I have only played the first 3 missions and some MP but I like this game (never played the original so can't compare).

About the saves, it seems there is an option to save but I don't understand what exactly it saves because there is no "load" option other than the load checkpoint (which is a preset save).

Gameplay has been fun so far and I like it that it's really hard to die even if you screw up the stealth because you can at least complete the mission without many reloads and frustration.  I don't understand the reviews raving about graphics however.  Most recent PC FPS look better than this game.  Not saying that the graphics are bad, they are certainly acceptable but not a selling point.  (maybe some of the later levels are amazing looking?)

I wasn't expecting much from this game but I ended up really enjoying it.  The whole aspect of unlocking monsters and unlocking new gameplay mechanics is a great carrot on the stick.  I hate most 3D platformers and I was probably one of the few who didn't like games like Mario 64 but this one I liked a lot.  Replay value is probably going to be low however.  The graphics of the world environment were quiet nice for a launch title.  I can't wait to see a KOTOR like RPG for the 360 in the future.  Mass Effect from Bioware sounds similar but no lightsabers!

Sounds like some buddy-buddy non-legit crap going on in Sears. Not cool, not cool at all.

My mom is a manager at Walmart and I had to line up anyway in the morning to get my copy.  Walmart got some bad publicity recently but at least they were fair with regards to this.  Shame on Sears if they really did pull that crap.

Hmm I can't tell if Kameo looks better in either resolution with the "Bandwith Exceeded" image

I do have a question however, anyone know if there is going to be a HDMI cable available for the 360?  Is HDMI input better than component?

What is the fastest animal in the world?

The Cheetah!

The peregrine falcon can do over 200mph while a Cheetah is at 70mph.

Crazed gamer driving to pickup his 360?  Probably a lot faster.

LOTR Tactics has got a really mediocre review at Gamespot.  I was hoping this one would be good.  Has anyone played it yet?

You people anger me for forgetting  Mechwarrior 2.

That was my 1st pick right near the start of the thread.

SWAT 4

I must admit that I liked it a lot at first.  But the bubbliness of the song is starting to bother me now.

I don't care so much about the video interviews but I would really like to have an audio CD or at least be able to play the sountrack without starting the game.  Whatever the case, still a must-have for me.

Found this site:
http://www.frankklepacki.com/

You can listen to tracks from C&C and some other games here.

Here's an obscure one that I really enjoyed (the music): Ascendancy.  It was a 4X game.

Great music, genius game. God I loved that game.

Apparently the game didn't do well because the AI sucked.  However at the time I was only familiar with MOO and not very good at it either so it was just the right level of diffculty for me.

Granted, I havent played GW much, but IMO Diablo 2 > GW.

I agree with that but GW PvP > Diablo 2.

As I said, if they made Diablo 3 like GW with some improvements (story, solo, loot) then it could potentially be a really good game.  It's no coincidence though that GW has many of the Diablo gameplay elements since some of the developers worked for Blizzard.

Yes, except the part where you have to keep paying every motnh to play, unlike Diablo 2.

Sadly, Lockdown is absolutely correct on this one.  And I loathe with every fiber of my being that some accounting guys managed to make a model of constant revenue stream and alot of gamers fell for it hook, line, and sinker.  It has permanently changed gaming...for the MUCH worse IMO.

Back to GW again, it's done well without any monthly fees.

Wouldn't a system like Guild Wars fit the bill, assuming you could solo the game?

I think so.  People who loathe MMRPGs should really take a look at GW.  It's probably the only one that almost completely does away with grinding and auto-attack combat which are the major complaints about MMRPGs.  Now add some Blizzard style story and CGI sequences, make it more soloable and you got a great Diablo 3/GW style game.

Here's an obscure one that I really enjoyed (the music): Ascendancy.  It was a 4X game.

I ended up picking up the game last night.  Even though I've only played for 30 mins, I am really impressed.  Just in the first two missions alone, there were some great moments (the tension as you wait for the Germans to rush your position as they emerge through the smoke, the building blowing up).  I was a bit hesitant to buy the game because of some of the lukewarm reviews but I'm really glad now that I did.  Sweet graphics and it runs very well on my AMD64 3200 6800 Geforce.  Can't wait to try out MP.

The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall.

I really felt I was a lone knight riding my horse on a cold winter morning, and it was mostly due to the music I think.

I'm not sure if it was just the music but I know exactly what you mean.  People throw around the word "immersion" too lightly nowadays; now DF was a game that truly excelled in it.

It's probably the most realistic shooter I've played online.  I mean, yeah, CS feels realistic, Operation Flashpoint is like, the God of realistic shooters, but I really feel like a normal soldier when I play online.

This statement is confusing me.  From all I've read thus far, I was under the impression that CoD2 is even less realistic than CoD1.  Having played the CoD2 demo, that seems to be the case.  So are you saying MP is a completely different animal?  I love realistic MP shooters (Raven Shield is one my favourites).  Can you kill someone with 1 headshot with any weapon?

Agreed with RTW and Civ4, they are great.

I also like the soundtrack from:
- MechWarrior 2
- Command & Conquer
- Diablo I town music (this one is not necessarily great but it's etched in my mind from hearing it way too often).
- Medieval: TW

If you don't mind a relative beginner, I am interested.

