Beyond Good & Evil XBLA in 1080p – New Footage
Beyond Good & Evil was a gem lost in a sea of bigger named releases back in 2003. While the game is regarded as one of the best of the last generation of consoles, it was largely ignored by the general gaming audience. I’m a huge fan of the franchise, so I was pleased to hear Beyond Good & Evil was coming back in downloadable form on XBLA and PSN.
I don’t have my last gen consoles anymore, so this is a chance to play one of my favorite games of the original Xbox days with cleaner graphics and added achievements. Apparently the game is native 1080p resolution, so it will be much sharper than previous versions. Hit the jump for new gameplay footage.
Alien Breed 2: Assault Review (XBLA)
Alien Breed 2: Assault is the second of three downloadable games on XBLA by Team17 Software. You don’t have to know about the first game, Alien Breed Evolution to enjoy the newest installment. All you need is the will to survive and a deep-seated hatred for space bugs. You will also need to put down Halo: Reach for like 5 seconds…I’ll wait.
In a seemingly deserted ghost ship, enemies can burst from any wall or hole in the ground, forcing you to constantly be on guard. Running and gunning will serve no purpose except a quick demise. Alien Breed is a game of ammo conservation and cautious exploration. The entire ship is falling apart and infested with critters, so in addition to squashing bugs, you need to avoid fires, explosions, radiation, gun turrets, and other mechanical hazards.
The game draws from an earlier genre of top-down shooters, with the additional ability to switch viewing angles and smooth graphics. While the theme may be a bit retro, the challenge is as current as can be. It’s not breaking any new ground, but Alien Breed is giving you the bang for your buck.
Hydrophobia Review (XBLA)
Hydrophobia was developed by Dark Energy Digital and published by Microsoft Game Studios for XBLA on September 29, 2010. Retails for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15). The publisher provided a copy of the game for reviewing purposes.
After more than three years in development, Hydrophobia is finally available on Xbox Live Arcade to start off this fall’s Game Feast promotion. The result is a fine action adventure game made special because of its impressive water physics, but one that is also far from perfect.
Developed by Dark Energy Digital, Hydrophobia takes place in the near future upon a massive sea-faring city called The Queen of the World, which is taken over by a group of terrorists called the Malthusians. It often resembles BioShock in both theme and setting, but stands out mostly due to the dynamic water physics. Read More
Sonic 4 Hits XBLA October 13th
Sonic the Hedgehog fans, rejoice! (Or tremble in fear.) Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 has an official launch date and price. Your favorite blue, sneaker-clad, ring-toting hero will touch down on Xbox Live Arcade on October 13th for 1200 Microsoft Points.
Sega has promised that Sonic 4 will bring the series back to its roots, hoping that gamers will forget the previous 10+ years of bad spin-offs—no pun intended. The game features old-school sidescrolling platform action and 2D sprites to bring back that classic Sonic flavor. Sonic is the only playable character that has been announced so far, but our fingers are crossed for more…
Sonic 4 has also been announced for iPhone/iPod, PSN, and Wii, supporting motion control on the latter two platforms. On XBLA and PSN, you’ll have the ability to play the game in full 1080p. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a couple extra days for the Xbox version:
- iTunes App Store: October 7
- Wii Shop Channel: October 11, 1500 Wii Points (Oct. 15 EMEA)
- PlayStation Network: October 12, $14.99 / £9.99 / €12.99 (Oct. 13 EMEA)
- Xbox Live Arcade: October 13, 1200 MSP
Sonic Adventure review (XBLA)
Sonic Adventure was developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA. It was released on September 15, 2010 and retails for 800 MSP. A copy was provided for reviewing purposes.
As someone playing Sonic Adventure for the first time on Xbox Live Arcade, I can see why the game was a big deal for its time. It’s a very colorful game that moves smooth and fast, and it has respectable graphics for a game more than 10 years old. However, playing it for the first time also means the game holds no nostalgic memories for me, unlike the Sonic the Hedgehog games for the Sega Genesis. Even if it holds nostalgic value to you, I can’t see anyone playing this game today and having any fun.
Rumor: Odin Sphere and Muramasa HD remakes coming to XBLA
You might not know it yet, but you want these games in HD.
Read More
Top 15 Games that Changed XBLA Forever
Since the Xbox 360’s launch in November 2005, the Xbox Live Arcade has been a driving force in the console’s success. With a library of hundreds of games ranging from casual puzzle games to ports and remastered classics, and from unheard of indie gems to groundbreaking milestones in gaming, the XBLA has become an important place for any type of game to succeed and find an audience.
Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess
Critically acclaimed Playstation Mini title “Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess” is now available for download on Xbox Live Indie Games Channel. Originally exclusive for only the PSP, Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess is an “upwards-scrolling platformer” where players take on the role of the awesome demon known as “The Duke” who must must face-off against enemies he’s fairly certain kidnapped the love of his life. [You can read more about the storyline on the game’s main website.]
The gameplay is fairly simple. Players must ninja-jump up a series of platforms chasing giant fleeing monsters and defeat them by crashing into them three times. As the players successfully bounce on platforms during their chase, they will rack up combos, which will increase The Duke’s speed and give him the ability to unleash overly-exaggerated finishing moves when he defeats the monsters.
Moving upwards is one of the main points in this game, but touching the same platform more than once will stop your combo. Lose your combo too many times, and you’ll never defeat the monster before it reaches the top platform.
Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess features a full story mode, 6 unique stages, colorful and animated cutscenes, artful background graphics, and a great soundtrack anyone can jam out to.
Mediatonic’s co-founder and creative director Paul Croft adds: “Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess was a huge hit for us, both with the media and as our debut on PSP Minis, so we’re proud to have launched its XNA version as our Xbox 360 debut.” He continues; “We’re hopeful Xbox 360 players will take the Duke’s plight to their hearts and will help him hammer those (probably) guilty monsters.”
Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess for Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Indie Games is available now, costing 240 MS Points.
Hit the jump for a cool picture and videos from the game:
Shank Hits XBLA Tomorrow (and PSN today)
Klei Entertainment’s eagerly anticipated 2D brawler has finally arrived—on Playstation Network, anyway…
Read More
Free DLC pack coming for Lara Croft on the Xbox 360
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light arrives this Wednesday, August 18th on Xbox LIVE Arcade for only 1200 Microsoft Points and is sure to be an instant hit. …
Read More