10/06 Update: Since we no longer write for the Edmond Sun, this section is temporarily housing our podcast links for our iTunes feed. All of the columns are in the archives menu if you feel like exploring.

These columns (as well as the 'releases') come from weekly content that we write for the Edmond Sun, out of Edmond, OK (though we live in Chicago). This page contains the archives for said column, many of which are in their pre-published, unedited state. Some titles and editing by Brendan Sinclair.

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Xbox 360 Drool Column
Sunday, October 16, 2005

Back when I was a Fiction Writing major, whenever a nasty bout of writer's block would envelop me, my teachers would simply say "Write what's taking your attention." The sort of simplistic advice I never would have come up with on my own. Now that I'm writing about true events each week, making stuff up isn't always the best idea. However, my mind is constantly thinking about two things - sports and video games. Since I can't review the fantastic, though much too old, game I'm currently digging through (Advance Wars: Dual Strike came out way back in August, if you can even remember such a month) I must write about the thought that continually creeps into my mind - The Xbox 360 is only 37 days away.

I few weeks ago I flatly stated to my co-writer Nick that I would pick up a new Xbox sometime, but I could wait until a price drop. I rationalized this by looking at the upcoming lineup of can't miss Nintendo DS title and thinking that I would be set at least until USC loses their first game (see, I always have sports on the mind. I have to hope they didn't blow it against Notre Dame yesterday now). An even more pressing reason why I was reluctant to jump on the Xbox 360 bandwagon - there is a swarm of flies continually squirming out of my wallet from a lack of funds to feed on.

But that was a few weeks ago. That was when the only part of the launch I took notice of was Microsoft's flagrant attempt at segmenting their user base by offering a cheaper system without a hard drive. Back then, the games consisted of promises and crummy screenshots. I have been preaching for the last few months that Microsoft was stupid for keeping their titles shunted away from public view. That they would need to fire up the hype machine at least six months in advance to generate the hype Sony is able to by merely saying three syllables: Pee Es Three. It should be noted that I couldn't have been more wrong.

Before I begin my sometimes incoherent ramblings about that magical white box, I should out myself by saying I am the biggest Rare fan known to man. In fact, I was willing to buy an Xbox 360, without even playing one beforehand, merely to own the only console on the planet Rare is developing for. As I gush over their upcoming two games in the following paragraphs, keep in mind that I not only own Grabbed by the Ghoulies, but actually enjoyed it.

Now that that information is out there - Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero look like two of the greatest launch games of all time. In fact, PDZ looks so good, I am ready to say goodbye to Super Mario Kart atop my all-time favorite games list to make way for Joanna Dark and her Locktopus. Believe me, it's not easy for me to think that something could knock off the Kart, but when I think about how close the original Perfect Dark came to doing just that, I can only imagine what a game that gives me the shakes just by saying its name will do.

While I'm sure the multiplayer mode will be top notch and the ridiculous amount of unlockables Rare includes in every title ensures that I will never grow tired of PDZ, the main reason I am composing a farewell song for SMK is for, what could be, the best cooperative mode of all time. I've said in this space before that co-op is the only feature guaranteed to make a good game great and should be included in every title, so the online enabled co-op in PDZ has the potential to bump a classic game onto a level mere mortals dare not even dream.

Perfect Dark Zero turning out to be a true system seller is hardly a surprise, though. What shocked even me is the way Kameo has turned out. What started as a silly adventure game on the Gamecube has turned into one of the most beautiful and fun looking Zelda clones ever. There are parts of this game where you get to battle a legion of trolls. Not just 10 or even 100 trolls, but more than a thousand. I've never seen anything like that in a game. Plus, I’ve listened to some of the music already and it's probably one of the best soundtracks Rare has done yet - and they have some of the most talented composers around. Throw in a cooperative mode and... well, you get the point.

Completing the trifecta of the greatest launch lineup in history is Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Not quite as special since it will appear on the PC as well (plus, Rare has nothing to do with it), but probably one of the games that most shows off why gamers will need to upgrade to the new systems. While many games promise a virtual world, very few are able to offer the freedom this continually trapped gamer needs. Oblivion might just be the first game ever that really lets you do whatever you want at any time. In fact, the game is so advanced, the creatures that populate the world are as unpredictable as a cougar with tap shoes. Programmed to protect his horsy friend, a Minotaur was found killing a unicorn because it came too close to him. Surely, a world that features a bipedal bull/man killing a sacred, one-horned pony has to be worth buying a system for, right?

Unfortunately, I'm getting this column out there much too late. Most launch systems are already tagged for people who preordered them. Since I stupidly didn't put down money when I had the chance, I'm going to my nearest electronics store at 8am launch day in the hopes of securing a system. If not, I'll just have to move in with my always prepared co-writer Nick for a few weeks.

- Tom


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