User reviews

Okay, let me get this out of the way now. I've been watching this show since episode one, and by 'this show' I mean X-Play. I've never seen Extended Play, or whatever the show was called before that. Now that I've clarified, let me move into the review.

I'm not going to go over the show for you. If you want to know what the show is about, read the info page. I'm hear to tell you my personal opinion about X-Play, which would be that this show is quite possibly the greatest video game related program on television, and certainly the best show on G4TV, a network that has gone from decent, to bad, to Cheaters and the Man Show.

Pros: Throughout the entirety of it's run, X-Play has been reviewing games sharply and thoughtfully. Each game that appears on the show is given a fair chance, but is not forgiven when it has obvious glaring flaws. Some have said in their reviews that this seems to give the show an "anti-video game" vibe, that it makes it seem like Adam and Morgan dislike everything. I ask you this, if this was a review show where everything got at least a three, and the two hosts focused on how wonderful everything about each and every game was, would it be of any use at all? I have repeatedly used the advice given to me by X-Play when buying a game, and I have been saved from certain disaster several times over. Besides providing excellent game reviews, the show also provides entertainment value through the use of (for the most part) clever and well written skits. Adam, Morgan, and all the actors that accompany them, tackle each of their roles and skits with an infectious enthusiasm that makes X-Play a show worth watching.

Cons: I'm sure most of you keyed in on the "for the most part" in my previous statement. This does hold some ground, as X-Play has been known to recycle some of their own material, or just make the occasional 'un-funny' joke. In addition, Adam and Morgan make no qualms about offending their audience. Trust me, if you're a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist, just try to listen to one of their oversimplifications of the show without getting peeved.

Overall it's my opinion that those that complain about this show, saying "Oh, Adam changed his personality so much," or "Oh, Morgan is so boring, she obviously doesn't play games," are either A. Elitist pricks that are under the assumption that they are gaming gods, or far more intelligent than they actually are or B. Humorless nerds that long for the old days of TechTV, where shows were meant to exclusively inform, and not to entertain.

My only answer to both is this: Get over yourself. Those of you that complain about Adam's personality change, are you actually aware of -how much- he has a say in the workings of X-Play? Maybe the show's heading in the precise direction that he wants, and he enjoys having a little more fun with it. Maybe Morgan Webb being a fairly attractive woman doesn't automatically make her ignorant of geek culture.

When looking at X-Play for a reasonable position, one finds a quality show, now over 4 years in the running, that provides the viewer with some of the quality that G4TV has been desperately lacking for the past few months.

I started watching X-Play way back when it was still Extended Play. I've watched it pretty frequently since then and it's still a reliable video game show. Adam and Morgan are natural hosts and it's obvious they're passionate about gaming. Even Adam, with his stuttering and his bad jokes, has a certain charm.

The only downside is that recently, they've done away with the corny sketches. That may sound like a good thing, but they were a part of the show's personality. As cheesy and cheap as they were, they did showcase a good sense of humor, generating jokes and references that only seasoned gamers could get.

After watching the show for about 2 years now, I've moved on past the shoddy reviews, the crappy 5 point review scale ( Which doesn't offer half points, just a scale of 1-5 ) and the fact that so many games get 3/5 without a bit of explanation and realized that hey... At least it's pretty funny, and at least we have a show on TV " reviewing " video games.

Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb do a great job on the show, but sometimes their " Witty " comments during reviews drive me insane. I want to know MORE about the game they're reviewing rather than if they're going to be able to come up with some stagnant joke at the games expense.

I'd love to see a 10 point review scale, or at least half points to make up for the lackluster scale they review games on and ACTUALLY review the games they display ( Sometimes they actually do provide a review, but it seems that it doesn't happen very often ).

X-Play could be ingenious, but it just falls a tad bit short due to the creators need to feel that they're obligated to entertain more than educate us about WHY the games are getting the scores they do.

I do watch it quite often and find the show to be very entertaining despite the few faults the show has. The same goes for most video game fans.

