XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS: NO NEW RELEASE
Just a quick note here for all of you stalking the Xbox Live Arcade in search of a new game this morning – It appears that there will be no "new" XBLA release this week, so unless you plan on picking up one of the two games reaching "Arcade Hits" status this week (as we filled you in on yesterday, Assault Heroes and Doom will be dropped to 400 points ($5) each), there's nothing to get excited about.
Move along, nothing to see here.
- Two More Xbox Live Arcade Price Drops Incoming – nylatenite.com
- Xbox Live Arcade Titles Become "Hits"! – Gamerscore Blog
- Spring Fever is in the Air – Xbox LIVE Arcade Adds New Arcade Hits and Gives You a Sneak Peek at Upcoming Titles – Official press release
- Assault Heroes – Product page at Xbox.com
- Doom – Product page at Xbox.com
TWO MORE XBOX LIVE ARCADE PRICE DROPS INCOMING
Microsoft has announced that two more titles will be joining the ranks of it's price reduced Xbox Live Arcade Hits series this Wednesday. Both Assault Heroes and Doom will see their prices slashed from 800 points ($10) to 400 points ($5) – not a bad deal if you've been thinking of grabbing either of the two titles
"Whether you’re avoiding spring cleaning or revving up for spring break, be sure to check out the latest Arcade Hits coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade on Wednesday, including “Assault Heroes” and “DOOM.” The Arcade Hits program offers some of the best-selling Xbox LIVE Arcade games at permanently reduced prices. They can be found within the Xbox LIVE Arcade section of the new Game Store, making it easier than ever to build a library of great downloadable games.
- “Assault Heroes” (Sierra Online). Become the only surviving member of an elite special forces unit searching for a secret underground lab. Play the mission alone or fight side-by-side with a friend in the two-player cooperative mode. The winner of IGN’s Xbox LIVE Arcade game of the year for 2006, “Assault Heroes” will be available for 400 Microsoft Points.
- “DOOM” (id Software). Originally released in 1993, “DOOM” introduced millions to the white-knuckle excitement of the first-person shooter (FPS). Relive the classic demon-blasting action with up to four players over Xbox LIVE*, complete with 5.1 surround sound and smoother graphics. “Doom” will be available for 400 Microsoft Points." – Microsoft press release
While Doom may not have held up to the test of time that well, Assault Heroes is definitely worth the soon to be reduced price. – even when you consider the fact that Assault Heroes 2 is coming soon. It's a great twin-stick top down shooter that captures that classic arcade feel – check it out, I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.
- Xbox Live Arcade Titles Become "Hits"! – Gamerscore Blog
- Spring Fever is in the Air – Xbox LIVE Arcade Adds New Arcade Hits and Gives You a Sneak Peek at Upcoming Titles – Official press release
- Assault Heroes – Product page at Xbox.com
- Doom – Product page at Xbox.com
LAZY DAY TRAILERS: ASSAULT HEROES 2
I’ve made no secret in the past that Assault Heroes was one of my favorite "original content" titles to hit the Xbox Live Arcade. The game managed to capture that old school top-down arcade shooter feeling almost perfectly, and very much reminded me of a game I once thought of creating as a teenager. It’s that same fondness that brought a smile to my face in the early hours of this morning when I discovered that a sequel to the game will be hitting the Live Arcade sometime this spring.
Assault Heroes 2 looks to take all the fun of the original and mix in new elements such as upgraded weapons with the ability to commandeer enemy vehicles. Don’t take my word for it though, check out the trailer below courtesy of GameTrailers.com.
For more information on Assault Heroes 2, check out IGN’s exclusive first look at the title as linked below. Assault Heroes 2 is slated for release on the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Arcade in Spring 2008. No other platforms have been announced at present.
- Assault Heroes – Official website
- Assault Heroes 2 – Wikipedia
- Assault Heroes 2: First Look – IGN
- Assault Heroes 2 Trailer – GameTrailers.com
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – BLISS ISLAND & BRAIN CHALLENGE
Microsoft returns to the two-game formula for Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays with the release of Bliss Island and Brain Challenge. I'm not exactly feeling up to snuff at the moment, so I'll keep the game descriptions brief and let the demos for each game do the talking.
Looking at the somewhat brief description and photos provided for Bliss Island, I can only assume that it's some type of collection of mini-games, and in truth, the fact that Microsoft's marketing department couldn't come up with more to say about it strikes me as a bit of a bad omen. My advice to you is to definitely try the demo before paying 400 points ($5) on this one.
Title: Bliss Island
Developer: PomPom
Publisher:Codemasters Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 3/12/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Bliss Island is a fun and engaging pick-up-and-play game, and once you pick it up, you can't put it down! Delve into the world of Bliss Island and help Hoshi win a day off as you take on over 25 unique challenges, spread across nine crazy levels. Mastered single player mode? Challenge your friends online and see who really is the Bliss Island champion.
- Pick up and play: Experience more than 25 unique challenges across nine crazy levels.
- Play with friends: Jump into online multiplayer and challenge your friends online." – Xbox.com
Next up, we've got Brain Challenge, and as you've probably guessed, it's a knockoff of the whole Brain Age concept. Don't act so surprised, you had to know that one of these would be coming along eventually. If you've got a Nintendo DS, I'd say spend the money on a used copy of the original Brain Age (Don't settle for imitations!) instead of the 800 points ($10) being asked for this one – this way you too can get in on the "Blue…BLUE… BROOOOOO!" jokes.
Title: Brain Challenge
Developer: Gameloft
Publisher: Gameloft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 3/12/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 / 2-4 online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Get your brain in shape with fun daily exercises—these challenging and entertaining puzzles act like a vitamin boost for your brain. Brain Challenge™ is more than just a game, it's your personal coach for mental fitness!
Twenty different games in five categories (Memory, Visual, Logic, Math, and Focus) will train all areas of your brain. Keep track of your progress every day, and easily evaluate your level of brain activity. Brain Challenge is the easy and enjoyable way to keep your brain alert.
- Multiplayer fun: Challenge friends with four-player offline and online multiplayer modes.
- Game variety: Thirty games are broken down into different categories—Memory, Visual, Logic, Math, and Focus.
- Training room: Play all the mini-games within each category freely.
- Creative mode: Relax by exploring your brain's creative abilities through five games.
- Stress mode: Test your abilities under stressful conditions.
- Personal coach: Choose your favorite coach to accompany you through all your brain development steps and develop a unique relationship with him or her.
- Brain charts: View your overall performance and progression with detailed stats and graphs" – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade release, I never got a chance to try Rocketmen: Axis of Evil, so you're on your own! I'm going to go find a bed and collapse in it now. Enjoy!
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – ROCKETMEN: AXIS OF EVIL
We've got yet another original game coming to the Xbox Live Arcade as Rocketmen: Axis of Evil takes it's place in the Live Marketplace. As with a few of the other recent original titles, I really hadn't heard much about this one prior to it's announcement, but from what I can tell, it's an overhead view futuristic action RPG – I'm guessing it's something like Gauntlet with an RPG flair.
In Rocketmen, up to four players battle the forces of the Legion of Terra (this one is already losing points in my book just for the bad pun) using characters created from a mix of three races and three classes. Now, I don't know about you, but this one sounds like it could go either way. Personally, I get the feeling it's going to stink, but that's just from looking at the screenies and reading the product description – I have not actually tried this game as of yet.
What I'm saying here is that before you shell out the 800 points ($10) being asked for this one, do yourself a favor and download the demo first. Better safe than sorry I always say. That said, let's get on to the particulars.
Title: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil
Developer: A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games Inc.
Publisher:Capcom
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 3/05/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Join Nick Sion, Alec Mink and the Alliance of Free Planets in their white-knuckled, frenzied struggle to free the Solar System from the tyrannical grip of the Legion of Terra! Rocketmen®: Axis of Evil provides non-stop multiplayer action with role-playing game elements, including customizable characters and an engaging story, all wrapped in the game's distinctive cel-shaded art style. Play with up to four players in co-op mode and blast anything that moves.
- Customize your character: Create, customize, and level up your own individual Rocketmen characters with new items, abilities, and looks.
- Multiplayer action: Join with friends to save the galaxy in four-player cooperative play locally or online.
- Your choice: Choose from three races: Human, Mercurian, or Venusian, and from three classes: Warrior, Engineer, or Outcast.
- Explosive action: Simple, addictive, and highly explosive gameplay blasts onto your TV in high-definition with plenty of levels, hordes of enemies, and lots of fun.." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade release, if you're a fan of difficult shmups, then Triggerheart Exelica is for you – those who prefer a more casual shooter experience will probably not find the game nearly as entertaining. Like I always say, be sure to try the demo before you buy a title you may not be sure about – and I'd probably recommend it even when you think you will absolutely love a game.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRIGGERHEART EXELICA
Okay, this week, the Xbox Live Arcade brings us a top down shooter in the form of Warashi Inc's Triggerheart Exelica. As with most shmups, the backstory here is a little weak. You control a humanoid weapon system (that for some reason was designed to look like a hot woman) that must defend the Earth from the invading forces of an alien race bent on conquest.
Where this one differs from the standard top-down fare (at least according to it's description) is in the player's ability to use captured enemies in varying ways during the battle. It's an interesting idea, if not completely original, that should add some variation to the gameplay. In addition, the game also features a boss-fight difficulty system that will adapt to each player's skills, making the encounters either more or less difficult based on how well the player is doing.
The game carries an 800 point ($10) price tag, and a demo is available. As always, be sure to give it a try before you buy to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Title: Triggerheart Exelica
Developer: Warashi Inc.
Publisher: Warashi Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/27/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Mankind's newest and best weapon is the Triggerheart, a humanoid weapons system with a human-like personality. When the Ver'mith attack, only the Triggerhearts Exelica and Crueltear have the power to destroy the enemy. In the classic vertically-scrolling Japanese arcade shooter Triggerheart Exelica, each weapon has a different combat style, but both can perform unique anchor shots. Anchor an enemy ship, capture it to use as a shield, or throw it back into the fray to cause massive damage. With five levels, three difficulty settings, and all the usual Xbox LIVE® leaderboards and achievements, Triggerheart Exelica is a fast-paced, full-featured arcade shooter masterpiece!
- Unique anchor shot element: The Triggerhearts can anchor enemies, capture them to use as a shield, or toss them back into the field of battle to cause havoc.
- V.B.A.S. (Variable Boss Attack System): The game dynamically reacts to your skill level. If you have a low score, the bosses will be slightly easier to defeat. Carry a higher score, and the bosses become more challenging.
- High-def graphics: Fully compatible with HDTVs, the graphics bring the top-down shooter genre to a new level of intensity.
- New music: New background music willl have you grooving to the rhythm as you destroy the Ver'mith." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade release, I thought that N+ was fun, but ultimately felt a bit too much like a web-based game to justify it's price point. At 400 points ($5), I would have certainly snatched this one up. Your mileage may certainly vary (especially since I am generally not a fan of platformers), and if you really are into the genre, you'll probably find this one a worthwhile addition given both it's length and how well the control scheme works here.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – N+
I'll be perfectly honest – aside from the fact that it's priced at 800 points ($10) and based on a web-based, free-to-play title, I know absolutely nothing about this week's Xbox Live Arcade release N+. I'll also say that I'm really not feeling well enough at the moment to find out more – so for that reason the only recommendation I can make to you is that you download the demo and give it a try for yourself before you decide if it's worth the asking price.
Title: N+
Developer: Slick Entertainment Inc
Publisher: Metanet Software Inc
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/20/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"In a futuristic world of inadvertently homicidal robots, a daring ninja must use deft acrobatic skill and guts of steel to survive. N+ is a peerless action-puzzle platformer with more than 300 levels in which to hone your ninja reflexes, plus a built-in level editor for when you're hungry for more. N+ also features unique, physics-based controls, stylish graphics, unlimited lives, competitive and cooperative multiplayer, plenty of gold, and several flavors of sweet, sweet action. Running, jumping, and dying in an unpleasant-yet-comical manner has never been more fun!
- Addictive gameplay: N+ features run-and-jump gameplay with hilarious ragdoll physics. It's easy to get into, but challenging enough for the hardcore gamer.
- Many, many levels: Featuring well over 300 all-new levels, the game also includes a built-in level editor for players to create their own levels. Additional level packs, including the classic N levels from the PC version, and multiplayer level packs, will be available in the future.
- Multiplayer modes: Multiple cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes are included. Try survival, race, or co-op play.
- Replays: Each level can be replayed to see how fast you completed the level.
- Additional content: Check out additional ninja costumes for both single-player and multiplayer games, and skin your dashboard the N+ way." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade releases, While not as bad as Tron or some of the XBLA Atari classics, Discs of Tron still feels like it's just missing something. I'd only recommend it to those who desperately want to experience even a small bit of the game again.
If you think that isn't saying much, get a load of this – I never got the chance to try Commanders: Attack of the Genos, so I'll continue to recommend you just try the demo for yourself (wow, that sounds familiar). Enjoy!
MAGIC: THE GATHERING COMING TO XBOX LIVE ARCADE
I got an e-mail from the fine folks over at Wizards of the Coast yesterday afternoon advising me that they've just announced that Magic: The Gathering, their venerable collectible card game, will be coming to the Xbox Live Arcade at some point in the future.
"RENTON, Wash.—February 18, 2008 — Wizards of the Coast (WotC), the leader in strategy hobby collectible trading card, board and role playing games, and a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), today announced its plans to extend the Magic: The Gathering® franchise to gamers on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Xbox LIVE® Arcade and the PC through partnerships with Stainless Games, Ltd. and Mind Control Software, Inc. Stainless Games will develop a game using the Magic: The Gathering IP for both Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PC, while Mind Control will develop a game for the PC and Mac.
“We’re excited to bring the Magic brand to new platforms and give our fans new ways to experience this great property,” said Jared Gustafson, Brand Director for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. “It’s partnerships like these that will advance the strategy games category and transform it to meet the needs and desires of today’s digital gamers.”
Magic: The Gathering, introduced in 1993, is the premier and original trading card game that inspired an entirely new game genre. Combining the dynamics of a card game with the excitement of trading and collecting, Magic™ offers fun for casual play, as well as the option of highly competitive tournaments. Magic: The Gathering currently has a thriving online edition (Magic Online®) made up of more than 350,000 active accounts. The game allows gamers to collect and trade virtual cards, build the perfect deck, get help from mentors, find opponents at all skill levels, and compete for prizes every day without ever leaving the comforts of home.
Specific details on the games Stainless Games and Mind Control will develop using the Magic: The Gathering IP will be announced at a later date." – Official press release
I'm torn over this one. On one hand, I freely admit to single-handedly keeping Wizards of the Coast afloat during the 90's with the number of MTG cards I bought, yet at the same time, I hesitate to play any of the newer online offerings they've made because it would require me to invest in online cards. I just can't justify spending that much cash to play the game the way I'm accustomed to again, you know?
While no announcements have been made as to how exactly the franchise will be making it's XBLA appearance, the smart money is on a console version of the card game with additional cards being available via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Personally, I'd love to see the game appear on XBLA, but instead take the "Duel of the Planeswalkers" route and include a full set of cards. I'd even pay a full release retail price for that one.
Check out the full text of yesterday's press release below. We'll be sure to report more on this one as details become available.
- Wizards of the Coast – Company website
- Magic: The Gathering – Official website
- Wizards of the Coast Extends It's Magic: The Gathering IP to Multiple Platforms – Official press release
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – DISCS OF TRON & COMMANDERS: ATTACK OF THE GENOS
We've got another Xbox Live Arcade double feature this week, as we get one classic title in the form of 1983's arcade classic Discs of Tron and Commanders: Attack of the Genos – a turn based strategy title making it's debut on the Live Arcade.
I remember the first time I saw a Discs of Tron machine – I was at a small fair in the Pocono mountains, bored as most kids tend to be at those things, when I came across an arcade in the pavilion. Along with the usual machines, there was a large, glowing environmental cabinet… Discs of Tron. Stepping inside, I was hooked – for the time, the game was just an overwhelming experience and a blast to play. I remember racing back and forth to my parents quite a few times for some more quarters. Good times.
Unfortunately, given the treatment Backbone Entertainment gave the original Tron arcade game, I'm not holding out much hope for this one. It's not badly priced at 400 points ($5), but I'd still strongly suggest you download the demo first to see how well the arcade controls have been transferred over to the 360's control pad.
Title: Discs of Tron
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/13/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The arcade classic is back! The electronic battleground of Discs of Tron© transports you into an exciting world of sight, sound, and energy. Take control of Tron as he enters the arena to fight against the evil Sark. Armed with only his disc weapon and limited deflector shield, Tron must withstand Sark's multiple attacks to survive all 12 levels to become the most powerful video warrior in the world.
Discs of Tron is even better this time around with enhanced graphics, CD-quality sound, and two-person multiplayer—face off and find out who truly is the greatest disc warrior!
- Perfect recreation: Discs of Tron for Xbox LIVE Arcade is a perfect recreation of the classic arcade game based on the pioneering computer animated Disney Film.
- Next-gen presentation: Authentic graphics, game play, and audio have been upgraded to take advantage of the Xbox 360 high-def graphics and sound (CD bit rate quality).
- Multiplayer fun: The original arcade game was single player only. The Arcade version is the first version of the game with two-person multi-player functionality—co-op and versus.
- Electronic battleground: Get transported to an exciting world of sight, sound, and energy!
- Disc combat: Play as Tron and fling discs at Sark in an attempt to knock him off his platform. Sark has his own discs as well as two unique weapons—a chaser and super chaser making defeating him even more difficult.
- Twelve levels: Beating Sark advances you to levels of even more chaotic platforming mayhem." – Xbox.com
Next up, we've got Commanders: Attack of the Genos… a title I've heard virtually nothing about before it's announcement as one of this week's titles. My understanding is that this is a turn based strategy game with a humorous twist, but don't quote me on that. My advice to you is to download the demo and see what it's all about for yourself before dropping the required 800 points ($10) on the game.
