Microsoft jumped full throttle into this the seventh generation of videogame consoles with the Xbox 360. Call of Duty 2 amongst other games were released at launch to help bolster the system's value. Being that the console was the only next-gen platform available on the market, many games that might have been multiplat were released as either timed exclusives, or exclusive to the Xbox 360. That was in 2005.
In 2006, there was no shortage of exclusive titles available either, especially when compared to the PS3 that was only then being launched. Not many games were made available for Sony's black behemoth, titles such as Resistance: Fall of Man is one of a few games that helped Sony weather what seemed like a never-ending storm of criticism. The Xbox 360 didn't have such a stellar lineup for 2006, but because Gears of War was released that year, gamers didn't complain that much, and then came 2007.
What was arguably the best year for the Xbox 360 thus far, saw big games releasing one after the other, and with Sony only then started coming around the bend, Microsoft dominated that year. Games included:
1) Halo 3 ~ The second fastest selling game on the Xbox 360 made a big splash in 2007.
2) Mass Effect ~ Bioware's Awesome RPG was on the market from November 20th, 2007.
3) Crackdown ~ It cracked store shelves on February 20th, 2007.
4) May 29th, 2007, gamers were experiencing their very own Gran Turismo on the Xbox 360, with the title Forza Motorsport 2. This may stir up some controversy, but it's true, Forza is no slack racing sim; and although Gran Turismo may be better in more ways, there's no doubt Forza is a definitive racing experience.
2008 also saw great games like Fable II, and Left for Dead amongst others.
Owning a Xbox 360 in 2009 sucked, plain and simple. Sure there was Halo Wars, and then Halo 3: ODST, and Forza 3, but that's it, seriously, Halo needs a break; PS3 owners on the other side of the fence enjoyed exclusives such as:
1) Killzone 2
2) Infamous
3) Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time
4) LittleBigPlanet
5) Demon's Soul
6) Fat Princess ~ PSN
7) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Obviously the system to own this year is a PS3, so with that settled, let's look at 2010. Will Microsoft's Xbox 360 compete more readily against the mighty PS3 next year? Our answer is a resounding yes. Here's how the two consoles stack up head-to-head:
God of War III PS3 vs Splinter Cell: Conviction Xbox 360
MAG PS3 vs Mass Effect 2 Xbox 360
Gran Turismo 5 PS3 vs Halo Reach Xbox 360
Heavy Rain PS3 vs Alan Wake Xbox 360
Quantum Theory PS3 vs Left 4 Dead 2 Xbox 360
Agent PS3 vs Crackdown 2 Xbox 360
Resistance 3 PS3 vs Fable III Xbox 360
As you can see, in 2010, there will be no lack of exclusives for either platform, and it will be a stellar year indeed. The question remains, which lineup is the most attractive to you? You're on your own with this one.
10/26/09 Ernice Gilbert
Look out for the brand new website coming January 2010: www.gamesthirst.com. Tailor-made just for you.