X-Play on TechTV is the newly 'updated' gaming show; previously named Extended Play. They review and preview games, show classic games and also display the 'Kill of the Week'. Once in awhile you'll see some guests, but in reality it's just a video game preview/review show with some real corny, yet sometimes funny comedy. It's enjoyable and since it's the only of it's kind (besides on the all gaming network G4, which not many get) it does a good job at what it does.

Now before you start reading this I have to say that X-play is not a comedy series,but indeed reviews games. The show is basically Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb reviewing games,DUH! In the middle of reviews famous people and stuff appear up and have some of the most funny stuff or conversations with Adam and Morgan, The reviews tell in Depth of there thoughts of the games. The reason for the bits with characters like Bob & Steve, ratty,drunk link and stuff, is to keep the show full of humor and what-not! Indeed a "Most Excellent Show".

As for the musical, The songs are not jazzy or perfect,but the lyrics are good, The story felt rushed a bit,But it's 30 minutes of singing, story and countdown. It is also "Most Excellent Show".

In the name of Adam sessler, X-play gets a "5 out of 5"

GameSpot TV was a very awesome show.

I miss this show.

This show is where I got my knowledge on what games to buy.

The show would give their opinions on the newest games.

GameSpot TV would once in a while do a show where they would talk about a group of games like sports games or Survival Horror games.

GamSpot TV was one of my best ways to find out what games are worth buying.

GameSpot TV always had cool games to show.

GameSpot TV would never do dumb things like they do now.

I recently watch this Show and it was great to watch them again.

Overall, GameSpot TV is one of the best shows ever put on TV.

GAMESPOT TV ROCKS!

I was never was (and will never) be very tech-savvy. I don't know my firewalls from my fingernails, I don't know what a Trojan Horse actually does, and I thought a "cookie" was just a tasty treat. So, it should be no surprise that I usually dread any TV-show having anything to do with electronics, as I easily get lost in all the lingo and repetitive ideas.

That being said, I do enjoy playing video games a whole lot. Since my early days, growing up in the 90's (I was born in '88), starting out with my older sister's Nintendo Entertainment System, through the Genesis and SNES, the 64 and PS1, and the PS2/Gamecube/X-Box triple hit, I have been gaming all along. Now, with my sights on a Nintendo Wii and X-Box 360 (at least until the PS3 price drops some more), I feel I should be more cautious in my choices.

You see, I am not a hardcore gamer. In fact, I feel "casual gamer" might even be too harsh a term for me. I prefer "bare-bones at times" to describe my usual gaming habits. That is- I only really play a few games now and then anymore, and I don't spend a whole lot of time doing it, because of school and such. And because I don't really have what you could call a "substancial income", I have to limit my purchasing.

So where could I possibly go to find out about the hot, cool new games being release? I'll tell you where! G4TV's "X-Play"! I first caught glance of this show about 18 months ago. I watched a couple episodes, checked out some reviews and that was it. I thought this show was all about reviews and nothing else. Then, I caught a glimpse (by accident) of their Halloween special. I was hooked from that point on, because I realized that not only was this a "review" show... it was also a show about just generally having fun! Let us start out with the hosts... Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb. This duo (who also serve as the reviewers) have the perfect combination of sass, wit, charm and general presence. Not only do they work for a general, unknowlegeable oaf like myself, but I think it is safe to assume they also appeal to the 350 pound goof balls living in their parents basements as well. With good humor and the ability to say what needs to be said (despite fans not always liking it), they are fantastic for the show.

Onto the reviews themselves... This is where the show really takes off for me. Using a 1-5 star rating, the reviews are quick (but not too quick, clocking in at generally about 2 minutes or so it seems), silly and actually point out the good and the bad in a visual way that gaming magazines just can't pull off. A great method, to say the least.

