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MICROSOFT - E3 2002
The Microsoft booth was a
single booth split into two separate areas, the PC games and the X-box
games. Personally I thought the X-box area was a little stronger
than the PC, but it probably doesn't surprise anyone that MSFT is pushing
the X-box as hard as they possibly can.
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Combat Flight
Simulator 3 - This strong PC
title was still very early in development. It was payable, but
all you could do was dogfight a couple different planes. They
said that they had just gotten sounds in the game before E3.
An extreme effort to be as realistic as possible is one of the top
priorities of the team developing this game. The cockpits are
identical, the way planes handle and look are all very
represented. Creating this game is like getting a PHD in WWII
aviation history the lead producer was overheard to have said.
If you are one of the very few to have 3 monitors hooked up to your
system, you can get side view of the action as well, allowing you to
better spot bogies in the sky. While it has a lot of work to
go, the highly detailed terrain and planes will not disappoint
anybody. |
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MechAssualt
- This X-box game is a little more on
the action side than it is a simulator (like PC versions are).
Everything in the game takes damage and can be destroyed, including
the large building you use for cover. The result can be a city
lying in ruin with smoke everywhere and still more missiles and
lasers flying everywhere. The controls very easy to pick
up. This game will support online play, or you can pay through
the 20 mission single player campaign. While very solid, I
think that I personally like a little more emphasis on the
simulation aspect... conserving ammo and waiting for opportune times
to attack. Regardless, it will be fun to lay waste to the gorgeous
environments. |
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Crimson Skies -
Based on the PC version, this X-box title certainly has awesome
graphics. The level i played at the show reminded me of the
Star Wars city of Coruscant, with tons of planes flying around that
you had to avoid. The mission called for the destruction of
anti-air guns on a train that was barreling some 50 stories up
inside the city. After its destruction you had to carefully
target water tanks located far above the tracks to put the flames
out. The controls of the aircraft could have been a little
better. It was a little finicky and didn't always do exactly
what you intended. By the time it is released they may have addressed
that issue. Certainly a unique look to the game. |
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Freelancer - Yup,
the annual Freelancer visit was made again. Graphically the
game is beautiful, but the controls are more 'coached' than
played. You do not pilot the ship like you would in Wing
Commander or some other flight game, instead you chose a target and
click a button telling your ship to follow that target, then you use
your mouse to target and fire weapons. I think a lot of gamers
will not like that feature. If you don't mind, then you'll
likely enjoy the game when it is released as it is going to be
huge! The entire last year was spent designing star systems to
explore. When this game finally does hit store shelves, it
will have a nitch market of fans, but the masses will likely be
overlooked due to the lack of real control. |
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