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Hands-on: PvN Dodgeball's new multiplayer modes
We recently got a chance to play some dodgeball with Blazing Lizard. Specifically, we're talking about the company's new Xbox Live Arcade game, Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball. Even more specifically, we got a chance to try out the game's various multiplayer modes. Those following the game may recall that originally the game was to contain only a no-rules, non-traditional version of dodgeball, but Blazing Lizard decided to delay the title in order to add some more traditional modes. We got to try out both of these new modes as well as the original free form mode known as Combat Dodgeball. Read on for our hands-on impressions of each mode.
XBLA Threefer this week: Shred Nebula, PvN Dodgeball, Gin Rummy
This week on Xbox Live Arcade we get not one, not two, but three new games. Lined up in a row -- like so many ducks -- we have: Shred Nebula (800 / $10) Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball (800 / $10) Gin Rummy (400 / $5) Shred Nebula is a space shooter that utilizes strafing mechanics instead of the twin-stick format we've become used to in games like Geometry Wars. It also boasts online dogfights for 8 players. Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball is ... um ... dodgeball. It now sports three different gameplay modes -- in addition to the single-player story mode -- and can be played by up to 8 players. Finally, there's Gin Rummy, which is ... Gin Rummy. It supports 4 players online and contains six different versions of Rummy. Will any of these wind up on your digital shelf? %Gallery-5889% %Gallery-11478% Source -- Shred Nebula on Xbox.com Source -- Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball on Xbox.com Source -- Gin Rummy on Xbox.com (not live as of this posting)
First Penny Arcade Episode 2 screens
Given that PAX is organized by the creators of Penny Arcade (it's right there in the title, really), it's pretty much the perfect venue to release the first screenshots of Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode Two. For the sake of brevity, let's just call it Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2, mkay? This first batch of screenshots hints at some of the story in Episode 2, namely the sanitarium that's featured briefly in the introduction of Episode 1. Also featured are shots of the game's combat. Sadly, it looks like the game's protagonist (i.e. "You") will not be ditching his or her trusty rake, as we spotted a special attack entitled "A License to Till." Check out all the new screens in the gallery below.[Via Joystiq]%Gallery-31010%
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader learns XBLA in October
THQ has announced that Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade will launch on Xbox Live Arcade this October. While we're eager to test our mettle against digital wunderkinds with the game's 6,000+ questions, we have one overriding fear. What happens when virtual Jeff Foxworthy inevitably attains sentience? We imagine he would come crawling out of the TV* like Samara in The Ring, only instead of destroying our soul with fear, he would do it with recycled stand-up. Just how many gold stars is that worth?*Don't click this link. Seriously.
Zero Punctuation tangles with Braid
The latest Zero Punctuation tackles the time bending XBLA title, Braid. Yahtzee's opinion is somewhat mixed, taking note of the well designed puzzles but also noting that the game reused certain puzzles and that some puzzles require players to restart a level if failed, which Yahtzee describes as a "dick move." Another complaint is leveled at the story, which the review cites as pretentious and unnecessarily confusing. Overall though, the gameplay seems to triumph over any flaws. Check out the video after the break (NSFW due to language).
Meteos heads to Japanese Live Arcade this October
According to 1UP the DS puzzle game Meteos is headed to Xbox Live Arcade in under two months. Developed by Q Entertainment -- the same folks that brought us Lumines Live, Every Extend Extra Extreme and Rez HD -- Meteos is a puzzle game that challenges players to match blocks and blast them off towards an opponents "planet." Like most puzzle games, it's more fun than it sounds. There's just one thing: according to 1UP, Meteos is only heading to the Japanese Xbox Live Arcade as "no US release has been announced yet." Given the track record of Q Entertainment, we're willing to bet that Meteos will release in the US as well. Let's just hope that the Lumines pricing fiasco doesn't come back to haunt us when it does.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers is finally here folks. We spent the better part of our morning putting the game through its paces, and now a new episode of XBLA in Brief to show for it. An old school hack n' slash game with a quirky sense of humor, Castle Crashers definitely deserves notice from long time gamers. Check out our latest episode and find out if it's worth 1200 Microsoft Points.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Poll: Castle Crashers connectivity issues?
