Prince of Persia [Xbox Live]

In an hour the princess must decide: marry the Grand Vizier Jaffar or die. You are the only one who can save her, but you've been arrested and thrown in the dank dungeons far below the palace where the princess nervously waits in a room at the top of a tower. You escape the guards' clutches, but you have a long way to go to rescue your true love and depose the cruel tyrant who rules his land with an iron fist. To get there, you'll have to leap across bottomless chasms, avoid spikes which shoot up from the floor, and battle nasty swordsmen.

Played in real time, Prince of Persia gives you exactly one hour of game time to master its secrets and reach your objective. Using animation modelled after the movements of real people, creator Jordan Mechner has crafted an intriguing game which not only looks wonderful, it has the feel of an old adventure film, with you in the title role. Are you up to the challenge?



source: allgame.com

Perfect Dark Zero

Joanna Dark, that Rare heroine who raised the bar for console shooters with her near-perfect 2000 debut on Nintendo 64, returns to her past with new purpose (and on a new platform), in this 2005 launch title for the Xbox 360. As the title implies, this game is a prequel to the N64 game, set before the original's twisted story of corporate conspiracy. Gamers are challenged to guide Joanna through training as a rookie operative, and help her earn the "perfect" test scores that inspired her ominous nickname.

The earlier setting should not imply that all has been said and done, however; while the game's story line may answer old questions about Joanna and her background, it also poses plenty of new questions of its own. In addition to its story-driven single-player mode, as Xbox aficionados and fans of the series might expect, Perfect Dark Zero features a variety of cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, including split-screen shooting for up to four, and online action through the Xbox Live subscription service, capable of hosting more than 50 human players in a single map.



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NBA Street: Homecourt

In NBA Street: Homecourt, players go up against NBA superstars on courts in their hometowns. Gamers who go "Career" must create a character and then pick a home to represent. Players then work their way from nobody to street ball legend by defeating other teams on their turf. Gamers go up against such NBA all-stars as Shaquille O'neal, Dwayne Wade, and Melo. As players progress through the game they are rewarded with upgraded skills and attributes for their avatar.

To truly own the courts players must master the "Trick Remixer." Gamers may execute a variety of special moves and combos during gameplay to upset the opponent's defense and to earn more points. Each successful trick bumps the Gamebreaker gauge up a notch until it is full and players activate the money ball. With control of the money ball, gamers can either go for a single basket or attempt to complete several combos before the dunk and earn up to three extra points. Online, players can create teams, chat with friends, check the leaderboard, and schedule tournaments.


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Major League Baseball 2007

Major League Baseball 2K7 continues 2K Sports' annual series with an emphasis on a more lifelike presentation, from the player models and animations to the commentary and crowds. Individual faces and body types have been refined, with in-game stars sporting the same accessories, batting stances, and home run celebrations as their real-life counterparts. The prior season's "Inside Edge" scouting data is now linked to user control, resulting in a temporary stat boost for players who successfully follow an athlete's particular strengths at the plate or on the mound.

On the diamond, the defensive AI has been tweaked to allow for more accurate positioning, relays, and cutoff throws based on scoring situations and the batter's tendencies. A number of new animations have been incorporated into the defensive game, allowing for fluid throws, slick dives, and show-stopping grabs. The popular franchise mode from previous iterations returns with a team's success now tied to ticket prices, attendance numbers, news, and fan hype. Veteran broadcasters Jon Miller and Joe Morgan reprise their commentary duties, and online support is once again included for head-to-head competition in custom leagues and tournaments.


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Madden NFL 08

EA Sports' blockbuster football series makes its third appearance on Xbox 360 with Madden NFL 08. Focusing on "weapons," in game events, and features from previous titles, Madden NFL 08 offers gamers another chance to create a dream season alone or in multiplayer competitions. The "weapons" concept is back, and gamers can now locate dangerous players by reading weekly scouting reports, watching player introductions, and by using trigger buttons before the snap on the field. There are a total of 24 different "weapons" and they include big hitters, defensive linemen, running backs, and catch receivers. Each "weapon" has a counter-weapon that gamers must uncover in order to bring a potentially destructive competitor down. However, by completing the mini-games in "Franchise" or "Owner" mode, players can alter the attributes for each team member.

