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About Stephen Haberman

Stephen Haberman is an avid cross-platform gamer, married, works full-time as a Higher Ed professional and freelances for IGN for their guides team. He is growing his resume as a gaming journalist and working hard to bring both interesting content, and a little bit of personality to his articles. Follow him on twitter @themarriedgamer
Latest Posts | By Stephen Haberman

XBLAFans at New York Comic Con 2011

New York Comic Con has come and gone and we got our hands on a new release and some upcoming games, including a newly announced title. Three Xbox Live Arcade games were on display at the Microsoft booth. There was the recent Robot Entertainment release Orcs Must Die, a welcomed multiplayer demo of Trials Evolution and the newly announced Fusion: Genesis, the first game coming from Starfire Studios. Though our time at the event was limited, we also did get to see the guys from Demiurge Studios and play some more Shoot Many Robots.

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XBLA Sales Analysis: July 2011
13 years ago

XBLA Sales Analysis: July 2011

By  •  News

Gamasutra editor Ryan Langley has released his Xbox Live Arcade sales analysis for the month of July. July marks the start of the Summer of Arcade promotion for 2011, so that …
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Bastion review (XBLA)
13 years ago

Bastion review (XBLA)

Bastion was developed by Supergiant Games and published by WB Games. It will be released on July 20, 2011 for 1200 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.


Bastion is kicking off the Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade on July 20, 2011. This game, the first developed by Supergiant Games, puts you in control of the kid as you make your way through the demolished landscape of the once flourishing city of Caelondia. The Calamity ripped the world apart, and the Bastion is all that’s left. The narrator tells the story of the kid as he works to gather the cores, place them into the monument, and bring more power back to the Bastion. So, is the Bastion worth re-building? Is the tale of the kid worth seeing? Is this the story worth be told?

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Housemarque Interview
13 years ago

Housemarque Interview

 

Developer Housemarque’s Outland has been on XBLA for only a few weeks but has already claimed its place as one of the service’s best games.  We recently interviewed the game’s Lead Designer Aki Raula, so strap yourself in, choose between light and darkness and be sure to dodge those pesky bullet-hell, um, bullets.

XBLAFans: So, Outland has been released and has received glowing reviews. How does that feel?

Raula: It feels like our hard work has been noticed and people appreciate it. We are very happy of the spectacular reception for Outland – it is, and continues to be, beyond our expectations. As a small studio we also hope the review success translates to sales so that we can keep on making great games!

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Bastion getting noticed
13 years ago

Bastion getting noticed

Bastion is a very unique game, and it is not easy to find one this hard to explain. Supergiant Games has made a game that will be built for the player, literally. While the player walks through the level, the walls, floor, items and creatures that populate every room and hallway are stacked in front of him. So, if you were to stop moving, there would be no new areas to go. You would simply see only what has already been laid out in from of you.
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Outland review (XBLA)
13 years ago

Outland review (XBLA)

Outland was developed by Housemarque, and published by Ubisoft. It was released April 27, 2011 for 800 MSP.

Developer Housemarque has made a name for themselves with their previously PSN-exclusive titles Super Stardust HD and Dead Nation. It is nice to see them bring their next title, Outland over the the Xbox Live Arcade. The story focuses on the spirits of Chaos and Balance, who wage war with each other. A hero comes along to help protect the would against this universal divide. You play as that hero, and will need to skillfully maneuver through the changing world. So, is the adventure worth while or is it just a puzzling mess? Here’s our review.

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SFG Beach Volleyball Review (XBLIG)
13 years ago

SFG Beach Volleyball Review (XBLIG)

SFG Beach Volleyball was developed by Stir Fry Games and released on June 7, 2010 for 400 Microsoft Points. A copy was provided by the developer for review purposes.

Are you dying to have some fun in the sun but are either afraid of sand or are a vampire? Stir Fry Games has got you covered with SFG Beach Volleyball. A game featuring those lovable Xbox Live Avatars you have grown so attached to is a no brainer right? Well, with there being a considerable lack of beach volleyball games available, this title may just be what you’re looking for. That is however, if you have some friends to play with. Get your shovel and pale because we’re digging in to this one.

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SFG Soccer Review (XBLIG)
13 years ago

SFG Soccer Review (XBLIG)

SFG Soccer was developed and published by Stir Fry Games. It was released on Xbox Live for 400 Microsoft points on October 30th, 2009.

Leave it to Stir Fry Games to offer the unique indie titles that just about everyone have a little hankering for. SFG Soccer is the simplistic soccer title that many casual gamers looking for a quick fix will consider picking up. Stir Fry has offered a few titles that have featured the ability to play with your avatar. This game however, does not. Without the avatar support, did they come up with a unique and interesting character design?

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Outland coming to XBLA on April 27th
13 years ago

Outland coming to XBLA on April 27th

By  •  News

When the initial reports on Outland surfaced, many believed that developer Housemarque would continue to send their titles exclusively to Sony’s PlayStation Network. They have seen success with Super Stardust …
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SFG Officer Brawlers Review (XBLIG)
13 years ago

SFG Officer Brawlers Review (XBLIG)

Ever got a somewhat back-handed email from a colleague and thought, “I wanna knock that person’s block off”? Well, Stir Fry Games offers a legal alternative. Office Brawlers is a simplistic fighting game where the player takes on colleagues due to simple email misunderstandings. Oh yeah, and players also get to fight Bill Lumberg from Office Space.

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