Official Xbox Live Arcade Thread

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New content for Bomberman? How many packages are out up to now? Bomberman is great, but there are really milking the game with so many expansions (it is hard to justify them). Are any of them worth?
 
Kafel said:
Those are 2 separate games ?

It's the only thing(s) we'll get this week ?
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Technically yes, those are two similar yet separate games bundled together, Atari did the same thing with Centipede and Millipede and no, there is also new Bomberman Live! DLC coming this week.
 
Gowans007 said:
gah :( I thought this was a joke at it would be SWOS

I was wrong.
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I reckon we might see that during Xtival weekend. Might.

Edit: Hang on, that's just been hasn't it? Arse.
 
womp said:
Really?

Have you played the arcade version? At first I thought you had to depress the spinner EACH time you wanted to fire but then quickly discovered you could HOLD it and get auto fire which made the game, IMO, a snap to play.
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Well, no, not on a real arcade cabinet. And it's been quite a few years since I last played it. Either way, I think just pointing where you want to shoot with the right stick is quite a bit easier, and I'm thankful for it as Omega Five has not one but three achievements for clearing the game in one credit.

twinturbo2 said:
Man, Tempest would at least be preferable...
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Tempest is coming too.

Speaking of Stainless and their terrible remakes... In Centipede/Millipede, they halved the amount of rows on screen without adjusting the centipede speed. I bought Missile Command on a stupid whim (I do aim to own every XBLA game just to support the service, though, so whatever) in the hopes that...you know, how do you fuck up Missile Command? But, of course, Stainless managed to succeed in doing so by making the graphics way too vague.

The size of the explosion was impossible to miss in the original, to help you better calculate when and where to bomb. Just good game design. In Stainless' remake, the explosion graphics are extremely weak in opacity and the size is very hard to gauge, making the game 10x harder than it needs to be. It's really too bad that they've finished like the coming 500 games they're remaking for Atari, because they just keep fucking them up. I'm sure Asteroids will have some giant fuck-up in it.
 
It's been a crappy handful of weeks for XBLA (I guess I should try Undertow before I hitch my wagon to that statement)... not early this year crappy, but pretty unexciting, regardless.

Sensible Soccer on Dec. 19 sounds good, though (if a little too far in the future for my liking).
 
I like E4, but I've realized something. If there weren't achievements, I would not buy this game. Why? I'm no expert, seeing as I bought the game today, but I've realized once you get in a certain pattern, it's almost impossible to run out of time (E4 Unlimited and S4). All the challenge goes away. As a matter of fact, all the last games I've played I just let the time run out because I was bored to death. Seeing as my time would never run below a minute, it just wasn't fun anymore. Hell I got to around 35 trillion and realized that was enough. Honestly I bet anyone on GAF could get #1 on the leaderboards for at least those two game types. The question is, who would want to? This seems like the type of game that takes more patience then skill to succeed.
 
SickBoy said:
It's been a crappy handful of weeks for XBLA (I guess I should try Undertow before I hitch my wagon to that statement)... not early this year crappy, but pretty unexciting, regardless.

Sensible Soccer on Dec. 19 sounds good, though (if a little too far in the future for my liking).
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I hear a lot of complaining about the XBLA slump. I looked at the release schedule, and it was only November that was a disappointment. October was a great month for arcade releases: Tetris, Puzzle Quest, E4, Exit, and Mutant Storm Empire. November has been without a must-have game, but at the same time, most people are most likely overloaded with a backlog of retail games this month as well. I hope XBLA has a good december to finish out the year.
 
This hasnt been stressed enough but we need more side scrolling beat em ups

Streets of Rage and TMNT are awesome. Double Dragon not so much

but i want more.
 
aku:jiki said:
Well, no, not on a real arcade cabinet. And it's been quite a few years since I last played it. Either way, I think just pointing where you want to shoot with the right stick is quite a bit easier, and I'm thankful for it as Omega Five has not one but three achievements for clearing the game in one credit.

.
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It is a shame then. Honestly its one of the few arcade games which no port of has ever really nailed the control scheme to. You could flick the spinner and have your character revolve for seconds at a time. :) VERY intuitive and exact control bar none.