Title: Commanders: Attack of the Genos
Developer: SouthEnd Interactive
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/13/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Commanders: Attack of the Genos is an accessible turn-based tactical battle game providing challenge for all levels of players. The genetically enhanced army of the Genos have decided to attack Earth. With your powerful Commander unit, use Missile Launchers, Bombers, Infantry, and other attack units to cripple the enemy and defend your territory—online or off!
- Specialized attack units: Fifteen different units are provided to serve alongside your Commander unit. Use the units' unique powers to conquer the Genos.
- Single-player campaign: Fight fifteen different missions sprawling across three different landscapes, with two levels of difficulty for ease of play.
- Multiplayer modes: Three intense multiplayer modes are included, allowing up to four players in Versus mode. Try the Team Play mode, or take on Skirmish with a friend on the same system.
- Replayability: The game has two distinct endings to encourage replayability.
- Retro-futuristic environment: The science-fiction setting features a gorgeous 30s Art Deco style. It's a blast from the past into the future." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I'm going to stand by my original statements on the game – Poker Smash is a pretty good "match 3" puzzler with a poker twist. If you haven't already soured on the genre, be sure to pick up the demo and give it a shot.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – POKER SMASH
This week, Xbox Live Arcade brings us another original title in the form of Void Star Creations' Poker Smash. What we've got here is your standard "match the objects" puzzle game mixed with everyone's favorite card game poker.
I was originally hoping the game would play more like the old Poker Solitaire game found on the Atari 2600 cartridge Casino, but while that little dream may have been crushed, Poker Smash does present an interesting twist to the standard puzzler and offers some fun gameplay all of it's own. Gameplay is simple enough, poker cards appear in columns that are moving towards the top of the screen. Your job is to move cards around sideways from column to column in an attempt to form poker hands. As you create hands, the cards are removed from the column and the game continues until one of the columns reaches the top of the screen. Players are also given the ability to destroy specific cards they target as well as change the speed of the columns movement. Put it all together and you've got a pretty decent puzzler.
Title: Poker Smash
Developer: Void Star Creations LLC
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 2/06/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-5 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Language
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Poker Smash™ is an action-packed puzzle game with a poker twist. Poker Smash expands on the traditional match-three puzzle mechanic with elements of one of the world's most popular card games: poker. Make vertical and horizontal matches by forming poker hands, and play in seven different game modes, including multiplayer. Fast and fluid controls paired with radical features such as super-slow motion and card-blasting bombs make this game a whole new puzzle experience!
- Innovative gameplay: Match-three gameplay with a twist. Create poker hands and form chains to rack up the big score.
- Seven game modes: Intense game modes include action, timed, puzzle levels (55 of them), practice, custom playlist, split screen head-to-head, and multiplayer tournaments.
- Multiplayer experience: Two-player offline and multiplayer over Xbox LIVE® is featured.
- New leaderboards: In addition to the traditional leaderboards, Poker Smash features never-before-seen rivalry tracking and even movie recording with shared playback.
- Immersive environment: The next-gen 3-D graphics feature eleven different highly detailed environments and background themes, coupled with thirteen new original soundtracks for play." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I'm going to keep this short as I've been experiencing technical difficulties all day long here and just want to get this up on the site…
As I mentioned in last week's post, I'm not the person to judge Chessmaster Live, so I have nothing to say about how well it plays a game of chess. You're still on your own on that one. Rez HD on the other hand, maintains all the trippiness of it's predecessors while still being a quality rail shooter. Try the demo and I'm sure you'll agree.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – REZ HD & CHESSMASTER LIVE
This week, the Xbox Live Arcade brings us two new releases in the form of the Tetsuya Mizuguchi's highly anticipated shooter Rez HD and Chessmaster LIVE.
Many of you probably only know the original Rez from the famous internet story about the game and it's curious peripheral, the Trance Vibrator, posted at GameGirl Advance, but even without the more salacious aspect of the games history, Rez does have a cult following among former Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 owners.
At it's heart, Rez HD – like the original Rez, is a rail shooter that tries to draw the player in by presenting them with a world of color and sound that responds to their every action while simultaneously overloading the senses… and for those of you wondering, while the game does not support the original Trance Vibrator, it will support up to three Xbox 360 controllers for one player – allowing two to be used in that capacity.
Rez HD will be available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace at a cost of 800 points ($10).
Title: Rez HD
Developer: Q Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/30/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Set in a cyberworld, the legendary fast-paced action-shooter Rez HD, created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, will provide the ultimate audiovisual experience as the player targets the enemies and hacks the system while creating their own beats. Rez will open your senses … let's go to synaesthesia was the watchword when Rez released in 2001 to become a fan favorite. The dynamic, total integration of visual presentation, sound and player input provides the ultimate audiovisual experience.
- Legendary gaming experience: Old-school vector style graphics, sensory response, and beat synchronization sets the title apart and is perfectly recreated in this port for Xbox LIVE® Arcade in high-definition and 5.1 surround sound.
- The world of Rez: Rez consists of five different levels, each with its own unique visual theme and style, musical track and a boss battle at the end. The game also features several different modes and lots of unlockable elements, giving it plenty of replay value.
- Game modes: Play through the five areas in regular or Score Attack mode. Go to the Beyond mode and try Direct Assault, Lost Mode, the free play Trance Mission, or take on all the bosses consecutively in Boss Rush.
- Feel the rhythm: To further enhance the Rez experience, artists including Coldcut, Adam Freeland, Joujouka, Ken Ishii and Keiichi Sugiyama (SEGA's Wave Master) contributed tracks to the game." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Chessmaster LIVE from Ubisoft – which is, quite naturally, a chess game. While graphics may play a huge role in many titles, I think anyone familiar with chess knows that a chess game can really only be as good as it's artificial intelligence. It's because of this that I really can't say much else about Chessmaster LIVE as I've yet to play the game, not am I a good enough chess player to accurately judge how well the game plays. My advice to you is to try the demo and read any reviews that are released regarding the game before investing your 800 points ($10) in the title.
Title: Chessmaster LIVE
Developer: Ubisoft Sofia
Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/30/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Enjoy playing as a real strategist with the Xbox LIVE® version of the most-acclaimed chess franchise. Chessmaster LIVE allows you to challenge friends and players all over the world in thrilling contests and determine who's the real champ. Choose among several 3-D (or 2-D) sets and play against virtual characters or real opponents over Xbox LIVE. Solve puzzles and discover exciting variations of this classic board game. Beginners can learn the basics of chess, and veteran players can improve their mastery of the game with the advanced scenario. The game is yours … it's your move!
- The challenge of chess: Compete against advanced A.I. characters or challenge other Xbox LIVE members to a match.
- New message chess system: Start a game without any time limit, and play the game at your leisure over the course of days or even weeks.
- Chess puzzles and chess variations: Puzzle over a series of classic challenges such as "find the fork" or "mate in one," and experience new ways of playing chess including Dark Chess, Losing Chess, Extinction Chess, and Progressive Chess.
- Customizable environments: Choose from six 3-D chess sets and three traditional sets, each with their own distinct sound effects, piece and board design.
- Interact with opponents: Video options allow you to see your challenger during the course of the game." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade title, Boogie Bunnies just really didn't do anything for me. Sure, there were plenty of cute bunnies line dancing, but the game itself felt much like so many other puzzlers that I just didn't feel it justified the 800 point ($10) price tag attached to it.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE FREEBIES – UNDERTOW
Just a quick reminder to all – starting this morning at 5am EST and running through 2:59am EST, Monday, January 28th, Chair Entertainment's Undertow will be made available for free to all Xbox Live members worldwide.
"Marc announced that all Xbox LIVE members (Gold and Silver) around the world would have access to a full Xbox LIVE Arcade game to download free of charge. We’re pleased to announce that beginning next Wednesday, 2:00 a.m. PST through Sunday, 11:59 p.m. PST, Xbox LIVE members worldwide can download the full version of the recent award-winning Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Undertow." – Gamerscore Blog
Microsoft has also been very clear that they are not leaving out those of you who have already purchased this title. If you've already bought Undertow, simply contact Xbox support at 1-800-4MY-XBOX during the promotional period and they will see to it that you get credited the 800 Microsoft points you spent on the game.
Regardless of what you may think of Undertow, free is still free, so I'd definitely suggest downloading this one regardless of whether or not you feel Microsoft could have chosen a better title to offer Live members to make up for all the problems of late.
- Undertow – Product page at Xbox.com
- Undertow Free of Charge Next Week on Xbox LIVE Arcade – Gamerscore Blog
Q ENTERTAINMENT GIVING AWAY CODES FOR XBLA REZ HD
Yup, you heard me right – while the game is going to set most Xbox 360 owners back 800 points ($10) when it hits the Xbox Live Arcade, a select few are going to get their grubby mitts on Rez HD for the low low price of free. I'll let that sink in for a moment… freeeee.
Okay, now that you've been properly prepared, here's the deal – I came across this little tidbit over at Kotaku earlier tonight, and figured this is something most of you with a 360 would probably want to know about. All you have to do is register at Q Entertainment's official website for Rez HD by 11:59pm PST on January 27th AND make sure to click the box that says you want to be participate in the drawing for the free download codes during the registration process. That's it. Pretty easy, huh?
According to the site, within 72 hours of the above deadline, 50 winners will be notified by e-mail that they've won and will receive their codes. Good luck all!
- Rez HD – Official website
- Want Rez HD Free? – Kotaku
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – BOOGIE BUNNIES
Xbox Live Arcade brings us an original title this week in the form of Sierra's Boogie Bunnies. I'll say that again slowly to let it sink in… Boogie…Bunnies.
Initial shock aside, what we've got here is some type of puzzler with mass bunny dances thrown in for good measure. I'm not quite sure if someone (*cough* Sierra *cough*) is trying to cash in on the popularity of the Rabbids or what, but they certainly seem to be banking on the cute factor helping to sell this one.
I'm not going to pass judgment on Boogie Bunnies though, as I really don't know what to expect from it besides puzzle-style matching, dancing rabbits and an 800 point ($10) price tag. It's because of this, I'd highly recommend trying the demo of the game before purchasing it.
Title: Boogie Bunnies
Developer: Artech Studios
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/16/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Help the Boogie Bunnies achieve their dream of superstardom as they shimmy shake their way through exotic, colorful destinations all the way to Hollywood. Only you can ensure they make it. In this revolutionary match-3 puzzle game, Boogie Bunnies lets you match up these wacky disco fur balls from three different sides—left, right, and from the bottom. Score chain combinations and watch them get their groove on. Let's get the party started!
- Multiple game modes: Play this great match-3 game with a twist at your own pace in three different game modes, Classic, Arcade, and Endless.
- Exciting destinations: Travel with the bunnies to the Arctic, Amazon, and Hollywood as they adopt the local culture.
- Stylish 3-D bunnies characters: Discover new bunnies along the way from designer sunglasses-wearing bunnies to completely outfitted diva bunnies.
- Fancy dance animations: Set up extensive chain combinations to trigger the bunnies' creative dance moves to catchy tunes.
- Family fun play: Join the party online or offline in two-player cooperative or competitive mode for the whole family to enjoy." – Xbox.com
So what about last week's Live Arcade titles? Well, let me start off by saying that Tron is just a travesty. How they could have picked control schemes that bad for the game is just beyond me. The main culprit in this crime against a classic is the use of the right analog stick as the spinner – it just feels unnatural and makes playing the game a bit of a chore. Since that aspect wouldn't affect the light cycle mini-game, they also chose to add in the usual control issues to make that more difficult than need be.
Thankfully, all was not lost as Omega Five, despite a few notable issues, is quite a fun shooter. It's a game that really captivates with it's look and follows up with some solid gameplay. If I had to take issue with it, my only two complaints are the size of your avatar (too large for the playfield – and quite confusingly, your legs don't seem to count as collision points) and the inability to switch between weapon types. Beyond those gripes, what you've got here is a fun shooter that, in my opinion, is worth the 800 point ($10) price. Don't' take my word for it though, download the demo for yourself and give it a try!
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRON & OMEGA FIVE
Xbox Live Arcade returns to it's familiar two-a-week format this time around with the release of both an arcade classic and original title make their way to the Xbox Live Marketplace. That's right, we've got the best of both worlds in the form of 1982's Tron as well as Hudson's new shmup Omega Five.
As indicated above, Tron made it's debut in arcades back in 1982, following the release of the Disney film of the same name, and quickly won over gamers with both it's mix of mini-games and replication of the film's iconic light cycle scene. While I do (once again) question how well the game will control with the 360 control pad, this is still a title that I can see myself picking up even if only for reasons of nostalgia.
Title: Tron
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/09/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E – (Everyone) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The arcade classic is back! And Tron is even better this time around with enhanced graphics, CD-quality sound and two-person multiplayer.
Battle as mighty video warrior Tron against the insidious Master Control Program and his ruthless right-hand man, Sark. Tron offers a retro-futuristic test of gaming ability. Race life cycles, demolish tanks, dodge grid bugs, and even face off against the MCP himself to find out who truly rules the computer world!
- Enhanced original: Tron is a perfect recreation of the classic arcade game based on the pioneering computer animated Disney film. Authentic graphics, gameplay and audio have all been upgraded to take advantage of the high-definition graphics and CD bit rate quality of Xbox 360™.
- Light cycles rule: Now you can be a part of the most famous scene from the movie. Ride your blue cycle and battle the enemy yellow cycles in a gridline battle royale.
- Great gameplay elements: Exterminate the Grid Bugs and escape into the I/O Tower before time runs out. Demolish all enemy tanks and Recognizers to clear the board. Smash the blocks and move your character into the MCP cone to clear the level. A bonus is awarded if you destroy all the blocks.
- Multiplayer capability: The original arcade game was single player only. Now, Xbox LIVE® Arcade brings you the first version of the game with two-person multiplayer functionality.
- Multiplayer modes: Split screen and online, co-op and versus, there are lots of ways to play Tron. In Versus mode, the players race to achieve the highest score. Try Versus Speed mode, where the first player to reach a host-defined score wins. In Co-op, both players' scores are added together to achieve a high score. And beware the Pressure Cooker where players race to achieve the highest score, but taking the lead after a sub-stage causes the other player's game speed to increase." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Omega Five – a new shoot-em-up from Hudson. I haven't seen much of the title so far, but the little that I have seen has been encouraging. O5 seems to be a character driven, side-scrolling shooter with a high-def coat of paint on top of it – and that's certainly not a bad thing to be. The game rings in at 800 points ($10), so be sure to try the demo before committing to buy.
Title: Omega Five
Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/09/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) Fantasy Violence & Mild Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Omega Five is a true next-gen, high-definition shooter, with the most awe-inspiring graphics around. Fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller as enemies come at you from all sides, even the background. Grab an extra controller, choose your merc, and engage in two-player local co-op play for more action.
- Unbelievable visuals: This side-scrolling shooter is set in a gorgeous 3-D environment.
- Challenging gameplay: If you're a hardcore player, try your hand at the ultra-challenging ++ Mode, where you're only allowed one hit!
- Local co-op: Grab an extra controller and demolish enemies with a friend by your side.
- Dangerous environments: Enemies come at you from all sides, even from the background.
- Merc variety: Fight as Ruby, Tempest, or other characters, each of whom has three unique main weapons and special attacks.
- Unlockable extras: Discover new characters, game modes, and options.
- Intuitive controls: The modern control scheme uses the right analog stick to aim and fire." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade title, I have to say that I didn't experience any of the problems many reported with Metal Slug 3 – or at least the demo version of it. What I did come to realize is that Metal Slug 3 has never been my favorite of the series, and with my recent purchase of Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii, there really was no
reason to pay a premium price for the game.
MICROSOFT CONFIRMS FREE GAME COMING TO LIVE SUBSCRIBERS
If you remember, last week we reported on a rumor that Microsoft was considering compensating Xbox Live members for the recent string of outages and issues with the service by giving away a free game – as it would turn out, that rumor has now been partially confirmed by Microsoft.
In a recent post on MajorNelson.com, Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten confirmed that the company does plan on giving away a free Live Arcade title to Live subscribers.
"During this past holiday season you helped us break a number of Xbox LIVE records. This included our largest sign-up of new members to Xbox LIVE in our 5 year history and just yesterday you broke the record for the single biggest day of concurrent members ever on the service.
As a result of this massive increase in usage we know that some of you experienced intermittent Xbox LIVE issues over the holiday break. While the service was not completely offline at any given time, we are disappointed in our performance. I would like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for your patience and understanding as our team has worked around the clock to return the service to a stable state.
At the same time we would like to offer a token of our appreciation to all of you in celebration of record success for the service. And as a thank you for your loyalty during this holiday period, we will be offering all of our Xbox LIVE members around the world access to a full Xbox LIVE Arcade game that will be available to download free of charge. In the coming weeks we will be sharing the specific details of this offer with you.
Thank you again for helping make Xbox LIVE everything that it is today!" – Marc Whitten
Interestingly, the above statement doesn't state that the game is being given out because of the issues, but rather as a gift to members because of the growth of the service – something which certainly may have led to the opening several people in Texas felt was needed to file a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft for the aforementioned issues.
It still remains to be seen just what game Microsoft plans on giving away, though at this point anything other than a quality title that no one currently owns is certain to just fan the internet flames even more.
- Xbox LIVE Holiday Performance – MajorNelson.com
- Xbox Live Still Recovering, Rumors of Compensation Surface – nylatenite.com
- Parasites Sue Microsoft for Xbox Live Failures – Destructoid
- Microsoft Taking Care Of It's Gold Members After Last Weeks Live Outage – The Bitbag
- Microsoft to Compensate Customers For LIVE Downtime? – Kotaku
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS UNDERPANTS SLAM!
