Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Two words - GET IT.

I finished the single player campaign a couple days ago, and jumped into some Xbox Live multiplayer action last night. This was the most gaming fun I’ve had since the 360’s launch.

Sneaking around, working with teammates, dropping to a knee to take cover and peering around before squeezing off a few rounds into, ummm, those guys outlined in the other color, just makes me glad. In a militant sort of way. The whole experience makes clearing the map of bad guys (you know, just cuz they’re on the wrong team) a total blast.

The first map I played was Desert Gulch. I stopped in a bottleneck area with a couple of teammates and waited for a few seconds. My ADD got the best of me and I took off looking for an aggressive kill. One, two, and then three guys down. Beginner’s luck maybe, but I kept taking the enemy down with ease.

As I was clearing areas I wandered around a corner to see two enemies standing beside each other looking around at about 30 meters away. About the time they spotted me and started firing, I had just launched a grenade from my MR-C/AGL rifle. Boom! Direct hit and both guys on the ground. Joyful glee ensued! This is the game I’ve been waiting for.

Unfortunately, there are some Xbox Live connection problems with this game, causing some frustration. Sometimes during a game, the connection is just lost and you’re dropped out and forced to find another match. However, sometimes you’ll find a solid host and a set of guys who stay connected and you can liberate the enemy as long as the host allows.

I decided to research the online problem and came across a post by a guy named Ick. It turns out he’s old school Ghost Recon (yeah baby), and has a site dedicated to GR tactics and info. I’ve been a GR fan since the first title as well, so this guy’s stuff is a treasure! I stayed up til 3:30 am reading as much as I could. (Thanks Ick, I got squat done today.)

Here is the site - ick!. To get an idea of the research and info here, just take a quick look at the Weapons PDF.

Here is a quick screen cap of a small portion of it:

If you’re new to this game or series, I highly recommend the New Players Advice section.

The Improving Your Game PDF is a must read for those wanting to excel at this game. Actually I think the first section of this article, the General Game Tips, should be required reading and mandatory agreement for anyone wanting to jump into Xbox Live online play. Though you may need to have the real life achievement of puberty to understand and follow Ick’s suggestions, they are great guidelines for a much improved LIVE experience.

So, to sum up this post, if you have any interest in a tactical shooter for online multiplayer, get this game. Then check out Ick’s website to find some warfighting wisdom.

Burnout gets the Next-Gen treatment with Burnout Revenge, here is a current meta review roundup.

1UP - 9.0 Outstanding
People who have played the current-gen version should get the 360 version if:
- They didn’t play it to completion, but wanted to.
- They played it to completion, but love Burnout a lot.
- They have a nice HDTV and stereo system.
- They are addicted to achievement points and playing on Live.
People who haven’t played the current-gen version should get the 360 version if:
- They are breathing.
Full Review

GamePro - 4.5/5
Overall, the single player elements of Burnout: Revenge on the Xbox 360 aren’t all that ground-breaking. The spruced up visuals add a nice amount of appeal to the crash and bash content that we’ve all come to love. The soundtrack, while still a bunch of craptacular rock and other detritus, is at least secondary thanks to the Xbox 360’s support of custom soundtracks. The real fun comes in the multiplayer content and the enhanced Rival support. If you’re a die-hard fan looking for some deeper online gameplay, Burnout: Revenge on the Xbox 360 should fit the bill nicely.
Full Review

Team Xbox - 9/10
Burnout Revenge is just about everything you expected from a next-generation SKU of this famed franchise. The gameplay is as solid as its predecessors, the online support is some of the best out there, and the graphics and audio rival most other Xbox 360 titles. The bottom line here is if you love the Burnout series, it’s hard to imagine you not liking this game, super-mega HDTV and surround system or not.
Full Review

IGN - 8.9 Great
Burnout Revenge is a game ahead of its time and, as such, belongs here in the next generation. EA loses a few points because this title was released last year on current-gen consoles and doesn’t add much in the innovation category. But Burnout Revenge proves you can successfully take a current-gen game and port it into a great next-generation experience. This is, of course, something we don’t want to see made into a trend, and it’s still difficult to recommend a purchase to anyone that already owns the current-gen title. But for everyone else, Burnout Revenge is the first white-knuckle racer on the 360. Solid single-player mode and excellent online and multiplayer modes will keep you coming back for a long while.
Full Review

GameSpot - 8.8 Great
While Burnout Revenge might not have enough new stuff in it to drag you back in if you’ve been playing it on other platforms, this is definitely the version to get if you’re shopping around. It delivers solid, fast action, both online and off, and is easily the fastest, most exciting racing game available on the Xbox 360.
Full Review

Rent Burnout Revenge online at GameFly - free trial.

