The Covenant rules the Earth ~ the Flood has been unleashed ~ and the fate of life everywhere hangs in the balance. Master Chief, a genetically engineered super soldier, is the last chance for humanity's survival. Stowed away on a Forerunner ship, he rushes back to Earth to defeat the Covenant once and for all. Hopelessly outnumbered, his outlook is bleak. But when you are bred for battle, you fight past the breaking point and bow to no one. It's all been building to this ~ a desperate, final war that leads to a soul-shattering climax of epic proportions. Help this incredible hero stop the Covenant, destroy the Flood and save the lives of every person on the planet.The third chapter in the critically acclaimed franchise features insane battles with an arsenal of alien and human weaponry. Discover all-new armaments and characters as you fight to the finish. You can even play online with Xbox Live and battle in pulse-pounding multiplayer action. Next-generation graphics and technological advances, such as enhanced artificial intelligence and a beefed-up real-time lighting engine, make Halo 3 shine with stunning realism.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
HALO 3 - The game every XBOX 360 onwer should have
on September 26, 2007
Posted by: dsoldit
from Ohio
Graphics: Breathtaking 9.5/10 The graphics great. The rumors of an upgraded Halo 2, or Halo 2 like graphics is not true. With smooth framerates and stunning effects, you will be taken aback. Take some time to watch the backgrounds and environments and the detail of that went into these levels. This is after you clear everything that moves.
Sound: Amazing – 10/10 The sounds, music, effects, and voices take you immediately into the game. Surround sound is a must so you can hear the shots, shouts, and footsteps of the your opponents in this game. The score for this game heightens you senses, and truly brings you into the game.
Gameplay: Spectacular – 9/10 Smooth animations, large levels, smart enemies and A.I., big battles, and 4-player co-op = awesome. Without giving anything away, this is some great storytelling that gives way to some genuine wow moments.
Replay Value – Amazing 10/10 Multiplayer. That is all I have to say. This game has high replay value. Choose which way you would like to play online, but with the achievements, future downloadable content, 4-player co-op, and with over 1 million copies pre-ordered, and 4 million copies on retailers shelves in the first week, there will always be someone to play with.
Overall – Perfect 9.5/10 I am a fan of First-Person-Shooters (FPS) and all that is associated with them. I enjoy the emersion, and critique them heavily. This game allows you to “finish the fight”, but this game is so much more. The campaign brings closure, but it is the multiplayer aspect that will revolutionize XBOX Live and online gaming as we know it.
Halo 3 is Bungie’s 3-year project and baby, with unlimited resources from Microsoft, that was made to send Microsoft’s XBOX 360 to the next level, and it was worth the wait and money. With over 1 million pre-orders, this epic tale concludes with the highest pre-orders of a game to date. This game in campaign feels, and plays near perfect, and allows veterans and newcomers alike to enjoy and truly experience this game. The story line finishes up the previous two games, and is just long enough to make it feel right, and not dragged out. It took approximately 8.5 hours to beat it on legendary difficulty. It may be a bit shorter, though this was played immediately after a midnight sale of this game. The co-op was well done, and creates a new feel for campaign FPS games. I look forward to the future where this will be the standard in playing games.
The online is well done. Halo 3 has once again set the standard of what an online matchmaking/playing system should be. Putting together fun maps, objectives, and customizable Advatars, this game will appeal to the “newbie”, as well as the everyday online Halo player. With the Halo 2 system being overhauled, and the Bungie stat-tracker updated, this game will quickly become the number one game on XBOX Live.
I could write a five page review on this game, the battles, the enemies, weapons, and AI, but it still would not do it justice. If you have an XBOX 360, you should buy this, and buy it now. If you have thought about getting an XBOX 360, this would be the reason to get one. Does it live up to the hype? I don’t think anything could have lived up to the hype that is game received. This game was praised as the second coming, but what it is one of the best games of 2007, and is beautiful and fun to play.
Learn more about Madden NFL 08. (Flash demo) SynopsisIn 1989, John Madden Football decleated its rivals, changing the face of football video games by being the first to offer authentic 11-on-11 action and player statistical ratings. Nineteen years later, the all-time longest-running sports franchise presents the most exciting edition to storm your living room. Madden NFL 08 is ready to fly off your screen with astounding next-generation graphics, in-depth play calling, amazing player likenesses and more that will thrust you into the world of professional football.Lead your favorite team to the Super Bowl as you manage your roster, customize your playbook and conquer a grueling schedule. Take the field as your favorite NFL superstars, and experience the rush of launching a game-winning pass or making a quarterback eat turf on fourth and goal. Relish the genuine sights and sounds of the NFL as you sprint for pay dirt in authentic stadiums. It's pain and passion; chemistry and catastrophe. It's watching your dreams go out on a stretcher and fighting for inches that feel like miles. It's the hard-hitting world of NFL football as only Madden can deliver.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Graphics: Excellent 9/10 The graphics are very well done and they are sharp. You can tell that this game moves at 60 frames per second (FPS) when it goes from close to far shots.
