TeamXbox.com Hot List: April 7, 2006At A Glance
It's time to celebrate because the first videogame diva, the lovely Ms. Lara Croft, makes her debut on both Xbox 360™ and Xbox® in a new Tomb Raider game! No really, forget whatever you heard about the demise of this franchise, because Lara's latest escapade is the real deal. Funcom has proven that the adventure game genre is still very much alive, as Dreamfall is one of the most interesting Xbox titles we've seen in some time. Finally, the famous Battlefield series comes to Xbox 360 with an enhanced version of the Xbox game that gained critical acclaim last year. Every other week we take a look at the releases of the upcoming two weeks and provide our views on the ones to watch. Here is the TeamXbox.com Hot List for April 9, 2006, through April 22, 2006.
Rob S. It may have seemed like an eternity, but finally, Lara Croft makes her Microsoft debut on both the Xbox and Xbox 360 platforms. This time, Eidos put Ms. Croft in the capable hands of the folks at Crystal Dynamics, most famous for The Legacy of Kain series. I'm happy to announce that the first real diva of video games is back and better than ever. It's back to the future for the latest release, Tomb Raider LEGEND, as the game focuses much more on the adventure and exploration aspects that made the series so popular in the first place. Lara nearly takes a backseat to the amazing locations where her exploits play out. Free climb the jungle cliffs of Bolivia, explore ancient ruins in Peru, navigate the snowy passes of Kazakhstan, and partake in the metro life of Tokyo. The amount of depth that Crystal D has implemented is truly impressive and makes for Lara's best adventures to date.
Ms. Croft has never looked so good. Don't worry, there is plenty of dual-wielding gunplay along with an emphasis on showcasing Lara's patented, acrobatic moves. The part I enjoy most is the new free movement control. Unlike prior Tomb Raider games, you actually have full control over Lara—from spelunking to motorcycle riding, and everything in between. As you'd expect, the locales of Tomb Raider Legend are filled with puzzles and traps. While experienced Tomb Raider fans may breeze through these brain teasers, they still provide a nice overall challenge to round out the adventure. It also helps that the game is absolutely gorgeous on both consoles. Tomb Raider LEGENDis exactly the quality of game that the franchise needed and Crystal D has overcome the challenge with flying colors. Xbox nation, don't miss this one—it's a keeper! Read even more at TeamXbox.com's Tomb Raider LEGEND game information page.
Dale N. I wouldn't exactly consider the adventure genre on original Xbox kicking, but it is definitely alive with Funcom bringing The Longest Journey franchise to Microsoft's first console. Even though Dreamfall is an action/adventure-style romp adapted from the PC market, don't expect the cumbersome mouse-to-thumbstick adaptation to make the arduous journey too. Funcom hammered out an Xbox-specific control scheme for Dreamfall which allows characters to hone in on any environmental items of interest, with a 360-degree cone of vision. As objects are highlighted with "far vision," the face buttonswill interact with them; a far cry from the tedious cursor shuffle.
Explore the fascinating parallel worlds of Dreamfall . Having a stout control scheme is a great advantage in a console adventure game, but what shines is how well the story has been woven. From all early indications, Dreamfall will have no trouble drawing fantasy gamers in with its intriguingly retro 2200s time period. You initially play Dreamfall as an atypical twenty-something gal that goes by Zoë, but other playable characters enter the mixture as the journey endures. There's a swordsman known as Kian that is fun to use during the hands-on battle sequences (a simple, Jade Empire-like combat system is used every now and then). You also get a chance to play with The Longest Journey's original heroine April Ryan, but I'll spare you the plot-spoiling details at this time. Look for the promising Dreamfall: The Longest Journey to hit store shelves on April 17. Find out more at TeamXbox.com's Dreamfall: The Longest Journey game information page.
Brent S. Electronic Arts brings their latest military combat title to Xbox 360 as Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is poised to take the franchise to new heights, thanks to the advanced hardware of the console. Loads of new maps including the beaches of Wake Island, the deserts of the Middle East, and the snow-capped mountains of northern China are just a few of the locations where you carry out intense battles. Vehicles, including snowmobiles and mini-gun equipped vans, also offer new gameplay options for the heavy multiplayer-focused combat.
Expect massive online battles via Xbox Live. The single-player campaign of Battlefield 2: Modern Combat tells a story from both sides of the conflict in one of the most dangerous, war-torn regions of the world. Taking place in Kazakhstan, the campaign features the revolutionary "Hot Swapping" tactic that provides the ability to instantly switch control from one soldier to the next. This means you take over different types of soldiers at any given time, or at any varying location within the battlefield. Find out more about this game at TeamXbox.com's Battlefield 2: Modern Combat game information page. |
