Net Ten: Ten Troubled Xbox 360 Games (page 1) Subscribe to this RSS feed

You've heard all the hype. But rumors are suggesting that a fair number of Xbox 360 launch-window games are headed for serious trouble. Here's the straight dope, based on what we've heard so far.

#10 Condemned: Criminal Origins - [ Xbox 360 ]

Okay, this was a tough choice. Condemned definitely shows some flair--the hyper-realistic environments and cool lighting effects caught our eye--and the melee-focused combat is definitely unique, especially for an first-person title. Problem is, the framerate and ultra-slow movement speeds are major obstacles for the development team. We're also not wild about the detective segments (there's something lame about hunting for fingerprints, maybe it's just us). But if Monolith can come through in the end, Condemned could end up being the best game on this list. Our trigger-fingers are crossed!

What excites us: The lush, Blade Runner-esque atmosphere

What scares us: The framerate, the Fat Albert movement speed

#10 Condemned: Criminal Origins
83% average
critic
score

#9 Need For Speed: Most Wanted - [ Xbox 360 ]

Good Lord, does the world really need yet another Need for Speed game? EA is notorious for grinding out sequels in record time, and we're concerned that NFS: MW is headed down a dangerously twisty road. The versions we've seen just looked like high-resolution versions of the PS2 and Xbox games. And the new real-time lightning system--which tracks the Sun and the Moon as the travel across the sky--is a cool touch, but hardly important to players. From what we've heard, if you own the PS2 or Xbox version, you might be smart to save your money.

What excites us: Even bad racing games can be good fun

What scares us: Why buy the same game twice?

#9 Need For Speed: Most Wanted
85% average
critic
score

#8 Superman Returns - [ Xbox 360 ]

The Caped Crusader is synonymous with peace, justice, and "The American Way." There's no question that a Superman game could kick serious ass, but it's all in the execution. Or in EA's case, the lack thereof. Lately, EA's comic-themed games have sucked ass: Catwoman was a Katrina-sized disaster, and Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects was little more than another lame tie-in. If EA fails to treat this classic character with the respect he deserves, the game franchise could shrivel faster than Clark Kent in a kryptonite sauna. And it won't take a pissed-off EA blogger to tell us that.

What excites us: Superman's back! And he's hot!

What scares us: EA's doing it

#8 Superman Returns
42% average
critic
score

#7 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland - [ Xbox 360 ]

Okay, we'll take it easy on the Hawk-man. Still, gamers deserve to know that the Xbox 360 version of American Wasteland is rumored to be a wasted opportunity. Outside of a cleaner display resolution and slightly sharper visuals, judging from the screenshots it's obvious that Neversoft didn't make much of an effort to take advantage of the Xbox 360's crushing graphics abilities. Say it ain't so, Tony!

What excites us: Full-time assclown Bam Margera is mercifully missing from the cover

What scares us: The gameplay and graphics are awfully similar to the PS2 and Xbox versions

#7 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
86% average
critic
score

#6 Project Gotham Racing - [ Xbox 360 ]

Okay, so at least the graphics in Project Gotham Racing 3 show off the Xbox 360's horsepower. The glossy cars and crazy attention to mechanical details (brake pads, interior dashes, rims) are definite pluses. So what's the problem? Easy--the game still uses the god-awful "Kudos" system that plagued Project Gotham 1 and 2. When it comes right down to it, we want a new Forza, not another crappy PGR game. Read between the lines: the $49.99 price point (compared to $59.99 for the other Xbox 360 games) says more than you might think.

What excites us: Phenominal visual detail

What scares us: Craptastic Kudo system, "budget" price point

#6 Project Gotham Racing
86% average
critic
score