# Help me rationalize buying an X-Box **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708 "2002-08-27T01:16:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/1 "2002-08-27T01:16:04Z")
So I just finished reading a review of the new, X-Box-only Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, and I deeply, deeply need to get this game. Problem is, no one I know has an X-Box, and I already have a PS2. And spending $200-$250 just to feed my Buffy monkey is, well, the terms “loser,” “uber-geek,” and “terribly, terribly pathetic” spring to mind. But if there were, say, two or three other really, really good games that were _only_ available on X-Box, then I think I could justify it (or maybe games that are multi-platform, but significantly better on X-Box). Unfortunetly, the only other title I can come up with on my own is Halo. So I was hoping some Dopers could help me out by recommending some really kick-ass games that would warrant the purchase of another console. I’d like at least two more, but I’ll settle for one. Games that haven’t been released yet are okay, but I’d prefer proven titles. I’m open to pretty much any genre, except sports games. Thanks for your attention. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/2 "2002-08-27T01:37:14Z")
_Jet Set Radio Future_. If I were going to buy an Xbox, it’d be for that one game. As much a fan as I am of the show, I’m not that interested in the _Buffy_ game. I still think _Jet Set Radio_ is one of the best games ever made, and the sequel is almost as good from the little I’ve played of it. (I rented it; I don’t own an Xbox myself). If you’re a fan of _Star Wars_, the RPG _Knights of the Republic_ is coming out for the Xbox before the PC. And I know a lot of extremely talented people who are working on the platformer game _Psychonauts_ which is an Xbox exclusive, but don’t know any more about the game than that. DOOM III has also been announced on the Xbox; whether it’s as fun playing a FPS on a console as it is on a PC, I can’t say (I’m equally bad at FPS’ in any environment). It’s probably the most technologically advanced console, and there are some really nice features. And personally, I want to see the thing succeed because it’s really, really nice to develop for. But I just can’t justify buying one for myself because none of the games are that interesting to me. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/3 "2002-08-27T02:51:54Z")
I bought an XBox simply because I previewed Knights of the Old Republic at this years E3 show. But the coolest thing is that I picked up Obi-Wan right away. Here’s a cool thing for you: I’m Obi-Wan (young version). I’m hanging from my fingertips on the side of a building inching sideways to get around a curve. In walks Lady Chance. I quote, “Why are you hanging from the ledge…oh, I forgot. You’re a _Jedi_. Of _course_ you’re hanging from that ledge.” HAHAHAHAHAHA And **that’s** why you should buy an XBox. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/4 "2002-08-27T04:40:18Z")
If you like RPG’s and your PC isn’t so hot, you can also snag _Morrowind_ for the Xbox. You’d need like a 1.8 ghz computer with 256 megs of DDR RAM and a GeForce-3 in order to run the game nearly as smoothly as it does on the Xbox. ('Course, I prefer the PC version, myself, because of the plugin system…) Also, of course, there’s the insanely ambitious up-and-coming _Project Ego_, which, if delivered as promised (yeah, I know, wishful thinking), could be the best open-ended RPG to date. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/5 "2002-08-27T05:20:19Z")
> [@](#): > > If you like RPG’s and your PC isn’t so hot, you can also snag Morrowind for the Xbox. You’d need like a 1.8 ghz computer with 256 megs of DDR RAM and a GeForce-3 in order to run the game nearly as smoothly as it does on the Xbox. Ah, I forgot to mention the Purple Monster in my OP. Yeah, I’ve already got Morrowind on my PC (and it freakin’ _screams_ on it!). Anything coming out for both the PC and console, I’ll probably be buying PC, because my PC is truly fearsome, and I don’t want to anger it. Do you happen to have a link to a Project Ego website? I haven’t heard much about it yet. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/6 "2002-08-27T10:29:45Z")
Ah, good job on the computer… seriously, Morrowind on Xbox seriously lacks the fun of plugins (get the Adventurer’s Plugin, it makes the game far more difficult… read: fun). Anyway, info on Project Ego can be found here: [http://www.planetxbox.com/projectego/](http://www.planetxbox.com/projectego/) A basic rundown of the game: -Your character will start out at the age of 18… by the time he’s done, he’ll be about 80. -Stuff you do will dynamically affect your character… if you’re out in the sun a lot, he’ll get a tan. If you work a lot, he’ll get buff. If you laze around, he’ll get weak and flabby. If you get cut in a fight, it’ll leave a scar. -Dynamic environment: Plants and people grow as time goes by. You can plant a seed somewhere and come back a few years later to find a tree. People will have schedules, and won’t just stand around in the same spot in a town, waiting for your character to conveniently walk by. -People’s attitudes towards you will change depending on what you do. If you’re super-heroic, they’ll start dressing like you and cutting their hair to be like you. If you then do something really cowardly, you might later hear them sing something similar to the “Brave Sir Robin” song from _Monty Python and the Holy Grail_ (that might encourage people to be cowardly, actually). Essentially, they’re trying to make the most detailed environment possible. And I’m someone who loves detailed environments. It’ll be sweet. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/7 "2002-08-27T10:40:17Z")
