Xbox History: The Best Games by Month

[Zip]

Of the games @anon98342452 listed for this month, I’ve played Peggle Nights (not bad), modern Warfare 2 (played last year, not as good as the first one), and AC2 (as part of Ezio collection).

I definitely agree with both Delroy and @Cerysnetics on the pick for this month, awesome game. I do kinda wish the newer ACs would be a bit smaller and more compact stories like this. While I played all of Origins and Oddessy and most of Valhalla enjoyed them, the time sinks are just… A lot. It would be cool to see them do more of… Here are 2 games based on this person for $80, each is 30 hours or something. Not going to happen, but would be neat…

[anon98342452]

@Zip

Of the games on the pick for this month, awesome game. I do kinda wish the newer ACs would be a bit smaller and more compact stories like this. While I played all of Origins and Oddessy and most of Valhalla enjoyed them, the time sinks are just… A lot. It would be cool to see them do more of… Here are 2 games based on this person for $80, each is 30 hours or something. Not going to happen, but would be neat…

I agree with this take on the games. I think it’ll be hard for them to go back to the way things were though. People tend to think that value = hours, which is fair. I’d rather have a tighter, well-done 20-30 hour AC than a sprawling 80+ hour game like Valhalla in most cases. Maybe they can do a spin-off in the off year using the engine/assets but telling a smaller story…

[anon98342452]

December 2009

The Saboteur

I almost didn’t want to pick this game for the month due to the rather gross “Project $10” DLC. I wasn’t a fan of this EA initiative, but its inclusion here is on another level. If you care enough, look it up. Not cool.

That aside, I like the game ok. It has the feeling of a lower budget “effort” game, one that could’ve used a little more time, polish, and money but still showed elements of greatness. It’s an open world game set in Paris, starring a gruff fella who ends up a member of the resistance against the Nazi invasion. You’re killing lots of Nazis in this one which definitely scores it some points in my book anyway. Like most b-tier open world games, it plays a little janky, there’s whacky bugs here and there, and the driving stinks. It’s just good enough to let you push through to experience the world on display which is at times, striking. The music is spot on, the voice acting well done, and the story is actually one I didn’t tune out immediately. This isn’t a GTA-beater, but it’s a fun enough way to spend a few cold, December days.

No shoutouts this month, I don’t think another game releases that was remotely notable. Did you play Saboteur? What did you think of the game and surrounding controversy?

[Cerysnetics (Cerys)]

@anon98342452

…e set in Paris, starring a gruff fella who ends up a member of the resistance against the Nazi invasion. You’re killing lots of Nazis in this one which definitely scores it some points in my book anyway. Like most b-tier open world games, it plays a little janky, there’s whacky bugs here and there, and the driving stinks. It’s just good enough to let you push through to experience the world on display which is at times, striking. The music is spot on, the voice acting well done, and the story is actually one I didn’t tune out immediately. This isn’t a GTA-beater, but it’s a fun enough way to spend a few cold, December days. No shoutouts this month, I don’t think another game releases that was remotely notable. Did you play Saboteur? What did you think of the game and surrounding controversy?

I’ll refrain from posting for December as this was my choice too.

I remember it being a touch rough but aesthetically gorgeous and decent enough story to boot. As I recall your wandering open world shenanigans would help for story beats as well.

Yet another game from the time which could have really shined with a sequel to improve.

In the same year AC 2 showed how much better a sequel could be EA left this and Mirrors edge fade away because they didnt set the world on fire out of the gate.

Shame.

[anon98342452]

January 2010

Mass Effect 2

This is a stellar game, no pun intended. I love Mass Effect 2. It might be my favorite X360 game, and is definitely up there on my personal GOAT list. It takes everything great about the first Mass Effect, improved the good stuff and culls the bad. The move to more action-oriented GamePass hugely beneficial to the flow and feel of the game. The story is the perfect continuation for the series and everything a great middle chapter should be. The graphics were lovely, that chill vibin’ soundtrack and excellent voice work, a cast of supporting characters you cared about, and a threat that mattered…so good. I don’t want to really speak to this too much because I could gush all day, and I’m sure there’s many out there experiencing this for the first time via the Legendary Collection. Speaking of which, I need to continue my run and start up ME2…play this in any manner you can. Amazing, amazing, game.

Shoutouts to Bayonetta (would be the pick just about any other month!) and Darksiders. Am I right? Does ME2 reign supreme?

