Coming In Under The Radar

The games we’re not hearing about that much.

By Sith Lord Jim:

“Just a few words to introduce you to a new section just for you, our valuable readers. Under The Radar is one of several new topics that the team at XboxOZ360-Blog will be introducing in the coming weeks . . . All aimed at providing you with something a little bit different. Rather than spewing up the same news that is being circulated around the net ad nauseum . . . we want to give you a slightly different experience.

We have a belief here at XboxOZ360-Blog that our readers do honestly want to know more than just the ‘usual’ tit-bits of “news” floating about the net, and we believe you desire to hear about the other things that are making gaming such a mainstream affair these days. So, to start it off, here’s Sir Lord Jim’s first entry in the Under The Radar which will bring you game/s each week that seem to slipping by us un-noticed.” – Ed- XboxOZ360:

• comin’ in under the radar

This year is already shaping up to be stuffed to the brim with massive titles. With titles like Grand Theft Auto IV and Burnout Paradise demanding your attention, and forcefully ramming their advertising down your throat at any given opportunity, it is easy to miss out on some great yet poorly promoted games.

We here at the XboxOz360-Blog don’t want you to miss out on brilliant titles just because you have not heard about them. So check back each week as we discuss our top five “under the radar” titles for 2008.

5. Hei$t

Published by: Codemasters
Developed by: inXile entertainment
Genre: Action
Release Date:
US: Q2 2008
Europe: Q1 2008

As overpopulated as the games market is becoming with sandbox style games, this is definitely one to watch out for. Set in San Francisco in 1969 you play as Johnny who has just been released from prison and wants to rob the biggest bank in the city. You are tasked with building up your crew’s skills, winning the favour of different factions, planning, and going through with bank heists.

Robbing banks will require a careful balance of planning and thinking on your feet while having to keep not only your crew under control but also any hostages. When a single shot can summon the boys in blue, you may choose to keep things more discrete. Of course there is the much more fun option of just killing everyone including the police, but then people will hear about the violence and civilians may start carrying guns to protect themselves.

The side missions will be used to build up favor with different groups, who like in Assassins Creed will assist you for assisting them, and to increase the skills of your crew. Factions like the cities garbage men will do things like getting in the way of the police who are pursuing them when you have their favor.

The most exciting feature for me is the ability to use customizable voice commands. Voice commands can be used for things like ordering your crew around, giving hostages commands and the like. Because they are customizable, if you want everyone to get on the floor rather than using the phrase that is the standard in the game, you can have changed it so you can yell something much more badass or perhaps much more polite. This interactivity is sure to make the experience more immersive as well as having some potentially hilarious implications.

There will be some form of multiplayer, but it is yet to be revealed. I am hoping for some form of co-op, but we will have to wait for more information. As far as we know this one is scheduled for the first half of 2008. Hopefully we will hear more about this one in the next few months, but so far it looks like its one that you should not miss.

© 2008 James McIntyre

Media:

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Filed under: 3rd Party Games, Console gaming, New Game Information, Xbox 360 3rd Party Games, Xbox 360 Game Previews | Tagged: Codemasters, Codies, Game, Hei$t, heist, inXile, inxile entertainment, Preview, Xbox 360 News1