-D characters. In ?3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures,? gamers collect over-the-top power-ups and play through imaginative traps across three major theme courses including Classic Carnival, Old West and Outer Space.

?3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures? also includes a customizable course editor that allows gamers to build their own course design by mixing and matching combinations of tees, straights, corners, cups, junctions and ramps.

Game Features

* 36 challenging holes
* Up to four players may compete in multiplayer competitions over Xbox LIVE
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

 

[raystorm]

Not crazy about Gyruss as I actually prefer the NES version (it has addes bosses and stuff) but the mini-golf game could be pretty cool since it has a course editor. That alone could make it all worth it. Too bad you probably will never get a chance to share courses.

 

[Thraxen]

That golf game sounds potentially great. As for sharing courses... I hope that is allowed. Even if you can't literally send them to other people to be saved on their machines, hopefully you can at least play any custom courses designed by the host in a Live match.

 

[jlmadyson]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: jlmadyson

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I'm looking forward to the Forza 2 demo, and hopefully after playing the demo, I'll be looking forward to the game.

What are your impressions so far of the new TH footage?

Well, it definitely looks much better than the E3 footage from last year. The graphics look significantly better (I love the depth of field effect when fighting), although I hope they do something with those big, wide-open spaces. I understand you need room to be jumping, shooting, and fighting, but it seems too cavernous. I'd like to see some HUGE bosses to fight in those big spaces, that would be awesome.

I still have concerns, though, as to whether it turns out to be anything more than just another 3rd-person shooter with nothing special. They need a great story, and plenty of different moves to keep people interested.

Yea, personally I'm loving the art and design. I believe the story and the 4 player online co-op is going to rock. I also believe some of that open space is made so that 4 players have enough room to navigate. Of course, this is just a taste of a level or so and I believe more footage is coming this week.

 

[R Nilla]

Xbox 360 Notebook Computer Converter Announced

Looks like a good way to melt your Xbox to your lap. Interesting, nonetheless.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: jlmadyson

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: jlmadyson

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I'm looking forward to the Forza 2 demo, and hopefully after playing the demo, I'll be looking forward to the game.

What are your impressions so far of the new TH footage?

Well, it definitely looks much better than the E3 footage from last year. The graphics look significantly better (I love the depth of field effect when fighting), although I hope they do something with those big, wide-open spaces. I understand you need room to be jumping, shooting, and fighting, but it seems too cavernous. I'd like to see some HUGE bosses to fight in those big spaces, that would be awesome.

I still have concerns, though, as to whether it turns out to be anything more than just another 3rd-person shooter with nothing special. They need a great story, and plenty of different moves to keep people interested.

Yea, personally I'm loving the art and design. I believe the story and the 4 player online co-op is going to rock. I also believe some of that open space is made so that 4 players have enough room to navigate. Of course, this is just a taste of a level or so and I believe more footage is coming this week.

I forgot to mention that I also like the idea of 4-player co-op. That really gives this game a little something extra.

 

[Queasy]

4/17- Halo 2 Map Pack Released

The Halo 2 ?Blastacular Map Pack? is now available for download over Xbox Live. This pack is US $4.00, and it contains two maps: Tombstone and Desolation.

Since this is original Xbox content, it?s worth pointing out the following:

* You can not purchase these maps with MS points because all original Xbox games have no idea what points are. Therefore, you must have a valid credit card associated with your account in order to purchase the map pack. Please read this article which will show you how to make the changes to your account to add a credit card. All set there, but getting an error when downloading? this may help.
* Don't have a credit card? Head down to your local Visa gift card retailer (like a supermarket) and charge one up with just enough to cover the purchase.
* The maps are original Xbox content..so when you purchase them, they are tied the console they are purchased on. You can not go to another box and re-download them for free.

According to Frankie, the H2 playlists will be updated shortly to include the new mapage.