Sound: Great – 8.5/10 The commentary is well done, but having ESPN radio as a live feed is the ultimate bonus. You will feel that you are watching / involved in a pro game. The commentary is not as good as NCAA 2008, but they have the College Gameday Crew.
Gameplay: Great – 9/10 Smooth animations, large playbooks, multiple and deep one player modes – this game has really improved from last year.
Replay Value – Above Average 9.5/10 This is a great football game. The multiplayer alone gives it a high replay value (though a bit choppy online), but the single player experience is there to keep you coming back to take your team to the Superbowl again and again.
Overall – 9/10 This edition of Madden Football by EA is a drastic improvement over the last two years outings. With additions such as “Super-Sim”, this game is a great addition to an XBOX 360 owner’s catalog.
Since EA has the NFL rights locked up, a player does not have much choice - but it is a good thing that this game is really well done and is leaps and bound better than the previous two XBOX 360 Madden games. With plenty of single player options, newly added player attributes, family mode, additional gameplay modes, and the online capabilities of the 360, this game will keep you coming back for more. The smooth gameplay and 60 FPS make this the better football choice for those of you that have both the PS3 and the 360. This game is deep, and it will keep you deep. The achievements are all gameplay based, which is a bonus for those individuals that are not on XBOX Live. This game comes highly recommended.
SynopsisAn armed man slowly approaches you. You subtly lower your hand to your gun as you get to your feet. Your heart races and your muscles tense. You don't know whether to shake his hand or snap his neck. It's life as usual when you're a double agent who's infiltrated a terrorist organization.Step into the shoes of veteran agent Sam Fisher once again and guide him through his toughest assignment yet. If you become too aggressive and kill too many terrorists, you'll surly be discovered and pay with your life. If you're too hesitant, the terrorist cell will kill millions of innocent people. Employ real-life tactics used by today's double agents to sabotage the terrorists' plans while avoiding suspicion. You better sleep with one eye open.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
After sitting down and thoroughly playing this game at my brother’s house, I realized that it was 4:00am that I had been playing for 10+ hours and the game was over, and I wanted to play it again. This is crazy, and what XBOX 360 owners have been waiting for.
As a fan of the Splinter Cell franchise, this game is not like the other Tom Clancy games or the SC predecessors. This game has an amazing storyline that grips you and pulls you in. Having the favorite elements that the hardcore fanatics of the series will enjoy, Double Agent make the controls and the gameplay friendly enough for a new player in the series to jump in and enjoy the game. The level development will make you wonder how much time was spent on every little detail in this game.
Double Agent also allows the player to “choose their own destiny” by putting them in questionable situations. Do you kill the hostage and go down the path of wrong (the easy way), or do you choose to find a way to stay good in the situation and stay a true double agent (the hard way). I give this new design, which must be experienced. This game is definitely gets a thumbs up.
For those that may have scene the Previews, or played, Double Agent before its release date only received a glimpse of the potential of this game, and the final version is nice and glued together. Double Agent’s animations, gameplay, (and as always) the voice work is really well done. Sam is revamped, fluid, and hardcore – looking as if he could jump off the screen. The AI has been improved, and changes their rounds and routines. As for the multiplayer, the games are fun and play well, though I did not spend as much time on the multiplayer as I did the single player game.
The only complaint about this game is the “lag” that occurs in the game. The game in single and multiplayer modes slows down, and it is reported to go below 30 frames per second, but patches are on the way to improve that.
Graphics: Amazing - 5/5 Smooth textures, lifelike movements and faces, and the most detailed levels you will ever see.
Sound: Amazing - 5/5 This game relies on hearing things off in the distance, and a good 5.1 surround sound is a must.
Gameplay: Amazing – 4.5/5 The gameplay is really well done, but the slow downs in the frame rate really cause a distraction.
Replay Value – 4.5/5 The game was only 9-11 hours long, but it makes you want to play it again, plus there is multiplayer.