[anon98342452]

February 2010

Sonic & SEGA All-Star Racing

Ooh, look at that! Xbox Family Games! Sonic Racing is basically an “edgier” version of Mario Kart, featuring SEGA characters. And Banjo & Kazooie. It’s a lot of fun, a well done clone that looks good and moves fast. I don’t love the characters all that much, and the weapons feel less impactful than those of MK, but the levels were a treat. There’s a chunk of content here and the multiplayer was fun and actually worked. Online I mean, which is something that Nintendo seems to have serious issues with. This isn’t a game I person dumped a lot of hours into, but it was one of those games that was fun to pick up and play when I felt the need to “go fast”. It’s a good pickup if you like kart racers and don’t have a Nintendo console.

Shoutouts to Bioshock 2, Chime, Dante’s Inferno, Tropico 3, Darwinia+, Deadly Premonition, and Greed Corp. Did any game stand out to you this month or were you still on you ME2 play through?

[PhantomFox]

@anon98342452

… Banjo & Kazooie. It’s a lot of fun, a well done clone that looks good and moves fast. I don’t love the characters all that much, and the weapons feel less impactful than those of MK, but the levels were a treat. There’s a chunk of content here and the multiplayer was fun and actually worked. Online I mean, which is something that Nintendo seems to have serious issues with. This isn’t a game I person dumped a lot of hours into, but it was one of those games that was fun to pick up and play when I felt the need to “go fast”. It’s a good pickup if you like kart racers and don’t have a Nintendo console. Shoutouts to Bioshock 2, Chime, Dante’s Inferno, Tropico 3, Darwinia+, Deadly Premonition, and Greed Corp. Did any game stand out to you this month or were you still on you ME2 play through?

Haven’t played this one, but I’ve put a lot of time into Racing Transformed and Team Sonic Racing. Great fun, love those games.

[Cerysnetics (Cerys)]

@anon98342452

… and culls the bad. The move to more action-oriented GamePass hugely beneficial to the flow and feel of the game. The story is the perfect continuation for the series and everything a great middle chapter should be. The graphics were lovely, that chill vibin’ soundtrack and excellent voice work, a cast of supporting characters you cared about, and a threat that mattered…so good. I don’t want to really speak to this too much because I could gush all day, and I’m sure there’s many out there experiencing this for the first time via the Legendary Collection. Speaking of which, I need to continue my run and start up ME2…play this in any manner you can. Amazing, amazing, game. Shoutouts to Bayonetta (would be the pick just about any other month!) and Darksiders. Am I right? Does ME2 reign supreme?

Yes yes yes, amazing game and best Mass Effect.

[anon98342452]

March 2010

Final Fantasy XIII

This game was a big deal for the Xbox brand, in many ways proving the brand had finally arrived. A day-and-date FF release? I never thought I’d see the day. The game spawned one of the longest ongoing internet memes, Peter Moore had a “tattoo” reveal if I recall correctly…this was a mega sized Japanese franchise supporting the Xbox 360, something Xbox gamers had been starved of for years. And hey, look where we’re at now!

Look, I get that a lot of people will probably disagree with this pick, it’s one of the most divisive FF games. I can understand the complaints. The story is a mess, the game funnels you down linear corridors, and some of the characters are straight up grating (Hope I see you). The last boss is a nightmare I had to cheese to beat (poison!).

Despite those flaws, there’s something to like here. The battles are some of my favorite in the series, a good mix between turn based and full-on action. It’s flashy and looks darn cool. The graphics were beautiful, stunning at times. The music is incredible, and I find myself humming some of the themes occasionally. And that cute little afro-residing chocobo? If that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what does. It’s also the first FF to see the release of multiple official, direct sequels (I’m not counting that mess of FFVII games).

Shoutouts to Metro 2033, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Toy Soldiers, Dragon Age Origins: Awakening, Resonance of Fate, Supreme Commander 2, Just Cause 2, and Mega Man 10. What do you think of this month’s games?

[CallMeCraig]

FF13 is a beautiful mess. The music, colors and art are incredible. Game design, characters and story on the other hand…

Its not the linear levels, its the linearity in everything. The game takes control from you constantly. Best way to play it is on PC with mods or One X/Series with better resolution. Skip all dialogue and cutscenes and thank me later.

Or even better play Metro 2033, its a really great game and doesn’t insult the intelligence of the player. Its also one of the technical showcases on 360. Select the russian audio and enjoy the dense atmosphere in the Moskau Metro

[anon98342452]

I’ve enjoyed all three Metro games (and the books!) quite a bit. Solid stuff, and yes, technical showpieces the lot of them.

[anon98342452]

April 2010

Nier

As many on this forum are likely aware, Nier recently received a “rerelease” of sorts on the Xbox One. The Xbox 360 Nier is slightly different, being Gestalt while the recent release is based on Replicant. There are slight variations between the two, I won’t bother mentioning here except to say that this Nier is “Dad Nier.” Anyway…Nier is a weird game, and even weirder that it saw release on the 360 years before the PS3 in the U.S.

