British Expatriate Network

I was surprised by Kameo Elements of Power. Looked a bit babyish to me until I started playing it and then it's a very immersive, part-cartoon, part video game with a lot of sub-plots and this neat feature called warrior focus or something where if you get into a good troll-bashing groove, it gives you the ability to slow everything down except yourself and beat the rest up "Matrix" style.

I only got it as Evonne wanted it but I've played it the most so far. I need more practise with the controller in Call of Duty 2 as it's much harder than on the PC. Not having the ability to look around corners, as you could in the PC, is a bit of a downer too. Would it really have been that difficult to implement?

I can't get over how the graphics look - really amazing and the weird part is that I'm not even playing it on a high definition TV yet. I'll put one in next year at some point but right now, it is playing very well on a 27" SDTV with just component inputs in its favour.

I know you do....

:D

Apart from the not playing video games thing and riding a bicycle.

This Christmas, I ab been mostly playing "Need For Speed Most Wanted".

Don't know this compares with Grand Theft Auto but I've had a blast with this game. It's very naughty indeed, with lots of street racing (very much along the lines of "The Fast and the Furious" movies), pimping out various cars and some spectacular Police chases.

All very far-fetched but quite the adrenaline rush with the gangsta rap and hard rock pumping out the surround sound, not to mention some pretty impressive police band radio stuff that lets you know what the police are up to around or ahead of you.

I don't think my Pontiac could blast through a five car police roadblock the way that my Golf GTi did yesterday - don't try that at home kids.

I think a lot of drivers here learned to drive on these types of games.....

Okay so being all grown up, with a 15 year old stepdaughter and a wife who has just become a Director of some company or other is it too late for me to get on the games console bandwagon. I had a Playstation when they first came out about 10 years ago and totally enjoyed it. Am I too old ? is it a bit poncy ? should I give a flying f**k ??

No - go for it. I've always played games on the computer but now I've moved out of my office and into my living room so am a bit more accessible - not to mention the fact that the others can play too if they want.

At the very least, you could always add me to your friends list and play over Xbox Live.

Sounds like they are starting to actually get decent stocks ready to ship to stores for early next year - it was quite ridiculous how stores were getting 2-6 per week after launch. I felt quite smug when my local store kept telling me how they got 2 in and I was too late, and I told them not to worry anymore as I found one online.

Are you too old? Are you fudge. Get a PS2 and Ico, GTA San Andreas, Fifa Soccer, and a Call Of Duty. So not poncy at all.

Read a story yesterday about a 69-year old grandmother who plays. Video games rock!

Console prices are about to take a big nose-dive. If you don't want the latest and greatest, you can get a PS2 for about $99.95 early next year. I heard that the Nintendo Gamecube is going to be around $50 at that point too.

I almost got a PS2 when this Xbox 360 shortage got a bit ridiculous - would have been a decent filler.

I'm giving some thought to getting an X-Box (not a 360) and getting it loaded up with ROM hacks for old-school goodness.

But that X-Box controller is a terrible design. Not as bad as the new Nintendo controller but still pretty lame.

...dragging it back to EEB, both the PS2 and X-Box are online capable so you'll never be stuck without someone to play against, if that's your bag. Both consoles are pretty good, both have good games. Borrow a console or rent one, see which you prefer to play on.

Hmmmm, I think this subject deserves more investigation !!!!

Haven't tried any other controllers to be honest but I like the new 360 controller, not only for the ergonomics but also for the wireless feature. It doesn't seem to chew up batteries very fast either.

Not sure how long the cable is on the wired controller but when I hooked up the Play 'n' Charge, to charge up the battery at the beginning, it was too short to reach my couch.

Good idea VRB to suggest EEB rent a couple of consoles - that's a cheap way of testing them out.

I think youre perfectly correct mate 8)
I'm no spring chicken and Ive already got NHL 2K6 and I had FIFA 2006 for chrimmy :razz:
Like VRB my missus plays GTA and she's now addicted to the new Tony Hawk game, which, when I get the chance I'll be playing :roll:

Well you could make us an offer for the old XBox..... mrgreen

My husband and son have the new one hooked up to the surround sound and play it on a high def 84" projector screen.

Makes me feel queasy watching the games being played - kind of like vertigo roll

Then there's the stream of kids turning up to play at all hours!

I was wondering how your son was getting on Jan - sounds like he and hubby are having a blast. Evonne has her friend from a few doors down round when I'm at work and so there are these two housewife types playing "Project Gotham Racing 3" (badly from what I've seen/heard) while I'm out.

BOC - I got NHL2K6 in the bundle but traded it in as I don't much like hockey. I also got Tony Hawk but haven't opened it yet - I was in two minds about trading it as there are a few games I still want to get hold of but I downloaded the demo on Xbox Live and it looks quite good so will keep it for later.

I got 2 months free membership with Gamefly (sort of Neflix for console games) so signed up for that today and have a couple of games on order for next week.

We dont buy any computer games here just the ones that come with the set up cards/games etc.
No expensive toys that need a stick to work them .

I tried one of them one day as got killed long before i clicked the button to expell the raider .