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[Fatalah]

I'm unsure which games to buy as a gift this Christmas. If I were to pick just two, I'd want them to be of different genres.


So I'm looking at King Kong and Perfect Dark Zero. Platform advernture vs. an FPS.

My second match is King Kong and Call of Duty 2... Although the person recieving has played and beaten CofD2 on the PC. That's why I'm not sure about that combo.


I read that King Kong was made by the Rayman creator, so it intrigues me. I don't trust reviews from IGN or whatever, I like talkin to people here with what they think of the game.

 

[suikodan]

Unless your friend is a big fan of the movie, a rental will be just fine.

 

[bigNman]

too dark

 

[Eggo]

There was that quote from the Ubisoft guy saying Kong 360 was too dark on standard definition TV sets. Is your friend playing in HD? If not, you may want to try two new games like Condemned and Need For Speed: Most Wanted. If your friend doesn't have Geometry Wars yet, buy him a card with 1000 Microsoft gamer points, or a 500 one if they have one in those increments.

 

[Fatalah]

Ah okay. Probably no replayability value...

Hmm... At this point....maybe one game on the 360 is the only way to go.

 

[jluedtke]

Unless you're dying for slight visual upgrades, I'd stick w/the regular Xbox version and save yourself $10. There really isn't that much difference, and the graphical glitches are still there (oars don't tough the water, Ann's tongue falls out of her mouth, mouths don't match dialogue, etc.). The game is decent enough, despite being way short (5-6 hours), very linear, and no reason to replay it. But again, the slight graphics upgrade really isn't enough for me to recommend spending the extra cash on it.

 

[Shawn128]

I have the 360 version and I love it, although it really is too short. The only good thing about it for me is that it makes it easy to replay over and over again btw, I myself notice the graphics upgrade from the other versions and it was worth the extra $10, but thats just me

 

[Cahill]

As others have said, it's very short and very linear. It isn't exactly pushing the 360 graphically, but looks good enough. First pass through feels quite cinematic. Kong would be a decent choice for a rental IMO.

 

[Chittagong]

My assessment of King Kong:

+ Excellent sound design - one of the scariest scores yet
+ Very athmospheric
+/- Easy to get 1000 pts
+ Beautiful art direction and scenery...
-... but last gen graphics with no advanced shader usage
- Short and easy - around
- Very much on the rails
- Extremely barebones features
- Buggy (some scripted events might not get triggered leaving you stuck, having to reset)

Rental at maximum, or if your EB Games has the 10-days-money-back-no-questions-asked policy, it's perfect for that.

I have also Perfect Dark Zero, and although it's not perfect, it provides still a lot more gameplay, with virtually endless online gaming. Go definately for PDZ for your own money out of those two.

EDIT: Holy shit just read that you are actually considering these to COD2. That is a definite must get, the single player game is impressive, immersive, long enough and very challenging on Veteran. Get that, unless you think online gaming is your thing.

 

[mrklaw]

agree with chittagong. Although Igot it as part of aGAME bundle. I'll trade it in with NFS soon enough.


And I double agree about COD2. Thats a great game with a full 5.1 setup going on. chaos everywhere - its great.

 

[master_shake_05]

Unless you're dying for slight visual upgrades, I'd stick w/the regular Xbox version and save yourself $10. There really isn't that much difference, and the graphical glitches are still there (oars don't tough the water, Ann's tongue falls out of her mouth, mouths don't match dialogue, etc.). The game is decent enough, despite being way short (5-6 hours), very linear, and no reason to replay it. But again, the slight graphics upgrade really isn't enough for me to recommend spending the extra cash on it.

Damn, 5-6 hours? I too was looking into playing Kong, but.....Not much anymore

 

[VerTiGo]

There's no reason to ever play the game after you beat it. It's far too linear and repetitive. All you do is burn bushes to open up the path and not much else. The gameplay is so disappointing. Its presentation is its only redeemin aspect.

 

[master_shake_05]

There's no reason to ever play the game after you beat it. It's far too linear and repetitive. All you do is burn bushes to open up the path and not much else. The gameplay is so disappointing. Its presentation is its only redeemin aspect.

Wow, even with Michel Ancel behind the wheel?

BAH, HUMBUG!

 

[mrklaw]

There's no reason to ever play the game after you beat it. It's far too linear and repetitive. All you do is burn bushes to open up the path and not much else. The gameplay is so disappointing. Its presentation is its only redeemin aspect.

To be fair though, I think thats what its trying to achieve. Its a theme park ride with a controller attached. You go along for the ride, enjoy the thrillls, and you're done.

I think there is a place for games like that.