It’s an action RPG set in what I’d describe as a beautifully sad world. I don’t want to ruin the story at all - that’s really why you should play this - but it goes places and is what makes this so compelling. If you don’t like replaying games, this might not be your thing. Everything else is done fairly well, but not spectacular. A labor of love type of game by a unique director with a vision. The music though,…so good. Seriously, go on YouTube and give that soundtrack a listen. It’s solid stuff. I don’t know if Nier is great or not, but I remember it incredibly fondly. I have a copy of Replicant on the way, so maybe that’ll tell me if my nostalgia is misplaced or not. It’s the kind of risky game I love, what keeps me interested in the hobby.

Shoutouts to Splinter Cell Conviction, Final Fight Double Impact, and Super Street Fighter IV. Really great month of games here.

[anon98342452]

May 2010

Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption is a heck of a game, a great cowboy sim, and something done to a scale that not many other games - then or now - can touch. The attention to detail is and was astounding, the game a looker even on modern consoles via Xbox BC. The story, the voice work, the characters, the little stuff you’d run across randomly throughout the game is just so incredibly immersive and engaging. There’s a freedom here that doesn’t exist in so many other open world games, letting you really feel like you were living life in the old west. I know not everyone loves Rockstar’s shtick and pessimistic outlook on things, it’s something I feel when I play their games as well. But even with that factored in, there’s no denying that RDR is one of the best games of the 360 generation. This is worth playing now, even with RDR2 out and this being over a decade old at this point. Get it and love it.

Shoutouts to Skate 3, Prince of Persia Forgotten Sands, Split/Second, Alan Wake, and Blur. I know a lot of people love Alan Wake…it’s pretty decent in my book, but I’ve always felt Remedy is a touch overrated. I’m probably wrong

[anon98342452]

June 2010

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

This is a tough one because of the recent ongoings with J.K. Rowling, but I’m looking at this in terms of it being a video game releasing at a time when her recently viewpoints were perhaps less known. I’ll say up front that I really love HP as a franchise, story, and world, so it’s likely my viewpoint is skewed. I do believe that this is a good game either way.

It’s a LEGO game, so if you’ve played one you know what you’re getting here - a fun take on a mega franchise set throughout destructible and colorful LEGO brick levels. Just like other games in the LEGO franchise, there’s a hub world that you can explore and find lots of little secrets. Here, that hub is Hogwart’s, and it’s very well done. Just rolling about the castle and grounds is fun, there’s lots to explore. The story follows the first four books/movies, so YMMV how much you enjoy the actual theming of the levels. I think it’s all done well, capturing the music, feel, and vibe of the content it’s portraying. It’s fun by yourself but better with friends. and can be played by almost anyone. If you can stomach the fact that Rowling is the creator of the world behind it, I wholly recommend the collection on Xbox One.

Shoutouts to Snoopy Flying Ace, Alpha Protocol, Disney/Pixar Toy Story 3, Transfomers: War for Cybertron, Deathsmiles, Singularity, and Puzzle Quest 2. Lots of good licenses games, wow!

[anon98342452]

July 2010

Limbo

One thing I’ve found weird about looking back over old game releases is the amount that seem to line up with re-imaginings, re-releases, or entering GWG/XGP. Limbo happens to continue that trend, and up front I’ll say if you haven’t played it you should. Limbo doesn’t look like much. It’s black and white shadowy aesthetic make the world blend together. It has a minimalistic sound design, no dialogue, and a story that’s left up to interpretation. The character movement is slow, awkward, and lumbering in many ways. You feel powerless. You are powerless…with one exception - your brain. The puzzles are the main appeal of the gameplay, all presented organically, all make sense, all can be worked out with a little thought and dexterity. It’s quite an experience, quite a game, and quite worth your time. It’s not long, it’s on GP and every other platform known to mankind, it’s cheap, no excuses.

Shoutouts to Crackdown 2, Secret of Monkey Island 2, Deathspank, Hydro Thunder Hurricane, and Blazblu Continuum Shift. Good start to Summer of Arcade. I miss that program. Nostalgia, best drug huh?

[anon98342452]

August 2010

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Guardian of Light is the type of game I love to see. It’s a new take on a popular IP, trying something different while atm giving games the fan service they adore. Tomb Raider is certainly no stranger to this, with the main series, Go series, and this one which happens to be an arcadey co-op twin-stick shooter. And you know what? It’s done well and is quite fun, solo or with a pal. It captures the essence of TR so well. It’s a good looking game, silly in its storytelling, action packed, with a decent amount of platforming and puzzling strewn throughout. Everything is done at a high quality level for the genre, which makes sense given the IP and the fact that Square Enix published it. It’s an absolute blast to play with a friend, it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Great game for a few nights, perfect little cleanser between blockbuster releases.

