Penny Arcade Adventures is coming along nicely...

Bionic Commando: Rearmed.

Pun intended, I guess. Anyway, THIS is what a port of an old arcade game should look like. Are you paying attention developers? When a game says it has enhanced graphics or extra features over the original, this is exactly what it should be like. Games like Cyberball have the bare minimum and include even less than the original arcade game. It's incredibly annoying and is just laziness on the developer's part.

I'm underwhelmed...

I reported a little while back that Microsoft was going to offer a free Xbox Live Arcade game in order to assuage the hurt sensitivities of Xbox Live users for the recent woes experienced while using the Xbox Live service. It was my opinion that Microsoft should just give us the points and not a specific title. Well, guess what they did? They decided to give us a specific title. It turns out to be none other than Undertow. An underwhelming game that I suspect might not have lived up to sales expectations. Gee thanks, Microsoft. I played the trial version and wasn't thrilled. Here is the press release:

The free XBOX Live Arcade game promised by Microsoft as compensation for the downtime has been announced. Undertow (normally 800 Microsoft Points) will be available to download from Wednesday 23rd January 2008 till Sunday 28th January 2008 for free.

Developed by Chair Entertainment Group, Undertow is one of the highest-rated and best looking games available on Arcade. Undertow redefines aquatic based shooters through a mix of high-definition graphics, intuitive controls and multiple modes of game play action. The game features a full story driven-single player campaign, on and offline co-op, and multiplayer for 2-16 players over Xbox LIVE for Gold subscribers. Players battle for control of the oceans as one of three selectable races, each with four unique, upgradeable units.

Boogie Bunnies

In the latest installment of "I play demos so you don't have to", I would like to take a look at the newly released Xbox Live Arcade game: Boogie Bunnies. One might wonder what would possess me to play a game like this. It's all for YOU dear reader. Plus, there was some morbid fascination when I saw that it was released. Mind you, I played the trial version. I've got your backs, but not that much. Anyway, if you are curious what type of game this is, think of it as a sickly cute version of Astropop. A brace of various color bunnies is arranged on the screen in front of you and your task is to get them off the playing field before they march inexorably forward into a ditch. You do this, but launching a colored bunny so that he ends up next to at least two other same colored bunnies which by some means unexplained, causes them all to be removed from the screen. That sounds pretty much exactly like Astropop except this game has the small twist of allowing the player to launch bunnies from the sides of the screen too. If the bunnies happen to be dancing at the time (hence the name I think) you get bonus points. The whole thing is sickly and cute and is the kind of thing I am sure your girlfriend will love and thus annoy you by taking up valuable Xbox 360 time that could be better spent playing Call of Duty 4. If you like these kinds of games, it is decent but highly unoriginal. Hopefully Sierra Online has better things up their sleeves in the coming months.

Xbox Live Compensation

Rumors have it that Microsoft is going to be compensating Xbox 360 owners with a free Xbox Live Arcade game for the issues that cropped up with Live over the holidays. That is nice and all, but I would rather they just gave us the points so I can buy whatever I want. What if I already have the game they are offering? This is still just a rumor, but I think they could handle it better than giving us some lame Xbox Live Arcade game no one wants.

Hands on with: Arkadian Warriors

When I put up the press release for this game I had no idea it was coming out so soon. This is the kind of thing I have wanted to see on Xbox Live Arcade for a long time. Is it worth it? Maybe. The game gives you three characters to choose from: a Warrior, an Archer and a Sorceress. I have played to level five with a Warrior and have not tried the other two classes. The game plays like Diablo and all of its clones. That is to say, it is very familiar. You get quests in a small town and a gateway opens up to portal you to the quest location. No wandering around trying to find where you are supposed to go with this game! You then proceed to travel through randomly generated dungeons hacking and slashing your way past a veritable cornucopia of monsters. There isn't much strategy to combat, after all it is a Diablo clone. You can find magic items and as you level you unlock various abilities for your class. One odd thing is that when you slash your sword, it doesn't make a sound when it contacts a monster. It feels like you are just swishing it around. Oddly, it does make a sound when you hit other objects. So far the quests have been the standard fare that one sees in these types of games and in MMOs. I think games like Dungeon Runners and Fate are better and I would dearly like to see them on Xbox Live Arcade. This games seems to be a fun diversion and if you are a fan of Diablo/Gauntlet clones then you will enjoy it. You can also link up with a friend to do some coop dungeon exploring. By the way, speaking of Gauntlet, where the hell is Gauntlet 2 for Xbox Live Arcade?

It's like they read my mind... Uh oh.

Arkadian Warriors™
Release Date: December 12, 2007
Studio: Sierra Online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Wanako Games
Number of Players: 1 - 2

Define your legacy… Awaken your inner-beast…

Fight with one of Artemis' three powerful warriors to the ultimate confrontation with Gorgon herself. Spanning treacherous dungeons consisting of countless enemies, heinous and powerful bosses, your warriors will embark on a trek of unimaginable proportions.

