Official Xbox Live Arcade Thread

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Outrun Online Arcade is a strange beast, really. It's a game which you play the same thing over and over - but it's fun. The game technically completes after 5 minutes, with a maximum of 15 for the long way mode.
 
UraMallas said:
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean? There was a sub-section of actual games from the Arcade on the original Xbox?
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Arcade Hits are (permanently) price-dropped XBLA games. Think of it like the digital version of Platinum Hits/Greatest Hits/Players Choice.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/arcadehits/default.htm

Rlan said:
Outrun Online Arcade is a strange beast, really. It's a game which you play the same thing over and over - but it's fun. The game technically completes after 5 minutes, with a maximum of 15 for the long way mode.
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I wonder how they'll handle the trial of that...
 
Skilotonn said:
5.5 because they've seen it all before? What the hell?
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The version is a little pointless though, when Outrun 2 Xbox is BC and looks fantastic while offering more content. I personally found the changes in Coast 2 Coast made the game worse.
 
Sean said:
Arcade Hits are (permanently) price-dropped XBLA games. Think of it like the digital version of Platinum Hits/Greatest Hits/Players Choice.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/arcadehits/default.htm
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Wow, that's awesome. Zuma is tempting me, and hell, even Mortal Kombat is tempting and I haven't been interested in a MK game in years. Anyone have any advice on that MK? Is it crap, or will it scratch my old school MK itch? Too bad Lumines only dropped to 800 points, that's what it should have been to begin with.
 
I don't understand why they axed the mission mode. It was already finished anyways, why not just throw it in.

Certainly would have helped the value proposition for people.

Oh well. Still a great game.
 
any impressions for FLOCK? I wasnt too impressed with the demo unfortunately.

I can just see this game annoying me. I really dont like games with an emphasis on a counting-down clock either. It makes me anxious I dont enjoy the game.
 
Haha Hasbro game night trial is garbage. I tried out connect 4 and after like 2 moves it said trial over. :lol

Also, MS needs some more greatest hits arcade titles.
 
AnEternalEnigma said:
How long did the Connect Four trial last? 20 seconds?
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Hah, I'll have to try that when I get my 360 back.

The last XBLA trial that pissed me off was that robot mech game, World Wars or something. Trial was like 30-40 seconds long and the timer was counting down as you were in a load screen. Completely ridiculous.
 
Hmm, I may be the only one, but I went ahead and bought Galactrix to support II. I'm starting to get into it now. There's a lot of depth here, but there's also a lot that I can see turning people off from liking the game. Hacking leapgates isn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Once you figure out how the hex moves, it becomes more manageable.
 
voltron said:
any impressions for FLOCK? I wasnt too impressed with the demo unfortunately.

I can just see this game annoying me. I really dont like games with an emphasis on a counting-down clock either. It makes me anxious I dont enjoy the game.
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In my opinion it's bad. Really bad. Controlling the sheep is harder than hell and not fun at all. It really is a one-trick pony for 1200. And it feels soulless.

Eggo said:
Hmm, I may be the only one, but I went ahead and bought Galactrix to support II. I'm starting to get into it now. There's a lot of depth here, but there's also a lot that I can see turning people off from liking the game. Hacking leapgates isn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Once you figure out how the hex moves, it becomes more manageable.
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I bought it and I don't like it that much. I hate the new way the pieces come in. It might be that I'm not used to it but I can seem to ever think more than 2 or 3 moves ahead with the new board.
 
Tried Flock and Puzzle Quest Galactrix, neither did anything for me.


When does Space Invaders Extreme come out again? Playing it again on my DS and love it. Want that pumping techno musix on my 5.1 system at home.
 
Mr Jared said:
I'd love to see their reviews of Alien Hominid, Rez HD, Lumines Live, Portal, ect.
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Yeah, tell me about it - by that score, no port, maybe even sequel should get anything above 6...

