The Gears of War Review.

Buy.This.Game.
Period.

If you don't have a 360 well, buy one. Don't have Xbox Live? Buy it. Don't have an HDTV, you don't need one, this game looks amazing HD or not. The big question everyone keeps asking is, "Does Gears live up to the hype?" Well, I think I've answered that, yes Gears does. My store got Gears in on time (luckily) but, due to some confusion (On the retailers part) on when they were receiving the game and on top of that, shipping problems with major retailers some stores still don't have it. So due to my attaining a copy before some people, my Live account has been flooded with messages and voice chat requests. Most people asking how it is, but some jaded "friends" (Sorry UK!) have even sent me hate mail because they won't be getting Gears for "a while". Sorry, enough ranting...

This is the best looking game on any console to date, period. The graphics are amazing but that not why this game looks so good. The architecture and attention to detail in every, building, car, soldier, gun, water, lava, mine cart... yeah there's mine carts. But that's not all, the game sounds amazing too, Cliffy B. has been credited for spending tons of time wanting the guns to have just the right sound to them. The gun fire and explosions are crisp and not too over the top. (5.1 audio puts you right in the action) The controls couldn't be any tighter, and with really only 3 buttons that you need to use (Shoot, Reload, Cover) it couldn't get much simpler. Anyway, on to the review.

Single Player

The game starts off with our anti-hero's being freed from jail (for disobeying the Army to go save his father), to rejoin the fight against the Locust Horde in the 11th hour. Single player takes off with a bang and doesn't ever stop, every level, every scene is jam packed with suspense and action, a "Tactical shooter meets horror movie" as Cliffy puts it. The environments are varied and there is no repetition a la Halo (and most shooters to be fair) so you don't get that sense of didn't I do this already? You fight from the streets, houses, factories, back alleys, underground, and even on frigin' mine carts! Rain or shine, light or dark, this game has all the environments and it does them superb. The one grip I have with single player is the story, they never tell you anything. I learned more about the story from the manual that came with the game then I did playing it! Setting up for a sequel is one thing, but at this rate they better be making 10 games. But once you chew through the seemingly short single player, you're ready to move on to the meat of Gears:

Multiplayer

This is where you will "lose" countless hours of your life. The fast paced 4 vs 4 team multiplayer action is what Gears was made for. Gears proves that tons of options, configurations, and players aren't needed to make the most awesome multiplayer experience ever. There are only 3 game types in Gears:

1. Warzone - Basic team death match, no re-spawns, last man standing (and his team) win.
2. Assassination - Each team has a leader, and your object is to kill the other teams leader.
3. Execution - (From the manual) This game type is similar to Warzone, but instead of dying after you have been knocked down... (From me) ... You have to finish off your opponent with a classic "curb stomp" or the ol' chain saw!

Execution is by far my favorite game type, it inspires more teamwork and cooperation, not to mention sometimes a second chance. It also leads to my favorite quote from Gears lead man Cliffy B. :

"I was getting tagged by this guy, he had me down and was coming over to stomp me, and my buddy came in around the corner like, 'Here comes the cavalry' and knocked him down. My buddy intentionally didn't kill the guy, because he knew he was no longer a threat at that moment. He knew the more important thing was to resurrect me before I bled out.So he resurrected me, but not only that, he was a gentleman and allowed me to go over and stomp the guy who had knocked me down, as this kinda nice revenge. Right then, I literally was like, F*** you! as I stepped on his head. It felt so good."

