Official Xbox Live Arcade Thread

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Bought E4 yesterday and man is that game full of AWESOME. Took me a few minutes to understand how to play the game, but once you figure out that the explosions act as the melody, then you can figure out when to start a chain and when to cancel the chain(like a break in the melody). Works surprisingly well and you know exactly when a big chain will happpen just by listening to the beat. The music selection is pretty cool and one of them(either the 1st or 4th song) gave me some old school game music vibes. Only bad thing is that there are only 4~6 "offical" songs. The best feature is the "play your own music" feature, which had me adding my own tunes to play with. Ended up trying out Tiesto's "I'm a pirate" and used the manual bpm feature, which was more accurate then the auto feature for this particular song(since he mixes the tempo up a bit). So far my highest score is around 200~300 billion, which gave me a rating of D+. It's gonna take me a while to figure out how to chain up to 1 trillion, which would probably make me average at best. :lol
 
A uniquely stylish and addictive puzzle game, “Exit” will have players using their decision-making skills and quick wit to escape numerous obstacles while rescuing people from more emergencies in over 220 levels. Developed by Taito, “Exit” stars Mr. ESC, the escape artist who goes wherever he’s needed to get people out of the worst predicaments you’ve ever seen. When it comes to escape, nothing’s impossible for Mr. ESC. The game will be available worldwide, with the exceptions of Asia and Latin America, for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E.
• For more details on “Exit,” please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/e/exitxboxlivearcade/default.htm

While you wait for “Battlestar Galactica” and “Exit” to arrive on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, check out the highly anticipated update to “UNO” by Carbonated Games! The free update is available starting today, October 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT) and will introduce the following:

• Big Button Pad Support – The Big Button Pad takes its inspiration from the buzzers used by contestants in countless game shows throughout the years, making it easy for players of all ages and skill levels to get in the game. Four Big Button Pads are included with each copy of “Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action,” a social and engaging movie trivia game launching this November. Players will also be able to use the Big Button Pads to play "UNO" on Xbox LIVE Arcade.
• Concentrated Camera Matchmaking – Xbox LIVE Vision Camera support is better than ever, providing the ability for camera-enabled players to match with other camera-enabled players and maximize the social experience!
• Direct Access to Privacy Settings – Xbox privacy settings are now displayed in-game. With a single button press the Xbox privacy settings launch right to the dashboard.

Also, coming this Wednesday is “Bomb-Up Pack 3,” the third add-on pack for “Bomberman Live,” as well as new downloadable content for “Pinball FX.” For more details please visit www.xbox.com/livearcade.
 
Shard said:
A uniquely stylish and addictive puzzle game, “Exit” will have players using their decision-making skills and quick wit to escape numerous obstacles while rescuing people from more emergencies in over 220 levels. Developed by Taito, “Exit” stars Mr. ESC, the escape artist who goes wherever he’s needed to get people out of the worst predicaments you’ve ever seen. When it comes to escape, nothing’s impossible for Mr. ESC. The game will be available worldwide, with the exceptions of Asia and Latin America, for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E.
• For more details on “Exit,” please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/e/exitxboxlivearcade/default.htm
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My 360 couldn't have chosen a worse time to die. Already missing plenty of games (not that I could afford most of them) and I really want Exit...
 
Mar_ said:
God I suck at it though. There's just something about puzzle games that doesn't agree with how my brain works. There are even times where that little helper arrow pops up pointing at a jewel that can be moved, and I sit there for a minute or so trying to work out what it's going to match up with... Christ.
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There's a few pointers in the Puzzle Quest thread. Basically, you should work bottom-up during normal play, and top-down when forging items and learning new spells (from monsters).

DCharlie said:
well, i can tell you it does - and here`s what i think it does : it can see the gems that are about to drop.

Proof? There will be some obvious 3 skull takes just waiting to be done, but instead of taking those, it takes an innouculous looking 3 chain of blues at the top of the screen that -amazingly- triggers a 4 in a row and THEN it takes the 3 skulls (and no, in a lot of cases it`s not because their magic is based around blues and it was just fluke!)

