xbox 360

BioShock 2 09/02/2010 09:30:00
BioShock 2 picks up a good 10 years after the volatile events of the original
When BioShock's inevitable sequel was originally teased on the PS3 version, players found themselves split over the need for a continuation of Irrational's objectivism-fuelled epic. Without spoiling too much for the Rapture uninitiated, BioShock didn't exactly leave its dystopian door open for a sequel, with many of the original's characters in no fitting shape to carry on after the credits. While I was initially in the camp that believed BioShock to be a self-contained narrative that didn't need further exploration, it didn't take long for BioShock 2 to unequivocally sell me on the idea of a return-trip to Rapture. After all, there are many stories in the underwater city, and Jack Ryan's was only one of them.
Dragon Age: Origins - Return to Ostagar 08/02/2010 11:20:00
Despite its overwhelming disappointments, I'm still happy to have played the Return to Ostagar content -- twice, even
In Dragon Age's first DLC pack, unexciting battles against too-familiar foes replace the core game's engaging storytelling. Generic genlocks fling arrows at you while darkspawn lumber toward you in a laughable attempt to take your team down.
Dark Void 29/01/2010 13:42:00
Dark Void's development team includes some of the same talented folks who birthed the Crimson Skies series
If you've ever wished you could get one of those lumbering no-necked thugs from Gears of War to leap more than a few inches off the ground, you'll appreciate Dark Void's concept of "vertical cover": the ability to blast skyward and grapple onto something high overhead to gain a tactical advantage is initially thrilling. Unfortunately, that exhilarating gimmick quickly becomes tiresome and the disjointed, uneven experience will leave you reaching for the barf bag.
Mass Effect 2 27/01/2010 14:00:00
BioWare CEO Dr. Ray Muzyka and the game's executive producer Casey Hudson have repeatedly asserted that this is the trilogy's "dark second chapter"
It took me 28 hours to beat Mass Effect 2 on my first run through, and I think it's safe to say that for more than 27 hours of that experience I was, for the most part, elated.
In Xbox case, Microsoft cites Apple's win over Psystar 27/01/2010 05:32:00
Points to Apple's win over Mac clone maker Psystar in lawsuit over game cheats
Microsoft last week cited a 2008 legal victory by operating system rival Apple as it asked a federal court to toss out antitrust claims brought by a company that sells Xbox 360 accessories armed with video game cheats.
Divinity II: Ego Draconis 25/01/2010 15:40:00
If there's one area where Divinity 2 truly succeeds, it's in your ability to transform into a dragon
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis is a game full of great ideas that are nearly undone by depressingly poor execution. For instance, the game's plot is full of interesting wrinkles, but I honestly never found myself caring. At Divinity 2's outset, you're a dragon slayer, but before long, you slip into the scaly skin of a dragon knight -- that is, the very thing you allegedly trained to kill for your entire life. This basically means that everything you know is a lie. That's kind of a big deal but the game haphazardly stumbles into this plot point with very little setup, leaving you confused and underwhelmed. Much of Divinity 2s story unfolds in a similar manner: It starts with a bang and ends with a clunk.
The nine most overrated games of 2009 15/01/2010 16:30:00
Named & shamed: the nine most overrated video games of 2009
2009 sure went by quick, eh readers? It feels like only yesterday that we were sticking the boot into 2008's most overrated games (did Grand Theft Auto IV really come out two years ago?) Soon it'll be 2010's turn. We're putting our early bets on Heavy Rain and Gran Turismo 5.
Army of Two: The 40th Day 13/01/2010 11:00:00
An all-around decent experience but there's nothing exceptionally special about Army of Two: The 40th Day
Before starting The 40th Day, Mitch and I popped in the original Army of Two and played a fair chunk of it online to refresh our memories of Salem and Rios' undying bromance and ultra-violent adventures abroad. While the online co-op experience was still entertaining, I found the game to be bland overall, and the numerous flaws in the gameplay still jumped out at me.
Xbox's Greenberg on 3D games and Game Room achievements 12/01/2010 05:34:00
I was able to chat with Xbox spokesman Aaron Greenberg about Game Room, 3D gaming, and the status of CES itself
With the Xbox 360 playing a big part in Microsoft's plans at CES 2010, there has been plenty of new topics for discussion at this year's show. I was able to chat with Xbox spokesman Aaron Greenberg about Game Room, 3D gaming, and the status of CES itself. Here's what he had to say.
Borderlands: Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot 09/01/2010 14:20:00
What makes Mad Moxxie more than just a mindless experience is the way the demented host starts toying with the playing field after the first round
Gearbox’s latest content update for its massively rewarding title, Borderlands, offers anyone with a character level 10 and over one the toughest trials they've faced yet: the Underdome. Ruled by Mad Moxxie, a megaphone wielding vixen straight out of the rabbit hole, it houses three Riot Arenas where Smash TV-seque tournaments are held.
Leaked MS vid reveals Xbox Game Room, no new Natal name 07/01/2010 10:55:00
Robbie Bach talks about the company's soon-to-be-announced Game Room, a service that will take "a retro approach" and bring "that back to the market"
Microsoft's CES press conference is a few hours away, but the company's biggest gaming announcement may have already leaked, as a prematurely released video confirms the Xbox 360 Game Room.
Nielsen: Xbox 360 used most in US, PS2 edges Wii 07/01/2010 06:54:00
Nielsen's annual media industry fact sheet offers a look at 'the way gamers were' in 2009
The Xbox 360 topped Nielsen's top US game consoles ranked by usage minutes (23.1%), polling slightly ahead of Sony's PS2 (20.4%) and the Nintendo Wii (19.0%). No, that's not a typo. I meant to write PlayStation 2. Sony's PS3? Not on the fact sheet, which either means Nielsen didn't want to embarrass Sony, or they've done the rest of us a disservice by failing to include Sony's flagship game and Blu-ray box in their breakout.
Madden 09 & more EA Sports games going offline next month 05/01/2010 07:55:00
Online multiplayer support for some Electronic Arts will cease beginning February 2
Earlier today, Destructoid discovered a list of games on EA's website that will lose online multiplayer support starting February 2. We've included the entire list below, but some of more notable games worth highlighting include last year's Madden game (Madden NFL 09), a few failed arcade sports games (Facebreaker and NFL Tour), and Tiger Woods 2007 on the PC, though I'm sure Tiger has bigger problems on his plate right now.
MS exec confirms Alan Wake, Crackdown 2 in 2010's first half 22/12/2009 11:04:00
Microsoft will release Xbox 360 exclusive titles each month for the first six months of the new year
On a recent podcast, Microsoft exec Aaron Greenberg commented that there would be a "triple-A exclusive" for almost every month in the first half of 2010, citing Alan Wake and Crackdown 2 as examples.
Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter 08/12/2009 14:20:00
The Xbox 360 finally gets 802.11n Wi-Fi
If you own an Xbox 360 games console, you'll more than likely know that you own the only current generation console that doesn't have integrated Wi-Fi. Microsoft has offered an official wireless network adapter for some time and it's surprisingly capable, connecting to 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi networks over both 5GHz and 2.4GHz radio spectrums. However, the original network adapter lacks WPA2 password encryption and won't benefit from the range and speeds offered by 802.11n Wi-Fi. The Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter addresses these shortcomings, but for owners of the original accessory there are few incentives to upgrade.