So this post is a day late, sue me. Because of the holidays and such, it should have been expected… besides, it's not like you're missing all that much…
Yup, if you thought that there'd be something new in the Xbox Live Arcade this week to buy with those points someone gave you for the holidays, you were probably wrong. What we've got this week is Spongebob Squarepants Underpants Slam! – a game that is geared towards kids, and probably is going to be about as entertaining as playing with a box of tissue paper. Maybe it's just me, but any game with a title that sounds like the main character is crapping in their pants is just not going to be high on my list of future purchases. (I'll admit it – I was so non-thrilled about this one, I even forgot it was coming out yesterday)
While I'm really not sure what the story behind this one is, it appears to be a side scrolling platformer, so the kids may indeed like it. As always, a demo is available, so be sure to try it out before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase it.
Title: Spongebob Squarepants Underpants Slam!
Developer: Blitz Games
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/26/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief & Mild Cartoon Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam! is a fast-paced, side-scrolling multiplayer slapstick collect 'em-up, set deep in the ocean. An incredibly powerful storm current has disrupted a Royal Laundry shipment of the undergarments of Neptune, Lord of the Sea, and has spread his unmentionables across the bottom of the ocean. Neptune now calls upon all the commonfish to collect his lost undergarments, and fix this "delicate" situation. He's offered a bounteous reward to the sea creature who collects the most bloomers!
- All the popular characters: Play as all your favorite characters from the animated series, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Eugene Krabs, Sandy Cheeks, and Sheldon Plankton.
- Visit familiar environs: Search the kitchens of the Krusty Krab, visit the Flying Dutchman's ship, and explore the depths of the all-new Armoury of Atlantis for rare pairs of pants.
- Wild arcade action: It's every sea creature for him or herself! Use your character's slapstick moves to knock down and slow your opponents, and gain special powers from pickups that allow you to move at super speed, hit twice as hard, or even steal pants from other players!
- Single player modes: Take on the tricky Time Attack Mode where beating the clock means everything, or engage in the full Quest Mode, where you must collect 99 pairs of Neptune's underpants to win the game.
- Multiplayer game modes: Play Tag Mode, and avoid being "it" at Bikini Bottom. Play with a friend offline or take it online to Xbox LIVE® Arcade with up to four players" – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade titles, due to the issues surrounding it's release, I never got a chance to try Sensible World of Soccer, so you're on your own for that one. Tempest, on the other hand, suffers from the same fate as all the other "updated" Atari classics – the updated graphics actually hurt the game. As with Asteroids, the damn explosions in the "enhanced" Tempest just ruin the experience by making things difficult to see. How anyone could think these versions are improved is just beyond me. Look, If you love Tempest, go right ahead and pick it up (I did) – but don't expect to be wowed by the updated version of the game.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE UPDATE: SENSIBLE WORLD OF SOCCER AVAILABLE AGAIN
Just an update to a previous story – According to Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, the problems with Sensible World of Soccer have been corrected and the game is once again available for purchase via the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Those of you who purchased the problematic version of the game should delete it from your hard drive and download the corrected version (at no additional charge).
- Sensible World of Soccer – Xbox Live Arcade
- Sensible World of Soccer now available for download – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE UPDATE: SENSIBLE WORLD OF SOCCER TAKEN DOWN
Just a quick note here for any of you who may have logged into Xbox Live looking for Sensible World of Soccer – Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb has advised that due to some technical problems with the game, SWOS has been pulled from the Marketplace temporarily. While the Major advised that everyone is working around the clock to get things right, there is currently no ETA for it's return.
"This game has been pulled. I’ll post an update when it is available again. In the meantime, if you downloaded this busted version, please delete it and when the new one is available you’ll be able to downloaded it again (at no charge if you purchased it.) While you do that, I’ll go yell at some folks for letting this happen. Apologies and the moment the proper version is available I’ll update this post.
Update: The team is hard at work troubleshooting the problem, but it will take some time. Thanks for your patience.
Update: Ok folks, I am being told that I won't have another update until tomorrow (12/20) mid-day (PT). The teams are working through the night and doing everything they can to get this released as quickly as possible." – Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, Xbox Live director of programming
On a final note, if you purchased the game before it was pulled, there is no need to stress. As you can see above, according to Major Nelson, you will be able to re-download the fixed version of the game free of charge once it returns.
- Sensible World of Soccer – Xbox Live Arcade
- Arcade: Sensible World of Soccer (Updated) – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TEMPEST & SENSIBLE WORLD OF SOCCER
Xbox Live Arcade swings for the fences this week as two highly anticipated titles make their way to the Xbox Live Marketplace. It's a double feature of epic proportions as both Tempest and Sensible World of Soccer prepare to thrill (and possibly disappoint) gamers around the world.
First up, we'll talk about Atari's Tempest. If I recall correctly, Tempest was born of a nightmare designer David Theurer had one night and turned out to be a dream come true for arcade players everywhere. The game's premise is fairly simple – you control a ship that travels along the edge of various segmented 3D geometric configurations. Enemies appear at the far end of each configuration and travel towards your ship at the top – naturally, your job is to stop them before they get there or avoid them. As with most games from the era, you also have a limited supply of smart bombs for when things get a little too hectic.
Fast, addictive gameplay is what Tempest is all about – and I really hope that Stainless Games doesn't do their usual botch job on the "enhanced version" of this one. Tempest deserves better – as do most of the classic Atari XBLA games.
Title: Tempest
Developer: Stainless Games
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/19/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Tempest® is one of the most well-known arcade games of all time, a true classic in the realm of video games. This intense shooter requires lots of skill and lightning-quick reflexes. Use unlimited firepower to shoot and destroy enemies in a large geometric battlefield.
Download the full version to play this classic arcade game in its original form and completely re-stylized versions featuring evolved graphics and newly introduced Throttle Monkey™ mode.
- Next-gen presentation: The game supports 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, including HDTV, with full-screen anti-aliasing and Dolby Digital surround sound.
- Arcade integration: Check top scores on the Leaderboards and master 12 challenging Achievements." – Xbox.com
Of course, our friends from across the ocean are a bit more thrilled about the second of this week's Live Arcade releases – Sensible World of Soccer. Now while I certainly wonder how it is that gamers from countries where soccer is known as football (something that seems to be a bit of a sore point too, mind you) would embrace a game that called itself soccer, there really doesn't seem to be any question that swos has a serious following. I don't doubt that Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb is thrilled to be getting this one into the Arcade so he can stop hearing about it from fans in the comments section of every new XBLA announcement.
Needless to say, this one is a soccer game (that's right – it's soccer!) – and supposedly a really good classic version of it. I've never played swos and It may not be for everyone, but it's reputation alone says you should at least give the demo a try.
Title: Sensible World of Soccer
Developer: Kuju Sheffield
Publisher: Codemasters Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/19/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Sensible World of Soccer™ is the classic nineties soccer game reborn with enhanced graphics! Play against your friends online in this fantastic pick up and play soccer extravaganza. Experience all the excitement of a full season or enter into a quick game against your friends.
Want to be more hands-on? Manage your team over a full season with a fully immersive tactics editor to put yourself in control on the way to the title.
- Online play: Take on your friends online in this fun, fast-paced soccer game.
- Updated for Xbox LIVE Arcade: Play a fully updated Arcade version of this classic game.
- Classic and Enhanced modes: Play online with the graphics you remember, or with the new enhanced HD visuals.
- Retro experience: Utilizing the original '96/'97 code, widely recognized to be the best incarnation of the SWOS series, we are able to deliver an authentic, retro playing experience.
- Influential game: SWOS is one of the ten most influential games of all time. Play the only version that lets you experience both classic SWOS and modern enhanced SWOS." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade titles, there's not much to say. I expected big things from Arkadian Warriors, but the game (or at least the demo) just never seemed to deliver. While Arkadian Warriors does indeed play quite a bit like Diablo, it never really captures the same feel. I don't know if it's the cutesy characters, the easy battles or just the way the game presents itself (it often comes across with a very generic RPG vibe), but the game never truly grabbed my attention. I certainly wouldn't call it a bad game, and much like Exit, I do plan on going back and seeing if maybe I'd like it a little more if I was in a different mood. Arkadian Warriors is certainly one you'll need to try for yourself.
The other new Xbox Live Arcade en
trant last week was GripShift, a game that I still have not had the opportunity to really sit down and play – probably because of the fact that I wasn't exactly thrilled with I tried it for the PlayStation 3. I'm going to suggest you try this one first as well – and really, that is always the best advice for Xbox Live Arcade titles – that's why the demos are there.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – ARKADIAN WARRIORS & GRIPSHIFT
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays makes it's return following a one week hiatus with a double feature of titles. This week's duo of Arkadian Warriors and GripShift hope to break out of the slump the Live Arcade has been seeing of late by offering fast paced arcade-style play with a mix of both online and offline play. Whether they succeed or not still remains to be seen.
The first title we'll look at it is Wanako Games' Arkadian Warriors – a title that, at least at first glance, seems to be an action RPG very much along the lines of Diablo. As you can imagine, if done right, that will easily move Arkadian Warriors to the top of many an Xbox Live Arcade want list. The game features three character classes (Soldier, Archer and Sorceress), each of which apparently had the ability to shapeshift into a specific creature (Phoenix, Lion or Dragon) to add some variety to the combat.
If all goes well with the gameplay, this one could easily be worth the 800 points ($10) it's going for in the Live Marketplace – especially when you factor in the random dungeon generator described in the game's feature list. I'll be sure to talk more about this one in next week's Live Arcade thread to let you know how it all turned out. As always, a demo of the game will be available in the marketplace so you can try it before you make a purchase decision.
Title: Arkadian Warriors
Developer: Wanako Games
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/12/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) – Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Define your legacy. Awaken your inner beast. Fight as one of the three powerful warriors of Artemis as you confront Gorgon herself in Arkadian Warriors. Embark on a trek of epic proportions, traverse treacherous dungeons, fight off hordes of hideous enemies, and take on heinously powerful bosses. You must save the goddess Artemis and return the mythical land of Arkadia to the people. Warriors … unite and defend!
- Three mighty warriors: Choose to play as a Soldier, Archer, or Sorceress To save the land of Arkadia.
- Unique abilities: Each warrior has unique fighting and shape-shifting abilities. Turn into a Phoenix, Lion, or Dragon to increase your power and crush your foes.
- Character development: Build up your warrior's skills and inventory along the way with more powerful magic, deadlier weapons, and stronger defensive units.
- Unique dungeon generator: Never battle enemies in the same dungeon twice.
- Intense multiplayer co-op action: Play side-by-side with a friend, or take the battle online and conquer Gorgon in co-op multiplayer." – Xbox.com
Next up, we've got GripShift from Sidhe Interactive. PlayStation 3 owners should be familiar with this game, as it's been on sale in the PlayStation Store for quite some time. It's an arcade style stunt racer (so think a lot of loops and physics defying turns) that, if memory serves me correctly, didn't exactly thrill me on the PS3 due to somewhat loose controls. I'd definitely recommend trying the demo before picking this one up for 800 points ($10).
Title: GripShift
Developer: Sidhe Interactive
Publisher: Sidhe Interactive
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 12/12/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1 / 2-4 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"GripShift® combines high-flying platform gaming with extreme stunt driving action. Test your reflexes and bend your brain as you stunt your way through 120 twisting Challenge Mode levels across four uniquely themed worlds.
Collect power-ups, avoid traps, and beat the clock as you compete for top leaderboard slots in single player mode, or deploy an arsenal of funky weapons and go head-to-head across 25 Race Mode tracks and 20 Deathmatch arenas in online multiplayer. Choose your driver, unlock faster vehicles, and customize your ride with new skins. GripShift is a gravity-defying thrill ride every racing fan must experience!
- Challenge: Race through 120 single-player Challenge Mode levels.
- Race: Put the pedal to the metal for 25 rubber-burning Race Mode tracks.
- Deathmatch: Fight for survival in 20 deadly Deathmatch arenas.
- Multiplayer: Jump into Xbox LIVE® online multiplayer and leaderboard." – Xbox.com
As for the last XBLA release, Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe, I seem to recall I worried that once again, the "updated" version of the game offered in the download would suffer from poor design, and sure enough Atari managed to do screw things up quite nicely once more.
While the core gameplay is still solid in the classic versions (though I personally feel that the emulation isn't quite spot-on), It's the re-imagined version of the game that's the train wreck here. For some unknown reason, someone decided to make the explosions so colorful and large that you cannot even easily see where parts of each asteroid are going following a hit. This problem is inexcusable from a gameplay standpoi
nt and was completely avoidable from a design standpoint. It really feels as if someone just took what made Asteroids so much fun and just tossed it right out the window. If you want a high-def Asteroids-type experience (and happen to have a PlayStation 3), pick up Super Stardust HD in the PlayStation Store. It's worlds above this re-constituted mess.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – ASTEROIDS / ASTEROIDS DELUXE
Hey, you! Straighten up that tie and tuck your shirt in – you're in the presence of royalty today. Two more all-time classic arcade games come to the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade as both Atari's Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe make their way to the marketplace in one neat package. That's right, you get both games for 400 ($5) points.
Now I won't lie – given the way Missile Command turned out, I am a bit concerned for Atari's dynamic duo. There are quite a few ways his one could be screwed up, and as always, the thought of the 360's controller and classic games makes me cringe. Microsoft, I implore you – release an arcade style controller already – It really is tiring dragging out all the equipment I need to make my customized X-Arcade stick work with the 360.
There's not much else to say about these two, as I'm sure just about everyone reading knows what they are all about. Give the demo a try and decide if the games are worth the five bucks for yourself. (and if you're a PlayStation 3 owner and feeling a bit left out at the moment, I will advise you that I think Super Stardust HD (available via the PlayStation Store) is a worthy modern day successor to the genre and a steal at $7.99.)
Title: Asteroids / Asteroids Deluxe
Developer: Stainless Games
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/28/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Two of the all-time classic arcade games come to Xbox LIVE® Arcade in Asteroids©, Asteroids Deluxe©, a combo of intense action where players must save earth from a deadly bombardment of asteroids. The full historic game is available in its original form, along with a completely re-stylized version featuring evolved graphics.
- The original Asteroids: Released in 1979 by Atari, the simple black and white game was a masterpiece of vector graphics game design, and had millions of arcadegoers entranced by its simple mechanic of controlling a spaceship firing at and destroying asteroids.
- The release of Asteroids Deluxe: The sequel to the original, released in 1980, Asteroids Deluxe featured the same classic gameplay but added a new shield feature and dangerous satellite enemies. Play both the original and its sequel in all of its classic old-school style.
- Next-gen evolution: But now, both games have evolved. Support is provided for both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, including HDTV. Full-screen anti-aliasing and Dolby Digital surround sound complete the gaming experience.
- Throttle Monkey mode: Both game versions come with a high-speed version known as Throttle Monkey. Can you survive?
- Achievements and leaderboards: Twelve new achievements for you to earn, and new leaderboards to conquer. Show your friends who is the master at Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade release, Undertow just wasn't everything I hoped it would be. As I mentioned in last week's post, I was hoping for a side scrolling, twin-stick shooter and instead found myself playing a side scrolling team based shooter with serious gameplay issues.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – UNDERTOW
It's a rare solo release week in the Xbox Live Arcade as Chair Entertainment's Undertow rises from the depths. What we've got here is a twin-stick shooter that tries to encompass some of the more popular team game mods seen in most modern first person shooters.
I've got to say I was originally really excited about this title, but once I discovered that all it featured were "capture the checkpoints" and "Team Deathmatch" game modes, my enthusiasm diminished. Based on the demo, the game just doesn't play tight enough to make those type of modes fun, and the loss of what could have been a great scrolling solo shooter does indeed make me sad. It could have been a contender for my 800 points ($10), but instead it will just sink beneath the waves of indifference.
While I wallow in sadness over this one, you can check out the particulars;
Title: Undertow
Developer: Chair Entertainment Group
Publisher: Chair Entertainment Group
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/21/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-16 online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Undertow is a fast-paced action-shooter that sends you underwater as you battle up to 16 players for control of the oceans! Non-stop conquest-style battles push the envelope of onscreen effects and combat action and boast some of the most stunning graphics ever seen in an Xbox LIVE® Arcade title.
- Combat control: Undertow features relentless high-speed combat with simple and intuitive controls.
- Visual style: The incredible next-gen graphics resonate with a vibrant underwater visual style.
- Multiplayer matches: Undertow features 16-player multiplayer battles and two-player co-op modes.
- Races and upgrades: The game includes three different playable races, each with four unique upgradeable units.
- Single-player campaign: The 15-level single player campaign has a compelling story told through cutscenes." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I went into detail about them in last week's post, so just click here for the required info. I can't wait until the Live Arcade starts pushing out classic titles again, because these original releases of late have left me kind of numb.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SCREWJUMPER! & SHREK-N-ROLL
You know, it's been awhile since I've been thrilled by an Xbox Live Arcade release and it looks like the string of yawners is going to continue for at least another week. Sure, last week's set had one passable, yet overpriced, game in the form of Switchball but I still find that, of late, there just hasn't been much to get excited about. I'm hoping that it's due to the end-year rush of A-List titles and no one wanting to get lost in the shuffle. Oh well, as they say, the show must go on… which leads us to Screwjumper! and Shrek-n-Roll.
We'll open up with Screwjumper! – a game that certainly qualifies for the "games that sound dirty, but really aren't" genre. I sometimes look at the flavor text the marketing folks at Xbox.com come up with for these games and wonder if they have as much of a hard time finding things to say that are interesting about the game as I do writing about Live Arcade games that I couldn't care less about. That little bit of random trivia aside, I decided that I'd give Screwjumper! a fair shake and load up the demo to see what it was all about. The game itself isn't horrible, it's just a little too basic. Fall down a shaft, avoid some obstacles while hitting others. Then do it in reverse. Try the demo and see for yourself – I think you'll agree that there are better Live Arcade titles for the money they're asking.
