the-inbetween.com

I (controller) My 360

At least, that's how the billboards say it. Simple fact is, I like this console. I like the controller. I like the hardware. And even though it's not perfect, I like the system interface. I have to admit that the system is pretty good.

Ever since I bought the 360, about two months ago, it has been the exclusive¹ game system in my household. I've been playing a number of games, trying out demos, purchasing Arcade titles, climbing up my friends' list leader boards (I will be number one in Geometry Wars² one day!) and amassing achievement points³. The last one has proved to be a particularly genius move by Microsoft. I find that the achievement points fuel my competitive spirit and indirectly get me to play games a little bit more (and maybe even differently) than I normally would. It also gets me playing some of the more mediocre games that I'd normally overlook otherwise (as much as I do like hockey, I hate sports games -- but the achievement points in NHL 2K6 were exceedingly easy to get!⁴).

Maybe that is one of the reasons why, despite liking the system, I'm rather underwhelmed by the software so far. There are a few good games, but the 360 library is still missing the really great⁵ titles that it sorely needs in anticipation of the upcoming Playstation 3 and Wii. Things will likely change once we get past the dry season (summer), but by then the 360 will finally have competition. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out⁶.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Though, really, this can also be attributed to the fact that this is the aforementioned dry season and none of the other consoles have anything coming out at the moment. The novelty of the 360 trumps the other ho-hum releases.
2. Just had my best game yet, gaining two new achievements (first time in a long time) and breaking the 700k point mark. I will get 1 million.
3. It's interesting to note that my achievement points seem to surge almost exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays.

4. This is the biggest problem with the achievement points -- consistency. Some games they're rediculously easy, others have it impossibly hard.
5. No, Oblivion does not do it for me.
6. if I can, I'm getting a Wii. I have no interest in getting a Playstation 3 at or even near launch.