List it as a negative, sure, but if it doesn't affect the game itself, I see no reason to give it an average (I wouldn't even call that above-average) score...

Aaron said:
The version is a little pointless though, when Outrun 2 Xbox is BC and looks fantastic while offering more content. I personally found the changes in Coast 2 Coast made the game worse.
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Well, it's the best way to release a niche (but awesome) arcade title, without having to deal with physical publishing costs - it satisfies the old fans and brings in new ones as well - although I own both OutRun2 & Coast2Coast on Xbox, it's a great & easy way to bring back a classic...

And seeing as Coast2Coast is the newest version, I guess that's why they went with that instead of the original - I can't remember any of the new changes negatively affecting me though...

twinturbo2 said:
I know, I know, it's a weird complaint, but still, it's 800 points. :D
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800 points that will be well-spent by me as well, but it's way too harsh, even for a port - they're doing quite a bit of upgrades visually, despite there being less content (I'm not even 100% sure of what's in/out of this version)...
 
Eggo said:
Hmm, I may be the only one, but I went ahead and bought Galactrix to support II. I'm starting to get into it now. There's a lot of depth here, but there's also a lot that I can see turning people off from liking the game. Hacking leapgates isn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Once you figure out how the hex moves, it becomes more manageable.
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come talk to us in the official thread, we need more people in there because
GAF hates this game :*(
 
grandjedi6 said:
So what are all the good XBLA games?
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BTW, they're not on the same level of polish as XBLA titles, but you might want to check out some of the better XNA stuff (recommended here) ... or maybe support some of the GAFFers who are involved (no, I'm not, I've just decided it's a cause worth pimping wherever possible :)
 
The game is essentially a port of the Arcade version of OutRun 2 SP DX/SDX - Arcade, Heart attack and Time Trial modes, but with 6 player online as well.
 
Any thoughts on a surprise game released during E3 or a surprise announcement of a game to be released just after E3 (like GeoWars 2)?

I'm thinking maybe Perfect Dark or Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with all of the recent buzz surrounding those two potential XBLA games.

I'd like to see Killer Instinct 1 to celebrate the announcement of KI3... but Rare doesn't seem to live in my fantasy world. :lol
 
Anyone who wants to trade the Warlord achievement (win one XBL match) in Puzzle Quest with me? I wouldn't normally do this, but I'm just missing that one achievement, and I can't find any online games. Since it's just one game for the achievement, it should be done pretty quick (just bring a level 1 character against my level 50 character, and vice versa).

Gamertag: Brakara
 
DrDogg said:
Any thoughts on a surprise game released during E3 or a surprise announcement of a game to be released just after E3 (like GeoWars 2)?

I'm thinking maybe Perfect Dark or Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with all of the recent buzz surrounding those two potential XBLA games.

I'd like to see Killer Instinct 1 to celebrate the announcement of KI3... but Rare doesn't seem to live in my fantasy world. :lol
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I'll get back to that closer to E3, we tend to get clear hints around there. Perfect Dark would certainly be E3 if it is announced, Marvel Vs. Capcom could be E3, it could be CAPTIVATE 09 it could be later.
 
http://www.gamerbytes.com/2009/04/leaked_footage_of_blitz_arcade.php

Half way through last year Blitz Arcade revealed plans to release 5 games to PC and downloadable services. While none of them have yet hit the Xbox Live Arcade one of the titles, CodaChain, was shown a couple of months ago at the Animex Festival in Middlesbrough, UK.

Spotted by the Superannuation tumbler blog, a great source for leaked projects, an off-camera video was captured of the event and put onto YouTube.

CodaChain was originally one of the winners in student game competition Dare To Be Digital in 2005, and was picked up by Blitz late last year. The game has an odd premise - a 3rd-person puzzle game where you must create a chain of people, each person giving new a new ability to overcome obstacles, as well as having a musical element where each character adds a new instrument to the background.

