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The future of Xbox gaming - Part 2
Now that's what I call a controller
Disappointed by Microsoft's announcement of a smaller Xbox controller? Actually wish the controllers were bigger? Then prepare for Steel Battalions, Capcom's forthcoming mech game. Imagine a controller that fitted on a table. Imagine two joysticks, 40 buttons and enough twiddly bits to make Jean Michel Jarre happy (ask your dad). With a grainy, gritty visual effects and the turning curve of an 18 wheel truck, Steel Battalions throws you into a futuristic walking tank battle, where you really feel that you are controlling a 50ft high robot!
The start up sequence alone - all clicking and sliding buttons - is marvellous and that's before we've even mentioned the red, covered eject button! However, no price has been revealed yet, although in the US the controller and game go for $199. Oh, and you can't play it without the controller.
The ego has landed
They won't be out "until they are ready" - so don't hold your breath - and were only shown on video, but Peter Molyneux's titles Fable (aka Project Ego) and BC looked stunning. The former in particular, looks set to revolutionise the RPG genre, with every action having an effect on your character. Out in the sunshine, swinging big swords and causing merry chaos? Then your character will be a tanned, muscular geezer, probably with a scar or two. Prefer sneaking around at night, using a little dagger, and only killing if necessary? Then expect to look slimmer and paler, and with less scars. Throw in a dynamic world whose inhabitants react to your actions, and you have our most anticipated Xbox game to date.
Having said that, Molyneux's other game, BC, is looking mighty fine too. Full of oversized dinosaurs, loin-clothed natives and lots of blood, this third person action adventure looks gorgeous. Bring 'em on Pete!
Solidity personified
Elsewhere Metal Gear Solid Substance was playable for the first time in Europe. Looking only marginally better than the PS2 version this version is worth a play if you missed the original, if only for the extra missions.
By far the greatest game the world has ever seen?
On the footy front there were only two contenders - FIFA 2003 and Championship Manager 02/03. The latter was announced as exclusive to Xbox this Christmas, as it updates the successful football manager simulation with current team and player data. But, it was FIFA that had most to prove. After taking a pasting from Pro Evolution 2 last year there is a lot riding on the 2003 version for EA. And the good news for them is that this isn't half bad. Passing is much more flexible and there are less goal scoring hotspots. It still isn't as good as Pro Evolution Soccer but after last season's debacle this is a return to form for FIFA.
Anything else?
Other notable games were Toejam and Earl III: All Funked Up which sees the return of the 16-bit platform veterans and Sega GT the racer with more than 100 current and classic high-performance vehicles.
So, any conclusions?
So the future is looking bright for Xbox. Online gamers will be catered for and there is enough original content - Fable, Splinter Cell - to attract new owners. The future may be orange to some but, to those in the know, it's most certainly green.
To go back to the first X02 page click here.
To see what others are saying about the Xbox and other consoles, check out the Consoles Forum
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