EGM: Hold off on that Xbox 360 Purchase

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So in the latest issue of EGM they have 5 reasons you should buy a 360 on Day 1 followed up with 5 reasons to hold off on buying a 360. Here's the gist of them. I'd say it's pretty clear whoever put this together doesn't think the 360 is that solid of a buy. Are they just telling it like it is, or do they have an agenda?

Reasons to buy:
1) You're addicted to Live - MS is making some improvements to Live for the 360 - deeper reps, etc. Yes, that's their #1 reason...
2) You're a graphics whore - Multi-platform games will look best on the 360
3) It can also show pics and movie clips.
4) You love customization - Customizable face plates + skins for the dashboard.
5) You love to shop - Through Xbox Live you can buy stuff for your 360 and 360 games.

Reasons to hold off:
1) Money - If you haven't pre-ordered at this point your only option may be uber-pricey bundles including several games and accesories.
2) Launch titles aren't the strongest
3) Not sure about that HDD. With the HDD being 'optional' it's not clear at this point how many games will really use it. Maybe you want to sit back a while and see.
4) 360 Graphics don't look all that much better.
5) Is it future proof? Meaning HD-DVD, etc. is coming down the pipe and the 360 may be left in the dust.
 
Launch titles not the strongest? What does this guy have against Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, Call of Duty 2, Elder Scrolls Oblivion, Madden 2006, and all the other 2K and EA Sports games, not to mention Quake IV and Gun.

Jesus, what are people expecting with these launch games? Everywhere I go, I hear people complaining about the launch lineup. You've got a potential RPG GOTY candidate with Oblivion, an excellent looking adventure/platformer in Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, and Quake IV to whet your appetite for FPS, and a ton of sports games? What do you people want!?
 
Wow. He honestly put "it can show pics and play movie clips" as a reason to buy. That's amazing. This guy's got to be the biggest Sony fanboy there is. Sony was just sooo amazing with Fantavision, too bad the 360 won't have a killer app like that!
 
Yeah, definitely skewed to me. They must've not yet recieved Microsoft's check in the mail.
 
[quote name='wubb']So in the latest issue of EGM they have 5 reasons you should buy a 360 on Day 1 followed up with 5 reasons to hold off on buying a 360. Here's the gist of them. I'd say it's pretty clear whoever put this together doesn't think the 360 is that solid of a buy. Are they just telling it like it is, or do they have an agenda?

Reasons to buy:
1) You're addicted to Live - MS is making some improvements to Live for the 360 - deeper reps, etc. Yes, that's their #1 reason...
2) You're a graphics whore - Multi-platform games will look best on the 360
3) It can also show pics and movie clips.
4) You love customization - Customizable face plates + skins for the dashboard.
5) You love to shop - Through Xbox Live you can buy stuff for your 360 and 360 games.

Reasons to hold off:
1) Money - If you haven't pre-ordered at this point your only option may be uber-pricey bundles including several games and accesories.
2) Launch titles aren't the strongest
3) Not sure about that HDD. With the HDD being 'optional' it's not clear at this point how many games will really use it. Maybe you want to sit back a while and see.
4) 360 Graphics don't look all that much better.
5) Is it future proof? Meaning HD-DVD, etc. is coming down the pipe and the 360 may be left in the dust.[/QUOTE]
I'm assuming this is your paraphrasing of the article?

I ask this because the use of the phrase "graphics whore" is meant to undermine the pros of getting an xbox. There does seem to be a bias in that sense. Yet the reasons seem pretty accurate.
Reasons I won't get an Xbox at launch:
2)
4)

another reason is that I own an xbox and the only exclusive titles that I ever bought/played are Halo 1 and 2 and KOTOR. I don't see any launch games that are interesting to me.
 
btw, this article was probably written some time in early september, late august. At least, that's how informed the writer seems.
 
