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Best Graphics Game
Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball
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The graphics have been stepped up since last year's run of Xbox titles; there is no denying the great visuals provided by the Xbox architecture and some crafty developers. This year we the give the award to Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball. Now I know what you're thinking! If you look beyond the obvious... attributes...you will admire the great graphics overall. The character models have taken on another like since 2001's DOA3. Team Ninja worked hard to make a digital tropical paradise and it worked! From the girls to the seaside beaches, DOAXBV is by far the most beautiful Xbox game of 2003. |
Runner-up
Soul Calibur 2
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Soul Calibur 2 has a silly name, but great graphics. |
Honorable Mention: Project Gotham Racing 2, Prince of Persia, Otogi: Myth of Demons |
Best Sound Game
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
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The Prince of Persia is an all-around brilliant game, but one of the most endearing features is the sound. It's amazing how much sound can add to a game. When it's fun to just run the character around in circles just to hear the patter of footsteps, you have a great sounding game on your hands. With excellent voice acting that helps to advance the plot and relationships along, and a stunning soundtrack that leaves you wanting more, PoP gets our nod for best sound in a game.
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Runner-up
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
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Close behind PoP is Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3. This game has all the real world sounds of fighting in a counter-terrorist unit, and if you have surround sound you'll be blown away. The ability to speak to and hear your comrades through the headset is an excellent feature that draws you further into the game. Each gun sounds distinct, and after hours of play you'll be able to tell the difference between the most common ones. Music is, for the most part, non-existent in the game, and that's perfect for making it feel even more realistic. |
Honorable Mention: ESPN NHL 2k4, Project Gotham Racing 2, True Crime: Street of L.A. |
Best Xbox Live Game
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
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Best Xbox Live Game is a hard category to judge, because (as the ESRB always mentions) the game experience is always dependent on who your teammates/opponents are. There is no doubt all the Live games have their own value, but no other game comes close to Rainbow Six 3. It's one of the most intense shooters ever, and the joy of being part of a team that works as a single unit gives a feeling like no other. You'll be creeping, killing, and watching your teammates' back, all while shouting at them when you're taking fire and the location of your enemies. Overall, it brings the right mix of everything an online game should have.
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Runner-up
Project Gotham Racing 2
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Project Gotham Racing 2 has now changed the way racing games will be presented in the future. The fluid integration of Xbox Live into the single and multi-player modes is amazing. Tracking you driving skills along with downloading ghost tracks from other racers are two great options of PGR2. You need Project Gotham Racing 2 in your collection, it rocks. |
Honorable Mention: Return to Castle Wolfenstien, Top Spin, Midtown Madness 3 |
Most Mojo Baby!
True Crime: Streets of L.A.
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Oh yea, get down with your bad self, Nick Kang. Edging out KOTOR for the second time, True Crime brings all the mojo. If you ever wanted to take control of the scum of Los Angeles, or join them, True Crime gives you the options and the means to do so. By hook or by crook, True crime has the mojo. A little Snoop Dogg in da house never hurts, either...and damn! Snoop has a fine ride.
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Runner-up
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic captures the look and feel and the Star Wars like no other game ever has. In addition, it plays like no other role-playing games, making the game accessible to those not normally inclined to long, drawn out RPG's. It's Star Wars...'nuff said. racters make this an RPG that will set a new standard for all others. |
Honorable Mention: Prince of Persia, ESPN Sports, I-Ninja, NBA Street V2 |
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