Overall – 4.75/5 The only thing that prevented this being a perfect score from this reviewer was the frame rate issues. Overall, pick this game up. The Shanghai Team did it again at UbiSoft, and this is a must own title on the XBOX 360.
Learn more about The Bigs. (Flash demo) SynopsisSitting inside the dugout for your first big-league game, you gaze up to the stands along left field and remember the days when you sat in those very seats. Making it to The Bigs was nothing more than a dream then, and now here you are, awaiting your first pitch. You get the signal from your coach ~ it's time to kick out the dirt from your cleats and take your place in history among the greats that have played on this field before you. It's your time to shine. Will you be the next big star?The Bigs gives you the shot you've always dreamed of: playing for a major league baseball team. This MLB-licensed game features a pick-up-and-play interface, arcade-style action and deep capabilities that keep you coming back for more. With state-of-the-art animations, extreme detail has been put into every player on every team. The Bigs lets you embark on a journey from zero to hero in Career mode or play numerous mini games aimed at improving your skills. Twitch gameplay delivers fast-paced, powered-up action, and comes at you with stadium and player appearances that have been amplified for a larger-than-life look.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Graphics: 7/10 The graphics are above average and they are smooth. There is nothing that makes this game stand out as next gen though.
Sound: Great – 7/10 The music soundtrack is great, but the in game sounds and commentary is repetitive.
Gameplay: Great – 7/10 Smooth animations, great single player mode, and fast arcade style, this is a fun game to pick up an play.
Replay Value – Above Average 7/10 This is a good arcade style baseball game. It is fast paced, but gets old quick. Playing with others is the only benefit to this game.
Overall – 7/10 This is a good, fast, arcade style baseball game, but it doesn't break any molds here. The power-up meter, and single player campaign make this game fun, and slightly addictive. Check it out.
Learn more about Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2. (Flash demo) SynopsisThe air is silent and still for a moment, allowing you to gather your thoughts. The silence never lasts long in this war-torn society, and today will be no different. You're fully loaded and as rested as you're going to be. It's time to step up and move back into battle. This is the futuristic world of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2, and now it's time to unleash your power upon your enemy. Good luck, soldier. Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 brings you more of the heart-wrenching wartime drama you've come to expect from the Ghost Recon franchise, but with more power, greater control and fiercer battles. Updated weapons and supplies equip you with more devastating items, such as guided missile launchers, claymore land mines and more. With a new and improved Cross-Com system, your attacks can be delivered with greater precision via ground attack jets, unmanned MULE drones and secondary squads. The 3D graphics delivered by the Xbox 360 are so realistic, you'll want to hit the floor every time a missile heads your way.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Graphics: Great 8.5/10 Graphics are bright and crisp, and a complete upgrade of the original GRAW. You will notice a difference immediately.
Sound: Amazing - 9/10 The sounds and score of this game were well thought out from a user standpoint, and put the player right in the middle of the battle. You feel as if you are on the battlefield with Captain Mitchell. Very well done.
Gameplay: Amazing - 9/10 More of a continuation of the first GRAW (and it takes place 24 hours after the first battle), the gameplay, A.I., squad commands, and weapons have all been improved.
Replay Value – 10/10 After you finish the main game, you will have plenty of fun playing online, co-op, quick missions, and much more. To top it off, downloadable content make this game a stale in your 360 collection.
Overall – 9/10 This game was enjoyable to play through, and with the added in-depth online and multiplayer content, this game is fun as it is gorgeous.
More of a “remix” than a sequel, Ghost Recon Advance Warfighter 2 takes place 24 hours after Captain Mitchell and squads’ last fight. With improved graphics, frame rates, sounds, controls, and weapons, this game is a worthy sequel in an outstanding franchise. The main story is short and can be completed in 8-12 hours (depending on difficulty), is enjoyable and has a decent ending.
Where this game really shines is in its multiplayer and matchmaking functions. If military games are your thing, and you like to play online, then look no further. Your money will be well spent here. With many online options, varied achievements, and downloadable content and company support, this game, like the first GRAW, will be played long after it is completed by the gamer.
If you enjoy squad based shooters, like/love Tom Clancy games, then or played the first GRAW, then this is a must buy for you (you will not be disappointed). The online capabilities and support from downloadable content keep this game’s replay value high, and you the gamer will not feel like you threw away $60.00.
