X05 - hands-on with the Xbox360

The message from the X05 press conference was that hi-def gaming on the 360 is the future, or something. What that appears to mean so far is prettier versions of established genres. Movie after movie was shown but all seemed to conform to a tired sci-fi stereotype, usually with musclemen shooting aliens (although Gears of War did look nice) or a spruced up sports/racing game. Only the seemingly gorgeous Kameo looked to buck the trend. Of course, the real deal will be later on tonight when we get to go hands-on with a lot of the launch titles. But the hi-def thing is interesting. All the games here are being shown on lovely hi definition screens - and there's no doubt that the games look good. How much their impact will be dulled on the conventional TVs that the vast majority of owners will play them on remains to be seen.

An impressive feature at the conference was the demo of the 360 dashboard, which looks clean and inviting - 360 owners will not be able to avoid online gaming. Luckily an Ebay style reputation score - to helpfully wield out annoying teenagers who blight a lot of the games - and a host of causal puzzle and arcade games preloaded should tempt in more reticent gamers. The music and photo capabilities were also shown, though Microsoft was perhaps too keen to stress that the 360 is all about the games.

So what about the games?

Perfect Dark Zero - initially ever so slightly underwhelming, especially the multiplayer. But the singleplayer level, basically a sniper section set across some rooftops, does look lovely. The lighting and the tactile textures - paint peeling off metal, moisture on bricks etc - are a step up from the current generation of console graphics, but ultimately the gameplay still involves shooting things.

Kameo - This fantasy adventure is stunning to look at - a real step forward. Unfortunately a truncated go on the game didn't reveal much other than a character that can change shape - remember Zelda Majora's Mask? - depending on the situation.

Project Gotham 3 - Couldn't get near this one - which bodes well, I guess. Graphically it did seem slightly underwhelming though. After all the hi-def hype it is hard to shake the feeling that a fairly decent PC wouldn't have a problem pumping out the graphics on display, albeit costing a lot more than £279.

Condemned - Typically sharp visuals in this dark and violent first person game. Reminded me a bit of Max Payne's gloom-noir locales but whether it will have that title's class remains to be seen.

Dead Rising - A zombie title that starts in a shopping mall. Maybe Dead Rising is trying to say something clever about commercialism and consumer trends? Unlikely. It is, in fact, a mindless romp that puts a pile of undead on your screen - numerous on-screen characters is clearly the 360's big trick - and lets you whack them to pieces with a baseball bat. Classy.

Gun - A pleasant change of scenery - Wild West - heralds a decent looking tale of stagecoaches and cowboys. Still seems to be about shooting things though.

Saints Row - sadly not the Southampton FC 360 game that must surely come soon, this is, in fact, a GTA clone, with gangs and stuff. Dull.

The Outfit - A fairly mindless WW2 blaster which, by focussing on the third person, at least differentiates itself from the first person shooter morass. Lots of destruction and not much deliberation - traits of most of the launch games.

Dead or Alive 4 - Yes, it looks lovely, but c'mon guys, do we really need beat-em-up games in 2005? 15 year-old boys will enjoy the protagonists style of clothing.

FIFA: Road to World Cup - The FIFA game for 360 is national teams only and plays a solid game. The Pro Evo controls, that are standard, help, and there is a nice realistic pace to the game. The player likenesses were impressive - no more zombies - although there is still a discernable delay between pressing the pad and the on-screen action. All in all a smoking conference from Amsterdam, but what did you expect?