Jean-Baptiste Queru ([info]jbq) wrote,
@ 2009-03-05 19:16:00
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Current location:Home
Current mood: grumpy

Xbox 360: first impressions
We bought an Xbox 360 (the elite variant), and it's been an interesting experience compared to the PS3 (and Wii). It's hard to pinpoint it, but overall it feels clunky. From the plastic of the device itself to the fact that the bundled controller is powered by AA batteries, from the fact that there's an external power supply and an external breakout cable for audio to the lengthy setup process, from the lame intro video to the overblown user interface of the main menu, from the odd trapdoor that hides the USB slots to the fact that the prices in the online store don't match an actual currency, it's definitely one full notch below the PS3 in terms of overall experience.

Going through the process, what comes to my mind is Joel Spolsky's "Hitting the High Notes" article, where it simply feels like the Xbox team can't hit the same high notes as the PS3 and Wii teams.

I'm looking forward to seeing what it's capable of in terms of games.


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(Anonymous)
2009-03-08 01:12 am UTC (link)
it's definitely one full notch below the PS3 in terms of overall experience.

And you still haven't tried any game on it. Nice review ... pffff.

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[info]eugenia_loli
2009-03-08 09:19 pm UTC (link)
You don't need to play a game to review the first impression experience of the setup procedure and the UI. You just need to use it. The gaming experience is a different post.

So why don't go eat a sock?

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(Anonymous)
2009-04-26 02:51 pm UTC (link)
Hello Eugenia it's MikeB,

It's been a while. Nice to see you two are still active. :-)

Although there's a lot to like about the 360, I had similar first impressions. The console felt a little cheap compared to the PS3 I own today. It was noisy and my unit died far too quickly.

PC gaming has taken the backseat over the years and it seems Microsoft is fully pushing the 360, but hence more and more so neglecting PC gaming. I nearly never play PC games anymore. Most games I was interested in the past would usually hit the PC first, now they usually hit the consoles first or aren't even released for the Windows at all. As you know I wasn't a PS2 gamer.

Advances in living room technology helps. For example great 7.1 channel audio, large screen 1080p HDTVs, fast wireless Wi-Fi internet connection, being able to use many multiple wireless gamepads simultaneously, etc.

The PS3 serves my comfort desires much better than modern gaming PCs from such perspectives as well. I also don't like to have PC in my living room. I do use my laptop in the living room, but that's no joy and pretty low spec for gaming.

As a tech enthusiast, I really love how the PS3's potential is unfolding. Killzone 2, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Super Stardust HD, Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, etc are awesome. Looking forward to see how the PS3 will be pushed with God of War 3 and Uncharted 2 later this year. To me it nearly feels an Amiga with regard to gaming all over again. :-)

BTW, my email adres is mikeb@funcomputing.nl

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