It just makes too many moves that make no sense given what you can see on the board that always work out. It`s true it`s not "cheating" per se, but it can simply see what you can`t.
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I don't believe this. Yeah, sometimes it doesn't do those obvious skulls. But more often than not, nothing else happens. The AI is actually programmed to be slightly biased in doing moves towards the bottom of the board in order to maximise the chances of a cascade jackpot. Fawkner mentions this in a Modojo interview:

http://www.modojo.com/features/20070606/235/interview_puzzle_quest_lead_designer_steve_fawkner/1/

Shard said:
Also, coming this Wednesday is “Bomb-Up Pack 3,” the third add-on pack for “Bomberman Live,” as well as new downloadable content for “Pinball FX.”
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Sweet, I've been waiting for that!
 
For people having trouble with Puzzle Quest, play Wizard. The fireball spell does 8 damage and any skull it hits gives you +1...but once I figured out that with Hand Of Power (increase battleskill) increases it to +3 (or more depending on your strength, right now it goes up to +5), you can hit an area with 3 skulls and do 15-20 damage every time. Double up on Hand Of Power, it a couple of reds and you can start taking huge chunks of life away. You just need enough damned yellows!
 
Holy hell I'm addicted to Lumines but I suck at it.
The score-based achievements feel so very far away(so far my best is a bit under 200k and that required a lap through basic mode). After awhile the pieces fall so fast I can't even control them =/.

Is the Rockin' Holidays pack tied to your 360's date? Like if I played it around May would I start at the Spring based skins and work my way around?
 
PepsimanVsJoe said:
Holy hell I'm addicted to Lumines but I suck at it.
The score-based achievements feel so very far away(so far my best is a bit under 200k and that required a lap through basic mode). After awhile the pieces fall so fast I can't even control them =/.
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If you really want to feel inferior, download the replay of the top score on 60sec Time Attack. My jaw was on the floor the whole time, it can't be the work of a human. O_O

But hey, you have to be pretty skilled to get through a lap. I'm not even there yet. That dog paw skin is where I always cock up.
Is the Rockin' Holidays pack tied to your 360's date? Like if I played it around May would I start at the Spring based skins and work my way around?
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That would be neat, but... I tend to doubt it.
 
PepsimanVsJoe said:
Is the Rockin' Holidays pack tied to your 360's date? Like if I played it around May would I start at the Spring based skins and work my way around?
Click to expand...

Nope, it just goes through the twenty skins like the normal modes. Some of the skins are amazing though. With me I just enjoy mucking about a few laps and treating it almost like a Rez-like experience, so I love all of the Packs, but Holiday is definitely the best one so far (there are a couple of goofy skins but for the most part they're quite stylish).
 
AstroLad said:
Nope, it just goes through the twenty skins like the normal modes. Some of the skins are amazing though. With me I just enjoy mucking about a few laps and treating it almost like a Rez-like experience, so I love all of the Packs, but Holiday is definitely the best one so far (there are a couple of goofy skins but for the most part they're quite stylish).
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Shit. I keep getting hung up at the one with all of the people skiing. Oh well.

Shig said:
If you really want to feel inferior, download the replay of the top score on 60sec Time Attack. My jaw was on the floor the whole time, it can't be the work of a human. O_O
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The leaderboards make me feel inferior enough already.

AstroLad said:
Ah, okay, have you gotten to the "sketch" one yet? Forget the name and I'm not at home, but it's awesome. Possibly my favorite Lumines skin yet and I have 'em all.
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I believe so..it's nice.
 
PepsimanVsJoe said:
Shit. I keep getting hung up at the one with all of the people skiing. Oh well.
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Ah, okay, have you gotten to the "sketch" one yet? Forget the name and I'm not at home, but it's awesome. Possibly my favorite Lumines skin yet and I have 'em all.
 
beermonkey@tehbias said:
If you want to unlock every skin in a 20-skin pack, is there any way other than playing a single game all the way from skin 1 through skin 20?
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afaik that's the only way (at least the only way I've done it). Kind of prohibitive I suppose, even a "normal" run on Holiday will run you around 300k, so it's a bit of a marathon.
 
AstroLad said:
afaik that's the only way (at least the only way I've done it). Kind of prohibitive I suppose, even a "normal" run on Holiday will run you around 300k, so it's a bit of a marathon.
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Man, I wish there was a save option.
 
Has anyone played Exit on PSP? Is it worth getting excited for?

