Thrillville-Off-the-Rails
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LucasArts classics coming to Steam this Wednesday, July 8
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/breaking-lucasarts-classics-coming-to-steam-this-wednesday/'; LucasArts is poised to deliver a one-two ... err, three punch for classic gaming fans, beginning with tomorrow's PC release of the first chapter of Tales of Monkey Island, titled "Launch of the Screaming Narwhal." Today, LucasArts announced not only the release date for Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition – it's next week, on July 15th – but also the availability of ten LucasArts classics from the back-catalog, to be made available on Steam this Wednesday, July 8! We spoke with LucasArts CEO Darrell Rodriguez, who told us that this is "a passion project" for him as well as his team. "This is the first time these titles have ever been on digital distribution, and it's something we're all very excited about," he told us this morning. "And this is just the beginning." That "beginning" includes ten titles from the LucasArts vaults, including adventure gaming classics like Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure, LOOM, and The Dig. Also included in this first batch of games are Armed and Dangerous, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure, Star Wars Battlefront II, Star Wars Republic Commando, Star Wars Starfighter, and Thrillville: Off the Rails. The press release calls this the "first round of releases" and Rodriguez promises us they've got more in store, including "some bundles that offer some extra value." Those bundles are Steam-only for now, though; a retail package is "something to definitely consider" Rodriguez tells us, though LucasArts has "no plans for them right now." %Gallery-64659%
Joystiq impressions: Thrillville Off the Rails
We all know about Thrillville, the rollercoaster simulator ... but what happens when it goes Off the Rails? Sure, we've got over a dozen new minigames (for a total of over three dozen, according to a LucasArts rep), but we now have the ability to ride your coasters without ever finishing them. Look, we know you're thinking, "Hey Joystiq, isn't that dangerous? Doesn't the law of gravity apply to physics engines, too?" Well you're right but remember: virtual death is only virtually sad. And there were virtually no complications with what we saw. Instead of death, you jump to a loading scene and you're back off the ride. As if it was all just a dream. Even if you aren't saved by the great "Now Waiting" sign in the sky, all coaster participants are given jet packs and parachutes. From our initial impressions, there was a 100% survival rate, but you never know when poor clipping might cause pixelated peril.
