The Video Game Critic

Christmas usually brings a lot of gift cards. This year I could an especially large amount. My brother hauled in the same amount. He couldn't decide what to spend his on, and suggested getting a 360. We could get one with a game and only have to spend about $75.00 each. I'm not sure I want one though. The only game I really want is Gears of War. Can any of you 360 owners tell me what games are fun? My decision is based off of you alone, so pull out the big guns.

Some games I personally found very enjoyable were call of duty 2 and 3.  The second is better though, and 20$ cheaper as well.  The third is just stunning to look at though.  I'm playing through Gun right now, this is the best case of 360 games that look like x box games.  However it is a fine looking x box game and a very good game all around.  I'm digging the open ended wild west theme, and the gunplay is good too.

Of course you have gears of war which you should get with the system no matter what.  But another good multiplayer game is table tennis, really, stop laughing.  The matches can get crazy, and there is a good amount of depth in what seems like a simple game.  It's also only 30$ at eb, can't beat that.  Ghost recon advanced warfighter is also a fantastic game.  But I haven't ben able to sink much time into it yet.  And of course you have geomotry wars which is great old school fun.

Also something I love about the 360 is custom soundtracks on all games.  Seriously this has increased my enjoyment of so many games.  Especially those light on music light table tennis or fear.  Which I just forgot about until now, fear is also awesome.  The slow motion alone is worth playing it, plus I hear the multiplayer is fantastic.      

Go with Oblivion!   It is probably the greatest open ended RPG, and It's my game of the year.  And for a game with so much detail, it is very accessible.  This is a game you can truly play however you want.

Other games of choice

Gears of War -  Yeah you mentioned this game, its probably the best shooter on the Xbox.  If you want a shooter with an awesome team deathmatch, this is the game to go with.

Dead Rising -  It has a horrible save system,  but If you can handle it, this one of the greatest and most unique action games of all time.

Fight Night Round 3 -   This is awesome, and is my favorite fighting game ever.  That's right, I like it better than Soul Calibur or Street Fighter 2.

Geometry Wars -   If you get Xbox live, be sure and download this, it's only 5 bucks and is an awesome pre-NES style arcade game, but with better graphics ofcourse.

Viva Pinata -   Never played it, but it's definately something that looks interesting.

Go with Oblivion!   It is probably the greatest open ended RPG, and It's my game of the year.  And for a game with so much detail, it is very accessible.  This is a game you can truly play however you want.

Other games of choice

Dead Rising -  It has a horrible save system,  but If you can handle it, this one of the greatest and most unique action games of all time.

Fight Night Round 3 -   This is awesome, and is my favorite fighting game ever.  That's right, I like it better than Soul Calibur or Street Fighter 2.

Geometry Wars -   If you get Xbox live, be sure and download this, it's only 5 bucks and is an awesome pre-NES style arcade game, but with better graphics ofcourse.

Viva Pinata -   Never played it, but it's definately something that looks interesting.

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I know what Oblivion is, and to be honest I can't see myself playing it. Other than that your suggestions all seem like fun games. Given that the two fighting games you said Fight Night is better than are my two favorite fighting games I really want that now. Plus, I've wanted it ever since I saw it in Entourage. Viva Pinata is something my brother suggested, and I thought Dead Rising sounded fun until everyone here turned me off of it. Can I get Geometry Wars without paying for a subscription to Xbox Live, or do I need the gold membership? 

I do not laugh at the Table Tennis suggestion SSX. That type of game is right up my alley. I can see myself picking it up if it is cheap.

(I posted this new page twice, sorry about that, I didn't see this one get through originally)

Do you like racing games? Project Gotham Racing 3 is pretty entertaining.

I'm not a rpg fan, but Oblivion just might turn out to be a fun game for you, I definately recommend if you become a 360 owner to download a demo of it, you might be surprised.

Grab Geometry Wars and Oblivion.  If you don't like RPGs and do like adventure games you'll find it more of an adventure with really tight writing and story telling.

You don't need a xbox gold membership to download demos/games.  You only need the gold membership to play online with/against adversaries.  You'll get a temporary gold membership with Gears of War.d

Geometry Wars is still only $5 and highly worth it.  Also, keep in mind you'll be able to download demos of almost all 360 games which will keep you busy for a very long time.  So, try it and if you like it then grab it.

Good luck!

Yeah, you can download anything for free with Xbox live Silver subscription (which is free).   The only thing you need a Gold subscription (the one that costs money) for is to play games online.   But I believe the premium system comes with a free 2 month subscription.   Also, everytime you register a new name, it gives oyu a free month of Gold xbox live.  If you dont mind having to change your online name everymonth, you will never have to pay for Xbox live.

Geometry wars, is also availible in the "Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged" game bundle.  It comes with a bunch of other Xbox live games, but most of them are junk.  Wik: Fable of Souls is on the disk and its pretty good.   But Geometry Wars and Wik, are not worth the 40 bucks they are asking, especially when compared to the 20 dollar Capcom Classics Collection.   The cheapest I can find it for, is 25 dollars, with no guarenteed manual or box.  

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=952059

I wouldn't pay anymore than 15 for it.

Thanks for the help guys, but my brother ended up buying an ipod. Maybe I'll pick one up in a few years when they go down in price. It's good to know what games to get if I ever get one.