Title: Screwjumper!
Developer: Frozen Codebase
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-4 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) – Mild Violence, Tobacco Reference
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Take the plunge in Screwjumper!™ Freefall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, and drive the aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. Demolish structures in freefall as you increase your destructive power by increasing your velocity. Use dynamite to pick off hazards and high value targets. Destroy the mine core and jetpack out alive. Dead screwjumpers don't get paid!
- Multiple levels and characters: Descend and destroy 20 mines on four different planets with six different characters, including Skruii the foreman of the Screwjumpers Union, Filch the reckless thrill-seeker, Zyree the unpredictable, Xoona the aloof, Ula the mad, and Zomar the mysterious.
- Ultimate destruction: Chain your destruction by plunging through objects at ultra-terminal speeds. You're a screwjumper. Go for it!
- Single player modes: Risk your neck in four single-player modes including Destruction, Race, Time Trial, and Score.
- Multiplayer: Compete with your friends via split screen and Xbox LIVE® multiplayer." – Xbox.com
Which brings us to the second release of the week, Shrek-n-Roll. Looking at this title, all I can say is "at least they didn't try to release it as a retail title for $59.99". It looks much like that kids game where you bounce a marble down a board with pegs in it to see what prizes you get. In other words, certainly not something worth playing as a videogame nor something worth 800 points. ($10) – Needless to say, unless someone comes along and says this is the greatest thing since ice-cream, I'm not even going to bother with the demo.
Title: Shrek-n-Roll
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in Shrek-N-Roll, an addictive and hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages!
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique evironments in Far Far Away's newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode.
- Adventure through Shrek's world: Start rolling at Worcestershire Academy, venture forth onto the Pirate's ship, visit Shrek's Swamp and brave the Evil Queen's Castle. Mastering each of the 16 levels allows you to move on to more fun and challenging puzzles.
- Play the whole Shrek gang: Play with 24 twisted fairy tale characters, including Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots and other unlockable heroes and villains.
- Enjoy signature Shrek humor: From fast-talking Donkey to sword-fighting Puss in Boots, the animation, dialogue and environments throughout the game bring the humor of Shrek alive!
- Experience multiple game modes: Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Arcade titles, like I mentioned earlier, Switchball was an enjoyable enough game that, while not having the same charm as Marble Madness, at least kept things varied enough to stay interesting throughout the demo. Unfortunately, while I would have rated it a buy at 400 points ($5), I don't quite feel the same about it at 800 ($10). As for Word Puzzle, I didn't even bother with the demo and I doubt I ever will. Don't encourage trash is my motto.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SCREWJUMPER! & SHREK-N-ROLL
You know, it's been awhile since I've been thrilled by an Xbox Live Arcade release and it looks like the string of yawners is going to continue for at least another week. Sure, last week's set had one passable, yet overpriced, game in the form of Switchball but I still find that, of late, there just hasn't been much to get excited about. I'm hoping that it's due to the end-year rush of A-List titles and no one wanting to get lost in the shuffle. Oh well, as they say, the show must go on… which leads us to Screwjumper! and Shrek-n-Roll.
We'll open up with Screwjumper! – a game that certainly qualifies for the "games that sound dirty, but really aren't" genre. I sometimes look at the flavor text the marketing folks at Xbox.com come up with for these games and wonder if they have as much of a hard time finding things to say that are interesting about the game as I do writing about Live Arcade games that I couldn't care less about. That little bit of random trivia aside, I decided that I'd give Screwjumper! a fair shake and load up the demo to see what it was all about. The game itself isn't horrible, it's just a little too basic. Fall down a shaft, avoid some obstacles while hitting others. Then do it in reverse. Try the demo and see for yourself – I think you'll agree that there are better Live Arcade titles for the money they're asking.
Title: Screwjumper!
Developer: Frozen Codebase
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-4 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) – Mild Violence, Tobacco Reference
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Take the plunge in Screwjumper!™ Freefall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, and drive the aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. Demolish structures in freefall as you increase your destructive power by increasing your velocity. Use dynamite to pick off hazards and high value targets. Destroy the mine core and jetpack out alive. Dead screwjumpers don't get paid!
- Multiple levels and characters: Descend and destroy 20 mines on four different planets with six different characters, including Skruii the foreman of the Screwjumpers Union, Filch the reckless thrill-seeker, Zyree the unpredictable, Xoona the aloof, Ula the mad, and Zomar the mysterious.
- Ultimate destruction: Chain your destruction by plunging through objects at ultra-terminal speeds. You're a screwjumper. Go for it!
- Single player modes: Risk your neck in four single-player modes including Destruction, Race, Time Trial, and Score.
- Multiplayer: Compete with your friends via split screen and Xbox LIVE® multiplayer." – Xbox.com
Which brings us to the second release of the week, Shrek-n-Roll. Looking at this title, all I can say is "at least they didn't try to release it as a retail title for $59.99". It looks much like that kids game where you bounce a marble down a board with pegs in it to see what prizes you get. In other words, certainly not something worth playing as a videogame nor something worth 800 points. ($10) – Needless to say, unless someone comes along and says this is the greatest thing since ice-cream, I'm not even going to bother with the demo.
Title: Shrek-n-Roll
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in Shrek-N-Roll, an addictive and hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages!
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique evironments in Far Far Away's newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode.
- Adventure through Shrek's world: Start rolling at Worcestershire Academy, venture forth onto the Pirate's ship, visit Shrek's Swamp and brave the Evil Queen's Castle. Mastering each of the 16 levels allows you to move on to more fun and challenging puzzles.
- Play the whole Shrek gang: Play with 24 twisted fairy tale characters, including Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots and other unlockable heroes and villains.
- Enjoy signature Shrek humor: From fast-talking Donkey to sword-fighting Puss in Boots, the animation, dialogue and environments throughout the game bring the humor of Shrek alive!
- Experience multiple game modes: Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Arcade titles, like I mentioned earlier, Switchball was an enjoyable enough game that, while not having the same charm as Marble Madness, at least kept things varied enough to stay interesting throughout the demo. Unfortunately, while I would have rated it a buy at 400 points ($5), I don't quite feel the same about it at 800 ($10). As for Word Puzzle, I didn't even bother with the demo and I
doubt I ever will. Don't encourage trash is my motto.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SWITCHBALL & WORD PUZZLE
Another Wednesday, another two Xbox Live Arcade titles. This week we have two offbeat titles in the form of Switchball and Word Puzzle. These two titles have been completely off my radar, so I really don't know what to expect beyond that which their descriptions and screen shots would seem to imply. What I can say based on that is that I'm really not too enthusiastic about either title given the fact that both are tagged at 800 points ($10) apiece.
According to it's description, Switchball seems to be a game very much along the lines of Atari Games' classic arcade title Marble Madness. Players control a ball that must be guided through a maze packed with obstacles within a set time limit. Let's take a look;
Title: Switchball
Developer: Atomic Elbow
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/07/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – Everyone
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Control an ever-changing ball along a narrow winding maze suspended in midair in Switchball™. Stunning 3-D environments including Skyworld, Iceworld, and Caveworld are the background for this puzzle game based on real-world physics. Maneuver your way through challenging levels jam-packed with obstacles and traps. Transform the marbleball with metal, electric and lighter-than-air properties to quickly get through each area. Then go online and play the competitive multiplayer courses.
- Action puzzler: Inventive and fun puzzle-driven play is based on real world physical interactions.
- Exciting game environments: Beautiful and elegant 3-D graphics offer panoramic views of 30 single player levels in five amazing environments: Skyworld, Iceworld, Caveworld, Cloudworld, and Lavaworld.
- Traps and obstacles: Navigate more than 40 interactive objects including wooden blocks, sheets of cloth, spinning fans, magnets, cannons, and many more.
- Transform: Morph your marble to take advantage of the unique physical properties of the dense and heavy metalball, the super-charged powerball, or the floating airball, and find your way through the level.
- Multiplayer modes: Join in the fun with co-op and competitive racing courses." – Xbox.com
Next up we have… Word Puzzle. Seriously. Could they have tried any less on this game's title? Probably not seeing how this seems to just be an electronic version of the word search games we all played as children. How this is going to relate to a fun experience or even come close to being worth 800 points ($10) is beyond me.
Title: Word Puzzle
Developer: Interserv International Inc.
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/07/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"You'll never think about word search puzzles the same way again.Word Puzzle takes a new spin on the classic game, plunging you into an action-packed arcade experience complete with combos, exploding word bombs, unique 3-D boards, achievements, and the chance to prove your textual superiority against other players. Five different game modes and frequently updated downloadable word packs give you nearly unlimited flexibility and excitement. So put down that pen and paper, because this is a word search for the 21st century!
- New twists: Exploding word bombs, prop cards used to distract your opponents, 3-D game boards, and other effects combine to provide a word search game like you've never played before.
- Five unique gameplay modes: Try Freeplay for traditional word search fun, Arcade mode to score impressive combos, Local Battle for competitive play on a single console, Live Multiplayer with support for up to 4 players online, and check out the unique Survival Mode where word bombs can explode, and have to be defused.
- Camera-enabled: The game supports the Xbox LIVE® Vision camera during live match play.
- Achievements and leaderboard: Twelve new achievements to master and a leaderboard to compare your word search skills with others." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade title, Mutant Storm Empire was a bit of a let down. The game simply felt uninspired – and given the fact that while they did indeed remove the loading screens between levels, they did it by making the player travel through another area where nothing happens. So really, they just replaced a static loading screen with an interactive one. I had high hopes for MS:E, but the levels felt too short and there was that feeling that I'd "been there and done that" in every part of the game I played. It's another game that I'd have to say isn't a bad game, but certainly isn't one that I'd purchase.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SWITCHBALL & WORD PUZZLE
Another Wednesday, another two Xbox Live Arcade titles. This week we have two offbeat titles in the form of Switchball and Word Puzzle. These two titles have been completely off my radar, so I really don't know what to expect beyond that which their descriptions and screen shots would seem to imply. What I can say based on that is that I'm really not too enthusiastic about either title given the fact that both are tagged at 800 points ($10) apiece.
According to it's description, Switchball seems to be a game very much along the lines of Atari Games' classic arcade title Marble Madness. Players control a ball that must be guided through a maze packed with obstacles within a set time limit. Let's take a look;
Title: Switchball
Developer: Atomic Elbow
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/07/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – Everyone
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Control an ever-changing ball along a narrow winding maze suspended in midair in Switchball™. Stunning 3-D environments including Skyworld, Iceworld, and Caveworld are the background for this puzzle game based on real-world physics. Maneuver your way through challenging levels jam-packed with obstacles and traps. Transform the marbleball with metal, electric and lighter-than-air properties to quickly get through each area. Then go online and play the competitive multiplayer courses.
- Action puzzler: Inventive and fun puzzle-driven play is based on real world physical interactions.
- Exciting game environments: Beautiful and elegant 3-D graphics offer panoramic views of 30 single player levels in five amazing environments: Skyworld, Iceworld, Caveworld, Cloudworld, and Lavaworld.
- Traps and obstacles: Navigate more than 40 interactive objects including wooden blocks, sheets of cloth, spinning fans, magnets, cannons, and many more.
- Transform: Morph your marble to take advantage of the unique physical properties of the dense and heavy metalball, the super-charged powerball, or the floating airball, and find your way through the level.
- Multiplayer modes: Join in the fun with co-op and competitive racing courses." – Xbox.com
Next up we have… Word Puzzle. Seriously. Could they have tried any less on this game's title? Probably not seeing how this seems to just be an electronic version of the word search games we all played as children. How this is going to relate to a fun experience or even come close to being worth 800 points ($10) is beyond me.
Title: Word Puzzle
Developer: Interserv International Inc.
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/07/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"You'll never think about word search puzzles the same way again.Word Puzzle takes a new spin on the classic game, plunging you into an action-packed arcade experience complete with combos, exploding word bombs, unique 3-D boards, achievements, and the chance to prove your textual superiority against other players. Five different game modes and frequently updated downloadable word packs give you nearly unlimited flexibility and excitement. So put down that pen and paper, because this is a word search for the 21st century!
- New twists: Exploding word bombs, prop cards used to distract your opponents, 3-D game boards, and other effects combine to provide a word search game like you've never played before.
- Five unique gameplay modes: Try Freeplay for traditional word search fun, Arcade mode to score impressive combos, Local Battle for competitive play on a single console, Live Multiplayer with support for up to 4 players online, and check out the unique Survival Mode where word bombs can explode, and have to be defused.
- Camera-enabled: The game supports the Xbox LIVE® Vision camera during live match play.
- Achievements and leaderboard: Twelve new achievements to master and a leaderboard to compare your word search skills with others." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade title, Mutant Storm Empire was a bit of a let down. The game simply felt uninspired – and given the fact that while they did indeed remove the loading screens between levels, they did it by making the player travel through another area where nothing happens. So really, they just replaced a static loading screen with an interactive one. I had high hopes for MS:E, but the levels felt too short and there was that feeling that I'd "been there and done that" in every part of the game I played. It's another game that I'd have to say isn't a bad game, but certainly isn't one that I'd purchase.
XBOX 360 FREEBIE: BUCCANEER TABLE FOR PINBALL FX
Stix over at Gamer's Lounge clued me in to the fact that Buccaneer, a free downloadable table for owners of Pinball FX, is now available in all regions for the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is 30.01MB.
While that alone would be great news, it gets better. Not only is the new table being provided to owners of Pinball FX for free, but it just happens to be a pirate themed table. Take that, Ninjas.
"Content: Buccaneer Table
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE Regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (Everyone) MILD SUGGESTIVE THEMES] Avast, scurvy dogs, there be treasure in these waters! Weigh anchor, hoist the Jolly Roger, and set sail for BUCCANEER, a pirate-themed table that will shiver your timbers!" – Major Nelson
A big thanks to Stix for pointing this one out as it was buried inside of Major Nelson's 10/31 marketplace roundup post.
- Pinball FX new FREE table released … Buccaneer – Gamer's Lounge
- Marketplace Roundup for October 31, 2007 – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MUTANT STORM EMPIRE
While one might assume that today's Xbox Live Arcade release would have a somewhat spooky flavor to it in honor of Halloween, that just isn't the case. What we do get is Mutant Storm Empire, the sequel to one of the Live Arcade's earliest titles Mutant Storm Reloaded.
While I haven't had a chance to try Empire yet, according to the product description and most of the previews I've read, Pom Pom Games has done away with my biggest complaint about it's predecessor – namely, the "level-based" nature of the game. Mutant Storm Empire promises to play all sixteen of it's levels as one continuous experience. If you're like me and prefer that your arcade games to ramp up the difficulty without any kind of break in the action, this could well be a major selling point for you. There is also one other new option worthy of note here – the game will now support two-player co-op action, which should certainly add a whole new flavor to the game.
Ultimately, I think my purchasing decision for Mutant Storm Empire will be based less on it's price tag (800 points – $10), and more on just how long each of said levels are. Mutant Storm Reloaded was a game where each level seemed to end just as it was becoming exciting, and while Empire may remove the delay between levels, if each level is still overly short, those sixteen levels could go by far too quickly. Call it a personal preference, but I feel the best arcade-style shooters are the ones that have that never-ending feeling. Mind you, they don't have to actually be never ending, just make the game long enough that it will take a good while to attain the necessary skill to reach that end. As an example, while it wasn't a shooter, I think many (including myself) felt cheated every time that timer ran out in Pac-Man Championship Edition. (Do you hear me Namco? I'm more than willing to pay again for a version of the game with no timers!) Without a doubt, one of the great features of some of the earliest arcade games was their ability to be played forever on a single coin.
My lecture on arcade game design done, it's time to take a look at the particulars surrounding Mutant Storm Empire;
Title: Mutant Storm Empire
Developer: Pom Pom Games
Publisher: Pom Pom Games
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/31/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"There's this evil emperor, see, and … well, he's evil. Now someone has decided to put a stop to the whole evilness thing, and that someone is you. It's the right thing to do! Besides, in Mutant Storm Empire, it'll be fun. Battle through line after line of the emperor's minion horde, destroying absolutely everything you can! Blast through bunches of robots, crush colonies of aquatic monsters, smash swarms of UFOs, and demolish devastating bosses. It's a continuous adventure through four immense, strikingly vibrant worlds, and you can fight alone or join forces with a friend in two-player cooperative mode. Enjoy the frenzy!
- The art of blasting: Practice the way of "Blastikkidoo" or the art of blasting, as you plow through the different worlds in Mutant Storm Empire. This all-new sequel to Mutant Storm Reloaded ratchets up the competitive challenge!
- Numerous levels: The four different worlds feature sixteen challenging levels, all in gorgeous high-def 3-D graphics.
- Multiplayer modes: Play co-op offline with a friend, or head into Xbox LIVE® territory and go multiplayer for up to 2 people.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements to master ranging from easy, such as getting a single combo of beasties, to difficult, such as completing the game on the Black Belt level." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I stand by my comments on each – Battlestar Galactica is still trash and Exit is a game that has a bit of potential for those who enjoy puzzle solving platformers. While I may never even look at BSG again, I'll certainly be revisiting Exit at some point in the future.
MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES UPCOMING XBOX LIVE ARCADE TITLES
You'll have to pardon how brief I keep this post, but I'm feeling quite a bit under the weather at the moment and really want nothing more than to crawl back into bed and go to sleep.
My health aside, what we're here to talk about is the Xbox Live Arcade – namely the fact that Microsoft not only announced which title would be seeing release this week (Mutant Storm Empire – 800 points), but also gave us a peek into what games will be coming in the immediate future.
While Castle Crashers is still nowhere in sight, here are a few of the titles we can expect to see in the coming weeks;
- N+ (Slick Entertainment and Metanet Software) – Play as an acrobatic ninja in this addictive action-puzzle platformer. N+ features inadvertently homicidal robots, stylish graphics, a level editor and intense multiplayer awesomeness.
