Living LIVE 04.06.09: The 16th Edition
Posted by Trace Aber on 04.06.2009
Review of The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai plus all of the latest DLC, movies, and community events for this week!
Opening Comments
On Thursday there was a Xbox 360 System Update that I'm sure most of you have downloaded by now but might not be sure exactly what the update does. Well, it does not add any new features, but it does address some interruption issues that some Xbox LIVE users may have experienced when playing a limited number of Xbox 360 games.
This week has been filled with a lot of Call of Duty on both the PS3 and 360 version and online and offline modes. COD is my favorite first person shooter, though since I only play a handful that's probably not saying a lot. School started back up for me this week, but only nine more weeks until I'm done with the quarter. I work on campus there though, and that gives me a lot of time to play the games I need to review, so it's almost like I'm getting paid for this job.
That being said, I'm Trace Aber and this is Living LIVE.
Game Marketplace - A weekly look at the arcade games, demos, and add-ons released this week.
The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (800MP)
I believe this game was part of some contest held by Microsoft (the Dream, Build, Play one) and is basically a one-man project. One of the first things you'll notice about this game is the art style - and it's awesome. It seems so far away from a one-man team it's amazing, and you can tell that a lot of time and effort was put into this game. Some have said that this game should be only a community game, but I have to disagree just because you can tell that this is more than a community game once you get into the actual game. The game boasts three different modes which include story, arcade, and dish challenge. Arcade mode consists of short, one-room levels and you are given two weapons and one magic ability. With those, you must kill all of the enemies and each room is themed. Dish Challenge is basically a combo-making mode where you kill enemies and perform powerful combos. You're also given five levels of difficulty and fourteen levels for story mode, which will give you plenty of replay value.
No words can describe how badass this would be in real life
The story is told in a pretty unique comic-book like fashion and helps set the tone of the game. The controls are simple though there are some rough spots when it comes to climbing certain areas - sometimes you just don't know what you can and cannot climb and sometimes it just doesn't work at all. But, overall, the game plays well. There is plenty of blood when you kill and enemy and you can even chop them in half - which for some sick reason makes me feel much better. You can throw, attack, strong attack, and perform special kills which give you a heal bonus. Each weapon also has a bunch of different combos that you can perform and most of them are satisfying. You start out with meat cleavers but after fighting your first boss you will obtain a sword that allows you to teleport around the level, which is always fun to do. All of these move fluid and look great.
During the game you will also encounter Halperbotshops, which sell you your typical items like health and weapons, and, damnit, I really need to unlock thast chainsaw. You can also purchase stat upgrads like max health and skills, so you'll experience some RPG-like elements and this helps to add more depth to the game. There is magic in the game, dubbed Dish Magic, that you can purchase in later levels. This game has a lot going for it and very little going against it. This is a great arcade release and provides plenty of depth sprinkled with some RPG-elements and is a must own for any beat 'em up fan. Recommendation:Highly recommended.
Community Games
A Bomb's Way (200MP)
I'd like to play this game as it looks quirky enough for me to enjoy, but I keep getting an error saying the game has crashed. It's error code 4, by the way. I don't know if I'm the only one having the problem, but I've never seen that error before. If anyone has any advice, please, let me know. Recommendation: N/A
BeatBlox (200MP)
BeatBlox is a puzzle/music hybrid game that has you trying to chain up combos to the beat of the song. The core of the game is fairly simple and should be familar with those that have played puzzle games of the sort, but what really surprises me is the quality of the music in the game (or the demo, at least). In the demo you are given hip-hop and minimal techno stages, but they are both catchy songs that you wouldn't expect from a community game so this is defintely a nice touch. Each song (or stage, really) has it's own BPM and that determines how fast everything will be moving. You can also play time attack and challenge mode in the full version, though I can't comment too much about it on the demo. There is also a jukebox feature which allows you to listen to any song you have beaten in the game, which is a nice little bonus. Overall, BeatBlox is a unique approach to an over-saturated market and for only 200MP is a welcome addition to any puzzle fan's collection. Recommendation: Get it.