 

[BuckRobotron]

There is most definitely some replay value in there. You can unlock the alternate ending for 250,000 cumulative points (most stages give a competent player around 20,000 points) and some nice art galleries and interviews. And you can only start building scores after playing the game through first.

Still won't take too long and you don't have to play the whole game sequentially (pick and choose favorite stages), but those are definite reasons to go back and play at least a little more, primarily for the extra ending bit.

Here's a list of the bonus items from the official site:

King Kong game site - Bonus list

[base on rental of Xbox version]

 

[What?]

Fun game actually. Well, fun demo I guess I could say. Great graphics, fun game.

I'm sure the actual game is much to limited though.

 

[Rhindle]

5-6 hours is nonsense. I wish XBL would track time played, so people would have to back up their BS claims.

Game length is fine for an actioner, and as noted above, the game has better unlockables than most to provide added replay value.

The "slight visual upgrade" thing is BS as well, unless you're paying on an SDTV. Even then, the game should look very nice.

 

[GXAlan]

http://www.firingsquad.com/games/king_kong_xbox_360_review/

Check out my review.

Don't get the Xbox version -- it looks like the PC version. Get the Xbox 360 version if you're going to get it (see comparison screenshots at that link).

King Kong single player is more fun than Perfect Dark Zero single player. The atmosphere is rich. The "replay" value in King Kong isn't that high, but those 8 hours are so intense. PDZ lasts a long time, but it's just not as fun. You play the game and shoot things without enthusiasm. Multiplayer is of course a different story.

So the question is if you want an intense 8 hours of fun, or if you'd rather have more hours of "that's not bad." King Kong is a good game, but it's limited in what it can do. You can't make the game any longer because it'd ruin the pacing.

 

[GXAlan]

Fun game actually. Well, fun demo I guess I could say. Great graphics, fun game.

Didn't see this comment eariler. If the Xbox 360 demo is identical to the PC demo, the demo features one of the most mediocre levels in terms of gameplay! (It's the one where you have to lure the T-Rex away while your colleagues open the door, right?). I guess they chose it for the graphics.

 

[May16]

Based on my friend's rental experience, the game is OK.

This post was more of an excuse to ask mrklaw where the heck he found that awesome avatar. Where?

 

[Inumaru]

Just finished the game on 360 myself. Only OK, maybe 7/10, I'd say. What really surprises me is that hardly anyone seems to mention that the framerate is absolutely pathetic. It frequently drops below 30. Multi-platform -1.

 

[mrklaw]

Based on my friend's rental experience, the game is OK.

This post was more of an excuse to ask mrklaw where the heck he found that awesome avatar. Where?

sorry, no idea - I was just looking for a christmas avatar based on an OT thread, and google game up trumps.

Lum will return before 12th night

edit - avatar is the original size - click the avatar for the URL. Please don't hotlink, but feel free to saveas..

 

[Syb]

How about someone post some media of the 360 version in all its HD Glory?

 

[Solid]

Kong rox! Beat the Xbox version last night. I unlocked everything today.

Call me stupid but what does Filter contrast boost do exactly? I really like this game, 8/10 in my book.

 

[Gee]

It's average, probably a rental at best.

 

[evilromero]

Nobody has hit the real issues plaguing this game- It is exceptionally derivative. Yes it is very linear, but its worst attribute is its horrible gameplay devices. Let me explain (and I even rolled my eyes after each little area because it was so fucking cheesy):

-Open endless amount of wooden gates. Sometimes you must find a handle for the gate. This leads to other rediculous devices.
-On your search for the handle you encounter a couple of raptors, insects or giant bats. Kill them, and/or set fire to some brush which is blocking the way to the handle and then return to the gate.
-Open the gate with one of your NPC buddies. go through and either: a) take a "break" (end of level) or b) fight more insects/raptors set fire to brush and move on.
-Kong levels are just as poorly designed. Play as clunky kong and hobble about awkwardly through the level until you reach girl. Not fun at all.
-Back to human "Jack" levels. Rinse and repeat. No I'm serious. They try to mask the horribly derivative gameplay by using new avatars, such as a level of stampeding brontosaurus' but really you're just setting fire to brush, killing raptors and then opening gates with NPC friends.
-Sometimes this retarded shit is broken up by sticking "bait" with your spear and throwing it to distract the predators. This is the only variation you'll enjoy. Don't forget to notice the handle on your way to the dead-end gate. You'll need to return with some bait and lure away the maneating spiders so you can obtain it.