As you can tell Cliffy's got a way with words... Now reviving your teammate for revenge, that's teamwork. Another huge bonus is you accually start with (arguably) the best weapon in the game, the Lancer (AKA Chainsaw Gun!). Unlike Halo, where you get a single SMG to start, in Gears off the bat you're ready to kick some ass. The only grip I do have with multiplayer is you can't go with your friends into ranked matches, bummer. MS says this is to prevent cheating, but I feel I would rather deal with some guys trying to boost so that I can play with my buddies. It's tough seeing 15 friends of mine all online playing Gears, but I can't join 'em cause they're in ranked games, and who can blame 'em? That's where all the competion is. It's OK to play the unranked games for a while, but it's plagued with people that don't care. So they quit early, or don't play right, and run around like dumbasses, you know the type. This is a must fix for Gears to stand the long haul like Halo 2. Level design in multiplayer is fantastic as well, this game shipped with 10 great maps with more promised through the marketplace, if you've got Xbox Live this game is a must have. Get ready to kick some ass and chain saw your buddies (in unranked...) Gears of War, it will blow your sock off. I'm off for some more.

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

PS3 Games Slipping Their Launch Window.

Oh a great punch in the gut to every Sony fanboy out there from every Wii60 fanboy out there, I love it. While two of these titles are craptacular (NBA Live and Sonic) Oblivion and F.E.A.R. both have more accolades than I can remember off the top of my head. This is a big loss to anyone getting a PS3 at launch, yeah all 3 of you. Don't worry you'll still have Resistance and well, um, ah, oh yeah! Riiiiidge Raaaaaacerrrrrr!

(Via: Joystiq)

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

Video Of XBLM Video Walkthrough.

Xbox Live Movie Download Service.

Wow, I didn't think this day would come, definitely not before a bigger HDD drive option. You can now rent and download movie, buy TV shows, and get exclusive sports content like NASCAR (Boring). Here's what MS has to say:

Beginning on its first anniversary, November 22, Xbox 360 will become the first gaming console in history to provide HD TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their own living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will be able to download full-length TV shows to own, and will be able to rent movies via download from the Xbox Live® network, the world leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional firsts...

Now they don't have just a bunch of third rate crap, look at this line up:

• The Matrix
• Superman Returns
• Batman Forever
• Mission Impossible III
• CSI
• Star Trek
• Chappelle Show
• South Park

I say that list is a good start, to bad the hard drive won't fit half that good stuff on it...

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, A, B, (select), Start.

Well, today is a big day we've got Gears of War but if you're looking for a little old school retro action tomorrow Contra, the original co-op game, is being released for 400 MS points. The Konami Code (title) is unconfirmed but let hope it's in there, that game was hard enough to beat with the code!

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

Printer Ink Costs More Than Blood. (Seriously.)

Wow, I guess HP really does make a "killing" on their ink. Har, har, har...

(Via: Gizmodo)

Halo 3. Impressions from 1UP, EGM, Gametrailers

Just a quick post before i go to bed (2am here dammit!) to say that over at 1up the '3 weeks of Halo 3' have begun. Today, impressions from people at 1up, EGM, and gametrailers. Check it out!

Too..tired...no energy...to insert a picture.../sleeps

PS3 More Powerful? Get Outta Here!

Ever heard of the game Eternal Darkness? No, well click on it to follow through (please, no giggling) to a review of one of the best Gamecube games available, even now. And arguably, one of Silicon Knights' best games to date. What the hell has this got to do with the PS3 vs X360 debate i hear you ferociously call out, well, calm down, and let me tell you.

The head honcho over at Silicon Knights has revealed his informed opinion on which is the mostestest powerfulest super dooper next gen console, and it is...a dead heat!
Between the Wii and the 360...no, of course not, but in all seriousness...
Speaking to the San Jose Mercury News, Silicon Knights president has this to say:

"The 360 and the PS3 are equal in power in my eyes," Dyack says. "Maybe the PS3 has more processing power. The 360 has more available memory. It's pretty much a net, net. The public perception of the PS3 was that it was much more powerful. To developers, they look even."

Now when i first heard this, i must admit, a little voice in the back of my head was gently whispering "Too Huuuumaaaan, he's biased...", BUT, much to my surprise, and the to shock to the little voice in the back of my head also, this is not a biased opinion. Silicon Knights is in fact developing for both the X360 and the PS3, of note is that the PS3 title is unannounced. And i'm positive no one, no less than the president, of Silicon Knights would like to piss of either Microsoft of Sony.