why would you even dally with the idea of an Ex-Box when Grand Theft Auto: Vice City shall be along for the PS2? why waste time playing with an x-box when your life could be greatly enriched by sitting, rocking back and forward for 2 months before it is launched, like I am doing? what? ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/8 "2002-08-27T11:34:15Z")
Doesn´t the X-boc function as a DVD-player as well? If you don´t have a DVD that is another argument in favour of the X-box. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/9 "2002-08-27T17:03:17Z")
Yup. Both ps2 and the xbox have integrated dvd. Both have visual quirks, though. The xbox’s is rather less ass-like, however. Hm. The new Panzer Dragoon game is coming out for the Xbox. Should be entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/10 "2002-08-27T18:00:35Z")
How about this: We just bought one, and we’re worried that if they don’t sell more, they’ll fold up shop and stop making games. You’ll be preventing that, thus sparing Mr. And Mrs. CrankyAsAnOldMan from mourning the loss. Why don’t you just come over and play with mine? I’ve been dying to meet you for months. P.S. We like ours as a DVD player. No bad glitches we’ve run into yet. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/11 "2002-08-27T21:16:38Z")
**Cranky** : Hmm… It _is_ Microsoft. I think they’d order tactical nuke strikes on Sony HQ before they’d admit defeat and cancel the X-Box. (C’mon, you know they have nukes. If _Pakistan_ has nukes, there’s no way Microsoft doesn’t.) And I’d love to come over and play yours, but those bums at Golden Gate Transit _still_ won’t put Michigan on one of their bus routes. What the hell am I paying my taxes for, anyway? **SPOOFE** : Thanks for the link! Looks very cool. I think I may have sufficent justification now. **Twist** : I’m already doing that for Vice City, as well as the new season of Buffy, Master of Orion III, Firefly, and The Two Towers movie. Frankly, my back is killing me. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/12 "2002-08-27T21:56:20Z")
**Miller** : Let’s all be adults: it comes down to this. You want that X-Box and are only looking for an excuse to get it. You know it, I know it, everyone reading this thread knows it. Luckily, we here at “Excuses-R-Us” aim to please. Our mission is to put you in a situation where you can do what you really want to without the attendant guilt. Thus, we’ve kidnapped Mr. Fluffy, your beloved childhood teddy-bear and will start sending you his body parts through the mail unless you purchase an X-Box. If you wish to see Mr Fluffy in one piece again, you will comply and buy that X-Box. Our bill will be in the mail. Fenris President Excuses-R-Us ---
**Author:** ![CyberPundit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@CyberPundit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyberPundit)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/13 "2002-08-27T23:43:09Z")
I don’t have an X-box myself ,or any console for that matter, but another game which a lot of people seem to be excited about is Splinter Cell: a Tom Clancy tactical espionage game which seeks to outdo MGS2. It will be out in a few months IIRC. Another general advantage with the X-box is that it’s the the most powerful hardware of the three consoles and in general multiplatform games look best on it. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/14 "2002-08-28T00:23:43Z")
FPS: Halo. Halo Halo Halo. Halo rocks. Halo 2 coming soon. ::shudder: ---
**Author:** ![DougAB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@DougAB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougAB)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/15 "2002-08-28T01:20:00Z")
You don’t have to rationalize everything… [sup]Do it. It’d be good for the economy.[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/16 "2002-08-28T02:36:30Z")
You only live once. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/17 "2002-08-28T03:09:53Z")
Agreed on **Halo.** I hate FPS games, but Halo is just unbelievable, inarguably one of the best video games ever made of any type for ANY platform. If you like sports games, the new Sega line is REALLY good. NFL 2K3, the one with Brian Urlacher on the box, is fantastic. World Series Baseball is first-rate, too. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/18 "2002-08-28T03:37:20Z")
> [@](#): > > You only live once. Not if you spend the extra twenty-five bucks for the memory card. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/19 "2002-08-28T05:03:28Z")
> [@](#): > > why would you even dally with the idea of an Ex-Box when Grand Theft Auto: Vice City shall be along for the PS2? 'Cuz it’ll be even better on the PC? ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708/20 "2002-08-28T05:22:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\* > 'Cuz it’ll be even better on the PC? \*\* 10 months later and buggier than Wink Martindale’s teeth after a long ride on a Harley = better? (I never played the PC version of GTA3, but all my friends complained about it endlessly) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-rationalize-buying-an-x-box/125708.md?page=2)