2005- The Good...The Better...The Awesome pt. I

[HLOCKE]

Well gang here we are, 2005 a year that is following the heels of what was one of the greatest gaming holidays...ever. So with so many quality titles that have passed through our consoles last year, the question may easily arise, how can it be topped? The solution is easily found in 2005's release lists, but how do you know what will be the best of the best this year? Well The Boss Advanced is here to help you out. So over the next few days I have devised a special series of posts that will cover the top 6 best gaming occurences this year in a pair of 2 posts. Today will be numbers 6 to 4 and tomorrow will finish it off. So sit back, relax and enjoy my special overview of 2005 in gaming. Enjoy!



6. CATCHING UP

With so many titles that bombarded the gaming scene last Christmas holiday many titles found themselves lost among a sea of gaming blockbusters. Now some titles deserve a skipping, 2004 saw alot of superb titles hit the console market and were overlooked due to budget restrictions. Therefore your first order of business this year should be to catch up on what you missed. This section covers the titles you'll definitely want to take a second look on:

Nintendo Gamecube-

1. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes


2. Baten Kaitos


3. Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door


4. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes


5. Tales of Symphonia


6. Prince of Persia 2: Warrior Within
7. Viewtiful Joe 2
8. WWE Day of Reckoning
9. Legend of Zelda: 4-Swords Adventure
10. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles



Sony Playstation 2

1.Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater[/i][/color]


2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas


3. Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Aresnal


4. Onimusha 3


5. WWE: Smackdown! vs. Raw


6.Killzone
7. Jak 3
8. Burnout 3
9. Katamri Damacy
10. Star Ocean 3


Microsoft Xbox

1. Halo 2[/i][/color]


2. Ninja Gaiden



3. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: Sith Lords


4. Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow


5. Fable


6. Chronicles of Ridd!ck: Escape from Butcher's Bay
7. Full-Spectrum Warrior
8. ESPN 2K5
9. Sudeki
10. Tron 2.0

*Also be sure to Check out IGN's review section for each console to keep an eye out for AAA titles that you may have missed.

5. ELECTRONIC EXPO 2005[/i]


The Electronic Expo or more publicly known as E3, has for over a decade become the industry's main event to unveil to the public what they've been working on behind closed doors. If a game want's to be successful and cause massive hype, there's no place better than to start the hype than E3. This event is usually also the most anticipated event among gamers as they willl discover knowledge of future games, systems and more.

2004's E3 was definitely one of the best in the events history. Nintendo unveiled there new handheld, and showed that the Gamecube was far from obsolete, and hinted at there next-gen console currently codenamed "Revolution". While Sony unveiled there very own new handheld the PSP (Playstation Portable) for the first time as well as a string of titles that strengthened the PS2's library to near perfection. Finally, Microsoft dropped the bombshell that EA was going live and revealed more of last Christmas's money-making monster Halo 2. So how will '05 top last years? Here's 3 reasons why I'm certain it will.

3. SECRETS AND SURPRISES
Every E3 has them, but according to respected sites such as IGN, Gamespy. There will be some pretty big shockers at this year's E3, much speculation pertains to a lot of companies that are switching sides next-generation as well as a few startling announcements on the following years if gaming...

Perhaps one of the big shakeups includes where Canada based Silicon Knights (devloper of Eternal Darkness and Metal Gear:TTS) will go after ending it's exclusivity deal with Nintendo.


2. COUP De GRACE[/i]

Sure to be one of the PS2's shining moments before relinquishing it's gaming throne as Sony's console to the PS3.




2005 will most likely be marked as the final year of this generation of consoles that has lasted a wildly entertaining 6 years since the start of the Sega Dreamcast all the way back on 09/09/99. With this being the final moments of PS2, Gamecube, XBox expect to hear alot of delays and cancellations as many titles will be pushed back to there successors. But also expect some of the systems finest moments. The PS2 still has dozens of AAA titles coming out this year, Xbox even after Halo 2 still has some juice left and the Gamecube...well let's say it's finest game this year could quite possibly be the finest ever, but we'll speak more on that later. Either way 2005 should definitely end in a BANG! rather than a wimper.