[quote name='Dr Mario Kart']Does it even make sense to say that multiplatform games will look better on it if you are the only next gen system out?[/QUOTE]
DC games looked better than early PS2.....
 
[quote name='souljah420']DC games looked better than early PS2.....[/QUOTE]

But before the PS2 came out, that statement wouldntve make all that much sense either.
 
did u see what screenshot was next to the graphics claim?

THAW! neversoft already said they weren't gonna waste time juicing up the graphics for the 360 version... this guy should look at PDzero or elder scrolls, THEN say there isnt a major graphics improvement
 
[quote name='doctorfaustus']I'm assuming this is your paraphrasing of the article?

I ask this because the use of the phrase "graphics whore" is meant to undermine the pros of getting an xbox.[/QUOTE]

Nah. It says "graphics whore" in the magazine.
 
Well, I'm not buying immediately because:

1) Price will drop and I have 70 unplayed games anyway
2) Good chance future units will have an HD-DVD drive, if Blu-ray hasn't won yet
 
I have to agree with the OP, EGM, And CheapyD. I'm second thinking my 360 Pre-purchase.

- First, $60 for some of the games? I'm a CAGer first and a new technology nut second.
- After having played the 360, I think some of the games look too similar to the current level of Xbox graphical spendor.
- 30 FPS for PD0? What the hell is this? With all the power they have been advertising, I want nothing less than 60.

I'll get one, but I think I'm going to wait and enjoy all this generations games first. I heard there are 400 games for PS2 and Xbox still coming.
 
Unless the PS3 comes out for like $1000, I don't think the Xbox is showing me anything that amazing...and neither is the PS3. I just hate how Gamepro sucks Microsoft's ass...at least EGM is giving reasons NOT to buy one. I am getting annoyed at how Gamepro hasn't stopped writing about how Microsoft this and Microsoft that. I DO think the Xbox and 360 are / are going to be great consoles I just don't need to get it drilled in my head. Let me make my own unbiased opinion.
 
[quote name='VanillaGorilla']Launch titles not the strongest? What does this guy have against Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, Call of Duty 2, Elder Scrolls Oblivion, Madden 2006, and all the other 2K and EA Sports games, not to mention Quake IV and Gun.

Jesus, what are people expecting with these launch games? Everywhere I go, I hear people complaining about the launch lineup. You've got a potential RPG GOTY candidate with Oblivion, an excellent looking adventure/platformer in Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, and Quake IV to whet your appetite for FPS, and a ton of sports games? What do you people want!?[/QUOTE]

Word. My thoughts exactly.
 
I don't complain about the launch titles coz they usually aren't that great. Look at the PSP...the launch titles are...well....zzzzzzz....oh huh sorry, I was playing my PSP. lol....no seriously, launch titles usually aren't that great. I have to admit though Perfect Dark has gathered a lot of attention...but then again...so did Golden Eye: Rogue Agent. :whistle2:k
 
There's a lot of pros and a lot of cons. It's going to take developers a lot of time to milk the system. Luckily, my favorite dev team is putting out a game from one of my favorite series and they are competent enough to have their game running at 60 fps....pretty much seals the deal for me and clouds my judgement.

In general, though, it's smart for everyone to hold off on launches of any system, since the first wave usually has a kink or two...
 
[quote name='VanillaGorilla']Launch titles not the strongest? What does this guy have against Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, Call of Duty 2, Elder Scrolls Oblivion, Madden 2006, and all the other 2K and EA Sports games, not to mention Quake IV and Gun.

Jesus, what are people expecting with these launch games? Everywhere I go, I hear people complaining about the launch lineup. You've got a potential RPG GOTY candidate with Oblivion, an excellent looking adventure/platformer in Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, and Quake IV to whet your appetite for FPS, and a ton of sports games? What do you people want!?[/QUOTE]

Adv/Platformer, FPS, Sports, and a Western RPG. Sounds like a good generalization of the xbox 1 library.

Only one of those games doesnt have a number as part of the title.
 
