Jon Gracey's

Archive for the ‘Xbox 360’ Category

, , , , , ,

Games That Rocked…Luke Malkin’s World – #36: Banjo-Kazooie

In N64, Xbox 360 on May 24, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Today’s post is by Luke Malkin.

—

Title: Banjo-Kazooie

Format: N64, Xbox 360 (XBLA)

Released: 17th July, 1998

BK Box Art

Because I’m a box-ticker of a human being, back in the days where you thought it was a good idea to brand your Facebook profile with anything you’ve ever liked, one of the first groups I joined was called “Banjo-Kazooie was my childhood”. Such is my fanboy allegiance to this classic.

Anyone who paid attention to the history of the N64 will know how Rare, the British game developers from Tycross, really bolstered Nintendo’s gaming collection. While Nintendo created the backbone with arguably some of the greatest video games of all time (Ocarina of Time, Lylatwars, Mario Kart 64), Rare filled out the N64 with some real gems. When I look back on my N64 cartridge collection it’s Rare, with titles like Goldeneye, Diddy Kong Racing and Donkey Kong 64 that evoke a stronger sense of nostalgia. But nothing makes my childish heart flutter like their pinnacle; Banjo-Kazooie. Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , ,

Games That Rocked…Seb Patrick’s World – #35: XCOM Enemy Unknown

In iOS, Mac, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 on May 17, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Today’s post is by Seb Patrick.

——–

Title: XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Format: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, IOS

Released: 12th October, 2012

XCOM Box Art

We could have been something, Col. Jessica “Dark Angel” Baker and I. Sure, we had obstacles to overcome, but what relationship doesn’t? Okay, she’s a soldier and I’m her boss; and admittedly, I’m a married man, while she is – let’s be brutally honest here – fictional.

Nevertheless, there was little I could do to stop myself falling in love with this statuesque redhead sniper with sexy black body armour and impressive psychic abilities. And hey, budding relationships have overcome worse. Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , , , , ,

Games That Rocked…James Hamilton’s World – #20: The Walking Dead: The Game

In iOS, Mac, PC, PS Vita, PS3, PSN, Xbox 360 on January 5, 2013 at 2:19 pm

Today’s article is by James Hamilton:

———

Title: The Walking Dead: The Game

Format: PS3, PSN, Xbox 360, PC, iOS, Mac, PS Vita,

Released: 24th April, 2012 (Episode 1)

I’ve never cried at a videogame because I’m the toughest guy I know. But if I was ever going to, I’d have cried at various points during The Walking Dead: The Game, which I played through for the first time this week. I didn’t. But I could have.

Cover_images Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , , , , , , ,

Games That Rocked My World – #13: Red Dead Redemption

In PS3, Xbox 360 on December 13, 2011 at 11:44 am

Title: Red Dead Redemption

Format: PS3, Xbox 360

Released: 21st May, 2010

Box_art_image

What a difference a song makes. I’ve recently been playing devilishly difficult 2D PlayStation platformer Rayman, and by Christ it is hard. Unfair, at points, but generally, just hard. And yet, such care and attention has been paid not only to the beautiful 2D graphics, with gorgeous sprites and animation that have aged far better than the unbalanced difficulty curve, but also to the music. Every level has a gorgeous riff or fill that conjures up feelings of excitement, derring-do, terror – whatever is required. It really does raise the experience from challenging platformer to absorbing adventure. Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , , , , ,

Games That Rocked My World – #8: Gears Of War 2

In Xbox 360 on October 31, 2011 at 12:28 am

Title: Gears Of War 2

Format: Xbox 360

Release Date: November, 7th, 2008

Box_art_image

Videogames are, for me, a shelter from the storm. When the controller’s in my hand, I often enter a zen-like, focused state which shuts off the outside world. In the right context, playing is a soothing, cathartic experience.

Everyone feels there could be more success in their lives. There’s always more you can be achieving, no matter what path you choose, and with gaming there’s a certain symbolic delight to be had in conquering your foes and saving the world; people like to be heroes, and gaming is in a unique position to replicate that. On a crude level – and this week’s game is nothing if not crude – people like to kick the shit out of things to make them feel better. *Knock knock* Who’s there? Gears Of War 2, you say? Come on in! Read the rest of this entry »

%d bloggers like this: