Microsoft Prattle v2

[bps21]

I don't think the fact that they put the Ryse embargo until Thursday has to mean it's going to be bad. They clearly staggered them so there would be new review content every day. Today was Dead Rising 3 and all the arcade/downloadable games, tomorrow is the console, wednesday is Forza and thursday is Ryse. Now...that doesn't mean they didn't stick Ryse until the end because it IS bad mind you...just that it doesn't have to mean that. I in no way expect Forza to have bad reviews and they embargo'd that to stagger the stream of reviews. But if Ryse was going to score low...sticking it the day preorders ship is the (dirty) way to go. Personally I would have buried it today though so people could see that "at least Dead Rising and KI are getting decent scores". But that's just me.

I almost hope Ryse never gets reviewed and never comes out. It's an endlessly fascinating game to try and figure out.

 

[bps21]

Ryse, from what I've heard from Sessler is actually a good game. The fight style is like AC / B:AO with the buttons being overhead at E3 being a judgment call that Spencer and others had major reservations over.

KI was going to be a game I got at launch barring a horrific review..but ANYONE that's watched the Maximilian videos or kept up with the development of the game knows that it would be good.

I just found some gameplay videos on YouTube from someone who has the game. The combat definitely looks like the arkham games. They were short videos...but it did look surprisingly good considering all the negative buzz.

Oh Ryse son of Rome...what are you? Why won't you tell us?

 

[Broward83]

If you watch the videos, look for the enemies to glow/shimmer a light blue or yellow. I assume this is their slight visual clue to the player on which attack to perform at what time while trying to not take you out of the game entirely but also make sure you're not just hitting random buttons all the time.

....I really want to like this game but I'll be damned if I actually know what the fuck it is...which means I'm sure it'll start off awesome..then because you have your army, it becomes an RTS ala that Jack Black game.

 

[bps21]

The embargo on reviewing the console is lifted and I spent the last near hour reading 5 different reviews. Now I'll save you the trouble since every one of them says exactly the same thing:

Forward thinking, bold ideas that couldn't possibly be fully realized at launch. It also plays games.

 

[Broward83]

I just got home and have yet to read em. Who all did you read from?

 

[bps21]

I read engadget, polygon, the verge, kotaku and joystiq. I'd never been to 2 of those sites before...but I searched twitter for xbox one review and followed links. I guess I'll read the review from Time's site...but the title tells me it's going to be the same thing lol.

 

[jimmy no nose]

My impression of both consoles based on reviews is "this will be pretty awesome in 6 months to a year". Pretty much what I expected. Both seemed a bit rushed.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

That's one big reason I would never buy at launch. I'd rather wait for the bugs to get worked out.

 

[Edwin]

I read engadget, polygon, the verge, kotaku and joystiq. I'd never been to 2 of those sites before...but I searched twitter for xbox one review and followed links. I guess I'll read the review from Time's site...but the title tells me it's going to be the same thing lol.

Hey, the Verge! I used to hang out with one of their lady-reporters when we were in college. Polygon's still my favorite even if I haven't seen any of their staff naked in a hot tub.

The surprisingly successful integration with cable TV is pretty cool. I'd love to ditch my second cable box and save $10 a month, though it sounds like they may still need a direct link to a set top box.

 

[vivisectvi]

That's one big reason I would never buy at launch. I'd rather wait for the bugs to get worked out.

Maybe I've been lucky (though apparently it's less than 1% of PS4's that have issues) but this has been the smoothest launch for me so far. As soon as PSN updated on Tuesday, the PS4's network woes have been very minimal for me. Hopefully the One can follow through with a similar smooth launch and finally condition people not to expect massive fuck ups on launch edition hardware.

 

[bps21]

I had smooth launches for 360 and ps2 in the past so I don't share the trepidation come launch time.

...

Oh shit...by console is going to melt now isn't it?

 

[bps21]

I've enjoyed reading about forza and the pluses and minuses of drivatar. The great news is cars no longer soullesly follow their preset path...they use tactics against you...and each other. The bad news is everyone is as shitty a driver as I am.

 

[jimmy no nose]

From the reviews the Kinect actually seems much cooler and more useful than it's been given credit for. Apparently the facial recognition is pretty much flawless and can even tell automatically which person is holding which controller. If you swap mid-game it changes profiles right along with you. It can also tell if you put down the controller to watch a movie/watch TV/whatever else you're doing and will power the controller off to save battery.

 

[bps21]

Yeah I saw that controller thing which I bought was pretty neat. The best thing I've seen with kinect is how good the camera is for skype...but I don't skype. It gives you an incredible picture on the connection...but again...I don't want to talk to people let alone see them when I do.

 

[bps21]

My Xbox is in New Jersey...so barring an act of God I should have it Friday.

 

[bps21]

And ryse is...poor. The few "positive" reviews look at it as a game that's combat and fun don't match the quality of the visuals and voice acting. Most reviews tell you to cut off your hands so you can never accidentally play it.

 

[Broward83]

I might still get it....or Forza.

Probably Forza.

 

[bps21]

I can't decide between forza and need for speed. Definitely getting dead rising. Probably powerstar golf just because I play all golf games.

 

[AnonymousBroccoli]

I'm watching the NFL game; Victor Lucas keeps coming on at some kind of Xbone launch event, saying you can buy a console at The Shopping Channel website.

 

[bps21]

I think I've decided on Forza.

I see Broward got his one. Thoughts as some of us wait till tomorrow?

 

[Broward83]

I'm loving it. KI is wonderful...Forza is challenging but so rewarding. Kinect works if you take the time to learn the phrasing.

The initial set up and patch wasn't too long and if it seems to hang on the green Xbox One screen..let it. It might seem like it's frozen, but isn't.

 

[bps21]

Is the system really quiet like they say? Listening to my 360 snore through my gaming sessions has grown tiresome.

Also did you get the disc for forza or download

 

[Broward83]

I can't hear my XB1 at all and I got the disc for Forza

 

[vivisectvi]

The MS employee edition XB1 is fucking sexy as hell:

Probably the only time I'll say that about a white console.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

That's racist.

 

[AnonymousBroccoli]

Watching the Giant Bomb launch stream again. Angry Birds Star Wars had a download of about 3GB, and then an update of something like 1.7GB. WHY IS THIS GOING BACKWARDS

 

[DrVenkman PhD]

http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/xbox-one-launches-amid-hoopla-hardware-jitters-195941010.html

A number of day-one users are reporting errors with the system’s disc drive – either an inability to read discs, and/or a terrifying grinding noise audible upon disc insertion.

 

[Mik]

Having fun with the menus and the system. I wish there were any launch titles right up my alley, but soon. Playing Dead Rising 3, which I enjoy, despite not being a zombie person.

 

[AnonymousBroccoli]

https://twitter.com/jeffgerstmann/status/404102006672859136/photo/1/

 

[AnonymousBroccoli]

Looks like Zoo Tycoon is fairly limited in how big, and how many structures, attractions, and animals can be in your park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgjjJza2F5c