November 16th, 2005
The early word is underwhleming. IGN gives the launch games good, but not glowing reviews. The exception being the review of Call of Duty 2. But here’s the damning quote, which doesn’t bode well for the new Xbox:
While many early Xbox 360 games are simple high-resolution versions of their current gen brethren . . .
Yikes. And that’s from a positive review. Check out the lede on this less positive review of NBA 2K6:
If there is something we’ve learned from this batch of launch titles for the Xbox 360, it’s that we want more from our next-generation console. A lot more. As IGN is in the process of finishing reviews for each of the launch titles, it’s great to see when a developer goes all out to utilize the power of the 360, like we are seeing with Sega’s Condemned: Criminal Origins. On the flip side, it’s frustrating when a developer like EA actually removes key features from its games, like several golfers and courses for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 and the franchise mode from NBA Live 06. The next generation is now, people. We should be adding features, not removing them.
Thankfully, NBA 2K6 didn’t remove any of the features that made it a well-rounded and deep basketball title on current-gen consoles. Speaking of well rounded, NBA 2K6 reminds me of Tim Duncan. Like the Big Fundamental, 2K6 is not flashy and you are rarely going to jump out of your seat in sheer excitement when you play. But, like Duncan, 2K6 is a big name in the business, has earned tremendous respect from intelligent basketball fans, and it does just about everything well. However, the only real changes from 2K6 on the PS2 and Xbox to the Xbox 360 seem to be updated rosters and improved player models.
That’s not supposed to be what you hear about a “next generation” system, yet it’s the same impression I got after monkeying around with the machine for 10 minutes.
Remember what a jump the first Dreamcast, PS2, and Xbox represented? Remember what a huge leap forward the first Playstation was? The slope of the tech curve is flattening out.
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