It really is sad that a game from such a respected designer is so counter-intuitive to the entire creative process. I bought it for $20 on Xbox new, so I'm not as burned as I would be. And I'm sure those who bought the shit for $50 or $60 are trying pretty hard to justify their purchase. But look deep into your soul. It is a bad game. Not even one play through will be that enjoyable.

 

[u_neek]

Some screens for you:

 

[Chittagong]

-Open endless amount of wooden gates. Sometimes you must find a handle for the gate. This leads to other rediculous devices.
-On your search for the handle you encounter a couple of raptors, insects or giant bats. Kill them, and/or set fire to some brush which is blocking the way to the handle and then return to the gate.
-Open the gate with one of your NPC buddies. go through and either: a) take a "break" (end of level) or b) fight more insects/raptors set fire to brush and move on.
-Kong levels are just as poorly designed. Play as clunky kong and hobble about awkwardly through the level until you reach girl. Not fun at all.
-Back to human "Jack" levels. Rinse and repeat. No I'm serious. They try to mask the horribly derivative gameplay by using new avatars, such as a level of stampeding brontosaurus' but really you're just setting fire to brush, killing raptors and then opening gates with NPC friends.
-Sometimes this retarded shit is broken up by sticking "bait" with your spear and throwing it to distract the predators. This is the only variation you'll enjoy. Don't forget to notice the handle on your way to the dead-end gate. You'll need to return with some bait and lure away the maneating spiders so you can obtain it.

That pretty well summarizes the gameplay - maybe with the addition of "deadlocks" caused by a key event failing to be triggered, where you can't go anywhere and have to reset the device. Happened to me in two different levels.

However, the other side of the coin is the "rollercoaster ride aspect", for such a broken game it is still rather entertaining, immersive and has great sounds.

 

[GXAlan]

I bought it for $20 on Xbox new, so I'm not as burned as I would be. And I'm sure those who bought the shit for $50 or $60 are trying pretty hard to justify their purchase. But look deep into your soul. It is a bad game. Not even one play through will be that enjoyable.

See, that's the problem though. The game is about the emotional connection of fear/survival. You only get that with the graphics in Xbox 360 or Gamer's Edition game. When it's dark, the monsters sneak up on you and it ends up being like the "dogs from Resident Evil" over and over and over. Only there's enough variation.

It's probably the most polarizing game of the launch. It seems like very few people are lukewarm -- they either find it the most derivative, rinse/repeat game or they'll find it one of the best games ever.

I mean, at FiringSquad it got 87% which is a good score but not a stellar score. But it also got the "Ricochet Award" which captures the idea that while two games can have the same score, one just has that certain magic that can make it great, rather than just a solid overall design. Like cult classics such as Master of Magic or System Shock, there's something about the game that makes it more appealing and memorable than a solid, but otherwise average competitor.

 

[evilromero]

That pretty well summarizes the gameplay - maybe with the addition of "deadlocks" caused by a key event failing to be triggered, where you can't go anywhere and have to reset the device. Happened to me in two different levels.

However, the other side of the coin is the "rollercoaster ride aspect", for such a broken game it is still rather entertaining, immersive and has great sounds.

I agree with the sound. Great stuff, except for a few of the animals noises. And at times some entertaining aspects really shine through, which makes me wonder how much better the game would've been if Jackson didn't put his fingers in it.

But is this game really an 8 out of 10? I mean, that's way too high for a game that, even if the initial play is slightly interesting, is completely undeserving.

 

[Chittagong]

I agree with the sound. Great stuff, except for a few of the animals noises. And at times some entertaining aspects really shine through, which makes me wonder how much better the game would've been if Jackson didn't put his fingers in it.

But is this game really an 8 out of 10? I mean, that's way too high for a game that, even if the initial play is slightly interesting, is completely undeserving.

I would say it's 6/10, among the better 6/10 s. Definately not an 8, and not even 7 due to said complaints + shortness, easiness and lack of replay value.

 

[GXAlan]

which makes me wonder how much better the game would've been if Jackson didn't put his fingers in it.

I agree with that. If it were just a jungle survival game, they could have taken the storyline elsewhere instead of going to NewYork.

 

[Xenon]

Well I got this for Christmas and I'm disappointed so far after a couple hours of play. My biggest problem is that the aiming is choppy. I'm not sure if its framedrops or what. But, it bugs the shit out of me. The funny thing is it seems worse when nothing is going on.

The game also plays like a FPS version of a Sega gun game. Walk to point fight off attacks. Walk to the next point fight again. rinse and repeat. The paths are so linear that they might as well have walked the characters for you. Even how the creatures attack you seems right of those old arcade gun games.


I haven't hit the Kong parts yet, but from what I've read their worse.

meh