Console Coverage I: Microsoft Xbox

"Unlike most reviews, I won't be grading this, but simply shed my two cents on consoles I've tried in my gaming life."

My first ever Console Coverage deals with the predecessor to a console I own: Microsoft Xbox. Hearing the name, I wasn't a fan of it originally. And it wasn't until I owned the Xbox 360 that I warmed up to it. Here's the rundown as to say my feelings for the console.

Console: Lest I remember, the original Xbox only had one color that was sold in stores (the default Black with Green center), but it was revealed that there were others released as editions, with very few of them sold in various parts of the world. By looking at it, I could assume it weighed more than the bulky PlayStation 2, who it was trying to compete with. Though it was already a principle for some consoles, Xbox had a built-in internal Hard Drive, much like how it is for PlayStation 3 today. And seeing as how it was made under Microsoft (who worked on the Windows CE OS integrated in the Sega Dreamcast), I was not very surprised at it's other features, primarily of which happens to be the Xbox Live (this I'll get into later.) First hearing the name, I was expecting it to be a cross between a game console and a PC, and with that, I wasn't TOO far off seeing as how it was their own DirectX team that pioneered the idea for a Prototype gaming console based off Windows. The OS was a custom version composed of traits from Windows NT and the widely used Windows XP. The hard disk drive, normally used for PCs, was like a gaming successor to the built-in battery backup of systems like Sega Saturn, add-ons like the Sega CD (for the Sega Genesis), and even a few games like Nintendo's Legend of Zelda for their NES. With this, the use of memory cards wasn't that necessary, despite it being still used as an accessory for it. Like the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube, it featured 4 controller ports by default, allowing people to plug in and play without needing a device, like Sony's PS2 Multitap, to enjoy 4-player gameplay.

Controllers: If anything, this was the prime reason for my dislike of the console. It doesn't mean much now since I am owner of the X360, but to me, the controllers were unbearable. Looking at it, I could tell it was a pain for me to hold, which it was. My main offender of the few controllers was the original "Fatty" one that came with the console. While others condemn the D-Pad of the current console, I can honestly say I found that of Xbox's original MUCH worse than that. At least with X360, it LOOKS like a D-Pad, Xbox's was a garbled mess, something I can omit from third party Gamecube/Wii controllers. In fact, I'm suspicious as to whether or not GigaWare had a hand in that, because if it wasn't hinted enough, that's what Xbox's Fatty D-Pad reminds me of. I guess over time they noticed their flaw and released another called Xbox Controller S. I guess the S stood for small, which it was compared to the other, and featured a more refined D-Pad that looked and felt like one. It didn't bother me as much, as the Sega Genesis' Turbo controller, and that of Saturn had the same amount, but Xbox had 6 face buttons on both their controllers, not including Start and Back Buttons (I assume Back was their version of Select): A, B, X, Y, and Black and White buttons. At the time, the Black and White buttons threw me off. Despite that the other 4 buttons were also colored, I felt I should question the features of the other 2, but I didn't. Playing it, it was actually buttons that could be used in game. It also featured Analog triggers (named Left and Right Triggers) as well as 2 analog sticks. At first, I questioned the placement of the left analog and the D-Pad, but I surmised that it most likely didn't want to be a replica of the PlayStation 2's Dual Shock 2. Thus, I assumed they wanted to make the Left Analog the primary moving device (though Nintendo Gamecube had already done this.) Maybe they thought it up to be different, or to honor Dreamcast (the system they assisted development with), but like Dreamcast, both Xbox controllers featured 2 accessory slots to input Memory Cards, as well as other add-ons released for it.

