Xbox 360 line-up arrives

THE LINE UP of games available for the Xbox 360 console has been formally announced.

The first game is Kameo: Elements of Power. The game styles itself as a mystical action adventure available exclusively on the Xbox 360, in which players must morph into different warriors to allow Kameo to hunt down and destroy evil. The same description could be applied to many a role playing game but we're hoping to see some spectacular graphics from Microsoft's next generation console. Fortunately they've been variously described as "sumptuous" and as pleasant as "taking a vacation" so there seems to be plenty to look forward to with the first RPG on the 360.

Secondly, the much anticipated and infinitely hyped Perfect Dark Zero will make an appearance as one of the Xbox 360's launch titles. Importantly, Zero is a prequel to the original game and hopefully it will fill out some back story for characters from the first Perfect Dark. Anyone who has seen the leaked videos that travelled news sites recently will know all about what to expect from the latest incarnation of Perfect Dark. Zero is graphically superb and may well set the standard for next generation first person shooters. The physics look well applied and the game remains stylish and looks well executed. This is probably the most anticipated of the launch titles and with good reason. Hopefully it'll live up to the hype.

Finally, if you've seen screenshots from Project Gotham Racing 3 you'll probably have been impressed by what are some of the best graphics I've ever seen. This game is set to expand on the features currently available throughout the series while pulling graphics forward and really making use of the hardware at their disposal. PGR 3 is really just another step forward in the constant progression of racing games but there's little doubt that fans of the series will be impressed with the latest instalment. The well applied reflections and shadows add a sense of atmosphere unattainable on previous consoles. It's likely that this won't end up as just a game for racing fans but something for people who just want to see what the 360 can do, because visually it is incomparable.

Regardless of the titles themselves, these titles offer a decent spread across genres for players to choose from at launch and with so many titles making it to 360 soon afterwards the new machine doesn't look like running short of games anytime soon. Personally I'm waiting to see the 360 versions of Castle Wolfenstein and Quake 4. µ