Found a copy today in Staples.
Two tech trees - one in each official language - and a Quick Guide instead of a manual.  There is reference to a full manual on CD, however.
I'll install tonight ... especially as I just finished Dungeon Siege II last night.

It's odd, I got the same thing at Best Buy.  It's not collectors edition, it's more like Value edition because the quick guide sucks compared to the full manual.   To make it even worse, the box had a duplicate Manual CD and no Install Disc 2.  Impatient old me ended up going to a EB near me instead of returning it and bought another copy from there.  This copy had the full manual.  I just hope I can return the BB copy since it's defective.

Anyway, I love this game!  I've also been lucky to not come accross any bugs or performance issues (even near the late game).

I've called FS and EB for the last few days.  They both say that shipment was delayed and it will be out today.  One of the EB's had collectors edition out yesterday but they were all sold to pre-orders.

Bought the game yesterday after reading the review and so far, I am enjoying it quiet a bit although I'm just on the 3rd mission.

Well it looks like the game is coming out much sooner in europe:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009XH4DO/026-0153251-5354065

But I guess the Xbox/PS2 versions won't work because of region code?

I love the W11 series and I heard from a friend that there might be a new version out already released in other parts of the world.  I guess it would be W11 9 and I think it's called something else.

Anyone else know about this?

Loved CoH single player.  Tried MP but it just seemed MOTS especially if you've played a lot of similar MP FPS.  I would love to see some clever modes like in Wolfenstein: ET, that was the most brilliant (free!) MP FPS I have ever played.

They should make a hybrid keyboard where the WASD key is replaced by an analog joystick.  

I don't see why anyone would view keyboard/mouse as a negative thing.  As someone already suggested, there are workarounds to make sure that online play is balanced.  

The benefits to being able to use KB/mouse are huge.  Besides the obvious advantage to a FPS; imagine being able to finally play games with complex controls on a console.  Every time such a game has been done on a console, it has always been dumbed down and even then having complex input like hold R+L+b.  We could have games like Mechwarrior 2 done on console without it being just an arcade game with big robots.  A game like Ace Combat could lean more towards Simulator.  Of course it all depends if developers decide to take advantage but at least the possibility is there.

Where are the realistic shooters (besides AA which isn't fair cause it's free)?  I thought Ghost Recon and Raven Shield had a big cult following with tons of mods and such?

Looking at those screenshots, I would pick the PC version just for the details on the scientists white woolen sweater.  I remember you could even make out two stains on her sweater.  The first time you meet her and then see her have a little spat with Alex, such great facial animation and voicework.  Just remembering what a great game HL2 was

Can you starve the dog and beat it from when it's a puppy to steadily turn it into a killing machine?

If you could do that, I would be so IN.  Especially since yesterday they banned owning a pitbull in Toronto.

Sounds like Battlefield Fantasy from the game description.  Graphics are incredible.  Lots of potential if these guys can pull if off.

Why?  Because the same developers did a pretty good job with Arx Fatalis.  And I think the engine will allow for more depth than Hexen gameplay even if it is all action.

Finally!  A game to get excited over.

It depends what build you play.  Some are very good solo in PvE.  I know some builds that can solo a mission called "Thirty River" which is generally considered one of the toughest missions.

It can be difficult in the last stages of the game when your henchmen will not have special defence against a certain type of attack.  Most people would consider it frustrating to attempt the whole game solo, but then I know some people who enjoy the challenge.

BTW, it's trivially easy to get a pickup group.  You don't even have to bother with "Level 10 Ranger LFG" if you don't care too much about the pickup group makeup.  Just hit invite on a couple of group leaders and someone will surely let you in.

The towns are always spamming with "LFG for bonus".  I don't know why everyone is so keen on the bonus mission.  Other than the "fun factor" aspect, xp and skill points come naturally as you progress.  You also hit level 20 automatically about 70% through the game whether you have enough xp or not.  Sometimes I hear, "I want to be strong enough for the missions so that's why I level grind and/or do the bonus".  But in GW, your skill set and armor is more important than a few levels.  My level 14 cruised through the missions and is now in Ventarii Refuse.  If I do the 10-15 arena, I kick butt because I have better armor and skills than most people.  Solo'd a group of 3 once in arena after my party wiped.

For my 3rd alt, I hope I can get some help and run to ascension quest bypassing most of the missions.  I know some people have ascended (auto hit 20) with a level 3-5 character.  Don't know any other rpg where you can hit level cap in about 5hrs.

Still playing since Day 1 and working on getting my second character to 20.  Instead of loot collecting or level grinding like other RPGs, I'm addicted to skill collecting.  So many of them and it's so easy to switch around your attribute points to try different builds.

When I played games like EQ, CoH, SWG etc., I always had the desire to try all the classes with all their skills but it was just not possible to do without investing life-destroying amounts of time.  With GW, it's doable at a relaxed casual pace.

Probably because of technical limitations.  I have yet to see a massively multiplayer game with fluid and fast gameplay compared to a single player game.  Few have tried (ww2online, planetscape) but they are still limited.  Some use workaround such as instances but in that case, it not technically "massive".  I'm sure we will see lots of these types of games when everyone is on fibre optics networks and super fast video cards.

Check out the "stealth" Civ4 site: http://www.civanon.com - the videos are hilarious, be sure to watch all of them.

LOL, that was hilarious

DVI is so old school.  Will it support HDMI?