We know that getting the real skinny on what is coming out any given month can be an arduous task at best. Hours of scouring the internet or poring through magazines often leaves you frustrated, confused, or quivering in a corner, jumping at shadows. Buck up, little camper! We here at Xbox Advanced know exactly how you feel, and have the remedy for what ails you. Unofficially, I call it The Month Ahead. We will give you a rundown of what is being released this month, how excited we are overall about each release, and some of what some of our newer editors (and one old-timer) are most looking forward to. Here is the list of what’s coming in July.
| Date | Game | The Buzz |
|---|---|---|
| 7/5/05 | Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack |  |
| 7/11/05 | Sid Meier’s Pirates! |  |
| 7/11/05 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |  |
| 7/12/05 | NCAA Football 2006 |  |
| 7/12/05 | FlatOut | |
| 7/22/05 | Battlestation: Midway | |
| 7/26/05 | Delta Force: Blackhawk Down | |
| 7/26/05 | Outlaw Tennis | |
The more XA discs awarded to a game the more buzz there is for the title. The least amount of buzz is represented by one disc while the most is represented by five.
The Diagnosis:
July is traditionally a slow month for gaming, and this July is no different. But even with the focus shifting from the Xbox to the Xbox 360, there are a few gems being released. But with Sid Meier’s Pirates!, Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, NCAA Football 2006, and the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack coming out, this is still a good month to be an Xbox owner.
The Editor’s Most Wanted:
Billy Mitchell’s Most Wanted:
I have been a fan of Sid Meier’s Pirates! since it was first released back on the Amiga in the early 90’s. I can’t wait to see how it converts to a console game, and hope that it will bring a whole new legion of fans into Sid’s court. I’ve got my eye-patch ready, and am sharpening my cutlass now. Avast ye scurvy landlubbers, and prepare to be broadsided!!!
Eric Chiu’s Most Wanted:
Alas, the summer’s always the slowest part of the year for games, but there’s still a few noteworthy ones for the season. I’m definitely looking forward to Sid Meier’s Pirates!. I’ve been a fan of Meier’s for ages; the game looks to be on par with his previous work and come on… pirates!!! Doesn’t get much better than that
Marcos Reyes’s Most Wanted:
In July one of my most anticipated movies of the summer is coming out, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it seems like the game will be a fun complement to the summer flick. If I can pull myself away from Resident Evil 4 I’ll make sure to pick it up.
David Rudden’s Most Wanted:
While I’ll undoubtedly pick up the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack the day it comes out, I’m very hesitant to award my ever so prestigious “Most Wanted” Award to an expansion pack. Granted, almost every new map will undoubtedly rock, but if it don’t play a game on it’s own, it’s out of the running. My vote instead goes to the always-solid Outlaw Sports series’ newest athletic endeavor, Outlaw Tennis. The two other Outlaw Sports franchises (Golf and Volleyball) have been able to match up quite favorably in terms of gameplay against the big boys (and girls) in Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball and the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. When you factor in the consistently hilarious characters and commentary and the ultra-cheap twenty dollar price tag, you’ve got a game that just might, uh… top… Top Spin.
The Results:
Surprisingly, the title with the most buzz this month (Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack)failed to garner a single “Most Anticipated” vote, while the relatively obscure Sid Meier’s Pirates! earned the most praise. Both Outlaw Tennis and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory earned votes and may be worth keeping an eye on when they drop later this month.
Be sure to check out August’s Month Ahead in just a few short weeks when more editors write about fewer games!