[quote name='rallen']I have to agree with the OP, EGM, And CheapyD. I'm second thinking my 360 Pre-purchase.

- First, $60 for some of the games? I'm a CAGer first and a new technology nut second.
- After having played the 360, I think some of the games look too similar to the current level of Xbox graphical spendor.
- 30 FPS for PD0? What the hell is this? With all the power they have been advertising, I want nothing less than 60.

I'll get one, but I think I'm going to wait and enjoy all this generations games first. I heard there are 400 games for PS2 and Xbox still coming.[/QUOTE]


I'm with you.
 
Brak beat me to it, but yes graphics whore is EGM's choice of words.

For me the reason to buy a system is for the games. In my mind I'm going to want a good dozen *quality* games that can be had for at least semi-cheap. (Say under $20.) Obviously that means I'll probably be waiting a year + to pick up any new system.

I wouldn't rule out a system picking up a few games that just wow me to the point that I must buy (Mario 64 did that with the N64 for me) but 360 hasn't done it for me yet. Maybe once it drops I won't be able to resist, but I don't see it.
 
I'm an EGM subscriber and the 360 launch guide was the most lukewarm system preview I have ever read - they've become experts on damning with faint praise - GUN looks sharpest on 360, but not by that much, etc etc. Based on the coverage at TGS and X05, I get the impression that a lot of the titles have received major graphic polishing over the last couple months, so EGM's three-month old previews are pretty stale at this point. I'm interested to see how they handle the reviews next issue.
 
[quote name='Dr Mario Kart']Adv/Platformer, FPS, Sports, and a Western RPG. Sounds like a good generalization of the xbox 1 library.

Only one of those games doesnt have a number as part of the title.[/QUOTE]

So, any game with a number in the title is automatically some rehashed, "same old, same old" game that doesn't deserve any attention. Yeah, that makes a bunch of sense.

And you say this launch lineup is a generalization of the Xbox library. Well what the hell do you expect? Come on people, use common sense here. Were you expecting a bunch of brand new franchises and out of this world games that nobody is familiar with? Get real.

The reasons you people spit out for criticizing this launch lineup are hilarious. It's going to be the exact same thing from both Sony and Nintendo with their launches too. A bunch of familiar franchises.
 
I think DoA4, Kameo, Oblivion and Condemned are all going to be pretty kick ass.
 
[quote name='VanillaGorilla']Launch titles not the strongest? What does this guy have against Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, Call of Duty 2, Elder Scrolls Oblivion, Madden 2006, and all the other 2K and EA Sports games, not to mention Quake IV and Gun.

Jesus, what are people expecting with these launch games? Everywhere I go, I hear people complaining about the launch lineup. You've got a potential RPG GOTY candidate with Oblivion, an excellent looking adventure/platformer in Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, and Quake IV to whet your appetite for FPS, and a ton of sports games? What do you people want!?[/QUOTE]

Kameo - .............
Perfect Dark Zero - Doesn't look that good
Call of Duty 2 - PC
Quake 4 - PC
Elder Scrolls - PC
Sports games - Not worth $60 for a game you already have
 
[quote name='The VGM']Kameo - .............
Perfect Dark Zero - Doesn't look that good
Call of Duty 2 - PC
Quake 4 - PC
Elder Scrolls - PC
Sports games - Not worth $60 for a game you already have[/QUOTE]

CONSOLE line up. C-O-N-S-O-L-E. We're not talking about whether or not they're coming out on PC.
 
I'm excited to see some of the newly/exclusive games, not the usauals like Madden 06, 2K B-ball, and etc.

Does anyone think anyone think EA is really going to go all out with Mega millions of $ and go all out with Madden, NFS: MS, MBL, and etc. on 360 as next gen launch titles when they know the market for those games still with the current gen.