With all the hubbub surrounding Castle Crashers this week, we were eager to download our own copy this morning. After trying out the single player campaign it was time to try out some online multiplayer. And that's when the problems started. Try as we might, we simply can't get into an online game. So far, we've managed to get into one game, but that abruptly ended after about a minute with the message that the game was no longer available. We've been reading various comments about it on the web and we've decided to put together a poll to see how everyone's experience has been so far. Give your feedback below.%Poll-18717%
BC Rearmed week one sales exceed 100K
Well good lord. After its first week of availability, Bionic Commando Rearmed has sold 130,000 copies. Capcom's own Ben Judd reported the news on the Bionic Commando blog with the appropriate fervor, saying, "Holy fiddlesticks!" He followed up his elation saying that while the sales pale in comparison to retail titles, 130,000 copies qualifies Rearmed as a "JUGGERNAUT." One of the important and overlooked elements of this story is that Rearmed was made available on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC, so we're not sure exactly what percentage each service pulled. Regardless it's obvious that Rearmed has struck a chord and Judd notes that this proves that gamers do enjoy seeing the games of yesteryear made available again, so long as they are "done right" and for the right price. We couldn't agree more.
Last chance: Win Bionic Commando Rearmed
Only a couple of hours to go before we put an end to our Bionic Commando Rearmed giveaway and pick some winners folks. You have until 12:00 Noon eastern time today to submit your entry, so hurry up and get to it if you haven't already. We can tell you from personal experience that Rearmed is a pretty sweet game. At least it' pretty sweet until you start trying to attain the Elite Commando achievement. Then it becomes an exercise in frustration. But hey, there are three whole difficulties below Super Hard, so there's bound to be one that's right for you! Head over to the official giveaway post and enter.
Bionic Reminder: Win Bionic Commando Rearmed
It's high time we reminded everyone out there that we're giving away five copies of Bionic Commando Rearmed. We've got to give them away, and we figured we might as well give them to our favorite people, our dear readers. So, if you want a crack at winning your very own Bionic Commando Rearmed XBLA redemption code, head over to the official contest post and enter. Don't forget that you can enter once a day, so come back and enter tomorrow to increase your chances. Now get the heck out of here, you nerd!
Fanswag Weekly: Bionic Commando Rearmed [update]
[Update: This giveaway is now closed and the winners have been notified via email. Check your spam boxes, kids!] You know what? Bionic Commando Rearmed is just swell. It's a great game and it deserves a good home. With just a simple comment donation, it could be part of your home. What we're trying to say here is that we've got five (count 'em, five) download codes for Bionic Commando Rearmed to giveaway. What do you have to do to snag one for your very own? Simple, just follow these instructions: The key feature in Bionic Commando Rearmed is, obviously, the bionic claw. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you would do if you had your own bionic claw. Only one comment can be left per calendar day eastern time. Posters of multiple comments during the same calendar day will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until 12:00PM Noon eastern time, Friday, August 22, 2008. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). On Friday, we'll pick five winners via a random drawing. Five winners will receive an Xbox Live redemption code to download Bionic Commando Rearmed, worth $10 each. Complete giveaway rules can be found here
Rocket Riot launches on XBLA this fall
See, it's launching ... because it's a rocket. Get it? Anywho, IGN reports that THQ's Rocket Riot will hit Xbox Live Arcade sometime this fall. Developed by CodeGlue, Rocket Riot is a retro side-scrolling shooter with a very unique aesthetic. Oh, and it has rockets, and lots of other things that explode, all of which will aid you in destroying the fully destructible environments. To top that all of, up to 8 people can play over Xbox Live and up to 4 can play on a single system. So, basically, it's got everything we want in an XBLA game. Let's just hope the actual gameplay is as good as it sounds.[Via Joystiq] Gallery: Rocket Riot
Watch the Mega Man 9 intro in 8-bit glory