Learn more about NCAA Football 08. (Flash demo) SynopsisSuccessful college football teams need strong leaders. Break the huddle for a new season of NCAA Football and see if you have what it takes to lead your team to victory. Guide your squad through a tough regular-season schedule, win big, and eventually take your place in the BCS National Championship Game. Does your team have the mental toughness needed to be the best in the nation?In NCAA Football 08, you must take control and make the plays needed for victory. Boost your Skill Performance and improve your overall ratings by performing user-controlled plays that elevate your team's motivational levels. A new recruiting system delves deeper into the process for extra realism. Become a living legend with the all-new Campus Legend mode, and go from a star in the high-school state playoffs to a highly touted college freshman trying to earn a starting spot. Online gameplay with real-time Weather Channel updates from the actual locations of your favorite campuses make the game more realistic than ever before.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Graphics: Excellent 9/10 The graphics are very well done and they are sharp. You can tell that this game moves at 60 frames per second (FPS) when it goes from close to far shots.
Sound: Great – 9/10 The commentary is well done, and you will feel that you are watching / involved in College Gameday on Saturday mornings. Your college’s fight songs are also included, which for any graduate, is a bonus.
Gameplay: Great – 9/10 Smooth animations, large playbooks, multiple and deep one player modes – this game has really grown up from last year.
Replay Value – Above Average 9.5/10 This is a great college football game. The multiplayer alone gives it a high replay value (though a bit choppy), but the single player experience is there to keep you coming back to take your team to the BCS championship again and again.
Overall – 9/10 This edition of NCAA Football by EA is a drastic improvement over last years outing. With additions such as “Super-Sim”, this game is a great addition to an XBOX 360 owner’s catalog.
This game is a must for the NCAA College Football fanatic. With plenty of single player options, dynasty modes, “Campus Legend” mode, and the online capabilities of the 360, this game will keep you coming back for more. The smooth gameplay and 60 FPS make this the better college football choice for those of you that have both the PS3 and the 360. This game is deep, and it will keep you deep. This game comes highly recommended.
Learn more about Bioshock - Xbox 360. (Flash demo) SynopsisImagine flying high above the arctic seas, anxiously awaiting your descent to dry land. Without warning, the plane plummets to the cold and unforgiving water at unimaginable speed. Once the aircraft makes contact, you realize that falling from the skies is only the beginning of this nightmare. Wrenched into Rapture, a doomed city beneath the sea, you come across a rusted bathysphere. You learn that this once idealistic society, the brainchild of a hopeful group of scientists, artists and industrialists, now has corpses littering the city limits.Going beyond run-and-gun corridors BioShock presents a unique and unpredictable first-person shooter experience in real time. In order to survive an onslaught of assailants, you must take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, capturing security towers and crafting items to protect yourself. Upgrade your weapons and genetically modify your body to evade the grotesque ghouls who are after you. Make meaningful choices and mature decisions to ultimately answer the question: Should you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture or save them?
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Graphics: Breathtaking 10/10 The graphics are make you look twice – anyone fans of Art Deco, or even deep sea life will see the immediate beauty of this game. Take some time to watch the water and the detail of it. Sound: Amazing – 9.5/10 The sounds, music, effects, and voices take you immediately into the game. Surround sound is a must so you can hear the uttering, chanting, and footsteps of the citizens of this underwater city. Gameplay: Spectacular – 10/10 Smooth animations, large levels, smart enemies and A.I., different possibilities for battles and puzzles – without giving anything away, this game is different, and in a good way. Replay Value – Amazing 9.5/10 Even without multiplayer, this game has high replay value. You get to choose your own path, make your own choices, all which effect the outcome of the game. The developers left out multiplayer to generate a perfect single player adventure – and they did just that. Overall – Perfect 10/10 I am a fan of First-Person-Shooters (FPS) and all that is associated with them. This is a FPS technically, but it is so much more. The details and ideas that went in this game prove that risks are still being taken in game development, and they pay off. Bioshock is labeled as a first person shooter, but it is so much more. It creates its own genre. It has elements taken from genres such as RPG, puzzlers, action-adventures, but is not pigeonholed into this experience. Spending time with this game, it is apparent that 2K games wanted to create a cinematic and different experience in a game – one not felt before. Bioshock took a chance to be different, and it worked. This game is gorgeous, involved, and deep - and it is not the same experience twice. The gameplay and completion of the game is different for each user, which just shows you how much time and thought went into this game. With this much depth, it is hard to compare it to something, and you can’t right now, it is in a league of its own. Typically, when I play a game that I truly enjoy, I have a wow moment – maybe two. This game made me do that several different times. This game is definitely worth checking out, and I hope that it does not get lost in the shuffle with all the other great games coming out in the fall 2007 - This is a must buy!