For more information on the maps (and screen shots) direct your attention to the thse two articles (one and two) on Bungie.net

Edit: Frankie has a new post on the maps here.

 

[michaels]

Man these new Forza pics and videos are looking good!

 

[bucwylde23]

Well looks like the new R6:Vegas DLC will be out tomorrow for $10. (whatever MS points that is equivalent to, 800?) anyways, i've been looking forward to this

 

[ivol07]

Is anyone going to buy the new Halo maps? I haven't played that game in a very long time, I don't think I'll be buying them.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: ivol07
Is anyone going to buy the new Halo maps? I haven't played that game in a very long time, I don't think I'll be buying them.

I don't care about Halo 2, AT ALL. So no, I will not be downloading the maps

 

[Yreka]

Probibly a dumb question, but I dont feel like digging around XBL forums.

If your hard drive dies, do you lose all of your acheivements, arcade games, expansions etc, or is it tied to your Gamer Profile so you can redownload on a new HD ?

 

[UpgradeFailure]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Probibly a dumb question, but I dont feel like digging around XBL forums.

If your hard drive dies, do you lose all of your acheivements, arcade games, expansions etc, or is it tied to your Gamer Profile so you can redownload on a new HD ?

You can re download.

So am I having a brain-fart or do I somehow recall that if you download the halo 2 maps, you can play them even if you dont have halo 2? Or is that wrong?

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: UpgradeFailure

Originally posted by: Yreka
Probibly a dumb question, but I dont feel like digging around XBL forums.

If your hard drive dies, do you lose all of your acheivements, arcade games, expansions etc, or is it tied to your Gamer Profile so you can redownload on a new HD ?

You can re download.

So am I having a brain-fart or do I somehow recall that if you download the halo 2 maps, you can play them even if you dont have halo 2? Or is that wrong?

I don't think you can download them without having halo 2... you buy them from within the game itself.

 

[blurredvision]

Pepsi is trying to give away the Halo 3 release date.....

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/781/781569p1.html

I still think it'll be November, though.

 

[CKDragon]

I know that there wasn't too much interest in the Elite in this thread, but I see that at least one Target appears to have broken the street date. Anyone have any luck finding them, yet?

I still plan to buy mine on launch day at Costco... but I'm so impatient.

 

[Queasy]

New Backwards Compatibility Update - Panzer Dragoon Orta!!!

April 2007 Back Compat titles added/updated:

Tenku (Japan only)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Legend of Aang (EMEA/ANZ)
Breakdown
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
Call of Duty 3
Cars
Crash Bandicoot 5: Wrath of Cortex
Daisenryaku VII
FIFA Soccer 2007
Full Spectrum Warrior
Guilty Gear Isuka
Innocent Tears (Japan only)
Jet Set Radio Future
King of Fighters 2002
King of Fighters: Neowave
Mad Dash Racing (Japan only)
Mech Assault 2
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Nascar 2006: Total Team Control
NFL Fever 2004
Oddworld Munch?s Oddysee
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Petit Copter (Japan only)
Phantom Dust
Reservoir Dogs
Return To Castle Wolfenstein
Rugby League 2
Sengoku Warriors (Japan only)
Sonic Riders
Soul Calibur 2 UPDATED
Spider-Man 2
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Tony Hawk?s Underground
Ultra Bust a Move /ULTRA Pazzle Bobble
Unreal Championship 2

 

[CrackRabbit]

Mech Assault 2
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Those two make it so that most of my old xbox library can play on the 360, time to ditch it
BTW though Panzer Dragoon Orta was great it far to short. I rented it and beat it in one day back when it came out.

 

[GregGreen]

I wonder what is updated with Soul Calibur 2? I know before it was "Compatible" but I had bars on the sides and top of the rendered images and there was no way to get rid of it

 

[purbeast0]

I'm pretty excited that SF:AC can now be played on the 360

I still to this date don't understand how SF2 on SF:AC has better net code than SF2 on XBLA.