Of the 5 titles announced last year, only Buccaneers has been released, and only for the PC. CodaChain still appears to be working on an Xbox 360, so its safe to say it's still coming. Since this announcement, Blitz have also separately revealed and released PowerUp Forever, and announced Invincible Tiger.
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IRVINE, CALIFORNIA -- APRIL 13, 2009 -- Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it has acquired the worldwide publishing rights for Droplitz, an addictive puzzler that's all about strategically twisting and connecting mismatched dials to save precious droplitz. Just making a single junction is child's play; can you master the art of the combo or will you let your pipes runneth over? Be warned: losing too many droplitz can be hazardous to your ability to win and be awesome. With four different play modes, a variety of board sizes, and infinite replayability, Droplitz promises to drain all your time away.



Droplitz™ drops in late spring for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®Network, Windows PC, and iPhone.





About Droplitz
In a world where spouts at the top of a screen leak drops of liquid, one player will have to spin a series of round dials studded with different types of path formations in order to link those top droppers to the collectors at the bottom of the screen. Four unique play modes. Unlimited replayability. When drops start dripping, dials must spin. Coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360, PlayStation Network, Windows PC, and iPhone near you. No droplitz were harmed in the making of this game.

Key Features*

* Infinitely accessible, instantly addictive -- Turn dials, open paths, and don't let the droplitz go to waste! Casual and hardcore gamers alike will be mesmerized as they rotate and connect puzzle pieces to let the droplitz flow and earn high scores!
* Four unique game modes -- Distinct layers of complexity keep the challenge fresh with Classic, Zendurance, Power Up, and Infection modes! Learn how to deal with sluggish, infected dials; strategically use bombs to clear sections of the game board; speed up the action or just aim for the highest score in a limited amount of time.
* Endless replayability -- The timeless satisfaction of making combos, clearing boards, and earning top scores will keep you coming back for more. Ever increasing speeds and larger boards ensure that there will always be a challenge ahead!
* Compete for high scores -- Online leaderboards and 12 trophies/achievements mean that when you're the best, everyone will know it. Score-based gameplay makes every game a competition to get to the top of the charts!
 
twinturbo2 said:
Not really- it's not OutRun.

Has the official press release for OutRun been put up yet?
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Xbox LIVE® Arcade Now Features Your Favorite Classic Arcade Racer, “OutRun Online Arcade”

Do you miss those long days at the arcade, cruising your way to road race victory? Well, throw your shades on and hop behind the wheel, because the magic of “OutRun” is back thanks to Days of Arcade! “OutRun Online Arcade” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, April 15, adding to a stellar collection of downloadable classic remakes and top pick-up-and-play titles.

Complete with high definition graphics, 15 courses and 10 high-performance Ferrari cars, ”OutRun Online Arcade” lets you hit the winding roads with the top down and the top tracks from yesteryear blaring through your speakers. It’s a new era of racing too; challenge friends to interactive races along pristine beaches and under big city lights via Xbox LIVE. Published by SEGA and developed by SUMO Digital, “OutRun Online Arcade” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points worldwide, excluding Japan. The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details on “Outrun Online Arcade” please visit: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/o/outrunonlinexboxlivearcade/

“OutRun Online Arcade” is part of the Days of Arcade program, which features seven of this season’s hottest Xbox LIVE Arcade titles. For more information, please visit: www.xbox.com/daysofarcade

*Xbox LIVE Gold membership required for online multiplayer.
 
Aaron said:
The version is a little pointless though, when Outrun 2 Xbox is BC and looks fantastic while offering more content. I personally found the changes in Coast 2 Coast made the game worse.
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Not really. One of the reasons I still have my original Xbox is because the framerate in Outrun 2 isn't consistent on the 360.
 
Rlan said:
Outrun Online Arcade is a strange beast, really. It's a game which you play the same thing over and over - but it's fun. The game technically completes after 5 minutes, with a maximum of 15 for the long way mode.
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I have seen this before. Its name is Pac-Man CE. And I love it. :D Perfect for a downloadable game.

