Stranglehold and BioShock Demos Out Now

One of the best things about this generation of game systems is that we can download game demos. We don't have to wait for a magazine or a special mailing, we just fire up our consoles and download. Two amazing demos have popped up on the Xbox Live Marketplace over the last few days, and if you aren't already playing them, you should be.

Stranglehold from Midway is an amazing action game that basically takes the best fight scenes from The Matrix moves and puts them in a game that doesn't suck. You get slo-mo powers, can dodge bullets, and a nifty ability that zooms in close to your enemies so you get a precise shot, and then the camera follows the bullet in slow motion as it streaks towards the enemy. The controls are very tight and easy to learn, and the game overall looks to be really well put together. You can play through the demo multiple times, finding new weapons and unlocking new powers as you go. This demo is 1.28GB, but it is worth every second it takes to download.

BioShock is a game we have been excited about for a year and a half now, and after playing the demo it is nice to know that our anticipation and admiration has been well placed. BioShock is a horror-themed FPS set in the underwater city of Rapture. It was designed as the 1950's idea of a utopia, but horrible things have happened there, and the residents that are still there aren't too happy to see you upon your arrival. BioShock does an absolutely incredible job of immersing you into its world with great graphics, amazing sound, a cast of great characters and enemies, and it makes you feel a surprising mix of horror and awe all at the same time. This game is going to be special. The demo is 1.35GB.