Above you'll see the introduction of Mega Man 9, Capcom's return to the Blue Bomber's 8-bit roots. We're still not quite sure what to make of the decision to release a Mega Man game using antiquated graphics and recycling bosses yet again, but we have to admit that the introduction does conjure up some good memories. Hopefully the actual game manages to do the same thing. It would help if it was fun too.Also, keep your eyes out for Chun-Li, who has apparently abandoned her quest to be the strongest woman in the world for a more mundane career.[Via Joystiq]
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Fable II Pub Games and Bionic Commando Rearmed
Hardcore gamers rejoice for Bionic Commando Rearmed is finally here! What's more, it's good. Definitely not for the faint of heart though, so take heed. We also get Fable II Pub Games, which are ... pub games. While they may look simple on the outside, make no mistake because they are very addictive. The only problem: no online multiplayer. That actually applies to Bionic Commando as well, though it does have offline co-op and versus multiplayer. Overall, we've got two solid games this week, and one of them is free if you pre-order Fable II. Check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief to see if either one is worth your hard-earned MS Points.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Mega Man 9 bosses are awfully familiar
Mega Man bosses have have essentially followed the same template since the beginning of the series. There are strong ones (Guts Man, Hard Man), elemental ones (Fire Man, Ice Man), and the weird ones (Clown Man? Seriously?). It seems like coming up with original robot designs is as difficult as the Mega Man series itself, as IGN has taken the liberty of introducing us to three of the new bosses to be featured in Mega Man 9. In no particular order, they are Concrete Man, Tornado Man and Magma Man. We'll let you guess which categories they all belong to. Concrete Man can be seen above. Check out the other two after the break (see if you can guess which one is which!).[Via Joystiq]
Mega Man 9 achievements are mega tough
Anyone that has been gaming for a while knows that Mega Man is a tough series. Many of the original 8-bit entries in the series remain some of the toughest games around. Capcom looks to be honoring that legacy via the achievements in the upcoming XBLA release Mega Man 9, because these achievements are tough. At least they sound like they are. Among the achievements are feats such as completing the game five times in one day (Gamer's Day), clearing the game without dying (Invincible) and defeating every boss using only Mega Man's default weapon (Trusty Sidearm). Yow. Anyone out there who can land all twelve achievments gets our respect.[Thanks, Anonymous]
Shred Nebula warps to XBLA September 3
Crunchtime Games has informed us that their upcoming space shooter Shred Nebula will hit Xbox Live Arcade on September 3. Shred Nebula ditches the now ubiquitous twin-stick shooter design in favor of more traditional flight combat controls. Utilizing thrust-based flying and aiming akin to Asteroids and the classic PC title SubSpace, we're hoping for some epic dogfights. With two single player modes and eight person multiplayer matches that CrunchTime head James Goddard equated with character match-ups in the Street Fighter series, Shred Nebula at least represents something different. On XBLA that's definitely not a bad thing.
Braid is highest rated XBLA game ever, around 28.5K units sold
After only a few days on the market, the time bending platform puzzler Braid has been tearing up the critical charts. According to the official Braid blog, the game is now the highest rated Xbox Live Arcade game yet released. It currently holds a 92 average on Metacritic and 93 on Game Rankings. According to Metacritic, Braid is in fact the tenth highest rated Xbox 360 game. The game edges out Mass Effect and is currently tied with Guitar Hero II and Rock Band. With one more percentage point Braid would become the eight highest rated 360 title.Additionally, the official Braid blog reports that the VGChartz estimate that the game has sold about 28.5 thousand units "seems to be in the right neighborhood" but adds that "a lot more" will be needed before the game becomes profitable. What's the big deal about Braid? Find out in our X3F Insight feature: Why should we care about Braid?
X3F Insight: Why should we care about Braid?
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Why_should_we_care_about_Braid'; Braid has had quite the mixed reaction thus far. Critics universally adore the game. Gamers, on the other hand, are more divided. Some have taken the 1200 Microsoft Point plunge and never looked back. Others see the price as an impenetrable wall or, in some cases, as permission to let Microsoft charge more on future XBLA titles. We decided to take it upon ourselves to make a case for Braid, as it's really one of the best gaming experiences we've had in a while.Read on to see why we should care about Braid.