The dual analog of the PS2 and XBOX releases still don't do it justice.

fw1.jpg


aku:jiki said:
Speaking of Stainless and their terrible remakes... In Centipede/Millipede, they halved the amount of rows on screen without adjusting the centipede speed. I bought Missile Command on a stupid whim (I do aim to own every XBLA game just to support the service, though, so whatever) in the hopes that...you know, how do you fuck up Missile Command? But, of course, Stainless managed to succeed in doing so by making the graphics way too vague.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately as much as I love Missile Command, unless you have a track ball any port that is done can go to hell. This game plays like complete and utter shit with analog sticks. Its a shame too because I loved the updated graphics for a change in this...Cool Tesla cannon like weapons!

Centipede/Millipede are another waste of points. POINTLESS.

Alas it's not meant to be. I fear for Tempest and especially Warlords. I am DROOLING for Warlords but am really afraid of how the control scheme is going to play out.
 
Chiaroscuro said:
New content for Bomberman? How many packages are out up to now? Bomberman is great, but there are really milking the game with so many expansions (it is hard to justify them). Are any of them worth?
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No ninjas=no sale.
 
Right, found a write up a new game by the name of Shred Nebula by CrunchTime Games has been unveiled.

http://www.xblarcade.com/node/1441

New Independent title revealed

shrednebulalogo While most of us have never heard of CrunchTime Games, that doesn't mean you haven't heard of the titles that the founders have worked on. Boasting people who have worked on such high profile titles as Street Fighter and World of Warcraft, as well as some of my favorite overlooked gems such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Alien Vs Predator, Shred Nebula has certainly earned the right not be overlooked at yet another space shooter.

Instead of going with the twin stick shooter model that seems to be being used on just about every other release these days, Shred Nebula is going for a more dogfight style of game play. Add in the promise of 60 FPS and art assets that rival full retail games, and were starting to get even more excited. I

An interesting tidbit that was also announced was that the game will be using an in-house engine called R.A.K. Engine (Roaming Arcade Killer Engine). Interesting because do you think an independent studio would go through the extra work to develop their own engine, let alone name it, if they were planning on making only one title for XBLA? No, me either
Some screenshots of the game

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/shrednebula/images.html

Official Site here

http://www.shrednebula.com/
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ICallItFutile said:
I like E4, but I've realized something. If there weren't achievements, I would not buy this game. Why? I'm no expert, seeing as I bought the game today, but I've realized once you get in a certain pattern, it's almost impossible to run out of time (E4 Unlimited and S4). All the challenge goes away. As a matter of fact, all the last games I've played I just let the time run out because I was bored to death. Seeing as my time would never run below a minute, it just wasn't fun anymore. Hell I got to around 35 trillion and realized that was enough. Honestly I bet anyone on GAF could get #1 on the leaderboards for at least those two game types. The question is, who would want to? This seems like the type of game that takes more patience then skill to succeed.
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Yeah, I'm fine with the game, but it's not a challenge. I'd love to see them update with an some sort of option that would increase the challenge -- like reducing the shield time or something.

When I play, I only play until I have a lapse in concentration and die... then, I'll let the clock wind down. Sad that you have to make your own rules for a game like this.
 
Sometimes I wish XBLA would be more like PSN where you don't have any expectations so you're not let down week after week. The great games are great but there's so much mediocre shit out for XBLA that it really just pisses me off.
 
Remy said:
I just spoke with Aaron Fothergill, head programmer of Strange Flavour, and pointed him to your post
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Cheers for that. It's been several months since release so I thought the developers might have been done with the game but its great that an update is coming.
 
womp said:
Unfortunately as much as I love Missile Command, unless you have a track ball any port that is done can go to hell. This game plays like complete and utter shit with analog sticks. Its a shame too because I loved the updated graphics for a change in this...Cool Tesla cannon like weapons!

Centipede/Millipede are another waste of points. POINTLESS.