Fish Racer Arcade (200MP)
I'm not sure how much of a racer this game actually is, as it's more of a "last fish standing wins" kind of game. But, that's nitpicking. Anyways, this game is a really simple game that sees you and up to three other wish going through a stage in an effort to outlast the other fish. Thankfully, they have added some items and power-ups to make it a tad more interesting. You have a starfish which slows you down and then a barrel that takes you out of the race completely. You can also pick up power-ups that can make you bigger, give you spikes to attack others, etc etc.
No words can describe how angry that jellyfish is at the top of the screen
At the end of each race (which don't seem to last too long, by the way), there is a little animation with the winning wish celebrating, unless it's a draw then you get a starfish saying, "Everybody is a winner" in the most sickingly adorable way ever. That's pretty much all there is to the game, but it doesn't try to be anything else. I'm going to not recommend this game for most of the readers here, but if you have little kids they might enjoy the simplicity and ease of the game, as it does seemed geared more towards children. Recommendation: Only for the children (somebody has to think of them).
Game Add-Ons
Lips
"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (160MP)
"Wish You Were Here" by Incubus (160MP)
"Sugar, We're Going Down" by Fall Out Boy (160MP)
Guitar Hero: World Tour
"Debaser" by the Pixies (160MP)
"Monkey Gone to Heaven" by the Pixies (160MP)
"The Sad Punk" by the Pixies (160MP)
The Pixies Track Pack (440MP)
Avatar - Business Clothes (Free) Male
Blue Formal Shirt
Moleskin Pants
Waistcoat and Shirt
Suit and Tie Female
Pencil Skirt
Slacks
Pinstripe Blazer
Twin Set
Rock Band
"Geraldine" by Glasvegas (160MP)
"C'mon C'mon" by the Von Bondies (160MP)
"Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar
"Don't Stop Believing" by Journey (160MP)
"Where's Gary" by Spongebob Squarepants (160MP)
"The Best Day Ever" by Spongebob Squarepants (160MP)
"I Can't Keep My Eyes Off You" by Spongebob Squarepants (160MP)
Spongebob Squarepants Track Pack (440MP)
Gears of War 2 Snowblind Multiplayer Map Pack (800MP)
This winter-themed pack brings you four Gears of War 2 maps sure to heat up your multiplayer and Horde action. Hunt your enemies down in the snowy day-lit heights or the dark tunnels of Under Hill. The massive industrial complex of Grind Yard gives numerous bunkers for cover, but watch out for snipers high in the flanking buildings. Beware the falling monuments in Courtyard, where wide-open spaces give you plenty of opportunities to gun down your enemies—unless they strike first. And due to fan demand, the popular Gears 1 map Fuel Depot makes its return.
LIVE Activity for week of March 23rd
Xbox 360 Top Live Titles
1 Call of Duty: WaW
2 Halo 3
3 Call of Duty 4
4 Gears of War 2
5 RESIDENT EVIL 5
6 GTA IV
7 FIFA 09
8 Left 4 Dead
9 Halo Wars
10 Fallout 3
Top Arcade Titles
1 UNO RUSH
2 Peggle
3 Castle Crashers
4 Worms
5 UNO
6 CRYSTAL DEFENDERS
7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
8 3 on 3 NHL Arcade
9 A Kingdom for Keflings
10 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Original Xbox Top Live Titles
1 Halo 2
2 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3 Fable
4 Counter-Strike
5 Splinter Cell Chaos
6 Conker: Live Reloaded
7 Doom 3
8 Star Wars: Battlefront
9 Call of Duty 3
10 SW: Republic Commando
Top Community Games
1 RC-AirSim
2 Solar
3 Rumble Massage
4 Aquarium HD
5 DrumKit
6 ZP2K9
7 Remote Masseuse
8 NextWar: The Quest for Earth
9 Little Racers
10 A Fading Melody
Video Marketplace
Herbie Hancock: Possibilities (NA, 240MP) Ordinary music soars to extraordinary heights as gifted keyboardist Herbie Hancock joins forces with a variety of well-known music superstars to offer a completely original listening experience. As Hancock collaborates with such artists as Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Sting, and John Mayer, the cameras are permitted into the studios and behind-the-scenes to show just what happens when some of the greatest music minds of a generation converge.