1. MEET YOUR NEW FRIENDS

That's right, reportedly at this E3 will be the unveiling of all next-gen consoles. Nintendo has confirmed that not only will there console be unveiled at E3, but playable there as well! Sony has ensured the public that there next iteration of the Playstation will also take it's first steps into the limelight. While Microsoft (whom seems by far to be the most eager for next-gen) should not only have playable versions of there system but near complete games since there system will be launched very soon. So gamers all over the world should start becoming familiar with the Nintendo Revolution, Sony Playstation 3, Xbox II as these are surely to be the consoles of the future.


If you thought Resident Evil 4 had unbelievable graphics, wait till you see the next-gen stuff. Expect Resident Evil 5 to look like this...but better.

4. ONLINE GAMING[/i]

As more and more people are starting to switch over to broadband internet connections and online gaming becoming more and more popular, expect this year to prominently display that online play will become a major factor in the games we play, and this will undoubtedly snowball into next-gen consoles. Here's a look at what the "Big 3" have to offer-

Xbox Live- Microsoft Xbox
As far as the revolution of online gaming goes, Microsoft and the Xbox have most definitely pioneered the way and are unparalleled[/b] in this arena. With so many features and ways of playing, it's simply phenomenal and is clearly one of the pivotal reasons as to why the Xbox has been a success. Expect Live to become a pure monster of a service when it gets upgraded for Xbox's successor, the Xbox II.

Best Online Game- Halo 2[/i]


Best Upcoming Online Game- Conker "Live and Reloaded"[/i]


Sony Online- Playstation 2
While Xbox is the leader in online play, Sony has fought hard with it's own impressive online setup. While it may lack the features that Microsoft has for their box. PS2's software and the fact that there service is free most definitely make it close competition between the two. Expect Sony Online to see a critical improvement when the PS3 comes around in '06.

Best Online Game- Final Fantasy XI[/i]


Best Upcoming Online Game- Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory[/i]

[HLOCKE]

DOUBLE POST, RAN OUT OF SPACE ABOVE^

No Service- Nintendo Gamecube
Yeah, we've heard it a million times. Lack of any online service or plan has really hurt Nintendo in trying to shift Gamecube systems. While it hurts that Nintendo denies the online field (especially since there games could really dominate that arena) at the same time we must overlook this problem and acknowledge the Cube for what it does best, and that is it's area of single-player games. However, there are still a few online games available for the Cube and if you're really dying to get some online action on the Cube, here you go:

Best Online Game:Phantasy Star Online Ep. 1+2[/i]


Best Upcoming Game: Homeland[/i]
No Pic Available


* So thus concludes my picks for the 6-4 gaming moments of 2005, expect 3-1 to come up tomorrow evening. As always your feedback is appreciated and if there's anything I missed or something you don't agree with be sure to point out so in your reply.

[Axl]

real nice. reaaaaaaal niiiice.

didnt expect to see THAT picture from capcom.....

[shadow]

God post.
Although i must say i disagree with some of it. I though San Andreas was the best PS2 game and Halo the best Xbox game. ;D

Anyway, 2005 has some great games on offer, but i doubt they will beat 2004. That year saw the release of what will be the biggest games of this generation of console, San Andreas and Halo 2. The only game that will come close in 2005 will be Zelda.
A highlight will surely be graphics this year. As the consoles near the end of their lifespan, developers will have tapped the potential of all 3 consoles and will surely deliver some amazing graphical experiences.

I have to say im sure Zelda will be the highlight of 2005 concerning this gen of consoles, but with the Xbox 2's launch games, it could face stiff competition.

Here' a list of upcoming games for 2005 to check out;

PS2
1. Gran Turismo 4
2. Devil May Cry 3
3. Final Fantasy XII

Xbox
1. Conker Live and Reloaded
2. Jade Empire
3. GTA: San Andreas

GC
1. Zelda
2. Resident Evil 4
3. Star Fox 2


Also, concerning next gen graphics, except the average game to have graphics similar to Doom 3.
The screen shot you have is a graphics art from 5 years ago. Also, Capcom have hinted there may not be a RESI 5. The maker of the game is considering leaving Capcom, so if RESI 4 doesnt sell VERY well, it could be the end of RESI...