Anyone know if the original arcade game is included as an easter egg?
 
Vandal Hearts First Look

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/vandalhearts/news.html?sid=6207815

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Vandal Hearts First Look
By Sophia Tong, GameSpotPosted Apr 13, 2009 11:04 am PT

The M-rated strategy role-playing game series returns with a prequel, and we get our first look.

The original Vandal Hearts came out on the PlayStation more than 10 years ago and its sequel followed just a few years later. It's been a while since we've heard anything about the world of Vandal Hearts, but now Konami is revisiting the bloody series with a prequel, set to be released on Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network. At the Konami event last week, we were able to get a quick look at the game, but unfortunately we weren't able to see much more beyond a battle demo.

The events of Vandal Hearts will take place before the original game, and newcomers will find that this is an excellent starting point if you're new to the series. For those who are familiar with the previous two games, there will be story elements that will provide more insight into the original storyline, given that this was made with the fans in mind. The fighting mechanics should feel familiar to anyone who's played a strategy RPG before; between the story-driven sequences, violent battles are fought and won. Movement is grid-based, so characters are limited to the highlighted squares for each turn. Each character can carry two weapons, so you can shoot a long-ranged bow or make a melee attack with an axe, depending on the situation. Your party (up to six in the game) takes individual turns as they move around the field like chess pieces, trying to find ways to swarm and conquer.

Characters will have affinities to certain job types, but it's up to you to determine which path you want them to specialize in. Some of the features have been streamlined so that you don't have to deal with a ton of menus regarding leveling and statistics. We were told that your characters will develop based on how you use them. For example, if you make a specific character move around the battlefield a lot, eventually his or her movement will increase. If you use a bow and arrow frequently, the character's long-range attacks become stronger. All of this is happening behind the scenes as you play, so you don't have to deal with the micromanaging.

From watching the short battle, it flows like a standard tactical RPG would, but every game varies. Your characters can counter attacks if they've been hit with the same weapon type that they are wielding. If you're standing next to an ally that's low on health, you can use a turn to swap places to try to save him or her from an impending death. Keeping up with the spirit of Vandal Hearts, blood flows liberally--like a fountain--whenever possible.

The art style has a different look and feel than what you're normally used to when it comes to Japanese RPGs. The portraits are like ink cartoons and the environment gives off a more sinister vibe. This is fitting due to the gory nature of the series, but considering that we didn't get to see much, we're waiting to get a more detailed look at the game. No release date has been set yet, but it's supposed to come out later this year on XBLA and the PSN.
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IGN XBLA goes hands-on with Konami's newly announced Puzzle Chronicles

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/972/972150p1.html

April 13, 2009 - The Asharin Empire is in trouble and only one person can save it. Yeah, that person is you. The only way to ensure the survival of your tribe is to undertake a series of quests, squaring off against the Empire in puzzle challenges. As you progress, you'll earn upgrades to your character to do greater damage and cast more powerful spells against your puzzle-obsessed foes. Sure, Konami's Puzzle Chronicles sounds a lot like D3's Puzzle Quest, but we're always game for more addictive puzzle games. But Puzzle Chronicles is going to have a tough time matching up against the champ.

While it is our policy to give games the benefit of the doubt, I'm not going to pretend that Puzzle Chronicles is the type of downloadable game that will blow you away on sight. The art style -- something that almost certainly won't change in the coming months -- looks amateurish. The art, which looks like something I drew in fourth grade, is going to be a major barrier for many gamers. But get past the visuals and there are some promising things.

The puzzle aspect looks like a cross between Puzzle Quest and the Genesis classic Columns. Gems move horizontally across the board and each one is a column of three colors. Match colors on the board and they disappear. There are also symbols on some of the gems, which can be matched to cast spells. At least as far as I could tell. The demo doesn't do a good job of explaining the functions of the puzzle aspects, but it seems fairly similar to Puzzle Quest.


