In light of the fact that Thanksgiving was this past week, we here at PlanetXbox360 wanted to honor the day by sharing with you what we are thankful for. Microsoft and its Xbox platform have blessed the gaming industry with a number of innovations and new IPs. So, we've compiled a list of ten things that we are thankful for Microsoft bringing to gaming.
10. Forza - No one thought that Polyphony's juggernaut racing franchise Gran Turismo would ever see a worthy competitor. Fast forward to 2011 and Forza Motorsport 4 is now the de facto racing franchise, outshining the latest iteration of Gran Turismo in many respects. Microsoft has proven that they can compete with the best of them, offering some of the best experiences in nearly every genre. Back in the day, the PlayStation brand was where you would go to play a solid racing game. Turn 10 has changed that, with a much more user-friendly and robust racing experience.
9. Kinect - The wacky controller-less form of control has taken the world by storm. While the Kinect may only have a handful of compelling games right now, there are enough to prove that this tech is here to stay. In addition, the ability of the Kinect to expand beyond just gaming and be incorporated in all of the other features the Xbox provides makes it clear that there is a whole lot of potential for this technology in entertainment as a whole.
8. Social Network and Netflix Integration - Speaking of features… the Xbox platform has defied the notion that video game consoles are only for playing games. Before the 360, there was little to do on a console besides playing your favorite titles. Now, users can stream Netflix, chat with friends, check Facebook, Twitter and watch sporting events on ESPN3. Plus with television integration on the horizon, the Xbox console is only going to make a stronger case for becoming the all-in-one entertainment hub.
7. Western RPGs - The Xbox has a very limited number of exclusive games, but quality always trumps quantity. When BioWare brought KOTOR to the Xbox many years ago, I don't think anyone expected the Western RPG genre to take off like it did. BioWare has been able to fully realize their vision on the Xbox 360 with the Mass Effect franchise, proving that Japanese RPGs are outdated and a thing of the past. With typically PC-only titles like The Elder Scrolls making the jump to console gaming, the genre has been able to reach a much broader audience. Xbox has been the home of innovation in the role-playing genre and likely will be for some time.
6. Gears of War - Cover-based third-person shooters hit their stride with Gears of War. This franchise elevated the genre to new heights, proving that competitive multiplayer expands beyond just the first-person shooter. In addition, the mind-numbing graphics were unparalleled at the time, proving that the 360 is capable of offering some incredibly beautiful experiences. The franchise has gone on to become one of the most recognized franchises in gaming, alongside Halo as one of Microsoft's marquee exclusives.
This feature top 10 concludes on the next page, please click Page 2 below to read on.