Your not going to see a major difference in Madden 06 Xbox vs 360, because EA's full effort isn't there right now, especially counting who knows how many people may or may not pick those titles up starting. There's only a 360 of those cross platform games because EA is just there foot in the door and because that's another outlet for them to make moe $$$. But you see a full effort with those better exclusive games like GOW, Oblivion, PDZ, which I consider them to look really nice as first game attempts on a new console that will undoubtly get better
and better loooking games as developers learn more about the possibilities of even powerful graphics, processing, and etc.

The 360 only should be graded and really compared with the exclusive PC & 360 versions Quake 4 & Call Of Duty 2.
 
[quote name='VanillaGorilla']Launch titles not the strongest? What does this guy have against Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, Call of Duty 2, Elder Scrolls Oblivion, Madden 2006, and all the other 2K and EA Sports games, not to mention Quake IV and Gun.

Jesus, what are people expecting with these launch games? Everywhere I go, I hear people complaining about the launch lineup. You've got a potential RPG GOTY candidate with Oblivion, an excellent looking adventure/platformer in Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Call of Duty 2, and Quake IV to whet your appetite for FPS, and a ton of sports games? What do you people want!?[/QUOTE]

What do I want? I want ONE of those games to average a 9.0 over at gamerankings... I'm willing to bet it's not going to happen...
 
[quote name='Scorch']CONSOLE line up. C-O-N-S-O-L-E. We're not talking about whether or not they're coming out on PC.[/QUOTE]

Well, one of the big reasons to get a 360 near launch is to have the best graphics. If you can get the same games for cheaper with the same if not better graphics, why not do it?

And don't say no shit about having old pc's. You mofos should be runnin 7800 GTX's SLI'd with 2 Athlon FX-55's out this bitch. That's what I got :cool:
 
[quote name='retail sucks']I'm excited to see some of the newly/exclusive games, not the usauals like Madden 06, 2K B-ball, and etc.

Does anyone think anyone think EA is really going to go all out with Mega millions of $ and go all out with Madden, NFS: MS, MBL, and etc. on 360 as next gen launch titles when they know the market for those games still with the current gen.

Your not going to see a major difference in Madden 06 Xbox vs 360, because EA's full effort isn't there right now, especially counting who knows how many people may or may not pick those titles up starting. There's only a 360 of those cross platform games because EA is just there foot in the door and because that's another outlet for them to make moe $$$. But you see a full effort with those better exclusive games like GOW, Oblivion, PDZ, which I consider them to look really nice as first game attempts on a new console that will undoubtly get better
and better loooking games as developers learn more about the possibilities of even powerful graphics, processing, and etc.

The 360 only should be graded and really compared with the exclusive PC & 360 versions Quake 4 & Call Of Duty 2.[/QUOTE]
from the new EGM pg. 114

"Why next-gen Madden Ain't All That

Beautiful visuals, all-new animations, a true-to-life atmosphere--how can the next-gen edition of Madden not be the ultimate football prize? Well, aside from the game's online play and 30-year franchise mode, this version's feature set is pretty bare bones when compared to the current-gen installment. You won't find the robust owner or superstar mode here, and forget about the create-a-player option and classic teams. So don't trade in your PS2, Xbox, or Gamecube copy of Madden NFL 06 just yet."
 
[quote name='The VGM']Well, one of the big reasons to get a 360 near launch is to have the best graphics. If you can get the same games for cheaper with the same if not better graphics, why not do it?

And don't say no shit about having old pc's. You mofos should be runnin 7800 GTX's SLI'd with 2 Athlon FX-55's out this bitch. That's what I got :cool:[/QUOTE]

You're not even old enough to work at most places, so i'm going to guess that you're an only child with parents that spoil you. Don't take that as an insult, I don't know of one person here that wouldn't want to be spoiled.