But there are some major differences. Puzzle Chronicles is not turn-based, so the columns of gems are always moving across the board. The board is split in half, with one side being your section, the others your enemy. Performing attacks moves the border closer to your enemy, lengthening your board and shrinking his. Each hit also earns a cheesy animated attack from the graphical representations of your character that stands atop the board.

The tug-of-war nature of the puzzles is a great idea, but I'm not sold on having a horizontal board. After so many years of puzzle games that drop pieces from above, it's not easy to get use to moving puzzles side to side. I'm sure after a few games it will feel natural.

There's more to Puzzle Chronicles than just bad art and puzzle play. There's a world map, which offers up plenty of areas for exploration. Though I didn't get to see the upgrade system, I was told that it's fairly robust and allows players to decide how best to enhance their character. Your character's upgrades are persistent across the various modes (Single-Player, Versus, Quick Battle and Mini-Games), so no matter what you're doing in Puzzle Chronicles, you're always working towards bettering your hero.

Puzzle Chronicles will be available for download on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. Handheld versions are coming for PSP and Nintendo DS, but those may be different than the downloadable offering.
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IGN XBLA goes hands-on with Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/972/972228p1.html

Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment Hands-On
Konami brings the classic RPG franchise back from the dead.
by Hilary Goldstein

April 13, 2009 - Long ago, when the PlayStation One reigned, Konami released Vandal Hearts. A tactical-strategy RPG, Vandal Hearts gained a decent following, but the series disappeared following the release of a sequel in 1999. Ten years later, Vandal Hearts is back, with the same focus on tactical gameplay. A prequel to the original, Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment is expected to be available for download on Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network by year's end.

Vandal Hearts is a turn-based RPG that requires smart use of your resources to win battles against overwhelming odds. The demo I played was set in a swamp in a fairly large map. The map is broken into a grid, which helps determine movement and distance for attacks. But don't think of it like a chess board where one side is marching towards the other. In the demo, the heroes are plopped right into the middle of the map and enemies come from all sides.

It's not an easy battle, as you'll need to figure out a strategy before engaging your undead enemies. Spread your characters too far from each other and you won't be able to take advantage of area-effect healing spells. But you'll also need to identify key enemies to take down quickly (I recommend the spellcasters raising the dead as your #1 target). It may be worthwhile to send your best warrior forward to confront the most annoying enemies or split the team in two. It's really up to you. And this aspect of Vandal Hearts is particularly appealing, because there are almost no strategy games on PSN or XBLA.

Though turn-based, Vandal Hearts has a fairly brisk pace. The menu system is streamlined, allowing for quick selections of actions and the AI doesn't hold things up by taking its time making decisions.

Finally, a decent strategy-RPG for download.
Half of Vandal Hearts is its strategy-based combat, but the other half is all RPG. Set in Sostegaria, the story follows Tobias Martin. For the first time ever in an RPG, an orphan with seemingly no worthwhile skills discovers he has great power and assumes the responsibility of saving the world. Ok, so the premise isn't exactly original, but Flames of Judgment promises to answer some questions old Vandal Heart fans have wondered for the past decade while still being accessible to the many more gamers who are unfamiliar with the series.

As with any RPG worth a damn, Vandal Hearts has an upgrade system for improving the characters in your party. However, Konami chose to simplify the game a bit. You won't have to stress about character management. Instead, experience points are distributed behind the scenes, based on how you utilize each character. Use your bow a lot, and you will naturally get better at it. Make one character the de facto healer and, sure enough, their healing spells will become more powerful.

While the screenshots for Vandal Hearts may not be inspiring, I assure you the game looks better in motion. But, more importantly, this isn't a game about style or looks. It's a tactical RPG on XBLA/PSN. That's an incredibly rare thing. And I am definitely looking forward to spending a bit more time with Vandal Hearts as my demo was far too short, my characters abilities far too limited to really get a sense of what the full game has to offer
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