[Axl]

got it in one. idnt expect the pic because it is OLD NEWS.

i saw it ages back and i thought '........wow'

resi may need to end to bring a fresh take on horror by capcom.

which needs to be done. resi may have been redone, but it still feels like resi. we need a new franchise.

and i dont see gta san andreas as the best on ps2.....

[HLOCKE]

Oh guys, I didn't put the games in order to how good they are, I wrote them down as they came to me. Obviously Echoes would be my first choice because it was my favorite Gamecube game last year, MGS 3 was first because the case is sitting right next to me, and I was currently on the phone at the time talking about Ninja Gaiden....so that's why Halo 2 wasn't first Shadow. But if you noticed I went up there and changed it to No. 1 , better

Oh and part II will definitely touch on Xbox 2, so look for that tonight.

[shadow]

Trowa said:

got it in one. idnt expect the pic because it is OLD NEWS.

i saw it ages back and i thought '........wow'

resi may need to end to bring a fresh take on horror by capcom.

which needs to be done. resi may have been redone, but it still feels like resi. we need a new franchise.

and i dont see gta san andreas as the best on ps2.....

I totally agree. Although, i just got RESI 4 and must say its the best yet. It doesnt really feel like the traditional Resi game as its more focused on action, but the horror elements are quite scary i must admit.
Personally, i think Capcom need to calm down and stop releasing so many Resi games. If they keep up they way they are going Resi may as well be dead.
I think Capcom have been trying out new ways to reinvent the survival horror genre but have yet to find the answer. Until then im sure Resi will continue.

Yay! Halo 2's #1! lol! ;D
Hey, other people dont think San Andreas is that great either, so i respect your opinion. Cant wait for part 2.

[HLOCKE]

shadow said:

I totally agree. Although, i just got RESI 4 and must say its the best yet. It doesnt really feel like the traditional Resi game as its more focused on action, but the horror elements are quite scary i must admit.
Personally, i think Capcom need to calm down and stop releasing so many Resi games. If they keep up they way they are going Resi may as well be dead.
I think Capcom have been trying out new ways to reinvent the survival horror genre but have yet to find the answer. Until then im sure Resi will continue.

Yay! Halo 2's #1! lol! ;D
Hey, other people dont think San Andreas is that great either, so i respect your opinion. Cant wait for part 2.

So than is RE4 as good as all the reviewers have said Shadow. I'm afraid to get the game right now because I have my finals in school coming up next week and I'm worried that if I get it now...all chances of me studying will go right out the window.

[shadow]

The said:

So than is RE4 as good as all the reviewers have said Shadow. I'm afraid to get the game right now because I have my finals in school coming up next week and I'm worried that if I get it now...all chances of me studying will go right out the window.

It is indeed as the reviews suggest. If you have tests coming up i would recommend getting the game when they are finished as you wont want to put this game down.

[HLOCKE]

shadow said:

It is indeed as the reviews suggest. If you have tests coming up i would recommend getting the game when they are finished as you wont want to put this game down.

That's exactly what I thought! Thanx.

[FoxExecutive]

You know Boss you must never leave like you did again. This post was intelligent and well done. You need to get Inferno back here. And I wish 007Vegeta wouldn't have left. That pic is really awesome. I myself have never seen that pic. The zombie is amazing looking, but the background could probably use some work.

[HLOCKE]

FoxExecutive said:

You know Boss you must never leave like you did again. This post was intelligent and well done. You need to get Inferno back here. And I wish 007Vegeta wouldn't have left. That pic is really awesome. I myself have never seen that pic. The zombie is amazing looking, but the background could probably use some work.

Thanks man, I didn't really plan on leaving like I did before, but so much stuff hit me at one time I guess I kind of forgot about the boards, but I'm back now! Oh and Inferno is still trying to get Internet...stubborn parents he has. Oh and really, what happened to 007Vegeta, he just up and disappeared out of nowhere! One day he was posting a ton, and then it was POOF! The guy was gone...I miss him too.
Anyway once again thanks, now to go work on part 2.


EDIT: I guess part 2 will have to go up on Sat. Computer keeps on freezing up.

2nd Edit: Part 2 is up now, and it's a massive post!