On the field, a number of events return including hurdles, player celebrations, and defensive hot routes. Now when a competitor is gearing up to lunge for the legs of the ball carrier, gamers can hurdle over them and avoid going down. After jumping over his adversary, the carrier can then make his way to the end zone for a touchdown and a celebration animation. Gamers can select from 60 different signature moves including Chad Johnson's "River Dance," Rex Grossman's "Gator Chomp," and Donte Hall's "X." In the trophy room, players can revisit victories by viewing awards for rushing and passing records and multiplayer competitions. Additionally, gamers can now create different rings to earn as they progress through the game.



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LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

The first Star Wars game on Xbox 360 offers players a rare opportunity to engage in brick-blasting battles and some sci-fi spoofing. As the title suggests, the story line focuses on the first three films in the Star Wars saga. Players will choose from a variety of LEGOized characters as they attempt to end the Galactic Empire's tyrannical reign. The lighthearted action is designed for players of all ages and abilities, with offbeat special moves such as Leia's head-knocking slaps to Obi-Wan's helmet-spinning use of the Force to confuse his attackers.

As players progress through familiar movie scenes in the story mode, they can unlock more than 50 characters and even mix-and-match individual parts or accessories to create custom hybrids for use in the "free play" mode. Also available is the ability to build vehicles such as landspeeders, AT-STs, and speeder bikes, or to ride creatures like tauntauns and banthas. The first game's cooperative play option is included with a revamped camera and more team-oriented challenges. Xbox Live users can unlock 54 additional characters for free play, expanding the roster to include Darth Maul and other fan favorites.



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Guitar Hero II

Scramble is a side-scrolling shooter that puts you in control of a spaceship whose mission it is destroy an enemy base, which lies in the sixth level. The first level of play has you flying over hilly terrain. You must dodge or destory enemy missiles that are shot from the ground. The second stage takes place in a cavern. Here enemy saucers swarm all around you. In the third level, fast, indestructible fireballs scramble your senses -- dodge them if you value your life.

The fourth level takes you to the city. Here you must fly over a large metropolis while being fired at by missiles that are situated on the tops of buildings. The fifth section of the game sends you flying through tight machine tunnels. Your inept (just kidding) flying skills are your only enemy in this level. After reaching the final stage of the game and destroying the base, which rests in a deep valley, you will start over at the beginning, this time at a more challenging pace.

As you fly through this game, dropping bombs and shooting bullets at enemies, you must be sure and destroy plenty of fuel tanks. If you run out of fuel, you crash.



source: allgame.com

Gears of War

Anointed by the games media as Microsoft's first "killer app" for its Xbox 360, Epic Games' Gears of War is a futuristic third-person shooter emphasizing tactical action over run-and-gun battles. Players are thrust in a climactic clash between what's left of humankind and a swarming underground race called the Locust Horde. The main protagonist is Marcus Fenix, a once disgraced soldier looking to redeem himself by leading a ragtag squad against the monstrous threat.

Since the alien army vastly outnumbers the team, players must use the post-apocalyptic world to their advantage, such as seeking cover behind dumpsters, pillars, cars, rubble, and other objects. The developer has adapted its award-winning Unreal technology to create interactive environments with a physics-based damage system. Players, for instance, can shoot down structures to forge new routes or opportunities to trap the enemy. Up to three squad mates will accompany Fenix in each mission, with basic commands such as "advance," "hold," or "freelance" available to guide them.

A behind-the-shoulder view similar to the one employed in Capcom's Resident Evil 4 is the default perspective in Gears of War. Weapons include an assortment of grenades, pistols, assault rifles, and other long-range blasters, many of which offer a means to engage enemies in melee combat. The Locust Horde is not averse to lunging, rushing, or gnawing at soldiers, so players have the opportunity to perform grisly finishing moves by quickly tapping specific button sequences during close encounters. Cooperative support for two players is offered throughout the campaign, and up to eight can battle each other in team-oriented modes via Xbox Live.



