The game beijing 2008 is not exactly what i expected... The graphics are superb and the way the game is designed is fantastic however, there are a few aspects which do let the game down terribly...
The events are plentiful but, unfortunatly, repetitive... Track 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 100m hurdles 110m hurdles
Field Hammer Discus Javelin Shotput Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault
Aquatics 50m Freestyle 100m Breaststroke 100m Backstroke 100m Butterfly 10m Platform Diving 3m Springboard
Shooting Skeet 10m Air Pistol 25m Rapid Fire Pistol
Other Team Pursuit Kayaking Judo Table Tennis Archery Weightlifting
Decathlon and Heptathlon are also playable in competition
So, as you can see, the large range of events is a good thing...however, it is evident when playing the game that alot of these are similar so it can become boring...
Some events are well done so that it is easy to pick up and this makes them enjoyable...On the other hand, some events are soooo frustrating that you will want to turn off your 360. for example- many of the gymnastics are simple and alot of the field is ok but it is things such as the short distance running which will infuriate you. It requires you to 'waggle' the thumbstick left to right to build up speed...however, to keep this up it will literally destroy your hands and wrists... Other events like the kayaking and judo seem to be notorious in being extremely difficult...while errors such as a bugged pole vault make that event impossible to exceed 5.45m when the world record is 6m.
Table Tennis is poor because it is ridiculously easy while the vault seems impossible...
The game suffers again because of a lagging xbox live which will drive you crazy...and other game modes such as 'olympic games' are difficult to progress in unless you are very experienced.
Apart from that the game offers no more so i found that it became boring after a few days play...
Redeeming factors would be the few events that are challenging but manageable...and wont leave you with aching hands... These appear to be the majority of the gymnastics and diving events aswell as things like archery.
It would have been better to use the 'waggle' technique in a few events and to have devised a better method for the others that is easier on the hands.
There are 50 achievements for the usual 1000gs...most of them are to break the world record in certain events etc...
Overall, a pretty game that will keep you entertained with fun events until your only left with poorly thought out events that will either drive you crazy from the impossibility or the aching lol...
Atleast worth a rental and maybe a purchase when the price drops...
Current--- Amazon- £25 (used and new) Play- £26 (used and new)
Beijing 2008...6/10
More details
Originality
Good
Sound
Good - relevant music & effects
Longevity/Expected Longevity
1 week
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