Finally, there is the other stuff on the show, which I adore. Consisting of skits, jokes and sometimes full-blown "special" episodes, I appreciate the change-up from time to time. Particularly funny was the "Scariest Games Ever" episode, as well as several of their skits, including "Drunken Link" and any of their Solid Snake parodies. It is this unnecessary dose of humor and variety that give the show a fresh coat of shine, setting it apart from anything similar.

Now, all that praise being said, I do have some problems with the show. Occasionally jokes will fall flat, which can leave some unwanted and extended silences from the viewer. Also notable, their sometimes harsh complaints over trivial matters. Finally, I take issue with some of their decisions, especially during the special "ranking" episodes, such as the "X-Play" musical episode. I feel their judgment and attempts to be clever hurt that particular episode horribly in the end (No "Final Fantasy" music even mentioned on the list! And their number one pick was obvious and silly), but looking at the show as a whole, the good more than outweighs the bad... it literally crushes it.

I would recommend "X-Play" to any fan of gaming in general, or even to regular folks (who actually have jobs and girlfriends), because it is just so much fun to watch! 9 out of 10

EDIT (April 9, 2008): In light of the recent format change the show has gone through, I have decided to briefly address the newer aspects of the show, to give my review more accuracy.

First off, much of the show is now devoted to gaming news, demos, and inside looks, which I appreciate, and I feel takes the show in an interesting (and surprisingly good) new direction. My only problem is that with some of the new content, the number and intimacy of the actual reviews has been cut down a few times, but overall, the improvements outweigh any negative repercussions.

Secondly, I am a big fan of the apparent merging of the other G4 show "Cheat!" into X-Play. (For those who don't know, Kristin Holt, who hosted the later seasons of "Cheat!", now hosts a twice-a-week segment on "X-Play.") Holt, as always, does a good job informing gamers with tips and tricks, and the segment, like the reviews, sticks to the "short-but-sweet" mindset. While I would like to see "Cheat!" return as an actual show, at least now we aren't totally deprived of strategies and cheats, as we were in the months before the format change. So until it is its own show again, "Cheat!" is doing fine on X-Play.

Finally, the visual style of the show itself has proved very good. From a trippy opening credit sequence to the revamped sets and graphic-animations, everything seems spiffy and new.

So, basically, my review still stands at a near-perfect 9 out of 10. If you haven't had a chance to see the new "X-Play", check it out!

God I loved this show so much as a kid and a teenager, it was the show I'd always be excited to come on everyday at a certain time. I even quoted the jokes a lot back then, and a lot of episodes were memorable.

A lot of people hated the jokes, but that was personally why I watched the show in the first place was for the jokes, it's honestly a damn shame to me that later on they stopped doing it which is partially why I stopped watching the show later on as they became way too serious with their show.

I honestly just wish I can watch it all again, but sadly x play seems to be lost to time as I can't find this show anywhere on the internet ( all I could find was a couple of episodes of it ), no dvds of the series were released either; even official site is gone for good it seems like. It's just sad to me that this show is basically erased from existence it seems like, and I will probably will never see it ever again unless some miracle happens where someone finds all the episodes of it somehow.

Before I get a game, I always have to look for it's review on X-play. Adam and Morgan are funny, and very smart when it comes to rating games. They rate all sorts of games for every single console. I think they have come close to reviewing almost every game in the world! This is informative, funny, and not trash. It may have some swearing and sexual content, but it's still a good show. Everyone should watch X-play, because I think it is mostly suitable for about 12+, or some younger people a good sense of humor. Even though that I don't agree with some of their ratings, it is a very good show so everyone should watch it. I watch it everyday, and you should too. 10/10.

Ever since X-Play was on Tech TV, this show used to be funny, fresh, and excellent at reviewing games. Then when this show became part of G4's initial lineup, many of us fans were in heaven with the non-stop gaming shows, and X-Play just continued to get better and better. Suddenly, the X-play we came to love has been stripped of almost anything that fans know it as. Gone now are the skits, the characters (bring back Roger: The Stan Lee Experience!), the humor, and most of the reviews. X-Play is now a dull show that talks about gaming news, ONE game review per show, game previews, and Cheat segments. As for our co-hosts Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb, they look like they couldn't care less anymore. I don't blame them because this isn't the way X-Play is supposed to be.

It really feels like G4 is trying to hammer the final nail in X-Play's coffin. It's a shame because this is the show that brought and kept viewers interested in the network once they canceled all of their gaming shows. I still give it a positive rating because it's really the only gaming show on TV, and they at least cover the big gaming events.

In the beginning, there was Extended Play ... and it was good. This show on the other hand is utter crap. The whole atmosphere feels like a really bad MTV show with non- sensical, shifting camera angles and the hipper-than-thou attitude of the hosts. With the introduction of Morgan Webb, the show became *extremely* mean-spirited and dumbed down. It is no longer a show for video game enthusiasts, judging by how many negative reviews they give out per show, you'd think it was a show for people who hate video games. Adam Sessler is no longer the brooding "intellectual" he was on Extended Play, he is now a raving jackass whose sole purpose is to appear "witty" at all times. They've added an over-the-top "extreeeeme" announcer which seems totally out of place (the hosts used to introduce themselves). If you're looking for a show that respects the subject matter it is focused on and doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence, this is not your show. The show appears to be more interested in interjecting its lame, sarcastic sense of humor than it is in talking about video games. If this show is to be considered an "improvement" over its predecessor, then the producers have their heads shoved tightly up their own asses.

zero out of ***** (5).

Game Over

This is easily the best gaming show on television today. Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb host the show by reviewing games, going to gaming conventions, and releasing game information. They also have special segments on the show, mostly joking ones; for instance: During a review of the Aquaman game, Adam bought a dead fish and walked around with it and pretended to be friends with it.

I am friends with the staff of the show, and they are extremely nice people. I suggest watching this every time it's on!

(You can see me on the X-Play message boards and chat as GokuSSJ1.)

Video game reviews aside, the witty banter between the hosts Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb makes this show well worth watching. The humor manages to be both intelligent and low-brow at the same time, and often mocks X-Play's own core demographic. The reviews are often interspersed with sketches involving recurring characters (Drunk Link!), totally inappropriate animations and puppetry, or even movie parodies (Saw). It's a welcome relief from the increasing number of G4 shows that are clearly trying to appeal to the baser instincts of lonely 14-year-old boys. These people know what they're doing and they do it well. Give it a try!

I am in Hawaii enjoying a much needed vacation with my daughter and husband when on came the show X-Play, a show that critiques video games. It all seemed pretty normal, when out of the blue they show this teenager putting a gun in his mouth and blowing out the back of his head. The show boasts a humorous view of the gaming Industry, Wow, how funny is the guy blowing out the back of his head because he can't handle the pressure of writing an inspiring critique for a potential boring game called Europa? Nice. They may want to leave the sexual content, alcohol, and self destruction out of it. Just give the critique. I am a very open-minded person, but wow, this is pretty warped for young kids. It seems X-Play doesn't have the ability to critique anything without adding some sick distorted adult humor. Like the guy dressing up as a girl with a hand drill saying "I just want to screw" The game they were critiquing was not about screwing, but about a little Japanese girl who uses her weapon which happens to be a drill, to save her best friends. Get back on track people! Give our younger generation some real reason why or why not to buy the game. Hey, instead of calling the show "X-Play", they should call it what it is...the X show.

This is a great show for any gamers. A lot of you may think that only game reviews on the whole show is boring, but if you really start to watch it, you'll find that they have skits, sometimes they even have a series, like "Beergoggles." And they really do tell you how good the game is, in a "Brutally Honest" way, as the promo says. So really, if you want to know what games to get, while getting a laugh out of it, watch X-Play!!!! I swear you'll like it....and if you don't, you aren't a gamer. Only gamers would watch this show. And if you're a gamer, you'll watch it. In conclusion, if you have G4techTV and you're a gamer, WATCH THIS SHOW!

As Gamespot TV, this was a great show. Adam and Kate alike were both enthusiastic about games, and the show stayed true to its primary focus.

The show was equally excellent in its Extended Play format. Even when Kate left, Adam carried this show - quite well might I add. This guy knows his games and is quite enthusiastic about them,

When this show became X-Play, it went down the crapper overnight.

Morgan Webb is incompetent. Kate was a great co-host, but Morgan is biased and thick- headed. I love Adam, he still does a great job at what he does. But Morgan's got to go. Adam needs to be the ONE host of this show. Less hosts means less time wasted insulting one another.

The show takes on a very ludicrous tone and never takes itself seriously, which is one of its greatest flaws. Judgment Day kept a serious tone with occasional humor, and it served that show well. It's a far superior game show. Why's it gone and this garbage is still on the air?

The absolute worst part of this show is FILLER SEGMENTS. That's right. Filler. Segments that have NO RELEVANCE TO GAME REVIEWS and exist purely for humor and filling time. This time could be better spent reviewing accessories/systems/etc.

Another flaw is that some shows rehash old reviews, and some are theme shows. Want to watch X-Play, but it's an all-Sports game show, and you don't like sports games? tough luck.

The reviews are biased and come from a similar perspective. The hosts riddle each other with useless banter and never have a productive conversation. They never debate, they always go along with each other on reviews. Judgment day, on the other hand, is the Ebert and Roeper of game review shows.

There are also far too many commercial breaks. THREE IN A HALF HOUR PROGRAM!? Give me a break!

Don't go out of your way to watch this show. If it's on, fine, go ahead and watch. Otherwise just get your reviews from the internet.

Judgment Day NEEDS to come back.

This video game show is good, but Adam Sessler's original video game show, Extended Play was better. This show gives less information, though has better special effects. Extended play was more streamilnes then this, and had more information per episode.

I love this show. I love it a lot. I'm kept up to date on games, with humor thrown in. I love the profound humor and "gay games " section, which I find funny. Morgan and Adam are amazing hosts with great humor. Production values aren't high, but it's on my favorite channel, G4 Tech. It has reviews, previews, articles, and funny sections. another funny section is the "Shocked by Grad GrimGravy" which Adam dresses up as a crazy scientist and talks weird while reviewing. Or Morgan Von Vebb's Vebb of Destruction. It has great humor and geeks like me will be pleased.So, if you like games, check it out. If you don't, check it out anyway for the humor.

I have been watching X-Play since November 2004, and in my opinion it has only gotten better.

Adam Sessler is possibly the funniest host on G4 today, and Morgan Webb is a sexy beast.

Some people I know don't like this show because Adam and Morgan don't agree with their opinions on some games.

As Adam and Morgan have said in the past, too many people buy games based solely on the title, ignoring the actual quality. I agree with the previous comment. If you like games, and don't mind hearing other people's opinions, then you'll like X-Play.

Webbheads unite!

First let me say this: Adam Sessler, man, you are not funny, you look like a sick dog, you act poorly, and sometimes it's just downright embarrassing to watch you. Morgan Webb, you stink at acting, you are Goth (even though you say you aren't), you cant narrate well, and you probably don't even play video games. That said, the reviews on the show are pretty good--I know their definitely not written by Adam and Morgan. I usually watch the show while waiting for another G4 program to come on. Seriously though, Adam and Morgan: you need to learn how to host: the only time they seem to come alive is when they're hosting a video game convention or something. So G4, either teach your hosts how to be funny or something, or just fire them, please. It would be a service to us all.

While I would not consider myself to be a very enthusiastic gamer, I do enjoy video games. From time to time, in the very rare occasion that I watch television, I watch this show. I like the reviews, but the thing is, the whole show is full of all these lame and unoriginal and stupid jokes. They are really aimed more to be the "hip" kind of stupid and random jokes and usually take no thought at all, but idiots from the culture that I could never identify with would probably enjoy them. I wouldn't even complain as much about the kind of humor the show had if it wasn't basically the whole premise of the show.

For instance, from time to time, there are these sketches, one where Adam Sessler pretends to be the main character from the game, "Splinter Cell." In the sketch, he captures people from behind and takes them all into a bathroom cubicle. The problem with this sketch is that, while it's supposed to be silly, is so painfully unoriginal. Any fan of "Splinter Cell" with a sense of humor could think of that and even the writers know it.

Skits like that are not even as painful to me as having to hear all these stupid jokes narrated by either Adam Sessler or Morgan Webb (always in the stupidly sarcastic dialect) during the reviews. Being sarcastically insulting is alright once in a while, but they apply this technique in so many reviews that it's usually hard to tell whether they like a game or not. At one point, Adam Sessler reviewed the latest "Dynasty Warriors" game and seemingly insulted it so much that I was sure it was going to get a 1/5, but actually got a 3/5. It is obviously just very hard to tell whether they're serious or not when reviewing a game, what with them being so sarcastically insulting, so I'd just like the writers of the show to drop that crap already.

Occasionally, they will also make childish jokes about a character in a game, like a character called Cao Pi in a game they were reviewing... Which is pronounced like "cow pee." Yes, at first, it probably sounds at the least remotely funny, but it was milked so much in the review that I couldn't stand it. At one point, they kept playing the audio for when the voice actor for the character said "I am Cao Pi," and Adam Sessler even milked it more by saying, "Yeah, we KNOW." And even after the review was over, Morgan Webb and Adam Sessler kept talking about it. They'll never let a stupid childish joke die, apparently.

Another annoying thing is when they use the Animutation-like technique of moving the mouth of a person (usually celebrity) or animal and make them say obnoxious and annoying crap that only idiots such as the writers would find funny. Usually they consist of the Beatles talking to each other. Once again, part of the stupid random humor, the bad kind where no thought is included for the jokes.

Here's what I think -- The show needs to really tone down on humor, especially the blatantly stupid kind, tone down on the sarcastic insulting, and especially tone down on the skits. Then it will probably be a watchable show, with more reviews than anything. I mean, come on -- I doubt even the hosts like to say the stuff that they are made to say.

Despite it's name, X-Play isn't some X-Rated show. It's about video games. (That's what the "play" stands for- playing video games.) Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb rate all the new video games on a scale of one to five; Five being the best, and one being the worst.

There are only about two to four reviews for each episode, and about one preview- if they have them. Luckily, they are in depth, just like many of Roger Ebert's reviews, and not like many of mine. (I'm trying people!) Obviously, they know quite a bit about video games, and live up to their claim about being "brutally honest."

However, there is one thing about the show that gets on so many people's nerves: the jokes. X-Play seems to make at least one joke per review, and they can get annoying. I'm not saying their a bad thing, but X-Play does overdo them at times. For example, I didn't laugh once at the "Continuation of God of War" skit. However, despite that, X-Play has very many decent jokes. ("The blood in this game floats around like lotus blossoms. Damn, that's a lot of lotus blossoms!")Some of them also relate to pop-culture, and many other things. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it does help the viewer relate to the jokes.

Morgan: Your opponents will leave you with words of wisdom right before they die.

Video Game Character: Women are...scary.

Morgan: Charles Foster Kane, you are not.

I remember constantly re-watching the "Meet the Sess" skit, because I found it so hilarious. I remember that my friends and I were going over all the funny parts today during recess.

However, there is one thing that really bugs me about X-Play. What it is, are those pointless episodes with perhaps one review, and skits the rest of the time. I mean, it's a REVIEW show, for crying out loud! Well, X-Play is decent, and very entertaining.

But, if you want reviews that aren't covered waist-high in jokes, go to g4tv.com and visit the X-Play section to read them. Or, you could just watch Judgement Day. (which isn't as "in-depth.")

Good: In-depth reviews, and sometimes funny, and always entertaining

Bad: over-drawn jokes and skits. Full Metal Alchemist fans won't like it either.