Shoutouts to Monday Night Combat, Mafia II, Shank, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero, and Bioshock 2: Minerva’s Den (great DLC).

[Cerysnetics (Cerys)]

Another catch up from me sorry.

Its a lot more awkward for me to find EU launches for Arcade, DLC and games all together. The wikipedia entry for just retail releases is two seperate pages which is a faff. I think thats why since entering the 360 days I have so many months I end underwhelmed.

Then again I spent a lot of time in the big RPG’s of the time so I was not so interested in grabbing something every month… aaaand unlike Xbox I stopped renting (or being able to rent) games so.

March 2010 : Just Cause 2

Was missing the awesome chill music when you leap from a height but otherwise I loved Just Cause 2. The series has only got worse for me. But this was a fun sandbox to waste time in.

I wanted so much to like FFXIII, and stupid as the one leg trouser is I rather liked Lightnings design, it was certainly one I would have loved to cosplay, but so #notmyfinalfantasy

April 2010 : I don’t really have anything I loved this month.

May 2010 : Split/Second: Velocity

This was amazing fun, I loved the cinema of the explosions and stuff and was just gorgeous looking. Is it BC? hmmm I wonder if it was free on gold at some point and languishing for another play.

June 2010 : Singularity

I didnt play much of this (was a bit scary), but I watched as a friend did, and was great. I always wanted to go back and try myself but never had chance.

TBH this is a little cheaty as I can’t think of anything else anyway

July 2010 : Crackdown 2

So bad, so so so bad compared to the first but still so much better than 3 good god!.

My best friend who rinsed the first with me to my first 100% cheevs for Xbox played this with me, and despite everything we rather liked it.

August 2010 : I got nothing

[anon98342452]

September 2010

Halo Reach

Remember when Halo used to be the juggernaut that came out in November? Remember when it was an event? Remember how CoD ate its lunch and took the crown? Remember Reach? I do, and it might be my favorite Halo campaign. Reach is awesome. And yes, (it’s exclusive) it holds up.

It’s a somber game, the story of a group of Spartans that you know are doomed to a terrible fate. Chief isn’t in the star and that’s what makes it so good. It’s introduces a group of new characters you care about, you feel for. They all have flaws, all have specialities, and all work best as a unit. Super soldiers but not THE super soldier. The gameplay is classic Halo but slightly tweaked, the levels are large and varied. I love the finale, it’s one of my favorite in the series, maybe in gaming. It’s awesome to see Bungie take a risk with their baby, going away from a sure bet and pushing the boundaries of the franchise without breaking it. I know this one is divisive, but it’s darn good because it’s not afraid to be so. I’d love to run this again in co-op, who’s up to meet their doom?

Shoutouts to Plants vs. Zombies, Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker (great DLC), RUSE, Dead Rising 2, and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Nice month!

[Zip]

@anon98342452

…d. It’s introduces a group of new characters you care about, you feel for. They all have flaws, all have specialities, and all work best as a unit. Super soldiers but not THE super soldier. The gameplay is classic Halo but slightly tweaked, the levels are large and varied. I love the finale, it’s one of my favorite in the series, maybe in gaming. It’s awesome to see Bungie take a risk with their baby, going away from a sure bet and pushing the boundaries of the franchise without breaking it. I know this one is divisive, but it’s darn good because it’s not afraid to be so. I’d love to run this again in co-op, who’s up to meet their doom? Shoutouts to Plants vs. Zombies, Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker (great DLC), RUSE, Dead Rising 2, and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Nice month!

Honestly, Reach is still one of my favorite games as well. I’d love to see more stories like this in the future. I know everyone is all “Master Chief is Halo” but this game is just really interesting, has a great emotional story and great music, and really helped expand the universe.

@Cerysnetics

so so so bad compared to the first but still so much better than 3

Ah, have to disagree with you

The movement in 3 just feels perfect, so much better than 1 or 2. It may be lacking in a lot of ways, but I honestly really liked the 3rd (campaign at least) and I couldn’t make myself finish this one.

[Cerysnetics (Cerys)]

@Zip

Ah, have to disagree with you

The movement in 3 just feels perfect, so much better than 1 or 2. It may be lacking in a lot of ways, but I honestly really liked the 3rd (campaign at least) and I couldn’t make myself finish this one.

only kidding, I’m glad you liked it and had fun. It didnt make me so angry as to go out and start burning cars, but it didnt capture what for me made the 1st so special.