Xbox 360 at X05: The Full Verdict

Not only does Xbox 360 actually exist, it also has games to die for. The real theme of X05 was tangibility, as our hugely detailed verdict report explains.

Page: 1  2  3 

Following our initial report from this year's stunning Xbox event in Amsterdam, X05, we think it's about time we offer our closing thoughts on the event that was Microsoft's final war cry in the unstoppable next-generation of videogames.

Welcome to Amsterdam

Referred to by Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis as "one of Europe's greatest and finest cities", Amsterdam in fact lacked the finesse and outright class of previous X event host cities, such as Cannes and Seville (with X02's Isla Magica theme park in Seville being by far the most memorable venue for us), but the overwhelmingly laid-back atmosphere throughout Amsterdam's streets could almost have mirrored Microsoft's own assuredness in debuting so much of what 360 will finally be at the event.

After rounding a few hundred questionably coffee-enthusing journalists onto some boats, those lucky enough to be in attendance at this year's infamously exclusive outing were whisked along to the secret venue - essentially a gigantic (but pretty) warehouse sort of place, accompanied by an even bigger dome-like building, where the party would later take place.

More where these cuties came from later.

Secret Venue

Upon arrival, photographers could savour the delights of a series of custom-decorated Xbox 360s - very arty and very European, but ultimately a little pointless. Still, for some, it was better than having to socialise with anyone for any longer than absolutely necessary. And it means you can check out the complete range in the accompanying pictures which we've thown later into this article. We quite like the "standard retail model" look, to be quite honest.

Day two's structured showing was most reassuring

Pressing Conference Issues

Anyway. A bit of waiting around later, and it was time for the conference to begin. Previous press conferences at X events had seen picturesque backdrops of lakes, laser displays and images projected onto explosions of water. This year's press conference was a little more familiar, as Microsoft's guests were ushered via a green tunnel into a very large, long room that was so high at the back you could nearly touch the ceiling. It was "E3" in style, and arguably "E3" in terms of announcements - but just without some of the subtle E3 bullshit.

The conference was long, and hot, but worth it

It's not that British and European attendees are boring or less appreciative of the ensuing on-stage events than E3 conferences full of Americans. But for a couple of American speakers, it was apparently too much to research previous X conferences when the likes of Jay Wilbur had attempted to rally supporting whoops and cheers by yelling to the audience, "do you want some?" and faced an embarrassing silence.

For any American X06 speakers, please remember, it just doesn't work like that in Europe. We don't answer questions and interact with you en masse like we do at E3. Show us the demo or the trailer, and if we like it, you might get a clap at the end!

Chris Lewis opened the conference proceedings

Aaaanyway... as Lewis pointed out towards the start of the presentation, the company is now a "powerful youth and entertainment brand in this region, after starting completely from scratch." And if anyone was in any doubt that Microsoft was taking X05 very seriously as a way to further its launch message to the region, it flew in all three of its top US brass to take part in the conference and do interviews the next day.

Real-life Joanna Dark set things on fire

The Big Guns

But before the US execs hit the stage, and once a quick demo reel for Xbox 1 software including Half-Life 2, Prince of Perisa 3, Hitman Blood Money, Far Cry Instincts and Timeshift was out of the way, it was time to get the most anticipated showing done first: Lewis introduced Perfect Dark Zero in the form of a nice, but entirely real-life (as in, human actors) trailer. Fortunately, they followed up with a live gameplay demonstration on the Hong Kong Rooftops stage, which was also playable on the event showfloor afterwards. On the whole, the demo was impressive, but somehow did not seem as fulfilling as seeing and playing it afterwards (see later in this report).

Page: 1  2  3 

NEXT PAGE >>