Well now is time for me to begin my first "review" of the three current gen consoles. Really this blog post is more of my feelings on how I feel the console is, where I feel it stands in terms of my expectations, and overall what are my pros/cons (or likes and dislikes) with it at the CURRENT STATE.

Keep in mind of course this is merely my feelings for the system. I don't consider this to be any form of "technical" review, or "expert review" of the system... if that is possible. So feel free to leave comments and agree/disagree to your hearts content. I know that many will have different opinions of all the systems and I don't expect to really change anyone's point of views with these "reviews."

So let's begin, shall we?

The Xbox 360. A system that, by now, needs no introduction... So I will skip all the history lessons and background info, because that would be a waste of space and really, do you need ANY info on these systems if you come to this website? :P

Let me start by explaining my general ideas I had before the system launched. I had to admit I was a little uneasy about this system becoming one of my most used systems, or even possibly my favorite. The reason had to do with a couple of aspects.

1. I hardly played the original Xbox except for a few games. Halo, Ninja Gaiden, Panzer Dragoon Orta (one of my favorite games ever) and a few more.
2. I still felt Live wasn't going to be worth the cost
3. Most launch games never "wowed" me with their graphics and I couldn't see anything "next-gen" in most games near launch.

Sure, titles like PDZ and CoD 2 were the only ones that interested me much at launch and for quite some time really... But I never found myself finding a title that single-handedly sold me on the system. So I had to admit in the beginning, my fears of the 360 began to come up again. It was also around the time where Nintendo's Wii hype had gotten to me, and the crazy motion controls, and the graphics of the 360 hadn't really showed much "wow" that the crazy motion controls of Nintendo's console had me saying with anything I could think of.

So we fast forward to present day, and what do I feel about the system? Well let me break it up for you, to make it easier.

Games:

Ok, this is a big one. After all, who buys a video game console for the sole purpose of media functionality? Sure it's a nice plus, but that's all it really is to me IMO.

The 360 was off to a slow start... very few games had me interested, and I bought only games that had a small interest to me and were backed up by raving reviews, because I wanted something for my system. Needless to say, my PS2 gained more love the first year the 360 was out than any other system. However that changed quite some time after a slew of great games came out it's second year.

Oblivion, Gears of War, and other note-worthy titles were beginning to show me the "wow" in the new tech of the 360. Perhaps I should mention, these are not my favorite games on the 360, or what I consider the top three for the 360, but they were sure satisfying and held my interest long enough.

Now it seems the 360 has gotten some of the most diverse, albeit it still has troubles ridding itself of shooter titles, and high quality third party games, that come at a constant rate. Sure, one can argue these games aren't exclusive to the system. With a PC or PS3 even, one can play the same games, however... these games are still great and in some instances the performance comparison is equal or even better on the 360. (Mostly PS3 and 360 only titles with 360 sometimes edging out and not to mention the great XBL service to go hand-in-hand.) Also let it be said, I had a very crummy computer that could not even dream of processing those next-gen titles for it would crash and burn causing mass destruction within a 20 mile radius.

Perhaps my only complaint about this department, like I said earlier, is the 360 is very synonymous with shooter titles. Gears of War, Halo, Call of Duty titles, and the like are a plenty on the 360 system... and this current generation's flooded market at that. Sure there's the other part too, Sports, Sports, and sports... but that's always been a flood in each generation frankly. As for unique and some of my favorite genres, it has a handful, but not enough to quench my thirst. RPGs are still few and between, mainly JRPGs at that, and then there's those unique original IP titles. XBLA has a few great indie titles, but to be frank... I can't admit myself to finding some of these games all that enticing. Partly because I don't find myself vying for them as much as I'd hope. Perhaps it's me, but nothing really captivates my interest on the XBLA games enough to want me to put my credit card down and buy some MS points for some games. As for Original IPs itself, 360 has some... just they usually are the same genre of shooting or so as in any other game.

Grade: B+

(oh did I forget to mention? I'm grading each category seperately and then an overall grade afterwards)

Features:

Well, the 360's got a moderate amount of features I care for. To be frank, it's not a wow machine or one I consider my living room attraction, but it's nice to use what it has, and what it has I actually prefer to do on the 360 because it does it better than some of the other systems.

Windows Media Center Connect

This is all I really need to say, but for those who don't know. If you have a computer with XP and WMC or Windows Vista which has WMC installed, you get all access to your files be it movies, pictures, videos, music, and the like from one simple and easy setup. After configuring your 360 and PC to work together via Wireless signal or whatever means you use, it is wonderful!

I've only tinkered around in it though, because right now... my audio files are in iTunes as opposed to Windows Media Player, and the problem that happens here is my files aren't as organized like in iTunes and also I don't have all my files in my WMP library so I don't have all my songs. However, that process takes about 2 mins and I have nothing to complain about.

So far, there is one problem and it's delay. In reality, one needs A+G routers and I do not have one, so because of that... video files themselves can become slideshows and they pause while they have to buffer or stutter and slow to a crawl. Not admirable, but frankly... I don't have really any movies I care for on my PC enough to stream. I prefer the disc format so it's all good for me.

Lastly, one can share pictures and display them on the television for all to see. You can also play music during the slideshow from your library and really, WMC on 360 is just a wonderful tool to use and almost make that 360 worth the center of attention in your living room.