I am excited about DC for Pinball FX - hopefully it will be four new tables.
 
puzzle quest still keeps on rockin, new lumines packs offer some of the best skins eva, e4 is hypnotic at times, exit's awesomness is days away..it feels good to be xbla gamer lately :D
 
Haha wtf

Against my better judgement I downloaded the 60 second Time attack Replay for Lumines.

Holy fuck...no way I'd ever be able to do that.

What's my record? 49? What's their record? 184? Man whatever.
 
Well, Microsoft finally confirmed the worst kept secret in the gaming universe, that new Arcade SKU, they also announced two new games, none look very appealing.

The news of Xbox 360 Arcade comes as part of a broader initiative by Microsoft to bring the Xbox 360 experience to families everywhere. Microsoft also announced today that it is significantly expanding its catalog of high and standard-definition family fun content that is available on demand direct to the consumer’s living room. This includes the addition of everyone’s favorite characters such as “Bugs Bunny” and “Daffy Duck” from Warner Bros., which will be delivering the first ever “Looney Tunes” cartoons for download on Xbox 360, starting today. In addition, Nickelodeon is adding three new shows to its already large library of more than 300 episodes of TV shows on Xbox LIVE, Microsoft’s premier online gaming and entertainment service, with the inclusion of “Blue’s Clues,” “The Backyardigans” and “iCarly.” “SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam™” (THQ Inc.) and “SHREK-N-ROLL™” (Activision) games will also be available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the place to download games for Xbox 360 over Xbox LIVE, adding more fun for everyone in the family.
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PepsimanVsJoe said:
Holy hell I'm addicted to Lumines but I suck at it.
The score-based achievements feel so very far away(so far my best is a bit under 200k and that required a lap through basic mode). After awhile the pieces fall so fast I can't even control them =/.
Click to expand...

You'll be surprised, but you'll get there. It took me a couple months of playing to get all of the achievements dusted off, but I still remember pretty vividly when I had first gotten the game and thought they would be impossible.

It's a strange game in that after awhile, it just sort of "clicks" and suddenly it's really easy. It's all about keeping your combo going, and beforelong it becomes practically instinctive to line them up in a way that lets you keep going. Then the biggest problem with the game will be that you can just sit there and play for hours without losing, and it all starts to feel too drawn out to be worth picking back up....strange.

Now...granted, the top replays blow my mind, and my score, away too - but if I managed to get all the achievements, I'm sure you can too. Just keep playin', you'll get there. ;)
 
Achievements: Screwjumper!

Time Challenge
10
Successfully complete the first level within par time.

Scrutonian Savior
10
Complete levels 1-5 in normal mode.

Libitino Liberator
15
Complete levels 6-10 in normal mode.

Floratone Freedom
20
Complete levels 11-15 in normal mode.

Screwjumper First Class!
25
Complete levels 16-20 in normal mode.

Triple-Digit Destructo
15
Destroy 100 or more objects in a single level.

Untouchable
10
Take no damage for the duration of an entire level.

Multiplayer Madman
10
Attain first place in an Xbox LIVE game.

The Iron Screwjumper
40
Complete endurance mode.

Speed Freak
15
Complete levels 1-20 in Time Trial Mode.

Leader of the Pack
15
Complete levels 1-13 in race mode.

Mayhemius Maximus
15
Achieve a score of 50,000,000 in any mode.
 
Well, this is certainly becoming a trend, this is the fourth week in a row in which one of the XBLA games is being confirmed ahead of schedule.


Mutant Storm Empire will be released on Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, 31st October, PomPom has told Eurogamer.

It's going to cost 800 Microsoft points, which is about GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30 in old money, and will of course have a demo along with it.

You may remember Mutant Storm Reloaded as one of Xbox Live Arcade's better earlier shooters. Those with even longer memories may remember the original Mutant Storm's popular presence on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 1.
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The new one, Empire, is similar but enjoyably different. Using two-stick shooter controls, it tasks you with blasting your way through 16 levels, full of "beasties" who need to be blown away to make progress.

Its strength lies in the quality of the increasingly devious level design, which changes pace and style often enough to keep you guessing, despite maintaining a sensible difficulty curve.

You can tackle things alone in one of two ways - Adventure mode is a straightforward trek through all 16 levels, with a high score awarded for your best streaks between the loss of the six lives you get per level, and the ability to restart on any unlocked level.