So there, Sony fanboys, stick that in your blunt and smoke it, yeah, i said blunt*.

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

*Apologies for Austin Powers reference.

Well, I Guess Sony Is Stupid After All.

This is news to me about PS2 I mean PS3 online:

"This week, some of our deepest fears about Sony's online service were confirmed when Insomniac's Ted Price revealed in an interview that one of the biggest launch titles for the console, Resistance: Fall of Man, is set to use its own buddy list, clan registry, in-game messaging and chat services, and so on. While the game sounds like it has a very extensive and comprehensive range of online gaming options, and it runs on Sony's international network of servers to guarantee a high standard of network performance for online play, the simple fact is that the last hurdle Sony needed to jump has been missed, at least for the launch titles. The central buddy list doesn't integrate into the game; you'll need to add all your friends again to play against them in Resistance. The ball, in other words, has not so much been dropped; it has been hurled at the ground with alarming force..."

Sounds great! A different user name and friends list for every game! Awesome!

(Via: Gamesindustry)

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

Best.Game.Ever. (Almost...)

Oh boy, it's great to be the King...

(Via: 360 Fanboy)

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

Official Zune Site Launched

Hey it's DannyOB again, this time with something highly controversial, something non-360 related, i know i know, you're outraged, sound off in the comments!
Today the guys in charge of the Zune site announced that their new site has gone live. It's very informative, and looks really slick. I particularly like the above picture, i know that it may not be to most's taste, but something about just says 'cool' to me.
The site covers things from the Accessories, with RRP's i might add, to giving you a run down of the features it has, even showing you social situation's which it could be used in for those who are incabable of doing that themselves (come on, why bother?). Overall, it got me even more annoyed that it's been delayed over here in the UK. Might have to get one imported if it'll work here. Well, Click on any of the links throughout the post to go to the site, Enjoy.
Oh mother of...i nearly forgot...

(Via: MajorNelson)

Bad A$$ Gears Multiplayer Footage.

Nothing like a little curb stomping and chainsawing... Six day and counting get your copy at midnight on Monday.

(Via: 360fanboy)

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

Tech Tuesday Episode #1

Well the first show is over. I was a little rough around the edges, and we had some connection problems at the beginning but after the first 20 seconds or so things get rolling. In this episode we talked about being an early adopter of gadgets, starting a blog, faulty X360's, the new 360 accessories, and of course the Zune. The following link takes you to the show, if you left-click on the link it will just play the show in your browsers. If you right-click and save, you can obviously put the MP3 anywhere.

Tech Tuesday Episode 1

Make sure to also listen to the complete show on All Games Interactive.

Again, there is always iTunes.

Thanks for listening.

Get Ready For Tech Tuesday.

Some of you know and some do not, beginning today (10-31-06) I will be a host on a gaming/tech podcast every Tuesday. For those who don't know what a podcast is, it's basically a recorded radio show that you get from the Internet to listen to on your computer or portable media player (read: iPod... Get it "pod"cast). iTunes makes listening very easy as you can subscribe (for free) to any podcast you want to listen to, and every week, or day, or however often the show comes out, iTunes just downloads it for you. The show I'm on is called, All Games Interactive, and they have a great show that they do every weekday (live I might add) and they've asked me to be a part of it. The segment I will be doing is called, "Tech Tuesday" and every Tuesday I will have a segment in there show where I talk about the latest tech news, gadgets, and rumors. This weeks show is all about the Zune, Microsoft's attempt at de-throwning the iPod.

Just keep an eye on the blog for any updates, and please comment here if there is any tech that you would like me to cover in upcoming shows. If you want to listen to the show live (5:30 central time) go here: Link! If you would rather wait and get it on iTunes as a podcast go here: Link! But through iTunes, you'll get the show a day later... Also, I will be making a post every Tuesday when I do the show, I might even be able to post the show on my blog. Thanks for your support!