Alas it's not meant to be. I fear for Tempest and especially Warlords. I am DROOLING for Warlords but am really afraid of how the control scheme is going to play out.
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Well, I knew all that going in so I was prepared for it being a more troublesome experience with sticks, but I think the horrid new graphics ruin much more than the lack of a trackball does. And they've changed it from Centi/Milli too -- where you could unlock achievements in either the remake or original so you could skip the horrible remake altogether -- so that now you have to play their shitty remake to get your sweet achievements. Boo Stainless.

xabre said:
Cheers for that. It's been several months since release so I thought the developers might have been done with the game but its great that an update is coming.
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Does anybody really care about Spyglass being patched in like 5 months when Chessmaster is coming out sometime soon, though?
 
Asteroids, really, deserves the whole Pac Man CE treatment. It's such a damn simple concept that if they could do some crazy variation of it like Taito is doing with Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme.

Plus if people can get their hands around Asteroids in this crazy Dual-Analog world :lol
 
aku:jiki said:
Does anybody really care about Spyglass being patched in like 5 months when Chessmaster is coming out sometime soon, though?
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Chessmaster is coming out? When?

I never even knew.
 
xabre said:
Chessmaster is coming out? When?
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Well, as is always the case with XBLA, that's impossible to answer. The version I played looked polished and finished, but it could still be 8 months off because of some glitch I didn't notice.

Above all, I loved it because you can set it to a flat 2D look and just focus on the pieces and not the annoying camera angles and ultra-shiny glass pieces. Just ignore the frills and play some fucking chess. It's what I hated the most about Spyglass; that I could never get the nice overhead angle I want for chess and the focus was more on how shiny the devs made their pieces.

I also enjoyed the little "puzzle mode" where you're put in situations you need to figure out how to get out of. It's a pretty clever type of tutorial, since the puzzles teach you useful moves without you even noticing.

Edit: Oh, and also, Chessmaster is all about timed chess. Thank christ; no more waiting 5 minutes for your opponent to move a pawn.
 
aku:jiki said:
Edit: Oh, and also, Chessmaster is all about timed chess. Thank christ; no more waiting 5 minutes for your opponent to move a pawn.
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Is there no time limit option in spyglass chess? if so that's put me off buying it over the holidays.
 
Looks like someone is telling tales out of school:
Sensible World of Soccer is really good. The controls – with just the left analog stick and the A button – are perfectly precise and the aftertouch gives you the ability to bend the ball in the air and send it home. Slides, tackles and leaps are all done from the same button, and the way the ball sort of but doesn’t really stick to the player’s feet really emulates the way you can’t just change direction in real life. It just feels really good, responsive and fun.
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Edit: LOL, they've changed it to pretend they're talking about the Amiga version. Classic!
 
Latest list from Major Nelson:

Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions)
1 - Undertow
2 5 Screwjumper!
3 7 Shrek-n-Roll
4 1 Switchball
5 2 Word Puzzle
6 - Battlestar Galactica
7 - 3D Ultra™ Minigolf Adventures
8 8 Bomberman LIVE
9 - Bankshot Billiards 2
10 - Alien Hominid HD
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Yea, Chessmaster was never announced till you spoke about it Aku.


Anyway, Eurogamer has the goods on upcoming DLC for Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=88341

Speedball XBLA gets treats(News)

by Rob Purchese Rob Purchese
Game Info:

xbox360 Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe

Publisher:
Empire Interactive

Developer:
Bitmap Brothers

27/11/07 11:57

Empire has revealed plans to release a continual stream of new content for Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe on Live Arcade, a bit like a persistent nosebleed.

The first of these was a Theme Pack to decorate your Dashboard with, which will be followed this week by a bundle of new Arena locations each with three variations to keep things fresh.
Advertisement

Then, in order, we will be treated to a collection of Gamerpics, more superstar players, fresh team strips and a final compilation of Gamerpics. Each will cost between 100 and 150 Points (GBP 0.85 and 1.28).

Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe is a remake of the retro sports gem for Live Arcade. If you really must know, it is a futuristic sports game not too dissimilar to American Football, just with more body armour, less rules, better steroids and an metal Olympic hammer-like ball. It also costs 800 Microsoft points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30).
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AstroLad said:
No better indicator of the relative XBLA drought than that list. No offense to the decent games included on it.
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Like I said in the other thread, though; how can people keep buying BSG, yet it's still completely impossible to find a match? Are they playing through the 20 minute campaign and leaving it at that? Or is the drought hitting so hard that if you were to break down the list into numbers, it'd be like...5 people buying Screwjumper?
 