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The first official free Xbox Live Gold weekend has been announced. From Friday March 31 through Sunday April 2, Xbox Live Gold will be free for all Xbox 360 users in the U.S. (Sorry, no love for you gents across the pond.)

Top events of the weekend:

• Frag Doll Friday: Take on Ubisoft’s fierce gaming crew on Sunday, April 2, starting at 6 P.M. Eastern in Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.
• Beat the Xbox Team: Challenge Xbox insiders to College Hoops 2K6, Bankshot Billiards 2, and EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 3. Earn bragging rights and win awesome Xbox prizes.

This is all sponsored by Verizon.

More info - Xbox Live Gold - Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend

Source - Gaming 360

I’ve seen this question come up a few times, so I thought I’d address it here.

The xbox.com page on the subject makes the answer as clear as mud.

The main difference is you get online multiplayer with Gold. With silver, you can download content, demos, trailers, arcade games, etc. You also get achievements and all basic Live functionality.

Punch it up to the Gold level of service, and you get to game with others around the globe, online on Live. So, for example, without Gold, your Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter experience is going to be limited to single player. On Xbox Live Gold, you get to play with your buds in multiplayer games on Live.

The new Ghost Recon for the 360 is finally here, in stores now. Advanced Warfighter looks to soon be at the top of the 360 chart, I’m drooling for my copy now…

IGN - 9.2 Outstanding
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is a next-generation game in the fullest sense, whether it’s the loaded package of impressive graphics and special effects, the top-notch sound, or the tactically enhanced gameplay. Red Storm’s four-plus months of extra time have served the game incredibly well and you can see the difference in the screenshots and you will feel it in the gameplay. It’s still Ghost Recon, which is to say it’s still a rather acquired taste in first/third-person shooters, but as the series goes, this one is easily the best one yet. You’ll be impressed with the stunning single-player game, and when you’re done, you’ll finally get to play long sessions on Xbox Live with an online game that’s fully equipped to deliver a next-gen package. My advice, get this game, or get thee to a nunnery! - Full Review

Team Xbox - 9.3
If you still haven’t gotten an Xbox 360, either because you are still on the sidelines or haven’t been able to find one, you really should do whatever it takes to get one because Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is a must have for even the casual shooter fan. Even if you aren’t a shooter fan, you shouldn’t be able to call yourself a gamer if you don’t treat yourself to the experience Ubisoft has delivered. Anyone in search of a killer app as far as online multiplayer goes on the Xbox 360 can call off their search and jump in on the intense action in both standard multiplayer modes, as well as some exciting co-op modes that support up to 16 players in some of the best modern combat scenarios you’ll have ever taken part in. Ubisoft is not only kicking the door in with Advanced Warfighter, they are taking the whole dang building down along with it! - Full Review

GameSpot - 9.2 Superb
If you like shooters or action games, and you own an Xbox 360, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter is a must-own for your library. A solid and challenging campaign and a unique, online-co-op mode combine with an unmatched presentation in what is arguably the best game yet on the Xbox 360. Even those who don’t necessarily like shooters may want to at least try the game out, as GRAW represents the best of what a tactical shooter can offer and can serve as a useful graphical benchmark to judge other games on the console by. - Full Review

Rent Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter online at GameFly - free trial.

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The Outfit demo is now available for free download on Live. This is not a single-player game, but you can play online multi-player with an Xbox Live Gold account, or you can play 2-player split screen locally.

Enjoy!

Source - Xboxic

Turtle Beach has announced the Ear Force X2, that will sell for 100 bucks US. Word is the unit will be released later this month, but I haven’t seen an official announcement yet.

Some may think 100 clams is a bit strong, but it really could be worth a purchase, for this Maniac. Turtle Beach may come through with a quality set worthy of just music listening, as well as a good quality (read comfortable) Live gaming headset. Add a solid battery and charging system and this could be a winner.

Source - Gaming 360

Well, Dead Or Alive 4 has been fixed, and the leaderboards reset. The glitch used to boost rank no longer works, and gamers now have to earn those ranks the hard way.

Legit gaming, whoda thunk it?

Source » 360 Insider