- Screwjumper! (THQ) – Players take the plunge in "Screwjumper!" and free-fall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment.
- SHREK-N-ROLL (Activision) – Gamers join "Shrek®," "Fiona," "Donkey," "Puss in Boots" and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in this hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages.
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam (Nickelodeon and THQ) – In this quick and fun game, players search the kitchen of the Krusty Krab, the Flying Dutchman's ship and the Armoury of Atlantis for 99 pairs of underpants.
- Switchball (Sierra Online) – Based on real-world physics, "Switchball" is an intricate puzzle game set in a stunning 3-D world where players control an ever-changing ball along a narrow, winding course suspended in midair.
- Undertow (Chair Entertainment Group) – This fast-paced action-shooter sends gamers underwater as they battle up to 16 players for control of the oceans! Players race to upgrade their units as they engage in non-stop conquest-style battles through multiple levels of combat action with some of the most stunning graphics ever seen in an Xbox LIVE Arcade title.
- Word Puzzle (InterServ International) – The classic pen-and-paper word search game is brought to a new level of excitement on Xbox LIVE Arcade, complete with combos, high-score achievements and the ability to compete against others online.
While a few of those titles sound like they could have potential, I have to say that nothing there really gets me excited – then again, the way I'm feeling right now, not much probably would. It's kind of hard to sound enthusiastic when your only goal in life at the moment is to go back to bed.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – BATTLESTAR GALACTICA & EXIT
It’s wednesday, and you know what that means – it’s time for another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. Once again, it’s a double feature week as two more original titles find their way to the Live Arcade in the form of Battlestar Galactica and Exit.
Battlestar Galactica is a top down, free roaming shooter based on the current incarnation of the show of the same name. You take the side of either the human race or Cylon empire and fly about, performing missions to advance your cause in either a free-play mode or a campaign. Online, the game also offers domination and multiplayer dogfight game modes for up to 8 players.
Having just finished playing both of today’s releases, I feel pretty confident in saying that while Battlestar Galactica is a pretty game, there’s not much meat to it. At 800 points ($10), I certainly could think of better games to spend the money on, so my advice to you is to be sure to try the demo before you buy this one.
Title: Battlestar Galactica
Developer: Auran
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/24/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 / 2-8 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – Everyone 10+ (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Enter the Battlestar Galactica universe in Battlestar Galactica™. Sign up to defend the Galactica, or play as the ruthless Cylons as they seek to remove the Human Race from existence. Pilot iconic ships from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider and lead your squadron in enormous fast-action multiplayer space combat (with up to eight players online) or play through the exciting single-player campaign.
- Single-player campaign: Pilot various ships and complete memorable missions from the TV series.
- Multiplayer game mode: Play online with up to eight players in this relentless space-based action shooter in Firefight, Skirmish, and Domination modes.
- Spaceships: Pilot four human and four Cylon ships, from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider, each with unique weapon capabilities.
- Special weapons: Coordinate attacks with an arsenal of destructive weapons including missiles, guns, and more.
- Defensive maneuvers: Avoid annihilation with the barrel roll, quick turnabouts, and other aerial moves." – Xbox.com
The second Live Arcade title of the week shows a little more promise if side scrolling platform puzzle games are to your liking. Exit is a stylized take on the classic platformer where your mission is to escape from a series of buildings using items found throughout each of the game’s levels. Adding to the mix is the need to rescue other people trapped in the building, and in many cases use them to help solve the puzzle that will allow you to escape unharmed.
The tutorial levels that I tried are fairly straight-forward and didn’t include any truly mind-bending puzzles, so I really don’t know whether or not this one is going to live up to it’s promise. As usual, my advice is for you to download the demo and see whether or not the game suits your tastes.
In my case, while I liked the puzzle solving aspect of the game (despite the tutorials simplicity), I found that it was just a little too slow paced for me to really get into – which is why I didn’t play the tutorial levels all the way to their completion. it’s one of those titles that I’ll probably go back to soon in order to see if it still leaves me cold or if I was just feeling a bit impatient today. I guess the best thing I can say about Exit is that it reminds me of a cross between the Castle of Dr Brain and Mario vs Donkey Kong.
Title: Exit
Developer: TAITO Corporation
Publisher: TAITO Corporation
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/24/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Cartoon Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Meet Mr. ESC, otherwise known as Mr. Escape. Mr. ESC is an escape artist whose objective is to save people from disastrous situations, clearing each danger-filled stage within a limited amount of time. Save lives in EXIT®, a frantic, mind-stretching, action-packed puzzle game!
- Frantic rescue action: As Mr. ESC, take control and rescue people from dangers like fires and earthquakes. Turn them into Companions and lead them to safety.
- Puzzle-solving skills required: Use your Companions by commanding them to use items, solve puzzles, and reach the exit within the time limit.
- Companion abilities: The different Companions you save have different abilities. Young Companions have average abilities, Adults are strong, and Kids can make it through tight passages. Be sure to save the injured Patients as well.
- Multiple stages: There are over 120 challenging stages to escape, and even more stages will be available for download.
- Twelve new achievements and leaderboard: Master twelve new achievements, and compete for the best stage times on the leaderboards to prove you are the greatest escape artist in the world!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I couldn’t really get into either of them. Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe suffers from both control issues and a general lack of solid fun that easily makes it (imho) not worth the price that’s being asked for it. Every Extend Extra Extreme, while a good title, just didn’t fit my tastes. The game’s design makes you feel more of a spectator than an active participant, and I found myself growing bored of it quickly. It’s not a case where I’ll say it’s a bad game, just one that I’ll say I don’t particularly care for.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – BATTLESTAR GALACTICA & EXIT
It’s wednesday, and you know what that means – it’s time for another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. Once again, it’s a double feature week as two more original titles find their way to the Live Arcade in the form of Battlestar Galactica and Exit.
Battlestar Galactica is a top down, free roaming shooter based on the current incarnation of the show of the same name. You take the side of either the human race or Cylon empire and fly about, performing missions to advance your cause in either a free-play mode or a campaign. Online, the game also offers domination and multiplayer dogfight game modes for up to 8 players.
Having just finished playing both of today’s releases, I feel pretty confident in saying that while Battlestar Galactica is a pretty game, there’s not much meat to it. At 800 points ($10), I certainly could think of better games to spend the money on, so my advice to you is to be sure to try the demo before you buy this one.
Title: Battlestar Galactica
Developer: Auran
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/24/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 / 2-8 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – Everyone 10+ (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Enter the Battlestar Galactica universe in Battlestar Galactica™. Sign up to defend the Galactica, or play as the ruthless Cylons as they seek to remove the Human Race from existence. Pilot iconic ships from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider and lead your squadron in enormous fast-action multiplayer space combat (with up to eight players online) or play through the exciting single-player campaign.
- Single-player campaign: Pilot various ships and complete memorable missions from the TV series.
- Multiplayer game mode: Play online with up to eight players in this relentless space-based action shooter in Firefight, Skirmish, and Domination modes.
- Spaceships: Pilot four human and four Cylon ships, from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider, each with unique weapon capabilities.
- Special weapons: Coordinate attacks with an arsenal of destructive weapons including missiles, guns, and more.
- Defensive maneuvers: Avoid annihilation with the barrel roll, quick turnabouts, and other aerial moves." – Xbox.com
The second Live Arcade title of the week shows a little more promise if side scrolling platform puzzle games are to your liking. Exit is a stylized take on the classic platformer where your mission is to escape from a series of buildings using items found throughout each of the game’s levels. Adding to the mix is the need to rescue other people trapped in the building, and in many cases use them to help solve the puzzle that will allow you to escape unharmed.
The tutorial levels that I tried are fairly straight-forward and didn’t include any truly mind-bending puzzles, so I really don’t know whether or not this one is going to live up to it’s promise. As usual, my advice is for you to download the demo and see whether or not the game suits your tastes.
In my case, while I liked the puzzle solving aspect of the game (despite the tutorials simplicity), I found that it was just a little too slow paced for me to really get into – which is why I didn’t play the tutorial levels all the way to their completion. it’s one of those titles that I’ll probably go back to soon in order to see if it still leaves me cold or if I was just feeling a bit impatient today. I guess the best thing I can say about Exit is that it reminds me of a cross between the Castle of Dr Brain and Mario vs Donkey Kong.
Title: Exit
Developer: TAITO Corporation
Publisher: TAITO Corporation
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/24/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Cartoon Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Meet Mr. ESC, otherwise known as Mr. Escape. Mr. ESC is an escape artist whose objective is to save people from disastrous situations, clearing each danger-filled stage within a limited amount of time. Save lives in EXIT®, a frantic, mind-stretching, action-packed puzzle game!
- Frantic rescue action: As Mr. ESC, take control and rescue people from dangers like fires and earthquakes. Turn them into Companions and lead them to safety.
- Puzzle-solving skills required: Use your Companions by commanding them to use items, solve puzzles, and reach the exit within the time limit.
- Companion abilities: The different Companions you save have different abilities. Young Companions have average abilities, Adults are strong, and Kids can make it through tight passages. Be sure to save the injured Patients as well.
- Multiple stages: There are over 120 challenging stages to escape, and even more stages will be available for download.
- Twelve new achievements and leaderboard: Master twelve new achievements, and compete for the best stage times on the leaderboards to prove you are the greatest escape artist in the world!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I couldn’t really get into either of them. Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe suffers from both control issues and a general lack of solid fun that easily makes it (imho) not worth the price that’s being asked for it. Every Extend Extra Extreme, while a good title, just didn’t fit my tastes. The game’s design makes you feel more of a spectator than an active participant, and I found myself growing bored of it quickly. It’s not a case where I’ll say it’s a bad game, just one that I’ll say I don’t particularly care for.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – BATTLESTAR GALACTICA & EXIT
It’s wednesday, and you know what that means – it’s time for another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. Once again, it’s a double feature week as two more original titles find their way to the Live Arcade in the form of Battlestar Galactica and Exit.
Battlestar Galactica is a top down, free roaming shooter based on the current incarnation of the show of the same name. You take the side of either the human race or Cylon empire and fly about, performing missions to advance your cause in either a free-play mode or a campaign. Online, the game also offers domination and multiplayer dogfight game modes for up to 8 players.
Having just finished playing both of today’s releases, I feel pretty confident in saying that while Battlestar Galactica is a pretty game, there’s not much meat to it. At 800 points ($10), I certainly could think of better games to spend the money on, so my advice to you is to be sure to try the demo before you buy this one.
Title: Battlestar Galactica
Developer: Auran
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/24/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 / 2-8 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – Everyone 10+ (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Enter the Battlestar Galactica universe in Battlestar Galactica™. Sign up to defend the Galactica, or play as the ruthless Cylons as they seek to remove the Human Race from existence. Pilot iconic ships from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider and lead your squadron in enormous fast-action multiplayer space combat (with up to eight players online) or play through the exciting single-player campaign.
- Single-player campaign: Pilot various ships and complete memorable missions from the TV series.
- Multiplayer game mode: Play online with up to eight players in this relentless space-based action shooter in Firefight, Skirmish, and Domination modes.
- Spaceships: Pilot four human and four Cylon ships, from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider, each with unique weapon capabilities.
- Special weapons: Coordinate attacks with an arsenal of destructive weapons including missiles, guns, and more.
- Defensive maneuvers: Avoid annihilation with the barrel roll, quick turnabouts, and other aerial moves." – Xbox.com
The second Live Arcade title of the week shows a little more promise if side scrolling platform puzzle games are to your liking. Exit is a stylized take on the classic platformer where your mission is to escape from a series of buildings using items found throughout each of the game’s levels. Adding to the mix is the need to rescue other people trapped in the building, and in many cases use them to help solve the puzzle that will allow you to escape unharmed.
The tutorial levels that I tried are fairly straight-forward and didn’t include any truly mind-bending puzzles, so I really don’t know whether or not this one is going to live up to it’s promise. As usual, my advice is for you to download the demo and see whether or not the game suits your tastes.
In my case, while I liked the puzzle solving aspect of the game (despite the tutorials simplicity), I found that it was just a little too slow paced for me to really get into – which is why I didn’t play the tutorial levels all the way to their completion. it’s one of those titles that I’ll probably go back to soon in order to see if it still leaves me cold or if I was just feeling a bit impatient today. I guess the best thing I can say about Exit is that it reminds me of a cross between the Castle of Dr Brain and Mario vs Donkey Kong.
Title: Exit
Developer: TAITO Corporation
Publisher: TAITO Corporation
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/24/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Cartoon Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Meet Mr. ESC, otherwise known as Mr. Escape. Mr. ESC is an escape artist whose objective is to save people from disastrous situations, clearing each danger-filled stage within a limited amount of time. Save lives in EXIT®, a frantic, mind-stretching, action-packed puzzle game!
- Frantic rescue action: As Mr. ESC, take control and rescue people from dangers like fires and earthquakes. Turn them into Companions and lead them to safety.
- Puzzle-solving skills required: Use your Companions by commanding them to use items, solve puzzles, and reach the exit within the time limit.
- Companion abilities: The different Companions you save have different abilities. Young Companions have average abilities, Adults are strong, and Kids can make it through tight passages. Be sure to save the injured Patients as well.
- Multiple stages: There are over 120 challenging stages to escape, and even more stages will be available for download.
- Twelve new achievements and leaderboard: Master twelve new achievements, and compete for the best stage times on the leaderboards to prove you are the greatest escape artist in the world!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I couldn’t really get into either of them. Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe suffers from both control issues and a general lack of solid fun that easily makes it (imho) not worth the price that’s being asked for it. Every Extend Extra Extreme, while a good title, just didn’t fit my tastes. The game’s design makes you feel more of a spectator than an active participant, and I found myself growing bored of it quickly. It’s not a case where I’ll say it’s a bad game, just one that I’ll say I don’t particularly care for.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE
Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…
Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.
For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.
If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).
Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.
- Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
- Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
- Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
- Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com
If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.
Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.
Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.
- Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
- Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
- Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
- Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE
Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…
Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.
For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.
If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).
Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.
- Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
- Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
- Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
- Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com
If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.
Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.
Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.
- Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
- Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
- Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
- Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE
Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…
Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.
For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.
If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).
Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.
- Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
- Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
- Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
- Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com
If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.
Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.
Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.
- Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
- Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
- Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
- Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME & SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL DELUXE
Welcome to another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. This week, Microsoft is giving Xbox 360 owners another double dose of action with the releases of Every Extend Extra Extreme and Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, so let’s get right to it and take a look at our two contestants…
Every Extend Extra Extreme is the latest iteration in the Every Extend series, and promises to provide players with more of the music-based, chain-blasting action fans of the previous games have come to expect. One perk found in the Xbox 360 version will be the ability to stream your own music to the 360 for use in the game, which should add a great deal of variety depending on what kind of music you choose to use.
For those of you who are completely lost at this point, let me explain… Every Extend Extra Extreme is a game where the actual frequency of enemies and the timing of the combos players can make is controlled by the music being played in the game. The premise is simple – players sacrifice their onscreen avatar by crashing into the enemies on screen, thereby setting off a chain reaction of explosions that generate their score. Naturally, the longer and more complex the chain reaction is, the more points the player scores.
If you’re still confused, my advice is to try the demo available in the Xbox Live Marketplace or download Every Extend, the original freeware game, for your PC to see if this is a game worth your 800 points ($10).
Title: Every Extend Extra Extreme
Developer: Q Entertainment Inc.
Publisher: Q Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Not available
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The latest creation by Q Entertainment, EVERY EXTEND EXTRA EXTREME (E4) is a unique action-packed shooter. Time your self-destruction perfectly, create chain reactions by exploding enemies, and extend the game life. Enjoy a trippy, trancey clubbing experience through the combination of highly addictive gameplay, music, and sharp visuals. E4 features five exciting game modes as you collect bonus items and detonate your craft to the beat to multiply your scores.
- Wildly fun gameplay: Unique, fun, addictive gameplay mixed with hip and cool original music offers a club-like experience in the living room.
- Next-gen challenge and graphics: Outrageous visuals and high-quality sound add to the richness of the gameplay. There are a hundred times more enemies, a hundred times more chain reactions, and a stylish collection of newly designed visualizers all exploding in high definition with 5.1 surround sound support.
- Multiple game modes: Play E4 The Game Unlimited, a reverse action-shooter where the goal is to self-destruct, create large chain reactions of explosions by defeating enemies, and extend the life of the game by collecting the items they leave behind. Other game modes include E4 The Game Limited, that challenges with a Time Attack version of the main mode. Take on R4 The Revenge, a genuine shooter with up to 100 stages. And go head to head in H4 Versus Live, against other players on Xbox LIVE®.
- Your own music: Add your own music in the S4 Wiz Ur Muzik mode. Enjoy a customized E4 gameplay experience by adding your own tracks and playing to your favorite music." – Xbox.com
If Every Extend Extra Extreme didn’t sound like your kind of game, then perhaps Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, a remake of the 1991 game of the same name, will be more to your liking.
Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is a futuristic sports game where players in an enclosed arena attempt to score by throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal. Those are the entire set of rules – how your team does that is entirely up to them, meaning that violence is sure to ensue. I don’t have much first-hand knowledge of this game, so I’m going to highly recommend that you try the demo before shelling out the required 800 points ($10) to purchase this one.
Title: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Empire Interactive, LTD.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/17/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"In the year 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league called Speedball to settle their deadly disputes. Get your steel ball into the opponent’s goal. That’s it, there are no other rules, and anything goes. The sport becomes quite popular, but it is also extremely dangerous. Ten years later, Speedball becomes the national sport with sponsors, professional teams, and insanely brutal action.
Now, the Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive bring you the legendary futuristic sports game Speedball™ 2: Brutal Deluxe completely remastered for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play the fast-paced and utterly brutal game with its classic 2-D graphics, or go full on with the new super-enhanced high definition 3-D visuals. Smash your way to the top of the league in the solo game or go head to head locally or on Xbox LIVE. The game features 32 teams, 4 leagues, cup and knockout competitions, team enhancements, management and training options, and Ranked Preset or Ranked Career games.