PS. If you would like to be part of the show, you can always join in through the chat client on the website. Link.


For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight

X360 Fall Update.

From out of nowhere, comes the fall update for the Xbox 360's dashboard (read: interface). There is 85 "new" "upgrades" in the update so I am only going to cover major/cool ones. (Stuff in black font is ripped from Xbox.com...)

Software Info

Streaming Video - Previously, the Video area on the Media blade of the Xbox Dashboard only played back videos from your hard drive. No more! Stream video from a PC, portable device, or Memory Unit. So what does this mean to you? From day one of the box the 360 could always stream music and pictures from any computer (on your network) or any USB device connected to the 360. Previously, you could only watch videos if you had a Windows Media Center PC. Now videos work the same way as music and pictures; any computer or USB device will do the trick! The catch, only video encoded in WMV (Windows Media Video) or MPEG2 will play back. This is significant because these are the worst and least popular video formats. AVI and DivX are far more superior formats, but Microsoft says them won't support them (for now) because they are used mainly for "piracy" (true, but still...).


1080p - The highest in Hi Def, TV's that support 1080p are just starting to make it to the market. If you can afford one, the 360 will display your games and HD-DVD's (see below) in all 1080p Hi Def glory.


Xbox Live Arcade - Big improvements have been made here:

• The arcade games now load much, much faster (thank god).
  
• There is now an auto download feature so you Xbox will automatically download the trial versions of any new XBLA title.
  
• Now you can sort by "Recently Played" and by "Category".
  
• An achievement area just for XBLA titles, so you can look through just XBLA games.
• Check out the top ten leaderboards from your friends on any game.
• "Tell a Friend" send a message to a friend recommending a game... (Wins my vote for worst "feature")

XNA Express - Finally we come to XNA Game Studio Express, a way for all you budding game developers to create games for Xbox 360. You'll be able to access these games through the old Demos button, which has been relabeled, surprisingly enough, to Demos and More.

Random -

• Improved multiplayer host migration.
• Improved Xbox Live Vision support.
• Improved voice chat quality.
• Expanded Family Settings for unrated movies.
• New credit card validation (CCV) field in signup and purchase areas.

Accessories

Wireless Headset - Completely wire free, connects directly to the 360 via the same wireless protocol as the controllers. Headset has volume controls, mute, and four light to indicate what controller port you're sync'd to. Release date: October 31st. $60

HD-DVD Drive - Here's the HD DVD (roll your mouse over the pics) Drive for the X360, no it's not for games just for movies but hey that's ok. And for all the ppl whining that they're going to lose their USB port for the wireless adaptor, you won't; see the bottom screenshot with TWO USB ports and the section up top to hold the wireless adapter. So you actually gain a USB as a "bonus" with your HD DVD Drive. Release Date: November 7th. $200

Wireless Racing Wheel - The only racing wheel made by Microsoft. Completely wireless (not counting the wire from the wheel to the pedals) and will control any 360 racing game. It does also support force feedback but, for that it does have to be plugged in... Rumble, though, is supported wirelessly. Bonus: it uses the same batteries as the wireless controllers! Package includes PGR3 with an update for use with the wheel. Release Date: November 7th $150

Zune - Microsoft's dip into the iPod space. This is their music/photo/video player, you can wirelessly (Zune to Zune) transfer music and photo's, although music bought through the Zune Marketplace can only be listened to 3 times or for 3 days on the receivers Zune. Bonus: All your Zune content can be played on/through your 360! (but not wireless) and you can use Microsoft Points to buy songs (Same points you use to buy thing on the 360). Look for this to make a big splash until that fabled "True Video iPod" hits... Release Date: November 14th $250

(Via: Xbox.com)

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight