You need an Xbox Live Account. I missed this. I was upset when I found out it was the only way you could play. I am anti online/group play. The game made up for it by being so much fun and the people are cool. If you like first person shooter games, this is for you!! It has aspects of a role-playing game. However, the game adapts to your playing style, within the limits of your character. For example: I am a Warlock wearing combat boots with a gigantic weapon. What can I say, I like getting in the mix. My armor is strong but, I have to keep my distance. You can play lone wolf. But, for big strikes the game will force you to go in with more than one person (strangers - if you don't have a group like me). My favorite strike so far: A few good people went in with me. We ended up in a dark room. I couldn't see anything but, red from baddies attacking me. I did what any seasoned gamer would do. I started twirling and attacking anything close by. I know my fellow mates were like, "What is she doing? Stop!!" I felt like I made a good contribution to the effort, ha! Note: If the baddies know they have you jammed up. They swarm. If you're lucky, someone will come by and lend a hand. If that kind person stays and/or more people show up, the number of baddies will grow exponentially. A short, simple patrol turned into crazy town because, one kind person decided to help me. A ship showed up and baddies jumped out. Yes, I stood there looking, “What, the..?” We got swarmed. So, more people jumped in to help. Oh, it went bad quick, fast and in a hurry. I don’t know how many people showed up, how long we were in the mix, who I saved. More importantly, who saved me. I do know, I loved every minute of it!! I am getting that gamer itch, “just a little game then, I’ll stop”.