- Updated classic: Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe brings you both the original version with its violently fast action and 2-D graphics, and the exciting new high-def enhanced 3-D graphics for players and arenas.
- Multiplayer mode: Win as many professional matches as you can, join the upper leagues, and unlock new content in the online store. Play locally or on Xbox LIVE. Compete head to head in friendly or ranked matches.
- Expanded gameplay: The solo game includes 32 teams, league championship, cup and knockout competitions.
- Management options: Use your management skills to train your players or buy star players as you mount your challenge for the championship." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I can sum it up pretty shortly with the following statements… If you don’t already own Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for another system, you really owe it to yourself to pick it up for the Live Arcade – it’s every bit as addictive as it’s handheld cousins. As for Yaris, it’s a very rare thing for me to say that a free game isn’t worth the time to download, but Yaris accomplishes that feat quite well. It just isn’t even worth the hard drive space it occupies.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – PUZZLE QUEST: CHALLENGE OF THE WARLORDS & YARIS
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays returns to the two-game format this week with the release of the ever-addictive Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords and Yaris, a free combat racing game sponsored by Toyota.
We’ll open with a look at Puzzle Quest, the game that has already taken the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP by storm. Puzzle Quest is a highly addictive mix of classic puzzle-game strategy with a heavy dose of RPG gameplay built in. As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of this game and have spent more than a few hours playing it on the DS.
The gameplay premise itself is simple – the game presents a standard map-based RPG experience until the player becomes involved in combat. Once facing an enemy, the game switches to a puzzle grid where players take turns moving colored orbs around to create groups of three or more. Based on the color of the matched orbs, players will either do damage to their opponent or gain magic points related to the color that can be sued to cast spells or use special abilities. As you can imagine with an RPG, items and allies found during your adventures can help tip the balance in your favor for each fight.
The game is one of the higher priced Xbox Live Arcade releases, but at 1,200 points ($15) it’s actually the cheapest version of the game available on any system – and if you don’t already own it on another system, it’s one hell of a bargain.
Title: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Developer: Infinite Interactive
Publisher: D3 Publisher of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 1200 points ($15)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords™ delivers, for the first time ever, classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good versus evil. Challenge your puzzle skills in single-player campaign mode, or battle your friends in multiplayer action. Experience a puzzle game with role-playing elements. It’s like nothing you’ve played before.
- Unique gameplay: Classic puzzle gameplay is enhanced with the addition of RPG-style character and story elements. The game is incredibly simple to learn for casual players, with seasoned gamers able to utilize deeper strategies.
- Quests: For the first-time ever in a puzzle game, embark on an epic single-player campaign comprising more than 150 challenging quests.
- Role-playing game elements: Create and build a persistent hero from one of four unique classes. Gain skills, spells, weapons, and more over the course of the game. Customize your characters to give them an advantage in battle.
- Battles and conquest: Build your empire as you capture cities, build castles and gain a party of companions that will aid you in battle. Battle other warlords for supremacy in multiplayer mode." – Xbox.com
Next up, we’ve got Yaris, a free combat racer where players can battle it out across eight different tracks… oh hell, let’s face it – this one is an advergame from the folks over at Toyota. I really don’t have high hopes for it at all, and the best thing I can find to say about it is that it’s free. Free is always good.
Title: Yaris
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: Free
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Cartoon Violence
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Hop into a Toyota Yaris and drive it on crazy tracks loaded with stubborn obstacles, cool powerups, and intense enemy action. The relentlessly twisted courses in Yaris might have loops or even be tube-shaped, but the Yaris never has to worry about sliding off track, as it defies gravity by scaling side-walls and going all topsy-turvy. Equip your Yaris with an arsenal of weapons to take out your adversaries, but be careful to avoid enemy fire, because once your shields are depleted, so is the game.
- Customizable cars: Drive either a Yaris Sedan, Sports Sedan, or the Liftback. Collect coins on the track and outfit your Yaris with weapons, shields, and tire configurations.
- Game modes: Race and take out your enemies in either single player or player vs. player game mode.
- Wild tracks: Drive on eight different tracks of progressive difficulty.
- FREE download: Yaris is a free Xbox LIVE® Arcade game. Play it today.
- Gallery feature: Browse through the game’s cast of characters, including all the Yaris cars.
- Twelve new achievements and new Leaderboard: Twelve new achievements to unlock, and a new Xbox LIVE® Arcade leaderboard for you to dominate. Get in your Yaris and drive!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release, Tetris Splash, as expected it was… well, Tetris. There’s really not much else to say about that, now is there?
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – PUZZLE QUEST: CHALLENGE OF THE WARLORDS & YARIS
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays returns to the two-game format this week with the release of the ever-addictive Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords and Yaris, a free combat racing game sponsored by Toyota.
We’ll open with a look at Puzzle Quest, the game that has already taken the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP by storm. Puzzle Quest is a highly addictive mix of classic puzzle-game strategy with a heavy dose of RPG gameplay built in. As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of this game and have spent more than a few hours playing it on the DS.
The gameplay premise itself is simple – the game presents a standard map-based RPG experience until the player becomes involved in combat. Once facing an enemy, the game switches to a puzzle grid where players take turns moving colored orbs around to create groups of three or more. Based on the color of the matched orbs, players will either do damage to their opponent or gain magic points related to the color that can be sued to cast spells or use special abilities. As you can imagine with an RPG, items and allies found during your adventures can help tip the balance in your favor for each fight.
The game is one of the higher priced Xbox Live Arcade releases, but at 1,200 points ($15) it’s actually the cheapest version of the game available on any system – and if you don’t already own it on another system, it’s one hell of a bargain.
Title: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Developer: Infinite Interactive
Publisher: D3 Publisher of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 1200 points ($15)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords™ delivers, for the first time ever, classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good versus evil. Challenge your puzzle skills in single-player campaign mode, or battle your friends in multiplayer action. Experience a puzzle game with role-playing elements. It’s like nothing you’ve played before.
- Unique gameplay: Classic puzzle gameplay is enhanced with the addition of RPG-style character and story elements. The game is incredibly simple to learn for casual players, with seasoned gamers able to utilize deeper strategies.
- Quests: For the first-time ever in a puzzle game, embark on an epic single-player campaign comprising more than 150 challenging quests.
- Role-playing game elements: Create and build a persistent hero from one of four unique classes. Gain skills, spells, weapons, and more over the course of the game. Customize your characters to give them an advantage in battle.
- Battles and conquest: Build your empire as you capture cities, build castles and gain a party of companions that will aid you in battle. Battle other warlords for supremacy in multiplayer mode." – Xbox.com
Next up, we’ve got Yaris, a free combat racer where players can battle it out across eight different tracks… oh hell, let’s face it – this one is an advergame from the folks over at Toyota. I really don’t have high hopes for it at all, and the best thing I can find to say about it is that it’s free. Free is always good.
Title: Yaris
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: Free
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Cartoon Violence
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Hop into a Toyota Yaris and drive it on crazy tracks loaded with stubborn obstacles, cool powerups, and intense enemy action. The relentlessly twisted courses in Yaris might have loops or even be tube-shaped, but the Yaris never has to worry about sliding off track, as it defies gravity by scaling side-walls and going all topsy-turvy. Equip your Yaris with an arsenal of weapons to take out your adversaries, but be careful to avoid enemy fire, because once your shields are depleted, so is the game.
- Customizable cars: Drive either a Yaris Sedan, Sports Sedan, or the Liftback. Collect coins on the track and outfit your Yaris with weapons, shields, and tire configurations.
- Game modes: Race and take out your enemies in either single player or player vs. player game mode.
- Wild tracks: Drive on eight different tracks of progressive difficulty.
- FREE download: Yaris is a free Xbox LIVE® Arcade game. Play it today.
- Gallery feature: Browse through the game’s cast of characters, including all the Yaris cars.
- Twelve new achievements and new Leaderboard: Twelve new achievements to unlock, and a new Xbox LIVE® Arcade leaderboard for you to dominate. Get in your Yaris and drive!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release, Tetris Splash, as expected it was… well, Tetris. There’s really not much else to say about that, now is there?
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – PUZZLE QUEST: CHALLENGE OF THE WARLORDS & YARIS
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays returns to the two-game format this week with the release of the ever-addictive Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords and Yaris, a free combat racing game sponsored by Toyota.
We’ll open with a look at Puzzle Quest, the game that has already taken the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP by storm. Puzzle Quest is a highly addictive mix of classic puzzle-game strategy with a heavy dose of RPG gameplay built in. As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of this game and have spent more than a few hours playing it on the DS.
The gameplay premise itself is simple – the game presents a standard map-based RPG experience until the player becomes involved in combat. Once facing an enemy, the game switches to a puzzle grid where players take turns moving colored orbs around to create groups of three or more. Based on the color of the matched orbs, players will either do damage to their opponent or gain magic points related to the color that can be sued to cast spells or use special abilities. As you can imagine with an RPG, items and allies found during your adventures can help tip the balance in your favor for each fight.
The game is one of the higher priced Xbox Live Arcade releases, but at 1,200 points ($15) it’s actually the cheapest version of the game available on any system – and if you don’t already own it on another system, it’s one hell of a bargain.
Title: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Developer: Infinite Interactive
Publisher: D3 Publisher of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 1200 points ($15)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords™ delivers, for the first time ever, classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good versus evil. Challenge your puzzle skills in single-player campaign mode, or battle your friends in multiplayer action. Experience a puzzle game with role-playing elements. It’s like nothing you’ve played before.
- Unique gameplay: Classic puzzle gameplay is enhanced with the addition of RPG-style character and story elements. The game is incredibly simple to learn for casual players, with seasoned gamers able to utilize deeper strategies.
- Quests: For the first-time ever in a puzzle game, embark on an epic single-player campaign comprising more than 150 challenging quests.
- Role-playing game elements: Create and build a persistent hero from one of four unique classes. Gain skills, spells, weapons, and more over the course of the game. Customize your characters to give them an advantage in battle.
- Battles and conquest: Build your empire as you capture cities, build castles and gain a party of companions that will aid you in battle. Battle other warlords for supremacy in multiplayer mode." – Xbox.com
Next up, we’ve got Yaris, a free combat racer where players can battle it out across eight different tracks… oh hell, let’s face it – this one is an advergame from the folks over at Toyota. I really don’t have high hopes for it at all, and the best thing I can find to say about it is that it’s free. Free is always good.
Title: Yaris
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: Free
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Cartoon Violence
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Hop into a Toyota Yaris and drive it on crazy tracks loaded with stubborn obstacles, cool powerups, and intense enemy action. The relentlessly twisted courses in Yaris might have loops or even be tube-shaped, but the Yaris never has to worry about sliding off track, as it defies gravity by scaling side-walls and going all topsy-turvy. Equip your Yaris with an arsenal of weapons to take out your adversaries, but be careful to avoid enemy fire, because once your shields are depleted, so is the game.
- Customizable cars: Drive either a Yaris Sedan, Sports Sedan, or the Liftback. Collect coins on the track and outfit your Yaris with weapons, shields, and tire configurations.
- Game modes: Race and take out your enemies in either single player or player vs. player game mode.
- Wild tracks: Drive on eight different tracks of progressive difficulty.
- FREE download: Yaris is a free Xbox LIVE® Arcade game. Play it today.
- Gallery feature: Browse through the game’s cast of characters, including all the Yaris cars.
- Twelve new achievements and new Leaderboard: Twelve new achievements to unlock, and a new Xbox LIVE® Arcade leaderboard for you to dominate. Get in your Yaris and drive!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release, Tetris Splash, as expected it was… well, Tetris. There’s really not much else to say about that, now is there?
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – PUZZLE QUEST: CHALLENGE OF THE WARLORDS & YARIS
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays returns to the two-game format this week with the release of the ever-addictive Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords and Yaris, a free combat racing game sponsored by Toyota.
We’ll open with a look at Puzzle Quest, the game that has already taken the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP by storm. Puzzle Quest is a highly addictive mix of classic puzzle-game strategy with a heavy dose of RPG gameplay built in. As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of this game and have spent more than a few hours playing it on the DS.
The gameplay premise itself is simple – the game presents a standard map-based RPG experience until the player becomes involved in combat. Once facing an enemy, the game switches to a puzzle grid where players take turns moving colored orbs around to create groups of three or more. Based on the color of the matched orbs, players will either do damage to their opponent or gain magic points related to the color that can be sued to cast spells or use special abilities. As you can imagine with an RPG, items and allies found during your adventures can help tip the balance in your favor for each fight.
The game is one of the higher priced Xbox Live Arcade releases, but at 1,200 points ($15) it’s actually the cheapest version of the game available on any system – and if you don’t already own it on another system, it’s one hell of a bargain.
Title: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Developer: Infinite Interactive
Publisher: D3 Publisher of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 1200 points ($15)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords™ delivers, for the first time ever, classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good versus evil. Challenge your puzzle skills in single-player campaign mode, or battle your friends in multiplayer action. Experience a puzzle game with role-playing elements. It’s like nothing you’ve played before.
- Unique gameplay: Classic puzzle gameplay is enhanced with the addition of RPG-style character and story elements. The game is incredibly simple to learn for casual players, with seasoned gamers able to utilize deeper strategies.
- Quests: For the first-time ever in a puzzle game, embark on an epic single-player campaign comprising more than 150 challenging quests.
- Role-playing game elements: Create and build a persistent hero from one of four unique classes. Gain skills, spells, weapons, and more over the course of the game. Customize your characters to give them an advantage in battle.
- Battles and conquest: Build your empire as you capture cities, build castles and gain a party of companions that will aid you in battle. Battle other warlords for supremacy in multiplayer mode." – Xbox.com
Next up, we’ve got Yaris, a free combat racer where players can battle it out across eight different tracks… oh hell, let’s face it – this one is an advergame from the folks over at Toyota. I really don’t have high hopes for it at all, and the best thing I can find to say about it is that it’s free. Free is always good.
Title: Yaris
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/10/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: Free
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) – Cartoon Violence
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Hop into a Toyota Yaris and drive it on crazy tracks loaded with stubborn obstacles, cool powerups, and intense enemy action. The relentlessly twisted courses in Yaris might have loops or even be tube-shaped, but the Yaris never has to worry about sliding off track, as it defies gravity by scaling side-walls and going all topsy-turvy. Equip your Yaris with an arsenal of weapons to take out your adversaries, but be careful to avoid enemy fire, because once your shields are depleted, so is the game.
- Customizable cars: Drive either a Yaris Sedan, Sports Sedan, or the Liftback. Collect coins on the track and outfit your Yaris with weapons, shields, and tire configurations.
- Game modes: Race and take out your enemies in either single player or player vs. player game mode.
- Wild tracks: Drive on eight different tracks of progressive difficulty.
- FREE download: Yaris is a free Xbox LIVE® Arcade game. Play it today.
- Gallery feature: Browse through the game’s cast of characters, including all the Yaris cars.
- Twelve new achievements and new Leaderboard: Twelve new achievements to unlock, and a new Xbox LIVE® Arcade leaderboard for you to dominate. Get in your Yaris and drive!" – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release, Tetris Splash, as expected it was… well, Tetris. There’s really not much else to say about that, now is there?
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TETRIS SPLASH
You knew it had to be coming eventually, didn’t you? Tetris Splash, yet another take on Alexey Pajitnov’s classic game, comes to the Xbox Live Arcade today, and well… it’s Tetris.
I think at this point in time, you’d be hard pressed to find just about anyone who plays games at all and doesn’t know what to expect from this title. What I’m trying to say here is that you probably already know whether or not you’re going to pick this one up regardless of what I say in the next few paragraphs. It’s ok, I understand – no need to apologize.
Tetris Splash promises to not only let you play the standard game of Tetris, but to throw a few new game modes into the mix. Based on the product description, that will include team based games for up to six players in addition to the usual one and two player modes. Are those modes going to be enough to justify spending 800 points ($10) on yet another version of Tetris? Well, that’s up to you, isn’t it?
In the event that you have been living under a rock or have been in a coma since 1986, a demo will be available via the Xbox Live Marketplace to aid in your purchasing decision.
Title: Tetris Splash
Publisher: Tetris Online, Inc
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 10/03/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 / 2-6
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
“The most popular electronic game of all time is back, with new variants, enhanced graphics, and beautiful aquatic playscapes inTetris® Splash! Since its introduction,Tetris has gone from Russian sensation to worldwide phenomenon, attracting more than 60 million enthusiastic players. Thanks to its unique, simple randomness, it’s never the same game twice. Now, with new modes and team play, Tetris Splashintroduces even more exciting, enjoyable ways to play this classic favorite. As easy to learn as it is addictive, it’s equally fun for the casual player and the seasoned Tetris pro!
- Modes of play: Three different modes of play including Tetris, T-Spin, and Combo, plus a unique screensaver mode.
- Multiplayer: Playable solo, competitively or in teams, with an online multiplayer mode via Xbox LIVE® for up to six players.
- New twists: New, enhanced graphics, and beautiful aquatic backscapes add a real splash to the fun of Tetris.
- Content and themes: Exciting downloadable content will be made available including themes and background aquatic creatures.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements to master and conquer. ” – Xbox.com
Since there was no new Xbox Live Arcade release last week (the only thing Microsoft put out in the middle of Halo 3 mania was a Bomberman Live add-on pack), I’ve got nothing else for you. Move along, nothing to see here.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – GEON: EMOTIONS
Ahoy me hearties, it be another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, and those scallywags at Microsoft be bringing us some buried treasure. Aye, this week we be getting our hands on Strawdog Studios Geon: Emotions.
