Halo 2 Thoughts
 

I am going to pick up an XBox 360 today and wanted to know about some games before I picked them up. Think I will probably get Gears of War but I wanted to know about Halo 2, if it was as good as expected?

Halo 2 is for XBox, but it should run on the 360 fine. Halo 2 is definitely as good as expected, but the graphics won't be next-gen at all, and it will look like shit compared to Gears of War. If you don't care about how it looks in comparison, though, buy it -- it's pretty much the best console FPS you can buy. I love how Bungie did the dual wield system...you actually feel like you're dual wielding weapons with the XBox controller.

I thought it was OK, when comparing to Halo (1) anyway. They've made some improvements for sure, but it didn't have the same jump in fun as when Halo first came out. But of course that's the price sequels pay.

So what is all your favorite 360 games? Looking for some good ones. Currently have Gears of War and Rainbow 6 Las Vegas

Gears and Rainbow 6 are actually pretty similar... I say get some variety in your library. Oblivion will take your life. Dead Rising is fun. You should rent it first, as the demo doesn't really tell you what you need to know about the game's structure.

There's alot out there. Try some demos.

I'm guessing you didn't have the first XBox, since you're asking about Halo 2. I was in the same boat. Maybe give one of the old Splinter Cells a shot. I picked up Chaos Theory and loved it. Doom 3 was great. Crimson Skies is a nice little distraction, and dirt cheap.

Also, get some live points and pick up Geometry Wars and Uno.

Absolutely try some demos. One of the better things about the new and improved xbox live are the demos. They're great. It's so nice to be able to see if a game's a stinker before dropping $60 on it at the Wal*Mart.

Dead Rising is sitting in my machine right now and my next purchase is probably going to be either Gears of War (no demo :( ) or F.E.A.R. (killer demo :) )

As for recommendations... Oblivion is my current obsession, but I can recommend the new Marvel game, Splinter Cell: Double Agent and Hitman: Blood Money all of which spent an inordinate amount of time in my machine.

I personally can't stand Halo 2. But I think thats due more to the community then the game itself