Kinect Impressions after day 2

I already had a few preconceived notions about what to expect out of Kinect that I wrote about in my previous blog. Most of what I wrote still stands true even after getting the Kinect. However, there is something different about the Kinect as it stands beside the Wii, and Move. Its got that wow factor that the other just don't have. The voice commands ( although not as robust as I would like them), the facial recognition (works pretty good if you have enough light) and the swipe gestures all make the Kinect a pretty cool peripheral. Its drawbacks are the room it takes and the initial set up which I am not going to go into detail about. I will say watch out for low hanging ceiling fans in your play area. OUCH!

I would rather get into a few games that I have played so far. I have picked up Dance Central, Kinect Sports, and of course the add in game Kinect Adventures. Of the three my top to bottom list would go in that order as well.

Dance central is awesome. Listen I am not a professional, nor have I been on Dancing with the Stars, but after a few days of playing Dance Central I am sure ABC will be calling any day now. Whats amazing is the game actually teaches you current new dance moves. Its nothing like the old fashioned step on a pad Dance Revolution game that looked nothing like dancing. This is the real deal. It's really cool how the Kinect picks up on slight imperfections in your dance moves to grade you very accurately. Some of the moves I don't think I will ever get but its still a blast to try. this by far has been my favorite game so far. Heck, where else are you going to learn to do a Side Jerk, UFO, Hotwire, or Robocop? Huh tell me!

Kinect sports is pretty much a take off of Wii sports, and PS3 Move's Sports Champions combined. I have them all and it gives me a reference to grade them against each other. Wii was the first and and it was new and exciting at the time but really had its pitfalls with the lack of one to one motion (that came later with an add on) Move is true one to one and feels natural but after playing Kinect with no controller I tend to favor it on may of these sports games. There are a few sports that each system game better than the others but overall I feel the Kinect does well in most of the games. I would give the edge to Wii in bowling, because the spin and control is a bit wacky on Kinect. I would give the edge to the Move on the volleyball game, it works really well on the Kinect but I think I can do a few more things in the Move game. Table tennis I give the edge to Kinect. I had a much better experience hitting the ping pong ball with the Kinect non-controls than I did with the move controller. My Son loves the soccer and track and field events and they are not in the other 2 systems to compare.

Kinect adventures I have spent the least time with but I feel it caters to a younger audience. Lots of mini games and perhaps I will get to that title soon. But from what I have played the games were either a bit boring or uninspiring.

One thing I will say is that where or not you are intending to you will get a workout with the Kinect. Way more movement using your whole body that you ever will playing the Wii, or PS3 Move. I know I could lose a few so I guess every extra bit of exercise helps right?

In closing I am enjoying the system. For how long I dunno. The games will have to keep pace and learn to play to the Kinect's abilities. Dance Central is one that is a new concept and did a very good job of playing to the Kinect's strengths. So excuse me while I go learn to learn to "Lean and Rock" to some Soulja Boy!

Update: pastapadre's blog just posted a review as well that seems to be inline with mine. Check it out for more info on 2 other games. XBOX Kinect Impressions by Pastapadre

Can you sense the motion?

I have read way too many Kinect game reviews today and many of them are in the 50-75 range. Seems typical since every console out now has motion sensor type games. It's really nothing new. Yes the camera looks cool but is it really that different? When thinking back to the Wii launch, the reviews Wii received were all pretty good and it was groundbreaking at the time. Now motion sensor technology has gotten better, more precise; however, the way you play doesn't really change. The Wii was new, exciting, different. That wore off pretty quick when I realized I actually enjoy sitting down to play games. I mean if I need to get up it's probably cause my bladder is full or I need a drink. If i want to do exercise I go to the gym. If I want to game I do it sitting down relaxing.

But there is a time and place for these stand up and sling your arm games. Its with the family, and friends. You know the holidays, the afternoon cookouts, the birthday get togethers. That's when these types of games are golden. They are normally easy to pick up and play, they have some competitive aspects to them and all ages normally are welcome. I think thats what sold the Wii so well. Not for the technology, but something people can do/play together. The technology no matter how new it is will get old eventually, however playing something with family and friends doesn't.

Heck I should know I am the owner of 2 XBOX 360's (Kinect is now at the house), a Will with Wii motion plus, and a PS3 with move. All of them have their good and bad points, and all of them serve a purpose at one time or another. But all of them still get used when family and friends are over. Its not uncommon for me and my wife and son to break them out and play something to pass the time on a Sunday afternoon. I even have a sneaking suspicion I may even be dancing this afternoon/evening now that my wife just texted me this picture of the inside of her car.

Medal of Honor....Did it live up to expectations?

EA pulled out all the stops to sell this game. They created controversy in regards to playing as the Taliban in multi-player. (somehow I think all along they knew that wasn't going to fly) They spaced out their pre-release videos, crafted pre-order bonuses, and had ads on every major gaming site. It worked as they sold 2 million copies in the first 2 weeks and have even commented that it will continue on to be a sequel. Did it take over the Call of Duty franchise? Absolutely not! But I do think they made a small dent to let them know they are here to play and that always works out great for us gamers. Competition never hurts!

Many ask is it a good game? thats always a hard question to answer because no 2 people see things the same way. Meta critic reviews has it as decent at a 74 score overall. I would probably give it a bit more, as I actually had fun playing the single player campaign and thought the ending was quite moving for a video game. Perhaps that's my military background in me though. I did actually see a tweet where someone said they got emotional at the ending. I wouldn't quite go that far though.

Where I think the game really shines is in it's multi-player modes. After the first few days of getting slaughtered I wondered if it was the game or me needing to adjust. Well It was me because I stuck with it and all the sudden it started clicking for me. I have actually been able to snipe on this game (something i could never do on COD). Was so excited when I had a 25-5 game sniping mostly. However for people just starting into multi-player sniping can be very discouraging. There will be some spawn sniping and not knowing your maps will get you killed very quick!. But once you play for a few hours you will know what you can and can not do. The weapons play is smooth and a bit more realistic than the COD franchise in my opinion. The one thing that always drove me crazy was those able to run and jump around carrying should mounted RPG's in COD!! That is impossible in real life! Its enjoyable wining the most Wanted ribbon while playing in game multiplayer as if feels like you have made the entire other team furious at you! I do enjoy winning the medals and awards each game but I do find it lacking as the upgrades to the weapons seem to take longer and longer, and many of them don't help at all. (that laser sight is worthless!) . I suppose it keeps things a bit more even for everyone that way but I can see myself getting bored soon.

I am sure I will enjoy it right up until COD Black ops comes out. Then I am sure I will wish to myself that COD had MOH's weapons play and COD's perks! Now that would be an awesome game.