Now I be the first to be tellin’ ye that I be havin’ no idea what this one be about. There be no doubt in me mind, that the description of Geon that Xbox.com be serving up be the biggest pile of manatee leavings that I be ever seeing. From what little scuttlebutt I could find at the bottom of Davy Jones Locker, the game be something in the lines of that rascal Marble Blast Ultra, but I really can’t be bein’ sure.
Me advice to you matey, is to be sure to be downloading the demo of this one before ye be putting down any of ye hard earned swag on the game. There just be too many questions about what ye should be expectin’ to find here. I tell ya, it be like part of an old salt’s treasure map – a mystery to be sure.
So grab your best serving wench and have a grog on me as we look at the scurvy-ridden Xbox.com product description of Geon: Emotions.
Title: Geon: Emotions
Developer: Strawdog Studios Ltd
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/19/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Love it? Hate it? Does it make you angry? Does it calm you down? Feel the energy of powerful emotions as you compete amongst your opponents to master the unique sport of Geon: Emotions. What’s your strategy going to be? Will you choose to spread fear among the other players, or unleash a wave of bliss over them with the aim of subverting their cause? Play to your emotional strengths. Allow your dark side to dominate, or win through speed, courage, and style. You can be the master of Geon, but you must learn to use your emotions to your advantage.
- A different game: Geon: Emotions is something different, a fast-paced abstract sports game that lets you explore your emotions as you compete against opponents.
- Next-gen graphics: The razor sharp visuals are accompanied by a pulse-pounding soundtrack.
- Game modes: Perfect your skills in a head-to-head duel or try the time attack to win medals and unlock mini-games. Then, go multiplayer on Xbox LIVE with up to four players and let it all hang out on the emotional battlefield.” – Xbox.com
Some of ye may be wonderin’ about that treasure we done found last week. Well, let me telling ya boys, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 be a damn fine retelling of that old tale, full of adventure and mystery. Those of ye who used to sail with Cap’n Genesis and be longing for the good ‘ol days before the pirate’s sunset should be digging this booty up right quick. Arrrr.
- Talk Like a Pirate Day – Original website
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day – Wikipedia
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2
Looks like we’re getting quite a few Sega Genesis titles these days, doesn’t it? While it still remains to be seen if this will be a rare one-title week, Microsoft has confirmed that Sega’s Genesis classic Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be making it’s Xbox Live Arcade debut today.
Sonic 2 introduced the world to Sonic’s sidekick Tails, a fox who, oddly enough, had two tails and could use them to hover like a helicopter. The game also saw the introduction of Sonic’s now famous Spin Dash attack – a move that allowed Sonic to spin quickly in place and then release all that energy in a massive burst of speed. By default, the player will play the game as Sonic with a AI driven Tails tagging along, however players did also have the option to either play as Sonic or Tails by themselves.
This one is probably my favorite of the Sonic series for reasons of nostalgia, and while Sega has certainly not been treating the Sonic franchise well in recent years, this one harkens back to the days when Sonic truly was an “A list” character. So long as the game doesn’t somehow get ruined in the translation to the Xbox 360, 2D platformer fans will certainly be pleased with this one.
Title: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/12/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“With his new Super Spin Dash and “Tails” the Fox, Sonic is back and better than ever in Sonic The Hedgehog 2! Defy gravity in hair-raising loop-de-loops, bounce like a pinball and race like lightning. Play against friends at home or against others over Xbox LIVE® in this classic game.
- Classic Sonic action: One of the world’s most famous video game characters comes to Xbox LIVE in one of his fans’ favorite titles. Experience the thrill of the fastest hedgehog in the universe.
- Enhanced graphics and sound: The game stays true to the original, but takes full advantage of high-definition graphics, with enhanced sound effects.
- Achievements and leaderboards: Take on the challenge of new achievements to conquer, and use the leaderboards to compare scores among friends and the rest of the Xbox LIVE world.
- Multiplayer: Play with a friend at home, or go online and play Sonic and Tails with the world at large.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s two Live Arcade releases, it really was a disappointing set of titles. As I mentioned, I was never a Fatal Fury fan, so I wasn’t expecting much from Fatal Fury Special at all, but I did have high expectations for Cyberball 2072 – and those expectations were crushed by the lack of a 2 player versus mode. Why Midway chose to go the cheap and easy route and only emulate half of the experience is mind-boggling – though I’m willing to bet it has something to do with the rather unique setup of the arcade machine. (Those of you who never saw Cyberball 2072 in the arcades should note that 2 player versus mode was accomplished by having what was essentially two arcade machines back to back built into one. Each player had their own screen and didn’t have to worry about their opponent being able to look at their play selection.)
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE TWO DAY SALE COMING SEPT 2ND & 3RD
Major Nelson has announced that Microsoft has decided to have a little bit of a Labor Day sale on four of the older Xbox Live Arcade titles. Starting on Sunday, September 2nd and ending on Monday, September 3rd, Dig Dug, Gauntlet, Small Arms and Zuma Deluxe will all be offered for half price.
- Dig Dug – 200 points ($2.50)
- Gauntlet – 200 points ($2.50)
- Small Arms – 400 points ($5.00)
- Zuma Deluxe – 400 points ($5.00)
Hopefully sales for these four titles during the promotion will increase dramatically enough to convince Microsoft to offer price reductions on many of the other older Arcade titles – even if only on a temporary basis.
- Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop – Major Nelson
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – STREETS OF RAGE 2
I guess the folks at Microsoft decided to sneak a second Xbox Live Arcade game in at the last moment… The classic Sega Genesis brawler Streets of Rage 2 has made it’s Xbox 360 debut – with online co-op play.
While I may not have been that excited about Super Puzzle Fighter II, this is one game that I’ll most assuredly be grabbing – so long as it was emulated properly. The game plays in much the same fashion as Capcom’s Final Fight as you take the role of one of four characters who must fight their way through a city gone bad in search of a kidnapped friend. This one is definitely a classic, so I’d at least suggest you download the demo and give it a whirl.
One word of caution: word around the old internet water-cooler is that there are some issues with co-op play over Live right now. If that feature is a deciding factor in your purchase decision, you may want to hold off and make sure the game gets patched before you buy it.
Title: Streets of Rage 2
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/29/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The classic arcade fighting game Streets of Rage 2™ comes to Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Play as Blaze, Skate, Max, or Axel as you attempt to save Adam from the evil clutches of Dr. X. Special fighting moves for characters and unique weapons add to the excitement as you fight your way to the Syndicate’s stronghold.
- Classic arcade fighting action: Each character has special abilities. Learn to use their moves to defeat the enemies and the bosses.
- Unique weapons: Katanas, shuriken, knives, and more are available for the player. Weapons can even be thrown for ranged damage.
- Stellar soundtrack: The music for the arcade version of Streets of Rage 2 by Yuzo Koshiro is widely considered as some of the finest music ever made for an arcade game.
- Achievements: All new achievements to master and improve your Gamerscore. Control the Streets of Rage!" – Xbox.com
Now if only someone would tell Microsoft’s marketing group that Streets of Rage 2 was never released in the arcades.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SUPER PUZZLE FIGHTER II TURBO REMIX HD
This week only sees one Xbox Live Arcade release, but it’s one of the games that many people have been waiting for – Capcom’s Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Remix HD has arrived in the Xbox Live Arcade with several new features to set it apart from it’s predecessors and an 800 Microsoft point ($10) price tag.
I’ve never been a fan of the Puzzle Fighter series, so I really don’t have much enthusiasm for this release, but I’m sure the series has enough fans who are willing to shell out ten dollars for the game. For those unfamiliar with the series, it’s a cross between a puzzle game and a fighter. Players use different combinations of gems to perform attack moves against their opponents. It’s by far more interesting than your standard puzzler, but it’s no Puzzle Quest if that’s they type of experience you’re expecting.
Title: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/29/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"One of the most popular puzzle games of all time is back with high-definition graphics, dazzling elemental effects and a new rebalanced X’ game mode! Super Puzzle Fighter™ II Turbo HD Remix brings together Capcom’s coolest fighting characters to provide extremely addictive puzzle mayhem. Enjoy single-player, local and online versus play, and spectator modes!
- Classic arcade play: The game features all the classic elements from the original arcade game, including traditional X Mode. Think fast on your feet as gems fall into your character’s playfield. Don’t let the stack get too high.
- New X’ Mode: The new X’ Mode has been rebalanced with adjusted drop patterns and damage to level the playing field.
- Y and Z Modes: Y Mode challenges players to connect three or more gems horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Z Mode has you group four adjacent gems and rotate them to join to other same-colored gems.
- Stunning new graphics: Beautifully detailed high-definition backgrounds and character art come from the talented artists of Udon Comics.
- New elemental effects: Gems and Crash Gems interact with dazzling new effects.
- Hidden characters: There’s Akuma, Dan, and more.
- Online play: Get online with Xbox LIVE® and challenge other players to Ranked and Player Matches. Follow your progress on the leaderboards, and try to score the twelve all-new achievements!" – Xbox.com
While I passed on Street Trace: NYC last week, I did pick up Space Giraffe. The best way to look at Space Giraffe is to consider it an advanced version of Tempest mixed with some form of hallucinogen. It’s the type of game you definitely need to play a few times to get a feel for and I’d highly suggest you try the demo to see whether it’s going to be the kind of game you’ll enjoy.
The biggest criticism I have of the title is that the backgrounds tend to be a bit too over the top and detract from the gameplay experience a bit. It would have been a nice addition to the title if the ability to turn off or tone down the backgrounds had been included. Regardless, odds are that if you’re a huge Tempest fan, you’ll get a real kick out of Space Giraffe.
LAZY DAY TRAILERS: PENNY ARCADE ADVENTURES
The Penny Arcade Expo is winding down today, but one of the things to come out of this year’s show is an updated look at Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. In addition to the news that the game will be available in early 2008 for Windows, Mac OS-X, Linux and the Xbox 360 via the Xbox Live Arcade, the gang from Hothead Games debuted a new trailer which shows the game off in a more polished, playable looking form.
Perhaps the biggest news is that the player won’t play as either Tycho or Gabe, but rather will play alongside them with custom created characters. The description of the gameplay itself makes it sound like a cross between an action/adventure title and a traditional turn based role playing game. Word is the game maintains the same edge as the webcomic, so expect the ESRB to hand down a M rating when the time comes.
This one looks like it could go either way at this point, but so far the hands-on impressions coming out of PAX are generally positive. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on this one as more information becomes available.
- Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness – Official site
- Penny Arcade – Official site
- Hothead Games – Official site
- Penny Arcade Expo – Official site
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SPACE GIRAFFE & STREET TRACE: NYC
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade double feature brings two original games to the service as both the highly publicized Space Giraffe and far lesser known Street Trace: NYC make their debuts.
We’ll start off with Space Giraffe by Llamasoft. The game was designed by Jeff Minter, the brains behind the excellent Tempest 2000 – a release on Atari’s ill-fated Jaguar console. Space Giraffe does indeed seem to draw quite a bit from Tempest, and I really can’t wait to see just how the game tries to take that form of gameplay in a new direction. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I am a bit concerned over how the game will control – I know it’s a fairly common theme for me to say that about Xbox Live Arcade releases, but I really do feel it’s something that Microsoft really needs to address.
A few things you should note regarding Space Giraffe. First and foremost, there seems to be some confusion over the pricing of the game. Jeff Minter has stated numerous times that the game is to be priced at 400 points ($5), however the product information page show the cost at 800 points ($10). Be sure to check the price before making any purchase so you aren’t surprised later. In addition, an ESRB rating for the game was not available at this time.
Title: Space Giraffe
Developer: Llamasoft
Publisher: Llamasoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)*
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Space Giraffe features uniquely beautiful graphics and 100 levels of lovingly hand-crafted shoot-em-up action gameplay from the makers of Llamatronand Tempest 2000. Collect power-ups to activate Bonus Rounds and master the strategies necessary to maximize your score on every level!
- Extensive gameplay: Play through 100 levels of shooting and strategy.
- Level design: Enjoy the unique graphical appearance of each level due to the use of the Neon engine.
- Special features: Learn special moves to increase the Bonus Multiplier, and collect power-ups to gain access to the Bonus Round.
- Bonus challenges: Finish all 100 levels to unlock a hidden gameplay mode.” – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Street Trace: NYC. This game seemingly came from out of nowhere, so I’m not all that familiar with it. Based on the promotional video and screenshots I’ve seen of it, I’m guessing that Street Trace is a cross between the SSX and Twisted Metal series. My best advice is to approach this one with caution – be sure to pick up the demo before deciding on a purchase.
Title: Street Trace: NYC
Developer: Gaia Industries
Publisher: Gaia Industries
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/22/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: Rating Pending
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Street Trace:NYC™ is fast-paced street racing and arena combat set against a grim futuristic corporate-controlled environment. Choose one of nine hoverboard-riding street soldiers to carve a plasma trail as you battle and grind through six areas, including abandoned highways and war-torn arenas. Play all of the seven different games in tournaments or exhibition matches, and upgrade your hoverboard and weapons as you play. Master the trials of the Single Player Campaign or compete with up to four players split-screen or up to eight online via Xbox LIVE®.
- A different kind of racing: Race and battle your opponents on decked-out hoverboards in three different arenas and three different street circuits. Grind your hoverboard along metal rails to gain an advantage. Your board’s emissions give passing players a strategic speed boost, allowing those falling behind to rubber-band off the race leaders.
- Numerous game modes: Take on the single player campaign with 18 time trials and five champion tournaments, or go multiplayer with four-player split-screen or up to eight players on Xbox LIVE. Choose from four different arena game types, Flag, Hunter, Chaos, and Takedown, and from three different street game types, Screamer, Chaos, and Street Trace.
- Multiplayer join-in-progress: The Street Trace:NYC lobby shows how many people are playing online, allows players to join tournaments in progress, and to follow games as they progress.
- Decked-out hoverboards: Upgrade your board’s engine, boost, shields and jump capabilities, and use weapons such as lasers, mines, stampede, and rockets. Gotta love rockets.
- Game goals: Earn your spot on the Leaderboards, and gain twelve new Achievements to increase your Gamerscore.” – Xbox.com
That’s it for this week. I know normally I close the week’s XBLA release post with a one or two sentence review of the previous week’s titles, but to be perfectly honest, last week’s games didn’t interest me in the slightest, so I avoided them.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – HEXIC 2 & ECCO THE DOLPHIN
The Xbox Live Arcade returns to it’s two-a-week release format with today’s launch of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin. I can’t say that I’m particularly enthused about either release, as the original Hexic HD (as included on the Xbox 360 HD) bored me to tears – and while I was a huge Sega Genesis fan back in the day, Ecco was a title that would not even rank in my top 25 titles for that system.
That said, I will admit to being completely unaware that Alexey Pajitnov was behind Hexic until I read it in the Xbox.com product description for the game. I guess if you’re going to be a puzzle game and have a pedigree, Pajitnov’s name is the one to have. It’s not going to make me buy the game – or probably even try the demo – but it at least made me think twice. (Mind you, I’m not saying Hexic 2 is going to be a bad game, I’m just saying it’s not my kind of game – if you enjoyed the original Hexic, you’ll probably want to download the trial for Hexic 2 at the very least.)
Title: Hexic 2
Developer: Carbonated Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Building on the success of Hexic HD, Hexic™ 2 brings all-new pieces to the board and a new multiplayer mode, so you can compete with friends in your living room or over Xbox LIVE®.
The basic gameplay is straightforward, familiar, and addictive—just spin a trio of hexes to create a group of three or more matching colors, or build a formation of hexes to create more advanced pieces. Whether you want a relaxing puzzle break or a frantic race against the clock, Hexic 2 has you covered!
- Acclaimed developer: Hexic 2 is another challenging puzzle hit from Alexey Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris®.
- New challenges: All-new special pieces, different formations, and modes keep Hexic 2 challenging even for the veteran Hexic player.
- Multiplayer competition: Amp up the gaming excitement playing multiplayer on the same console or over Xbox LIVE (up to two players) in Battle Mode.
- Easy to learn: The gameplay is straightforward, approachable, and highly addictive.
- Stunning visuals: The game is rendered in full 3-D with stunning special effects such as reflections, glow, and spectacular highlights.” – Xbox.com
I have even less to say about Ecco as I’ve only played the original source material a few times and those brief encounters were enough to tell me it also wasn’t a game for me. As with Hexic 2, your mileage may vary.
Title: Ecco the Dolphin
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/15/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“A terrible storm has swept the family of Ecco the Dolphin from their watery home. Now, Ecco must search for them through a vast underwater world. Danger and adventure awaits you in Ecco the Dolphin™. Use Ecco’s sonar to discover hidden caverns and unlock the secrets of the crystal glyphs. Take on schools of ravenous sharks. Discover the mysteries of the deep, save your dolphin family, and protect the world from the Vortex. The fate of the whole world rests on your fins.
- Huge world to explore: Over 25 giant underwater levels of fighting action and puzzle-solving.
- Intriguing storyline: Solve the mystery of the Vortex and the fate of your dolphin family.
- Real-world movement: Knife through the waters and flip above the waves with animated motions created from real dolphins.
- Classic gameplay: All the classic gameplay from the original console game now brought to the next-gen world of Xbox 360™” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release of Track & Field, I’ve got to say that I found that the game was actually easier to play using the 360’s controller as opposed to the original arcade controls – at least as far as the demo events went. Ultimately, while it was a nice blast of nostalgia for a little while, the demo never convinced me that it was worth shelling out even $5 for. It was one of those games that had I purchased, I knew would have just wound up sitting on my hard drive collecting dust.
The only thing at this point that could change that decision for me would be if several friends grabbed the game and a genuine competition started over the event scores. Yeah, I’m a bit of a nut about that – it still pisses me off whenever I see that I’ve lost the top score or dropped further down on my friend’s list leaderboard.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – TRACK & FIELD
We’re back down to just one new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and it’s one that’s going to take us back to the arcades of 1983. Konami’s Track & Field was a bit of a departure from the norm when it was first released due to it’s relatively simplistic controls, which consisted os just two run buttons and an action button.
