Christmas in January

BentonGrey · January 03, 2011, 06:39:33 PM

Howdy guys, I went over to my friend's house last night to hang out with our Bible study group, and much to my surprise, this friend had a gift for me. He has the kind of home theater setup that I really wish I had, with a finished basement, comfy couches, projector, and giant screen, plus a 360 and other gaming systems all hooked up to work together seamlessly. He was replacing a lot of the components of this setup, upgrading various things, and he was very excited about the new build he was going to have.

I knew about this because I had called him the other day, asking where he had gotten his switching box, and he had told me that, since he was upgrading his theater and wouldn't need it, I could have it. So, I went to his house expecting to get a 20 dollar switching box that he didn't have any need for, but when I walked down stairs, he pulled me aside, pointed to a table covered with electronic gear and games, and said that he didn't have any need for all of that stuff, so I was welcome to whatever I wanted from the table. Imagine my surprise when, upon a closer look, I see his XBox 360 sitting there amidst the other electronic jetsam. I put my hand on it, looked at him and spocked an eyebrow, and he repeated himself with some slight emphasis, "everything on that table."

It turned out that he had replaced his 360 as well, since he wanted one with a bigger hard drive, and because his was an older one, and, according to him, not really worth listing on eBay or Craigslist, he wanted me to have it. What's more, he had told our other friends, who had all beaten me to his house that night, that they had to leave it for me. Not only that, but he also gave me a pile of his games that he wasn't interest in anymore. I was absolutely floored by his generosity. In short, I have some really awesome friends, and now I have an XBox 360.

I'm sorry for the long recounting, but I was so blown away by that gesture I wanted to share it with y'all. So...what 360 games are necessary purchases folks? I intend to get my hands on Mass Effect and Batman: Arkham Asylum eventually, but other than that I don't have a whole lot of ideas. Thanks to my friend, I've got- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty 2, Rainbow Six Vegas, and Endwar. What else should I look for?

lugaru · January 03, 2011, 07:34:18 PM

Great news, and very generous of him!

The best thing I can suggest is Arkham Asylum which seems to be #1 on your list already.

Beyond that I only know about games on both PC and 360 such as Fallout New Vegas (which I love) and similar ones. I'll get back to you when I have some more inspired ideas.

Mr. Hamrick · January 03, 2011, 07:38:32 PM

Splinter Cell Conviction (I am partial to this one. Though the others ones are not bad either.)

Red Dead Redemption (One of the best games of 2010.... and I was surprised at how good the multi-player is.)

a little known game called The Saboteur (It is sorta like a stealth based version of GTA and isn't bad despite some less than flattering reviews I have seen.)

L.A. Noire comes out in March or April. It's from the makers of GTA and Red Dead. AKA Rockstar Games.

Oh, and check out Action Game Exchange. (here is a link to their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Action-Game-Exchange-AGE/376759384900 but you can google them) They have an excellent selections of games for all systems new and used. PLUS, they do console repairs. AND THEY SHIP! Plus, the owners are good friends of mine.

Podmark · January 03, 2011, 08:27:46 PM

That is one nice friend Benton.

I highly recommend Mass Effect 1 and 2 and Batman: Arkham Asylum. I'm also a big fan of Dragon Age and Resident Evil 5.

JeyNyce · January 03, 2011, 11:05:52 PM

1 - Get an account
2 - Put us on your friends list
3 - Get Batman: AA, Mass Effect 1 & 2, and red dead redemption

Uncle Yuan · January 03, 2011, 11:28:46 PM

I endorse Batman and the Mass Effects (although for various reasons I prefer them on PC).

Merry Christmas!

Trelau · January 04, 2011, 09:55:28 AM

wow. your friends are awesome.
So, let's have a look at the "Reasons i should buy a Xbox 360 some day" list:

_Batman AA
_Red Dead Redemption (and get the soundtrack with it, it's awesome)
_Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
_Mass Effect 1 & 2
_Dragon Age Origin
_Oblivion
_BioShock & Bioshock 2
_Fallout: New Vegas
_Half Life 2: The Orange Box (Half life 2 + Team Fortress 2 and mostly Portal)
_Bayonetta
_Alan Wake
_Fable III (try it before, it seems to be hit or miss with this one)
_Gears of War 2
_Left 4 Dead 2

I'm not big on FPS so there's probably more good games in that category, but if you like action/aventure and RPG you should get everything on this list without a second though.
(these are not all console exclusive games, so depending on your pc config you might prefer buying some of them for PC instead of 360)

thalaw2 · January 04, 2011, 10:20:38 AM

That does it! I'm rejoining Bible study.