Your prior argument is something that people debate about day in and day out. There's no real answer to it. The XB360 is more user friendly than a PC (since about 1% of the board even knows the significance of a "7800 GTX's SLI'd with 2 Athlon FX-55's" means). But I can see your argument. While the graphics will always be better on the PC, not everyone can afford an $1800 rig, so I think people would be more willing to spend $400 on a system and $60 on games and play with their buddies than $1800 on a PC and going through all that stuff.

Bottom line: You just can't compare PC gaming to any console gaming, PC gaming will win every time. It's an unfair comparison, kinda like a car to a bicycle.
 
[quote name='Scorch']

Bottom line: You just can't compare PC gaming to any console gaming, PC gaming will win every time. It's an unfair comparison, kinda like a car to a bicycle.[/QUOTE]


Says who? PC games suck.
 
[quote name='sevdustflyer']Says who? PC games suck.[/QUOTE]

But the reason this is being discussed is that half the games on a particular console also appear on the PC. Whether they suck or not is not the issue.
 
If you are just going to bash systems that you have no interest in with remarks that add nothing to the conversation, I here there's a site called GameFAQs that's perfect for that.

Please don't polute CAG's forums with fanboy wars.

If you are going to list games over and over again in hopes that it is a way to convince people that they should like those games when they obviosly don't, I here there's a site called GameFAQs that's perfect for that.

Please don't polute CAG's forums with fanboy wars.
 
[quote name='shipwreck']If you are just going to bash systems that you have no interest in with remarks that add nothing to the conversation, I here there's a site called GameFAQs that's perfect for that.

Please don't polute CAG's forums with fanboy wars.[/QUOTE]

You would get banned from gamefaqs for saying xbox 360 sucks. Joining that [site] is like joining the nazi regime.
 
[quote name='Scorch']Your prior argument is something that people debate about day in and day out. There's no real answer to it. The XB360 is more user friendly than a PC (since about 1% of the board even knows the significance of a "7800 GTX's SLI'd with 2 Athlon FX-55's" means). But I can see your argument. While the graphics will always be better on the PC, not everyone can afford an $1800 rig, so I think people would be more willing to spend $400 on a system and $60 on games and play with their buddies than $1800 on a PC and going through all that stuff.

Bottom line: You just can't compare PC gaming to any console gaming, PC gaming will win every time. It's an unfair comparison, kinda like a car to a bicycle.[/QUOTE]

Yeah PCs will be the dominant one's in terms of graphics and overall power...but sometimes that isn't enough. I have a relatively good PC which can handle new games very well...but there's just some games I don't like playin on the PC they just dont work too well....then again...some do. For example, Doom 3 was awesome on the PC and in comparison with the Xbox...that was crap. It all depends what you are into. There is 1 problem with the newer generations...they are getting more expensive. It's getting to the point where you could save up a couple more bucks (yeah I know...damn near twice as much as a console) and custom build your own relatively decent PC. It's all up the gamer. Different strokes for different folks.
 
[quote name='Serialkilla']What did anyone expect from EGM? They've been swinging from Sony's nutsack for the longest time now.[/QUOTE]

You know....I really thought I was making it up in my head (glad to hear otherwise) but they really have been. The worse part is how they have an editorial in the front every month talking about how they are completely unbiased.
 
in the past, EGM reviews always reaked of Xbox bias to me. i'd say they're genuinely not impressed with the 360 to print something like this.
 
It's just the same thing over and over again, everyone was talking about how big of a failure the XBox would be when it came out, etc, how PS2 would trump it, blah blah blah, and now look at it.. home to some great games, the best interface and the best online service, downloadable content.. The 360's being the guinea pig here, I don't get why people are so excited about PS3.. nothing in-game was shown, just CG.. hell, i'll probably get a PS3 as well, I don't get why some people are so anti-360 though..
 
[quote name='The VGM']And don't say no shit about having old pc's. You mofos should be runnin 7800 GTX's SLI'd with 2 Athlon FX-55's out this bitch. That's what I got :cool:[/QUOTE]

How deliciously gangsta. Crack open a Crystal for me.
 
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