Games: Like Sony's PlayStation, they implemented the DVD-Rom format for the games. To distinguish itself from the former, they did minor tweaks to the graphics, among other small areas. After being countered by Sony's release of more exclusive titles, they hit back with the Xbox Live service, with launch titles like MotoGP and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon. Formerly one of their exclusives, Xbox found themselves other titles like Grand Theft Auto III, after the first two was bound to PS/PS2 with Take-Two Interactive's deal with Sony (which was amended). Other developers would soon follow, as they made games side-by-side for the Xbox and PS2 platforms, often released in stores the same day. The Microsoft-exclusive Halo title is by far the most recognized of the Xbox games, seeing as how they didn't have that many exclusives. Halo 2 became a killer app for Xbox Live in 2004, while EA made a deal to release the Madden NFL games for the Xbox, discontinuing their short lived NFL Fever series. Call it a matter of irony or whatever, but the last game released for this happened to be Madden NFL 2009, which was also released for the successor: the then-young Xbox 360. Despite that Madden NFL 2009 released in August of 2008, the console itself was no longer in production years prior, and with X360 taking over as the flagship console, the original was put on the back burner. Refurbished, very few units are still around, but the fanfare has all but died out. The games themselves saw digital ports in Xbox Live for the X360, and until years ago, some of the CDs under Xbox were backwards compatible. Games like the first Halo was remade to fit the control scheme of the X360 (released as Halo Anniversary), while games that was released on there saw successions on X360, as was the case with Team Ninja's Dead or Alive 3 for Xbox, succeeded by the Xbox 360 title Dead or Alive 4 (both of which are from one of Tecmo Koei's primary series products.)

Media: As with most game consoles, starting from Sega CD on up, Xbox could play and rip audio CDs, being stored in the hard drive. But since it also featured the DVD-Rom, DVD movies could also be played on the console, similar to PlayStation 2. Content downloaded from Xbox Live, and even the gamer profiles assigned to the console can be managed and moved. Speaking of, the Xbox was the second console to feature initial online gameplay without the means of an external adapter. The first to feature this was Sega Dreamcast. One-upped again by Sony, Xbox was losing due to the surge of High Definition gameplay some PlayStation 2 games had with HDTVs. Microsoft had no answer to that prior to X360's development, when they decided to feature 2 cables for HD: the component cable, and the HDMI wires, in addition to using HD DVD format discs for the games, trying to compete with the Blu-Ray discs of PlayStation 3.

Xbox Live: Xbox Live is the online service still active today as part of Xbox 360, the Windows Phone, and the soon-to-come Windows 8 OS. It serves as a means to play and interact with gamers the world over who uses the same console. Now, and even back then, it was known by most to be suitable for online shooters, though the games used for it is diverse. Combined with HDMI, it is now butting heads with PS3 to be the ultimate online gaming experience. Every so often, there is an interface upgrade, which is a free downloadable, and consoles created after the released interface will be more up to date. The downside is that, compared to PS3, it's the only one that charges for online multiplayer, but it also has different means of playing. As opposed to credit cards, one can buy Microsoft Points from stores, which serves as the currency to buy online content. Games for Xbox Live can be purchased in store as well in forms of cards, and almost every X360 game features an Xbox Live feature. Same was true for a number of the original Xbox titles as well. Achievements for games can contribute to their Live Gamerscore, which accumulate by doing various achievements for various games, similar to PS3's trophies. It is more than just games however, as it adapted to using well known video streaming and social network applications, such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Skype, and Facebook. They also go by subscription on Xbox Live, and depending on which one you have, certain features are available to you. Xbox Live gives you two types: Xbox Free, which back them was called the Xbox Silver Subscription, and it's generally a free service that allows you to browse and download games, and game content. The other is Gold, which you have to pay for, but they give you options for that as well. As stated you can choose to pay by Credit/Debit card, or you can by a subscription card and input the code to upgrade that way. With Gold it opens up much more features, even online multiplayer. Normally, it is saved within the console, but people can save them into the memory units to take with them to use for any console.

Last Words: I wasn't fond of it, but over time, I did respect it, though my dislike for the Fatty controller will most likely remain. Remembered for the old games, I'm guessing the console itself didn't leave much of an impact after production ceased. Even so, Xbox had its moments, despite falling short to PS2. We can only imagine what they do next with the rumored 360 successor.

Game Review XXI: Sonic Generations

It's been a long time since our friend in blue, Sonic the Hedgehog, came out with his self-titled game back in 1991. Since then, we were given 20 years of him: the pros being his speed, new abilities, and attitude, down to the cons, consisting of a bad fanbase, voice actor changeups, and bad reviews. Even so, he still pushes strong, and last month's release of Sonic Generations is proof of that. (This review has a spoiler content, so if you don't wanna know in advance who you're up against, keep it moving... I repeat, there are a few spoilers.)

The story begins when he and his friends celebrate Sonic becoming the big 2-0. From out of nowhere, a menacing creature kidnaps all of his friends, sending them to parts unknown. Now he must find where his friends have ended up, but this time around, he's going to get some unexpected help... from himself.