I suggest getting a Kinect.

captmorgan72 · January 04, 2011, 11:49:53 AM

Wow, that IS awesome news. Other than what everybody else already suggested I would add the Assassins Creed series. I just finished part 2 and it was fantastic. Also, if you ever get the three red rings of death, check out this guide http://jamesdean3redlightfix.com/?hop=kancit512. I don't usually plug other people's stuff, but this really worked for me quite well.

Mr. Hamrick · January 04, 2011, 01:39:12 PM

Quote from: thalaw2 on January 04, 2011, 10:20:38 AM
I suggest getting a Kinect.

I suggest getting a Kinect too. However, after having mine for one day, I can tell you that the bloody thing will tire you out. And I only played on it for about a 1/2 hour or so.

I recommend Oblivion plus a sequel called Skyrim comes out later this year. You won't need to have played one to play the others.

It is suggested that you buy Mass Effect before Mass Effect 2, though.

Fable III is definitely hit or miss. You will want a few friends that play it. I can direct you to some people who will help you on it if needed. I was done with the game in about a week other than a couple of achievements. I might play back through it someday.

And yeah, add your gamertag to the gamertag thread.

lugaru · January 04, 2011, 02:36:36 PM

Quote from: Trelau on January 04, 2011, 09:55:28 AM

_Batman AA
_Mass Effect 1 & 2
_Dragon Age Origin
_Oblivion
_BioShock & Bioshock 2
_Fallout: New Vegas
_Half Life 2: The Orange Box (Half life 2 + Team Fortress 2 and mostly Portal)
_Left 4 Dead 2

This is the reason I dont own a 360, I've invested a little into my PC and they have a lot of good games in common.

JeyNyce · January 04, 2011, 03:23:58 PM

Quote from: lugaru on January 04, 2011, 02:36:36 PM
Quote from: Trelau on January 04, 2011, 09:55:28 AM

_Batman AA
_Mass Effect 1 & 2
_Dragon Age Origin
_Oblivion
_BioShock & Bioshock 2
_Fallout: New Vegas
_Half Life 2: The Orange Box (Half life 2 + Team Fortress 2 and mostly Portal)
_Left 4 Dead 2

True, but some games like Batman AA, I double dipped and got it for PC & 360. I love the game that much. All the others that you listed I have on PC
This is the reason I dont own a 360, I've invested a little into my PC and they have a lot of good games in common.

docdelorean88 · January 04, 2011, 05:21:34 PM

Ghostbusters was well worth the money!

detourne_me · January 04, 2011, 06:28:10 PM

I agree with a lot of the above. Although I don't own a 360 the only reason I ever would would be for gears of war. But yeah all great suggestions so far.
I think Alan wake, fable and gears of war are the main 360 exclusives that make the system worthwhile

BWPS · January 04, 2011, 06:35:52 PM

Red Dead Redemption is among the bestest games ever. That I can absolutely recommend to anyone, and I don't particularly like GTA or westerns.

daerdevil · January 04, 2011, 06:58:41 PM

Quote from: BWPS on January 04, 2011, 06:35:52 PM
Red Dead Redemption is among the bestest games ever. That I can absolutely recommend to anyone, and I don't particularly like GTA or westerns.

I second that "bestest" for Red Dead Redemption. This is one great game, be it single player or multiplayer. The only reason I'd ever think to re-up an XBL gold account would be for RDR multiplayer. Pick up Undead Nightmare while you're at it, as it adds a nice little zombie killing diversion that's fun to play around with.

Podmark · January 04, 2011, 07:49:56 PM

Quote from: docdelorean88 on January 04, 2011, 05:21:34 PM
Ghostbusters was well worth the money!

Oh yeah if you're a fan of the movies then Ghostbusters is a must have. It's actually the reason I bought my 360.

docdelorean88 · January 04, 2011, 11:11:16 PM

Quote from: Podmark on January 04, 2011, 07:49:56 PM
Quote from: docdelorean88 on January 04, 2011, 05:21:34 PM
Ghostbusters was well worth the money!

Oh yeah if you're a fan of the movies then Ghostbusters is a must have. It's actually the reason I bought my 360.

Same here pod!

lugaru · January 05, 2011, 03:47:14 AM

My only problem with Ghost Busters (bought it on steam a while back) is that progress is SLOW. You need to really whittle down each ghost before capturing it. That said the game has a TON of personality, mostly thanks to the voice acting.

BentonGrey · January 05, 2011, 05:00:50 PM

Thanks for the responses guys! Yeah, my friends are pretty awesome.

