13 years ago
Joe Danger: Special Edition review (XBLA)
Joe Danger: Special Edition was developed by Hello Games and published by Microsoft. It was released on December 14, 2011 for 1200 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
We saw many great XBLA titles come out last year, but there are always a few titles that get away from us on other medium. From the Pixeljunk series to Fat Princess, PSN has its share of great downloadable games. But one that stuck out the most and you couldn’t blame XBLA for being jealous of was Joe Danger. Now, a year after its release, Xbox 360 owners will finally see that lovable daredevil with Joe Danger: Special Edition.
Protagonist Joe Danger has experienced a rise and fall to his daredevil popularity. Realizing he must get back in the game, he straps on his cape and helmet and straddles his motorcycle again. Fans of Trials HD and Excitebike should take note as the game plays in the style of both classic motorcycle games. But what it represents with its influences, it completely shatters both games in terms of charm, replay value and overall fun.
13 years ago
Voltron: Defender of the Universe review (XBLA)
Voltron: Defender of the Universe was developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by THQ. It was released on November 30, 2011 for 800 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
It’s a trend in not only Hollywood, but also in the game industry across the world. Companies are looking back to their roots, resurrecting franchises, and bringing them to new and old audiences alike. It comes as no surprise, then that the 1980’s anime Voltron would get similar treatment. It was beloved by so many children of that decade, and it’s been the subject of a comeback in the last few years. The original series is available for streaming on Netflix, a 2011 resurrection of the series, entitled Voltron Force currently airs on television, and Voltron has finally graced current-gen consoles in the form of Defender of the Universe.
Voltron: Defender of the Universe is primarily a twin-stick shooter. Players are given control of one of the five Voltron lions, each with a unique special attack and stats. Primary cannons are controlled with the right thumbstick, while the right trigger is used to pounce. Melee attacks can be performed with the right bumper, and the left trigger powers a given lion’s special attack. The Voltron stages are presented as a turn-based/quick time event hybrid.
13 years ago
DLC Quest review (XBLIG)
DLC Quest was developed by Going Loud Studios. It was released November 2, 2011 retails for 80 MSP. A copy of the game was provided for retail purposes.
DLC Quest is a hilarious parody that completely lampoons the entire DLC concept. It contains a great deal of referential humor that goes all the way back to possibly the most infamous DLC: the horse armor. The backbone of the game is platform exploration that allows you to collect coins, meet NPC’s, and find secret passages. It is the collection of coins that allows you to buy the in game DLC packs that cause the game to progress.
13 years ago
Xotic review (XBLA)
Xotic was developed by WXP Games and published by Valcon Games. It was released November 16, 2011 for 800MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
When reading Xotic’s description on Xbox Live it sounds very pretentious, it touts never-before-seen game mechanics and says that “there’s never been a game like this”. Once you play the game you realize this isn’t just boasting for the sake of advertising; it’s in reality a very original game with a highly unique experience. Unfortunately this game is a port from its original PC version, which causes most of its pitfalls and makes an otherwise fantastic game suffer.
13 years ago
Fusion: Genesis review (XBLA)
Fusion: Genesis was developed by Starfire Studios and published by Microsoft Studios. It was released November 9, 2011 for 800 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
Fusion: Genesis certainly isn’t the first game on XBLA to put you in control of a spaceship but it is definitely the most ambitious. While it may not have the scope or freedom of a game like EVE Online it comes closer than you might expect.
After a brief tutorial area in which you are given the basics on controls and combat you are dropped into the world and allowed to go at your own pace. This means taking on missions, joining factions, mining ore and of course buying bigger, better ships. Read More
13 years ago
Burgertime World Tour review (XBLA)
BurgerTime World Tour was developed by MonkeyPaw Games and produced by Konami Digital Entertainment. It was released November 2, 2011 for 800 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
BurgerTime World Tour is a remake of the classic 80’s platformer starring the lovable chef Peter Pepper. The simple concept of making a burger while platforming was intriguing and something no one had honestly really even thought of. In this remake all the classic features that made the original are back: building burgers, evil sausages, killer eggs, jumping pickles and more. As Peter Pepper (or your Xbox Live avatar) you must travel through several large 3D environments across several cities. Also included are boss battles and both local and online multiplayer.
13 years ago
Rewind Review: Costume Quest: Grubbins on Ice (XBLA DLC)
Costume Quest: Grubbins on Ice was developed by Double Fine Productions and published by THQ. It was released on December 21st, 2010 and retails at 400 Microsoft Points.
When Double Fine Productions launched Costume Quest, their Halloween themed RPG last fall, it became an instant classic. With simple yet satisfying gameplay, superb writing, and the charm of a
children’s book, Costume Quest won the hearts of gamers around the world. A few months later, Double Fine followed up by releasing the Grubbins on Ice add-on. This time set during the winter season, Grubbins on Ice takes our group of heroes and puts them far away from home, in the monster’s world of Repugia. The result is a mixture of a very solid offering, and missed opportunities that left us wanting more.
13 years ago
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: Shadow Hunters review (XBLA DLC)
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: Shadow Hunters was developed by FuelCell and Gagne Int’l and published by Microsoft. It was released October 12, 2011 for 400 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
We loved Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet when it came out in August this year. Of the few criticisms we had, one the staff all agreed on was that it was over too quickly. The game had a really great self-contained campaign with a fun multiplayer mode but it could have had more. But now we have more in the form of DLC entitled Shadow Hunters.
The DLC continues right when the story left off as you leave the Shadow Planet and find out more planets have been infected with the Shadow monsters. Now it’s up to you and three co-op buddies to solve the mystery and destroy the rest of the creatures. Does it combine the best elements of campaign and multiplayer or does it feel forced?
13 years ago
War of the Worlds review (XBLA)
War of the Worlds was developed by Other Ocean Interactive and published by Paramount Digital Entertainment. It was released October 12, 2011 for 800 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
You don’t see many book adaptations on Xbox Live Arcade if any at all. But Other Ocean Interactive decided to make a platformer based off one of the most famous novels and radio broadcasts ever with The War of the Worlds. Based off of the H.G. Wells book, you play as Arthur who’s coming home in early 50’s London when the alien apocalypse happens. As you rush through the chaotic streets of pedestrians running for their lives, you must race to find your wife and brother to make sure they’re safe.
The game is a rotoscope animated platformer similar to games like Out of This World or the original Prince of Persia. You must carefully run and jump off platformers at the right time in order to achieve the jump. Coincidentally enough, making precise jumps and movements is actually harder than the aliens themselves and sets us up for what we’ll have to deal with for the entire game.
13 years ago
Guardian Heroes review (XBLA)
Guardian Heroes was developed by Treasure and published by Sega. It was released October 12, 2011 for 800 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.
It’s safe to assume most people who play XBLA games probably have never owned a Sega Saturn, and that’s just sad. It had a great array of titles in the 90’s from Burning Rangers to NIGHTS. Sega has been re-releasing some of its classic Saturn titles this year, like Treasure’s Radiant Silvergun, often with remixed graphics and online multiplayer. Now there’s one more Treasure game to add to the list: Guardian Heroes.
Guardian Heroes is a classic beat-em ‘up, but it had more depth than any regular brawler when it was originally released. Some might say you can see a lot of GH-inspired gameplay in The Behemoth’s Castle Crashers. Does this game live up to its retro accolade or was it better off staying in the past?