For those of you who aren’t retrogamers or older than dirt, Track & Field is an olympic style track game which features the following events; the 100 meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw, the 110m hurdles, the hammer throw and the high jump. Depending on the event, the player rapidly presses both buttons in order to make their on screen avatar run and then use the action button to control the timing and angle of their jump or throw. It’s a combination that not only rewards skill, but also requires physical speed in order to post the best scores.
It’s because of this special control configuration that I question just how well the game will translate to the Xbox 360. Track & Field isn’t the type of game that’s ideally suited to a control pad – so much so that many of the home console versions of the game were made with specialty controllers in mind. Those of us with some form of arcade style controller shouldn’t have a problem, but those with just the standard control pad may face some serious problems staying competitive.
Title: Track & Field
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/08/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"On your mark! Get set! Go! The world title is on the line and you have to compete in six events to cement your legacy as a World Champion. Race the 100m Dash and 110m Hurdles, test your skills with the Javelin and Hammer Throw, and hop to it with the Long Jump and High Jump. Global leaderboards will compare your skills to see where you truly rank in the world. Compete with up to four other athletes on one Xbox® or over Xbox LIVE®. Originally released in 1983, Track & Field was an arcade button-smashing classic, and now you can play it on Xbox.
- Button-smashing multiplayer experience:Compete in events with up to four players in Xbox LIVE Versus Mode. Go head-to-head in the running events. Host your own World Champion party.
- New leaderboards: Track your achievements with all-time and weekly leaderboards for high score, event results, and win/loss ratios.
- Enhanced graphics: Choose either the authentic original graphics or the enhanced graphics including new special effects and hand-painted game sprites and backgrounds.
- Enhanced audio: All music and sound effects have been digitally enhanced to sound richer and deeper.
- Achievements: Twelve new achievements ranging from easy to hard encourage you to become a World Champion atTrack & Field." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, Marathon: Durundal may have been cutting edge when it was first released, but as with Doom, it just doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. The demo itself is pretty much all the nostalgia you’ll need. Spyglass Board Games is a title that you may want to consider if you’re looking to play the included games against a friend online, but the game is a bit too easy as a single player experience. Approach any purchase decision with that fact in mind.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MARATHON: DURUNDAL & SPYGLASS BOARD GAMES
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday continues it’s two-at-a-time streak as Marathon: Durundal and Spyglass Board Games make their debut in the Live Arcade.
We’ll start off with Bungie’s cult-classic Marathon: Durundal. I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a Mac gamer, in fact I’ve only used a Mac a handful of times in my life – and I’m pretty content with that. If I had been a Mac user though, i’d probably have many fond memories of the Marathon series. Released in 1994, Marathon was the Mac’s answer to Doom and was followed one year later by it’s sequel, and the topic of this discussion, Marathon 2: Durundal.
The game opens 17 years after the events of the original Marathon and takes the player to the alien’s homeworld in search of advanced technology. Since I don’t have much more direct knowledge of the game, I’ll leave it to the game’s demo to help you decide if it’s worth your ten dollars.
Title: Marathon: Durundal
Developer: Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 (2-8 via system link/Live)
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: M (Mature – Blood & Gore, Violence)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Seventeen years ago, you survived a vicious Pfhor assault on the U.E.S.C. Marathon. Now you have been awakened by the enigmatic, sentient A.I. called Durandal and sent to an alien world to uncover the mysteries of their advanced technology. In Marathon: Durandal, armed with only a pistol, you are humanity’s last champion!
- Epic story: Exclusive to Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a cult classic first-person shooter (FPS) that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.
- Upgraded visuals: All images in the game have been redrawn in high definition.
- Modern networking: Marathon: Durandal features a new modern networking layer built with Xbox LIVE in mind.
- Superior control: The redesigned controls take full advantage of the Xbox 360 Controller and enhance playing a first-person shooter on a home console." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Spyglass Board Games. There’s not much to say here – it’s Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Mancala in one package. The only thing to really note here is that the game supports both multiplayer over Xbox Live as well as the Xbox Vision Camera. Beyond that, I’m going to guess that you already know whether or not these are games you want to shell out five bucks for.
One word of warning on this one – Freeverse has clearly stated that this is a game designed for casual players. Don’t go in expecting grandmaster level AI in the game’s single player mode.
Title: Spyglass Board Games
Developer: Strange Flavour/Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Spyglass Board Games offers a fun new take on classic board games, like Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi. Play and chat socially on Xbox LIVE®, or play against the computer. Use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to personalize the game board, playing pieces, and video effects. Each game has custom pieces to choose from, such as a rook made of stone, or a furry checkers piece with cute gleaming eyes. Make each game your very own!
- Full featured games: Four classic board games to choose from. Play Chess, Checkers, Mancala, or Reversi.
- Video integration with Xbox LIVE Vision camera: Fully integrated video chat lets you see your opponent. Use the video effects to personalize your game.
- Customizable pieces: Choose custom game pieces that range from traditional marble, to metallic silver, to fuzzy and wiggling gel.
- Twelve achievements: Twelve achievements are offered ranging from easy, such as playing all four games, to more challenging, such as taking all four corners in Reversi." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I passed on Super Contra for the reasons I mentioned in last week’s Live Arcade post, and found Wing Commander Arena to be a complete waste of time. Unless you were a fan of Super Contra in the arcades, avoid both like the plague.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MARATHON: DURUNDAL & SPYGLASS BOARD GAMES
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday continues it’s two-at-a-time streak as Marathon: Durundal and Spyglass Board Games make their debut in the Live Arcade.
We’ll start off with Bungie’s cult-classic Marathon: Durundal. I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a Mac gamer, in fact I’ve only used a Mac a handful of times in my life – and I’m pretty content with that. If I had been a Mac user though, i’d probably have many fond memories of the Marathon series. Released in 1994, Marathon was the Mac’s answer to Doom and was followed one year later by it’s sequel, and the topic of this discussion, Marathon 2: Durundal.
The game opens 17 years after the events of the original Marathon and takes the player to the alien’s homeworld in search of advanced technology. Since I don’t have much more direct knowledge of the game, I’ll leave it to the game’s demo to help you decide if it’s worth your ten dollars.
Title: Marathon: Durundal
Developer: Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 (2-8 via system link/Live)
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: M (Mature – Blood & Gore, Violence)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Seventeen years ago, you survived a vicious Pfhor assault on the U.E.S.C. Marathon. Now you have been awakened by the enigmatic, sentient A.I. called Durandal and sent to an alien world to uncover the mysteries of their advanced technology. In Marathon: Durandal, armed with only a pistol, you are humanity’s last champion!
- Epic story: Exclusive to Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a cult classic first-person shooter (FPS) that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.
- Upgraded visuals: All images in the game have been redrawn in high definition.
- Modern networking: Marathon: Durandal features a new modern networking layer built with Xbox LIVE in mind.
- Superior control: The redesigned controls take full advantage of the Xbox 360 Controller and enhance playing a first-person shooter on a home console." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Spyglass Board Games. There’s not much to say here – it’s Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Mancala in one package. The only thing to really note here is that the game supports both multiplayer over Xbox Live as well as the Xbox Vision Camera. Beyond that, I’m going to guess that you already know whether or not these are games you want to shell out five bucks for.
One word of warning on this one – Freeverse has clearly stated that this is a game designed for casual players. Don’t go in expecting grandmaster level AI in the game’s single player mode.
Title: Spyglass Board Games
Developer: Strange Flavour/Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Spyglass Board Games offers a fun new take on classic board games, like Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi. Play and chat socially on Xbox LIVE®, or play against the computer. Use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to personalize the game board, playing pieces, and video effects. Each game has custom pieces to choose from, such as a rook made of stone, or a furry checkers piece with cute gleaming eyes. Make each game your very own!
- Full featured games: Four classic board games to choose from. Play Chess, Checkers, Mancala, or Reversi.
- Video integration with Xbox LIVE Vision camera: Fully integrated video chat lets you see your opponent. Use the video effects to personalize your game.
- Customizable pieces: Choose custom game pieces that range from traditional marble, to metallic silver, to fuzzy and wiggling gel.
- Twelve achievements: Twelve achievements are offered ranging from easy, such as playing all four games, to more challenging, such as taking all four corners in Reversi." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I passed on Super Contra for the reasons I mentioned in last week’s Live Arcade post, and found Wing Commander Arena to be a complete waste of time. Unless you were a fan of Super Contra in the arcades, avoid both like the plague.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MARATHON: DURUNDAL & SPYGLASS BOARD GAMES
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday continues it’s two-at-a-time streak as Marathon: Durundal and Spyglass Board Games make their debut in the Live Arcade.
We’ll start off with Bungie’s cult-classic Marathon: Durundal. I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a Mac gamer, in fact I’ve only used a Mac a handful of times in my life – and I’m pretty content with that. If I had been a Mac user though, i’d probably have many fond memories of the Marathon series. Released in 1994, Marathon was the Mac’s answer to Doom and was followed one year later by it’s sequel, and the topic of this discussion, Marathon 2: Durundal.
The game opens 17 years after the events of the original Marathon and takes the player to the alien’s homeworld in search of advanced technology. Since I don’t have much more direct knowledge of the game, I’ll leave it to the game’s demo to help you decide if it’s worth your ten dollars.
Title: Marathon: Durundal
Developer: Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 (2-8 via system link/Live)
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: M (Mature – Blood & Gore, Violence)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Seventeen years ago, you survived a vicious Pfhor assault on the U.E.S.C. Marathon. Now you have been awakened by the enigmatic, sentient A.I. called Durandal and sent to an alien world to uncover the mysteries of their advanced technology. In Marathon: Durandal, armed with only a pistol, you are humanity’s last champion!
- Epic story: Exclusive to Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a cult classic first-person shooter (FPS) that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.
- Upgraded visuals: All images in the game have been redrawn in high definition.
- Modern networking: Marathon: Durandal features a new modern networking layer built with Xbox LIVE in mind.
- Superior control: The redesigned controls take full advantage of the Xbox 360 Controller and enhance playing a first-person shooter on a home console." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Spyglass Board Games. There’s not much to say here – it’s Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Mancala in one package. The only thing to really note here is that the game supports both multiplayer over Xbox Live as well as the Xbox Vision Camera. Beyond that, I’m going to guess that you already know whether or not these are games you want to shell out five bucks for.
One word of warning on this one – Freeverse has clearly stated that this is a game designed for casual players. Don’t go in expecting grandmaster level AI in the game’s single player mode.
Title: Spyglass Board Games
Developer: Strange Flavour/Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Spyglass Board Games offers a fun new take on classic board games, like Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi. Play and chat socially on Xbox LIVE®, or play against the computer. Use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to personalize the game board, playing pieces, and video effects. Each game has custom pieces to choose from, such as a rook made of stone, or a furry checkers piece with cute gleaming eyes. Make each game your very own!
- Full featured games: Four classic board games to choose from. Play Chess, Checkers, Mancala, or Reversi.
- Video integration with Xbox LIVE Vision camera: Fully integrated video chat lets you see your opponent. Use the video effects to personalize your game.
- Customizable pieces: Choose custom game pieces that range from traditional marble, to metallic silver, to fuzzy and wiggling gel.
- Twelve achievements: Twelve achievements are offered ranging from easy, such as playing all four games, to more challenging, such as taking all four corners in Reversi." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I passed on Super Contra for the reasons I mentioned in last week’s Live Arcade post, and found Wing Commander Arena to be a complete waste of time. Unless you were a fan of Super Contra in the arcades, avoid both like the plague.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MARATHON: DURUNDAL & SPYGLASS BOARD GAMES
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday continues it’s two-at-a-time streak as Marathon: Durundal and Spyglass Board Games make their debut in the Live Arcade.
We’ll start off with Bungie’s cult-classic Marathon: Durundal. I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a Mac gamer, in fact I’ve only used a Mac a handful of times in my life – and I’m pretty content with that. If I had been a Mac user though, i’d probably have many fond memories of the Marathon series. Released in 1994, Marathon was the Mac’s answer to Doom and was followed one year later by it’s sequel, and the topic of this discussion, Marathon 2: Durundal.
The game opens 17 years after the events of the original Marathon and takes the player to the alien’s homeworld in search of advanced technology. Since I don’t have much more direct knowledge of the game, I’ll leave it to the game’s demo to help you decide if it’s worth your ten dollars.
Title: Marathon: Durundal
Developer: Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 (2-8 via system link/Live)
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: M (Mature – Blood & Gore, Violence)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Seventeen years ago, you survived a vicious Pfhor assault on the U.E.S.C. Marathon. Now you have been awakened by the enigmatic, sentient A.I. called Durandal and sent to an alien world to uncover the mysteries of their advanced technology. In Marathon: Durandal, armed with only a pistol, you are humanity’s last champion!
- Epic story: Exclusive to Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a cult classic first-person shooter (FPS) that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.
- Upgraded visuals: All images in the game have been redrawn in high definition.
- Modern networking: Marathon: Durandal features a new modern networking layer built with Xbox LIVE in mind.
- Superior control: The redesigned controls take full advantage of the Xbox 360 Controller and enhance playing a first-person shooter on a home console." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Spyglass Board Games. There’s not much to say here – it’s Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Mancala in one package. The only thing to really note here is that the game supports both multiplayer over Xbox Live as well as the Xbox Vision Camera. Beyond that, I’m going to guess that you already know whether or not these are games you want to shell out five bucks for.
One word of warning on this one – Freeverse has clearly stated that this is a game designed for casual players. Don’t go in expecting grandmaster level AI in the game’s single player mode.
Title: Spyglass Board Games
Developer: Strange Flavour/Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Spyglass Board Games offers a fun new take on classic board games, like Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi. Play and chat socially on Xbox LIVE®, or play against the computer. Use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to personalize the game board, playing pieces, and video effects. Each game has custom pieces to choose from, such as a rook made of stone, or a furry checkers piece with cute gleaming eyes. Make each game your very own!
- Full featured games: Four classic board games to choose from. Play Chess, Checkers, Mancala, or Reversi.
- Video integration with Xbox LIVE Vision camera: Fully integrated video chat lets you see your opponent. Use the video effects to personalize your game.
- Customizable pieces: Choose custom game pieces that range from traditional marble, to metallic silver, to fuzzy and wiggling gel.
- Twelve achievements: Twelve achievements are offered ranging from easy, such as playing all four games, to more challenging, such as taking all four corners in Reversi." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I passed on Super Contra for the reasons I mentioned in last week’s Live Arcade post, and found Wing Commander Arena to be a complete waste of time. Unless you were a fan of Super Contra in the arcades, avoid both like the plague.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – MARATHON: DURUNDAL & SPYGLASS BOARD GAMES
Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday continues it’s two-at-a-time streak as Marathon: Durundal and Spyglass Board Games make their debut in the Live Arcade.
We’ll start off with Bungie’s cult-classic Marathon: Durundal. I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a Mac gamer, in fact I’ve only used a Mac a handful of times in my life – and I’m pretty content with that. If I had been a Mac user though, i’d probably have many fond memories of the Marathon series. Released in 1994, Marathon was the Mac’s answer to Doom and was followed one year later by it’s sequel, and the topic of this discussion, Marathon 2: Durundal.
The game opens 17 years after the events of the original Marathon and takes the player to the alien’s homeworld in search of advanced technology. Since I don’t have much more direct knowledge of the game, I’ll leave it to the game’s demo to help you decide if it’s worth your ten dollars.
Title: Marathon: Durundal
Developer: Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 (2-8 via system link/Live)
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: M (Mature – Blood & Gore, Violence)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Seventeen years ago, you survived a vicious Pfhor assault on the U.E.S.C. Marathon. Now you have been awakened by the enigmatic, sentient A.I. called Durandal and sent to an alien world to uncover the mysteries of their advanced technology. In Marathon: Durandal, armed with only a pistol, you are humanity’s last champion!
- Epic story: Exclusive to Xbox LIVE® Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a cult classic first-person shooter (FPS) that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.
- Upgraded visuals: All images in the game have been redrawn in high definition.
- Modern networking: Marathon: Durandal features a new modern networking layer built with Xbox LIVE in mind.
- Superior control: The redesigned controls take full advantage of the Xbox 360 Controller and enhance playing a first-person shooter on a home console." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Spyglass Board Games. There’s not much to say here – it’s Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Mancala in one package. The only thing to really note here is that the game supports both multiplayer over Xbox Live as well as the Xbox Vision Camera. Beyond that, I’m going to guess that you already know whether or not these are games you want to shell out five bucks for.
One word of warning on this one – Freeverse has clearly stated that this is a game designed for casual players. Don’t go in expecting grandmaster level AI in the game’s single player mode.
Title: Spyglass Board Games
Developer: Strange Flavour/Freeverse
Publisher: Microsoft
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 8/01/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Spyglass Board Games offers a fun new take on classic board games, like Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Reversi. Play and chat socially on Xbox LIVE®, or play against the computer. Use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to personalize the game board, playing pieces, and video effects. Each game has custom pieces to choose from, such as a rook made of stone, or a furry checkers piece with cute gleaming eyes. Make each game your very own!
- Full featured games: Four classic board games to choose from. Play Chess, Checkers, Mancala, or Reversi.
- Video integration with Xbox LIVE Vision camera: Fully integrated video chat lets you see your opponent. Use the video effects to personalize your game.
- Customizable pieces: Choose custom game pieces that range from traditional marble, to metallic silver, to fuzzy and wiggling gel.
- Twelve achievements: Twelve achievements are offered ranging from easy, such as playing all four games, to more challenging, such as taking all four corners in Reversi." – Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade titles, I passed on Super Contra for the reasons I mentioned in last week’s Live Arcade post, and found Wing Commander Arena to be a complete waste of time. Unless you were a fan of Super Contra in the arcades, avoid both like the plague.
NYLatenite's Gamer's Paradise 