You know, I have the original Red Dead Revlover for XBox. I was disappointed to learn that the new one was a very different type of game, but perhaps I need to try it out. I see several things here that I'm interested in. I had considered Alan Wake before. My wife and I were just talking about the ability of games to be considered literature (she hold steadfastly that such is impossible), and it seems like that type of game might make an effective argument.

I played through the original Bioshock for PC, but I've heard bad things about the sequel. How does the 360 version of Ghostbusters compare with the Wii version? I've got the Wii title, and it's only okay.

Ha, I've been thinking about getting an XBox Live account, but that decision is far from made.

Podmark · January 05, 2011, 05:28:09 PM

Quote from: BentonGrey on January 05, 2011, 05:00:50 PMHow does the 360 version of Ghostbusters compare with the Wii version? I've got the Wii title, and it's only okay.

The only difference I know of is the graphics. The Wii game uses cartoon style while the 360 version uses movie style. I don't know how the actual game play and plot differ.

JeyNyce · January 05, 2011, 09:05:47 PM

I believe I may have a 2 day trial of LIVE (let me double check to be sure) if you want it just to check it out, it's yours.

docdelorean88 · January 06, 2011, 01:41:42 AM

The plot is essentially the same, but the graphics help a great deal to enforce the gameplay. I also just got Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare which i am finding increasingly amusing!

captmorgan72 · January 06, 2011, 01:44:52 AM

Quote from: BWPS on January 04, 2011, 06:35:52 PM
Red Dead Redemption is among the bestest games ever. That I can absolutely recommend to anyone, and I don't particularly like GTA or westerns.

This game hit me on a emotional level that no movie ever has.

detourne_me · January 06, 2011, 09:22:14 PM

Yeah... Once you make it to Mexico in RDR it's such a rewarding experience.
Crud... I've got a huge backlog of games I picked up during the steam sale but now I want to play through RDR again... This time as a bad guy.

Mr. Hamrick · January 06, 2011, 10:05:28 PM

Quote from: BentonGrey on January 05, 2011, 05:00:50 PM
Thanks for the responses guys! Yeah, my friends are pretty awesome.

You know, I have the original Red Dead Revlover for XBox. I was disappointed to learn that the new one was a very different type of game, but perhaps I need to try it out. I see several things here that I'm interested in. I had considered Alan Wake before. My wife and I were just talking about the ability of games to be considered literature (she hold steadfastly that such is impossible), and it seems like that type of game might make an effective argument. I played through the original Bioshock for PC, but I've heard bad things about the sequel. How does the 360 version of Ghostbusters compare with the Wii version? I've got the Wii title, and it's only okay.

Ha, I've been thinking about getting an XBox Live account, but that decision is far from made.

When you get your gamertag set up, there should be a 30-day Xbox Live Gold status trial you get. After that 30-day, it reverts back to a "Free" or "Silver" membership. With the Silver/Free membership, you can download DLC and demos as well as watch some of the free videos. You can also private chat with your Xbox live friends. With the Gold membership, you can do all that plus play online, watch ESPN and Netflix (Hulu and another service is coming soon), party chat, and update twitter and facebook should you wish. (I use the twitter thing but not the facebook.) Plus a few other things too, I believe.

I have a Gold membership through March but will probably hold off on renewing it.

BentonGrey · January 07, 2011, 12:54:51 AM

Curses...just my luck. I play for five minutes and get the three red rings. I'm checking with my buddy to see if this one might be within the three year window. If not, well, I may have to take Captain Morgan's advice.

Mr. Hamrick · January 07, 2011, 01:33:20 AM

Quote from: BentonGrey on January 07, 2011, 12:54:51 AM
Curses...just my luck. I play for five minutes and get the three red rings. I'm checking with my buddy to see if this one might be within the three year window. If not, well, I may have to take Captain Morgan's advice.

if Capt. Morgan's advice doesn't yield anything, contact these guys. http://www.actiongamexchange.com/

The owner of the place and his wife are good friends of mine as are one of his repair guys.

JeyNyce · January 07, 2011, 02:07:42 PM

FYI: From January 28 (12:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. PST) through January 31 (12:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. PST), all Xbox LIVE members will be able to try Xbox LIVE Gold for FREE!

daerdevil · January 07, 2011, 04:01:51 PM

Sorry to hear about those red rings.

Quote from: JeyNyce on January 07, 2011, 02:07:42 PM
FYI: From January 28 (12:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. PST) through January 31 (12:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. PST), all Xbox LIVE members will be able to try Xbox LIVE Gold for FREE!

Hopefully this means they're losing members on that rate increase.

News:

Christmas in January