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Galaga [Xbox Live]

The sequel to Galaxian, Galaga is a timeless classic, showing up regularly on fans' and magazines' lists of greatest games ever. As with most slide-and-shoot games, players control an upward-firing ship that moves horizontally along the bottom of the screen. Bug-like alien invaders fly in looping, twirling maneuvers around the screen, settling temporarily into formations at the top of the playfield, only to swoop down again. What sets Galaga apart from most blast-a-thons, in addition to its perfectly balanced shooting action, is the strategic maneuver of letting your ship get captured, then rescuing it for double firepower. Also nifty are the challenge stages, which let players blast away unmolested for extra points.

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Forza Motorsport 2

Microsoft's answer to Gran Turismo switches gears from Xbox to Xbox 360 with the release Forza Motorsport 2. The added horsepower of the Xbox 360 allows for high-definition visuals, advanced special effects, and a frame rate that clocks in at 60 frames per second. More than 60 tracks are available to race on, including such authentic venues as Silverstone Circuit, Mazda Raceway Laguna, and Sebring International Raceway. Gearheads can acquire more than 300 licensed vehicles from 50 top manufacturers, with each car's performance influenced by damage or wear, weather, and road conditions.

An assortment of tuning parts and customization options exist, as players decide on suspension kits, engines, body kits, brakes, paint schemes, and more before adjusting their vehicle's tire pressure, gear ratios, and various other settings from within a garage. Prized wheels can be snapped for fun or posterity in the "Forza Photo Mode," and Xbox Live support is once again included for players to test drive their custom cars while earning special credits to unlock bonus features. Races between rival cars can also be viewed on "Forza Motorsport TV," which lets players learn driving strategies and techniques from the top racers on Xbox Live.



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Fight Night: Round 3

Fight Night: Round 3 makes its Xbox 360 debut with a new graphics engine that allows players to gauge their rival's health and energy simply by watching his dynamic facial expressions and body cues. The analog punch system from the 2005 version has returned with new punch types, each of which can shift a fight’s momentum if landed correctly. The haymaker punch is now harder to connect, but it is also more powerful. The new flash KO punch can overpower a boxer in one hit, putting him in the dangerous position of being knocked out, while the stun punch switches the default third-person view to a first-person perspective as players attempt to finish off their stunned opponent with a devastating blow. While these impact punches can change the course of a fight within a few seconds, they are considered high-risk swings that can leave a boxer vulnerable to counter moves.

The career mode from the series has undergone a few changes to offer a more personal approach to a boxer’s legacy. Rivalries will now be created from key match-ups, flamboyant claims at press conferences, and clashes during weigh-ins, allowing players to square off against their heated rivals in multiple rematches for fame, money, and respect. Players are also free to re-create some of the sport’s greatest bouts with the included roster of legends from different eras and weight classes, whether it’s Ali versus Frasier, Leonard versus Hagler, or Gatti versus Ward. As an added bonus, the game features ESPN Classic footage of the real-life fights that helped shape the sport. All of the featured play modes from 2005’s game have made the transition to Round 3, although the create boxer option now lets players choose from multiple styles in footwork, punching, and blocking for greater customization. Online support is also included for head-to-head matches against players from around the world.

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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Like earlier games in the Elder Scrolls line, Oblivion is designed to present a living fantasy world that gamers experience on their own terms. The game is populated with over 1,000 NPCs, each leading a full life, following regular schedules according to their individual wants, needs, and positions. Players are encouraged to interact in the world as they choose, as noble heroes, greedy villains, or anything in between. The game's main story is designed to conform to characters of any moral bent, and plenty of side-missions provide extra adventuring for all.

Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year Edition

This Infinity Ward follow-up to 2003's critically acclaimed Call of Duty pushes farther across the European Theatre of World War II, with missions spanning the desert fighting in North Africa to the tank assaults on the Russian front. The sequel boasts graphical enhancements and significant improvements to artificial intelligence. Computer-controlled teammates act and react individually, and the game's contextual "battle chatter" system lets players know exactly what's on their minds. Enemy squads are likely to have learned a few new tricks as well. The game's single-player campaign is designed to allow individual players to progress through the missions in the order they prefer. Multiplayer warfare is supported for Internet-connected soldiers.