Click for more screens!

Halo takes all the elements you love about FPS games, spit-shines 'em and makes 'em sparkle! The graphics are deceiving, since you think you're looking at a PC game. With Xbox's Nvidia-born 3D accelerator, texture are photo realistic. Grass, stone and metallic surfaces are brought to newfound heights thanks to the terrific bump-mapping.

So far, our experience with Halo has been one impressive moment after another. Shall I talk about Colin and I getting our asses handed to us by Ben and Brian in multiplayer CTF (Colin is a terrible Warthog driver)? Should I delve into the smart, complex NPC Artificial Intelligence? At any rate, I need to find my lower jaw, which dropped off a couple hours ago when we saw how smooth and flawless the 4-player split screen plays.

As a console first-person shooter, Halo's control has a slight learning curve, though it's negligible compared to other FPS's. Weapons are great and they each have a very distinct feel. The Alien Needler is the current office favorite, firing crystal shards that stick into an opponent only to explode moments after, causing spectacular collateral damage if used properly.

Halo is the Xbox's pride and joy. It's drenched in fun, laced with beauty and dipped in a vat of technological brilliance. If there's a shoo-in for launch, this is it.

DOA 3

Click for more screens!

Publisher: Tecmo

The Dead or Alive series is hands-down the most cinematic fighter in the ring. Now, it's back and better looking than ever. All of your favorite fighters from Kasumi to Jann Lee have returned for yet another round of intense martial mayhem.

The evil Tengu has been defeated, but his seed of destruction continues to grow. This time, the superhuman called Genra is on the loose and only the DOA fighters can stop him.

So the story still sucks. Oh well, it's a fighting game. What did you expect? Shakespeare?

Newcomers Hitomi, Christie, and Brad join our crew of combatants, making a total of thirteen different fighting styles (including drunken-fist). You'll also need to beware of the all-new air throws, which add even more oomph to the action.

The famous multi-tiered environments are back as well. You'll see some nice weather effects, lighting effects, and some of the best water effects you've ever seen in a video game.

At its core, though, DOA 3 feels a lot like an upgraded DOA 2. There's still only one punch and one kick button, limiting the number of different attacks you can do. We were hoping for some extra depth here and are admittedly a little sad. At least the ones you get look really cool.

But with new breakthrough levels, new characters and silky smooth visuals, DOA 3 is poised to remain a leader in the fighting game genre.

- Brian

Oddworld: Munch's Oddyssey

Click for more screens!

Publisher: Microsoft

"X" marks the spot for Oddworld lovers. Munch's Oddyssey returns players to the lighthearted fantasy setting that is home to our friend Abe, his subservient Mudokon pals and all their weird and anomalous neighbors.

This time around, though, you will be doing a little character swapping. Some missions require you to play as Munch, Abe's little freaky buddy who's part of an endangered race of extremely funny looking single-footed amphibians (and possibly one the ugliest game characters you will ever play). Be prepared to swim and hop.

Other missions let you play as our old buddy Abe, with whom you'll do a hell of a lot of chanting and herding Mudokons around in unappreciated attempts to save their sorry (but tasty) asses. Sound familiar?

Yeah, I thought it would. The gameplay is very derivative of the previous games. You do get a couple more options, such as the ability to command your pals to attack some of the more malicious creatures of Oddworld. This helps break from the otherwise ubiquitous and repetitive gameplay.

But we live in a world of constant change, and while the gameplay is essentially the same, the graphics have had a complete face lift. The game is now fully 3D and you play from a third-person perspective as opposed to the side-scrolling adventures on the PSOne. The textures, solar flare and overall vastness of the levels are nothing short of next generation. The voice acting is top-notch and the game is really funny to see in action.

Now that they've broken the 3D barrier, Oddworld seems even more imaginative. This will surely be the oddest adventure yet.

- Shawn