GAME OF THE SHOW
WINNER: Dead or Alive 4 (Tecmo)Many can argue that the gameplay is similar to Tecmo's past incarnations, but this game was so incredibly addictive that we easily spent the most time at Tecmo's booth. It's absolutely gorgeous graphics were some of the best at the show, and highly addictive gameplay put it at the top of our list.
CONSIDERATION: Madden NFL 06 (EA Sports)
Take any list of top-selling games of all-time and you'll find the Madden series near the top. On whatever console, the series has always set the benchmark for gameplay, visuals and replay value regardless of the genre it was being compared too. Now, take everything you know about the Madden series, make it visually perfect, breath new life into the gameplay and you still haven't even scratched the surface of what the 360's Madden represents. Easily one of the most anticipated Xbox 360 titles, Madden 2006 is a fresh new start that is poised to take the series even further onto next generation consoles.
CONSIDERATION: Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft)
It plays a lot like Project Gotham Racing 2, but there was something to be said about its overall presentation at X'05 that really shined. Perhaps it was the incredibly detailed visuals, reflections, environments, or just the fact that the gameplay was so much fun that we kept coming back for more. Microsoft didn't tool around too much with the PGR formula, but added just enough to make it fresh again, like we really needed a reason to pick this one up. Kudos!
MOST INNOVATIVE
WINNER: GUN (Activision)This western-themed title was one we were hoping to get to try out and it certainly didn't disappoint. The innovative western gameplay, bar brawling and horseback riding title was one of the standout performers at the show, in both innovation and amount of time our journalists spent at Activision's booth. Gun, as a whole, wowed and surprised us from its creative presentation, its gameplay mechanics and its graphical and audio performances.
CONSIDERATION: Saint's Row (THQ)
From a distance it may look similar to other city-driving shoot-em-up titles, notably Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto franchise, but what really surprised us was just how THQ has taken that concept to a whole new level in innovation. The destructive physics and creative missions were quite innovative. One of these missions involves utilizing the ragdoll physics to commit insurance fraud, and try to injure yourself as much as possible, in front of as many people as possible. The multiplayer modes offered also look promising. One of these modes involves working in teams, and stealing as much money as possible to pimp out a car. In the end, the best car wins. The catch, if you can find your opponents' car, you can destroy it all you want. It's this kind of innovation that completely blew us away by Saint's Row.
BEST GRAPHICS
WINNER: Madden NFL 06 (EA Sports)Madden NFL 06 is quite possibly the greatest looking game ever made to date. From the accuracy of the stadiums and player/coach models down to the tattoos, arm hair and beads of sweat, Madden blew us out of the water and had us drooling in anticipation. Madden fans are known as some of the hardest critics around, but even the most jaded will spend hours upon hours painstakingly going over ever replay enjoying what is hands-down the most authentic football representation anyone has ever seen. Simply amazing.
CONSIDERATION: Dead or Alive 4 (Tecmo)
Although the gameplay hasn't changed much, Dead or Alive 4 really utilizes the graphical power of the Xbox 360. Upon first seeing it, surrounded by other 360 games, the series still looked amazing; the small little touches here and there, the arenas, the lighting, the hair flowing, the various pieces of costumes floating in the breeze, the wet pavements, the cherry blossoms in the air and the costumes that are photo-realistic.
CONSIDERATION: Peter Jackson's King Kong (Ubisoft)
Ubisoft is taking their game to the next level in this upcoming release based upon the motion picture of the same name. The developers have opted to truly immerse the player in the gameplay experience, with absolutely no heads-up display, and it really works to build the atmosphere. Imagine having an enormous T-Rex breathing down your neck in a thick jungle, its drool covering you as it searches for its next meal. The environmental details are incredible, from the bump mapping on the rocks and dinosaur flesh, to the absolutely gorgeous lighting effects. Ubisoft has truly taken their game to the next level.
BEST AUDIO
WINNER: Need for Speed: Most Wanted (EA)EA's next-generation Need for Speed title goes back to its roots, and was unanimously voted the best title at X'05 Canada for audio performance by our team. From the blazing sirens of cop cars, to the low frequency police chatter over the scanner, to the superb soundtrack, Need For Speed: Most Wanted is going to be tough to touch in this category. Not to mention that each car was sampled and recorded separately and the man behind it all also worked on The Fast and The Furious. Big shoes to fill indeed.
CONSIDERATION: GUN (Activision)
The entire western theme was well-conveyed by the audio of this title, from the soundtrack, to the voice acting. The western-style gun slinging and sound effects simply pushed this one over the top.
CONSIDERATION: Amped 3 (2K Games)
Amped is a series that has always been known for it's large soundtracks, but this one has the largest we've ever seen in a game. Over 300 tracks rock this snowboarding title, combined with the most realistic snowboarding sound effects to date, and you've got a title to annoy your neighbors until the cows come home.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
WINNER: The Outfit (THQ)From a title that we'd had little background on going into the show, THQ really blew us away with their upcoming release, The Outfit. A new take on a classic genre, The Outfit takes destruction to a whole new level, pretty much everything is destructible, buildings, soldiers, equipment, and even the walls around you. A squad leader in World War II, you have a massive array of highly destructible vehicles at your disposal, not to mention the all-so-effective air strikes. Explosions really utilize the power of the Xbox 360, and have never looked so good. THQ's The Outfit is definitely a title to consider come early next year.
CONSIDERATION: Full Auto (Sega)
Sega's Full Auto was another quiet sleeper before the show, another one of the low key titles that absolutely blew us away. Combine your typical racer, strap on a ton of explosives, rocket launches, machine guns, and then set out on the track for some absolutely destructive fun. In fact, for a game we hadn't heard much of before the show; it was one we played close to the most.
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