Then on top of that you've got Tally mode, which tasks you with trying to set a top score for each individual level, and then builds an overall score for the entire game out of your best efforts.

There are of course leaderboards, not to mention co-operative modes offline and over Xbox Live, and 12 fairly tricky Achievements to unlock.

So, lots to look forward to. Look out for our verdict nearer release next week.
Click to expand...
 
Masta_Killah said:
Bought E4 yesterday and man is that game full of AWESOME. Took me a few minutes to understand how to play the game, but once you figure out that the explosions act as the melody, then you can figure out when to start a chain and when to cancel the chain(like a break in the melody). Works surprisingly well and you know exactly when a big chain will happpen just by listening to the beat. The music selection is pretty cool and one of them(either the 1st or 4th song) gave me some old school game music vibes. Only bad thing is that there are only 4~6 "offical" songs. The best feature is the "play your own music" feature, which had me adding my own tunes to play with. Ended up trying out Tiesto's "I'm a pirate" and used the manual bpm feature, which was more accurate then the auto feature for this particular song(since he mixes the tempo up a bit). So far my highest score is around 200~300 billion, which gave me a rating of D+. It's gonna take me a while to figure out how to chain up to 1 trillion, which would probably make me average at best. :lol
Click to expand...

The complaint is that the game is actually very easy (and it is). You could probably last forever if you wanted to... I generally shut it off after I've had a mental lapse and I've died -- can't stand everything getting reset.

I think for the people who don't like the difficulty, though, it would be easily fixed by an update or an added option that would allow you to reduce your shields to 1.5 seconds from 3. It wouldn't make it E3, from what I understand, but it would definitely up the challenge...

Me, I'm OK with the game as is... it's really a simple diversion for me... but I think marks in the 8 range are generous (hi IGN and Teamxbox!).
 
Hunahan said:
words
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I think the part that gets to me is eventually I hit a point where the pieces are falling too fast for me to even move them to where they need to be. Guess I'll have to rethink how I play the game. I tend to play more of a "survivalist" when it comes to games...even if it's at the expense of a good score.

Oh and congratulations on getting the full 1,000 in Ridge Racer 6.
 
Looking forward to Mutant Storm Empire next week. It sounds promising. I didn't play the first one, and can't bring myself to spend $10 on it now.
 
Oh man, I had never played Exit before, this is great. Definitely a buy.

I'm glad to have this game and Mutant Storm next week, I don't really "get" a lot of the recent Arcade games everyone on GAF has been so excited about (E4, Space Giraffe, etc.).

Edit: Battlestar Galactica is crap. It may even be worse than Wing Commander Arena. And it made me watch an annoying video twice when I wanted to exit the game.
 
xbhaskarx said:
Oh man, I had never played Exit before, this is great. Definitely a buy.

I'm glad to have this game and Mutant Storm next week, I don't really "get" a lot of the recent Arcade games everyone on GAF has been so excited about (E4, Space Giraffe, etc.).

Edit: Battlestar Galactica is crap. It may even be worse than Wing Commander Arena. And it made me watch an annoying video twice when I wanted to exit the game.
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The game itself is a million miles better than WCA, but it still manages to be utter shite, regardless.
 
BSG is unfortunately crap. I expected this; it looked like too ambitious of a game for the developer and budget and scale of the XBLA. Comes off feeling cheap; sadly, the basic newtonian physics flavored gameplay feels like it has great potential. It does recreate certain elements of the way dogfights look on the TV show.
 
THQ Bringing 4 New Games to XBLA
From IGN: http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/829/829935p1.html

THQ announced it is developing four new games for the Xbox Live Arcade, including SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!, based on the Nickelodeon series.

SpongeBob and Screwjumper, another THQ original XBLA game, will be released sometime in November, THQ said today.

Screwjumper is being developed by Frozen Codebase and involves destroying mining equipment in a freefall environment. Game features include:

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.

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.


Two previously unannounced games, Elements of Destruction and Rocket Riot, are also in the works, but THQ didn't release any addition information about them today.
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Doom 2
Pathways into Darkness
Secret of Monkey Island
TIE Fighter
Mega Man 1-6
Mega Man X-X3
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Mortal Kombat II
Moar UNO decks
Dark Forces
Super Mario Bros. 3 :lol
Marvel vs. Capcom
Perfect Dark
Geometry Wars 2
 
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