* 3 Mighty Warriors – Soldier, Archer and Sorceress – each with unique leveling-up ability

* Monstrous Shape-Shifting Ability – Each Warrior transforms into their own iconic alter ego – Phoenix, Lion or Dragon – with increased power to crush their enemies

* Diverse Dungeon Generator – Never battle enemies in the same dungeon twice.

* Intense Multiplayer Co-Op Action – 2 players online or off






I have been thinking for a while that it would be nice to have a Diabloesque game for Xbox Live Arcade. You know, a nice little dungeon crawl you can pop in to and get your adventuring on for a while, maybe even play with a friend. Looks like Sierra has gone and done just that. The game should be out in a few months. I'll have more on it when it is released.

Rocketmen: Axis of Evil

Take a gander at a cool looking upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title coming soon. Here is blurb and some video:

WizKids’ popular constructible strategy game comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade this fall with Rocketmen: Axis of Evil. In this arcade shooter, players will join the heroes of 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. Up to four players will be able to cooperatively shoot their way through multiple levels, powering up their weapons, picking up bonuses and laying waste to anything that move

Cyberball 2072 coming 9/5

Sweet fancy Moses! Just when my friggin Xbox 360 dies, they announce the immenent release of one of my favorite games of all time! I may have access to another 360 while mine is being fixed so I will keep my fingers crossed. Here is the info:

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!

Cyberball 2072 (400 Microsoft Points)
Rediscover the arcade classic game “Cyberball 2072” from Midway on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your team 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.

Catan: quick impression

I have been slow updating the sight for two main reasons. Catan on Xbox Live and Lord of the Rings Online (yeah I know, I said during beta I wouldn't play the released version -- sue me). Both games have been taking up most of my free time. Add a few multiplayer sessions of Rainbow Six Vegas and I have no time to blog. I'll have a full review of Catan and LOTRO soon, but until then here are some of my thoughts on Catan after playing several games against the computer AI.

Catan allows for multiple ways to play either versus Xbox Live opponents or against the computer AI. If you choose to play against the AI you will be pitted against famous historical figures who have different strategies. Some are expansionists, and some like to go for resource monopolies. Like the board game, you need to have 3 or 4 players. One nit picky thing I noticed is that you can't seem to choose your color. The human player is always white. That was a bit irksome, but I got over it. The game comes with two skins for representing the board. The first is the one we are all used to from playing the board game and the second is called "Living Catan" it is a 3D representation of the hexes. The later skin made it a bit difficult for me to recognize resources although it looked really nice.

Games take quite a bit less time than I am used to from playing the board game. The computer handles all resources and game pieces which I find to be convenient. The AI opponents make their decisions quickly and logically. A nice touch is that the AI will get "mad" at you if you do bad things to it like putting the robber on one of their hexes. If this happens they will likely not trade with you. This is a nice touch and brings back some fond memories of old Catan sessions with friends. So far the games I have played have been competitive and exciting, although the boards have had some really crappy resource layouts. I managed to almost win one game with a monopoly on wheat, but lost ten to nine to "Sun Tsu".

The game is very customizable and allows for many popular house rules. Sessions last an acceptable thirty minutes or so and the AI is logical and competitive. I have yet to make a foray into the Xbox Live portion of the game, but I have heard good things. So far, I am happy with the game and I look forward to playing some of my friends online instead of around a kitchen table. I wonder what their excuse will be when I thrash them now?? I will have a full review up after I have played all portions of the game. Hopefully it will do well enough that we will get the popular Cities and Knights expansion.

Legendary board game "Catan" arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade

Brush up on your plans for expansion and hone your trading strategies because "Catan" is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 this Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).

"Catan" from Big Huge Games is the Xbox LIVE Arcade edition of the legendary multiplayer board game Settlers of Catan. With over 10 million units sold, Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular board games to hail from Europe, and has been translated into twenty-five languages from the original German.

"Catan" for Xbox LIVE Arcade puts players in the role of colonists on a newly discovered island, where they vie for control of valuable territory and resources through strategy and trading. The game can be learned in just minutes, but will challenge players of all skill levels, even the experts!

Klaus Teuber, creator of the original Settlers of Catan board game, had this to say about the collaboration with Big Huge Games: "I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is an amazing achievement."

"Catan" will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.

Game Features

• Learn As You Play tutorial, making the game instantly accessible even to players who have never played "Settlers of Catan" before
• All New 3D "Living World" Board
• Play against any combination of 13 historical personalities such as Alexander, Cleopatra and Tokugawa, which provide a range of play styles and difficulty levels that will test players' wits and strategy
• Fans of the board game will enjoy the inclusion of popular house rules like Friendly Robber and Friendly Resources
• Multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE for up to 4 players
• The ability to taunt opponents with engaging animations and use emotes to compliment (or belittle!) the opposition over Xbox LIVE
• Voice Chat enabled
• Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade and http://www.catanlive.com.

I started off this blog talking about the then "imminent" release of Settlers of Catan for Xbox Live Arcade. Well, happy days it's here! See ya online.