Streaming Capabilities:

What I love more than gaming is having good music to go with it. Today's games have soundtracks that... frankly can leave a bad taste in my mouth or feel TOTALLY wrong for the mood of the game. I mainly speak of titles like Sports/Racing games that use licensed tracks and the occasion I'm online playing a game and need something to get me in the mood. Thankfully, Microsoft's OS in the 360 allows easy use of streaming files and content from one source to another. In my case, my iPod can be hooked, the 360 is quick to recognize my files and storage unit, then allow me to stream them off without a hitch. It works so well, this is one of my most used and beloved features.

Dislikes:

Now for what about the system's features do I not like?

Well frankly, there are a few. One... the DVD player only displays in 480p signal. It doesn't upscale my movies to 720p or even 1080p. Perhaps not a big deal to some, but my t.v. is 1080p cpable, and yet having a 480p signal for my DVDs isn't fun. However, luckily, my t.v. can convert the signal to fit my screen if it's set-up right, so my movie still fills the screen, it just doesn't look as good if it were upscaled to the right signal though.

Customization options are limited:

I should say, I don't mind much about the color schemes of my system's menu system and all that jazz too much. However, if the option is given, I do expect some decent settings options. Frankly, the thing is... MS loves to charge for themes, or at least ones in genres you like, or else you are forced to go the route of free themes which generally involve product placement ads for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Best Buy, and the like. I'd love to be able to use my own pictures and designs but that can't happen unfortunately and likely won't.

Grade: B+

Xbox LIVE :

Ok, so we come down to what is perhaps the quintessantial piece of technology that powers the 360. Whether you like it or not, 360 is perhaps one of the key things you NEED on a 360 to really enjoy the system. Without it, the system feels incomplete and soulless.

Rather then go label each feature of the system, I'm just going to list my pros and cons or likes and dislikes of this essential network structure.

Pros/Likes:

• Top of the line online gaming source. While it costs this system is still ahead of the other two systems in terms of content, stability, service, and basic features.
• Cross-messanging system is a blessing to have. Allowing me to always be connected to friends and never leave my game when messages arrive.
• Integrated Friends List and Unified username. Self-explanitory
• Rich content on the marketplace. There's always something new or something to look for on the XBLM. MS has the largest amount of content availible from movie rentals to game content to 360 themes and pictures and so on.
• You always feel connected. I can see what my friends are up to, send chat invites across different games, join them in their games, send messages to setup games, and more. XBL really feels like your friends are closer and helps keep this large community feel.

Dislikes/Cons:

• You have to pay a premium. $50 a year isn't too bad for some, but it's getting harder to see when companies like Nintendo and Sony offer a moderate and serviceable system for free.
• Gold accounts don't feel to special or significant from Silver. Aside from online gaming and one week advantage to new content, there's nothing that really builds a gap between the two to make the payment plans really seem all that important.
• Peer-to-Peer connection only. So large games sometimes have connection issues and problems. Lag is more frequent or at least more likely on p2p as opposed to server based systems.

Grade: B

Overall:

While I do feel this system is great, and indeed I have logged many hours into it be it Halo 3 online or ES IV or other games. It's not perfect, but then again no system is. A few tiffs I have, and they are relatively small for the most part is XBL is basically needed for the system. Without it, the system feels incomplete and I had recently cancelled my account to be a Silver only for the time, because of personal reasons that may have me leaving gaming for two years even. Also I'm currently unemployed so I cannot continue paying on a tri-monthly plan like I had been doing so. Another reason is the variety of games, or lack of in genres. I may be looking at the glass half-empty, but that's not true. I see some great titles on the system, but there just isn't the type of games I'm still into. However it doesn't mean I don't enjoy what's on the system still. I find some new and satisfying experiences on it, and all I ask for is some more JRPG love or Fighting game love or Platformers.

I really hope MS strives more to diversify the genres on the system and holds back on the shooting games. I really also want to see more original content that's not so "adult" made. I don't mind the mature content, but light-hearted games, or games that are even adult in ****but fun in a childish way of gameplay would be great. (You know, that thing Nintendo seems to have nailed down quite well...)

Also I'd like to see Gold be more worth the money. IMO it's serviceable now, but Sony's HOME service and soon-to-come-in-the-near-future XMB integration are going to be on a free service. So come add new features for both accounts but I'd like to see Gold be more special please. :)

Also, now I must mention how Shooters need to really slow down, because I've not got a capable gaming PC machine which, I'll say rocks a ton! :D, and because of that... I expect to buy more of my shooters for it instead as I've been spending too much time on these FPS demos... >.>

Overall Grade: A

I know, I know, you're going... "WTF?! An A but you gave it all B's!!" I should say, these letter grades don't necessarily mean my overall grade is going to be reflected. No. Personally, I've been very satisified with my 360 and it's current state has me at this feeling. I do admit, at the current moment right now, i've not played the system for about... a month almost? Maybe that's because Brawl stole my life and I got rid of XBL Gold, which like I said, is the heart of the 360 really, so it feels so weird seeing my friends online, but unable to play with them. I'm concerned really about the gaming side of the system, and yet.. up to this point I've been pretty pleased with a bunch of the games I've played on it and still need to complete. This system has done wonders for me and kept me gaming and feeling the "next-gen" vibe for quite some time. So because of that, I give it an A. Really though, it doesn't mean the system is perfect... those B's are reflective of my current state of mood too, and they have much to improve on. However generally, i'm happy with my 360. Lots of great games to play, albeit mostly they revolve around shooting something in my library... :P but solid amounts of games nonetheless and still a good diverse library of games enough to keep me waiting for some more.

So what do you think? :)