Nice interview with the Dream, Build, Play XNA winner whos bringing Dishwasher Samurai to XBLA on this weeks 360 Fanboy podcast.

Cant wait for that game, sounds like its really coming along at getting some more depth added to it.
 
aku:jiki said:
Like I said in the other thread, though; how can people keep buying BSG, yet it's still completely impossible to find a match? Are they playing through the 20 minute campaign and leaving it at that? Or is the drought hitting so hard that if you were to break down the list into numbers, it'd be like...5 people buying Screwjumper?
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It's a valid point; would certainly be nice to have sales figures (and they should be easy to compile and accurate) but I don't know of a single DD service that provides them (e.g., Steam, PSN, etc.) unfortunately.
 
aku:jiki said:
Like I said in the other thread, though; how can people keep buying BSG, yet it's still completely impossible to find a match? Are they playing through the 20 minute campaign and leaving it at that? Or is the drought hitting so hard that if you were to break down the list into numbers, it'd be like...5 people buying Screwjumper?
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Or broken matchmaking? Btw, BSG was not on the list the previous week, so it could be just a small temporary surge.
 
Gripshift is offically coming to the XBOX 360 and it is coming in December, at least according to IGN XBOX 360.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/837/837991p1.html

GripShift Heads to Live Arcade
Chalk up another title for the XBLA.
by Erik Brudvig

November 27, 2007 - Gripshift, the arcade racing puzzle game that first released on the PSP back in 2005, is on its way to the Xbox Live Arcade. Though the game was released with visual updates and online multiplayer to the PlayStation Store earlier this year, the Xbox Live Arcade release is being hailed as the "definitive" version by the developers, Sidhe Interactive.

Like the PS3 version before it, those dropping the Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 will find 120 challenge mode levels and updated graphics. 360 owners can also look forward to achievement points, leaderboards and four player online racing and deathmatch modes.
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ESRB Watch

SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam! ValuSoft E Comic Mischief,
Mild Cartoon Violence Xbox 360

Poker Smash Void Star Creations, LLC E Mild Language Xbox 360

Bliss Island Codemasters E Comic Mischief Xbox 360
 
Shard said:
ESRB Watch

SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam! ValuSoft E Comic Mischief,
Mild Cartoon Violence Xbox 360

Poker Smash Void Star Creations, LLC E Mild Language Xbox 360

Bliss Island Codemasters E Comic Mischief Xbox 360
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Can't wait for this one. But the creator has been blogging about everything but the game lately.
 
SickBoy said:
Yeah, I'm fine with the game, but it's not a challenge. I'd love to see them update with an some sort of option that would increase the challenge -- like reducing the shield time or something.

When I play, I only play until I have a lapse in concentration and die... then, I'll let the clock wind down. Sad that you have to make your own rules for a game like this.
Click to expand...

And here I was thinking I was playing the game wrong. I had to force myself to run out of time just because I needed to get some sleep this morning and the game was making me trip balls.
 
Brakara said:
Or broken matchmaking? Btw, BSG was not on the list the previous week, so it could be just a small temporary surge.
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There was an ad for it included in my copy of Mass Effect. I wonder if that caused a sales spike?

If so - expect a ton of XBLA ads in retail games coming up.
 
Shard said:
ESRB Watch

SpongeBob SquarePants Underpants Slam! ValuSoft E Comic Mischief,
Mild Cartoon Violence Xbox 360

Poker Smash Void Star Creations, LLC E Mild Language Xbox 360

Bliss Island Codemasters E Comic Mischief Xbox 360
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Bliss Island? This piece of shit? Why Codemasters, why?

Surely the Codies could work with Blitz Games to make a new Dizzy game? XBLA/PSN is the perfect opportunity.

Dizzy-Treasure-Island-game-cover.jpg
 
doogles said:
Guys, there are like fifty levels for EXIT available for free.

everybody who does not already have it go buy this game now
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Eh, they were excluded from the game we already bought. Not much to call "free" there.
 
doogles said:
Guys, there are like fifty levels for EXIT available for free.

everybody who does not already have it go buy this game now
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Nice i'll get them downloaded, I still need to conker this game, maybe after I've finished the retail rush thats out.
 
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