Ever since the remade Green Hill Zone seen in Sonic Adventure 2 / SA2 Battle, I kinda figured they'd redo other past stages, but not like how it turned out. Before we get into that, though, let's look at who we control. Common to the majority of titles, we assume control of Sonic as usual. I'd say that's all, but you're controlling TWO versions of him. This game is where past meets present. Most of Sonic's friends appear as well, but like Sonic, Tails meets his past self, and so does someone else. Even though they're the same character, both versions play differently from one another. The short-spined, chubby one retains his core classic controls, solely 2D platforming with the use of the Jump, Spin Attack, and Spin Dash. This time around though, the Spin Dash is also mapped to a button for easy access. The taller, darker, and talkative Sonic follows his modern gameplay from Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, invoking abilities like the Homing Attack, Boost, Sliding, and Wall Jump. Much like the aforementioned games, his Boost can knock away enemies, and actually change the stage music the longer it's in use, and reverts back to normal when you stop using it.

The stages sort of act like the way Zones were broken up in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, consisting of 2 acts per stage. Act 1, which you play as soon as you hit New Game, uses the 2D Platforming style of the Genesis/Mega Drive, while Act 2 plays like his recent adventure titles, going fast on breakneck speed. Every 3 Stages are part of a specific era, each with reimagined acts for each hedgehog, as well as a few rival and boss fights. Just because you are familiar with them, don't be fooled into thinking you can beat them the same way. They are as follows:

• Genesis/Mega Drive Era

1.  Green Hill (Sonic The Hedgehog [1991])
2.  Chemical Plant (Sonic The Hedgehog 2)
3.  Sky Sanctuary (Sonic The Hedgehog & Knuckles)
   Rival: Metal Sonic at Stardust Speedway - Bad Future (Sonic CD)
   Boss: Death Egg Robo (Sonic The Hedgehog 2)

• Dreamcast Era

1.  Speed Highway (Sonic Adventure / SADX: Director's Cut)
2.  City Escape (Sonic Adventure 2 / SA2: Battle)
3.  Seaside Hill (Sonic Heroes)
   Rival: Shadow the Hedgehog at Final Chase (Sonic Adventure 2 / SA2: Battle)
   Boss: Perfect Chaos (Sonic Adventure / SADX: Director's Cut)

• Modern Era

1.  Crisis City (Sonic The Hedgehog [2006])
2.  Rooftop Run (Sonic Unleashed)
3.  Planet Wisp (Sonic Colors)
   Rival: Silver the Hedgehog at Crisis City (Sonic The Hedgehog [2006])
   Boss: Egg Dragoon (Sonic Unleashed)

The musical score for each act has been redone, as have the stages and enemies themselves. The more popular of these remixes was the Classic version of Sonic Adventure 2's City Escape, done by the same people who did the score for the original song. The majority of the "Classic" remixes are more techno-like, while the "Modern" remixes had more emphasis towards rock primarily. In addition, if you collect red star rings and musical notes from challenge gates, you could hear and use other songs from other games, including Free from Sonic Free Riders, and the original Green Hill music. Some of these hidden tracks have also been touched up a notch or two.

Controls and Gameplay are alright. Sega and Sonic Team listened to the fans concerns, as they warned players of dangerous areas. From time to time, I still end up flying off, but the problem isn't as bad as fans make it to believe. The game also has a skill system, and though you can't upgrade the skill points you can use, you can buy new ones with points gathered in game, and you're given 5 slots for both Sonic versions, so you can customize them to play your way. Voices heard are the same ones spotted in both Sonic Free Riders and Sonic Rivals 2, with even Classic Tails getting a voice (but not Classic Sonic, unsurprisingly...) Another bonus is that if it was pre-ordered ahead of time, you would get a minigame stage made from Sonic The Hedgehog 2's Casino Night Zone. But as an actual stage, the 3DS port may feature this, along with other stages from other games. Boss and Rival battles have been redone to fit the current gameplay in the console port (with the exception of  Metal, who you must actually defeat this time), while the 3DS port follows a play style for the battles similar to Sonic Rivals. The 3DS version also features different bosses, which I'll review in the future.

Sonic has had quirks over the years, but this is a good way to relive those 20 years of supersonic speed. Sonic Generations scores: as a Sonic game, a perfect 10, but as a game in general, a 9 of 10. Long live the speed of the spiky blue hog with attitude!