Tears of the Black Tiger (NA, 320MP With its loud acting style, exuberant sets and stunning shots in pastel colours, this Thai cult film is as much a parody as an homage to the Western and the romantic tearjerker.
No End in Sight (NA, 320MP A comprehensive look at the Bush Administration's conduct of the Iraq war and its occupation of the country.
Gone in Sixty Seconds (360MP, 240MP) A once-legendary professional car thief is sucked out of retirement into his old life of crime in an effort to save his brother's life. In one last death-defying heist, he must steal 50 classic, high-end cars over the course of just one night.
Transporter 3 (480MP, 320MP) Frank Martin has been pressured into transporting Valentina, the kidnapped daughter of Leonid Vasilev, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Ukraine, from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest until he ends up in Odessa on the Black Sea. Along the way, with the help of Inspector Tarconi, Frank has to contend with the people who strong armed him to take the job, agents sent by Vasilev to intercept him, and the general non-cooperation of his passenger. Despite Valentina's cynical disposition and his resistance to get involved, Frank and Valentina fall for each other, while escaping from one life-threatening situation after another.
The Alphabet Killer (NA, 320MP) A ten year old girl is found brutally murdered outside the small blue-collar city of Rochester, New York, and obsessed police detective Megan Paige (Eliza Dushku of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and DOLLHOUSE) suffers a mental breakdown while trying to solve the crime. But when the child-killings resume two years later, Megan's return to the investigation also brings back her own horrific hallucinations. Even if she can prove a ‘double initial' connection to the slayings, will she hang onto her sanity long enough to catch a psychopath? Cary Elwes (SAW), Michael Ironside (STARSHIP TROOPERS), Bill Moseley (THE DEVIL'S REJECTS), Carl Lumbly (ALIAS) and Academy Award® winner Timothy Hutton co-star in this chilling thriller directed by Rob Schmidt and based on the true story of the murders that shocked America.
Events
Monday: Music Monday - Guitar Hero: Metallica
Tuesday: Game With Fame - New Found Glory (Legends of Wrestlemania)
Wednesday: OXM Versus - Guitar Hero: Metallica
Wednesday: GamerchiX Ladies Nights - Rock Band 2
Thursday: Co-Op Night - Resident Evil 5
Friday: Community Playdate - Red Vs Blue (Halo 3)
Closing
As I am writing this on Sunday, today is Wrestlemania Day. To me, that means watching a lot of wrestling, driving thirty minutes to a friend's house to watch some more wrestling, then driving fifteen minutes to drive to another house to watch Wrestlemania. Because, well, I love wrestling. As far as my picks, well, they go like this;
*Rey Mysterio vs. JBL for the WWE Intercontinental Title
Honestly, I think this match could be a lot better than most people are expecting, but at the same time it won't be a classic by any means. I'm thinking JBL wins and retires with the belt, but how many times do we need to put the IC title up in a tournament?
*Money in the Bank Ladder Match
I think it's time they give Shelton the ball, and it seems like this is the year where the winner won't be winning the title, so why not have Shelton at least get a taste of the main event?
*Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, & Jimmy Snuka
If Piper and Snuka get eliminated quickly, we might have a decent match on our hands. But, we'll probably see an overbooked mess that will do more harm than good for Jericho while the legends, for whatever reason, get put over.
*John Morrison & The Miz vs. Carlito & Primo Colon in a Tag Team Titles Unification Match
I hate lumberjack matches because they're never done right. There's no need (kayfabe or otherwise) for this to be a luberjack match. Anyways, I see Carlito and Primo winning just because Miz and Morrison have been champs off and on for what seems like forever - a change of pace would be nice. And the only way Miz/Morrison would win would be by cheating, and I don't want the titles to start off with a cheap finish.
*Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy in an Extreme Rules Match
I haven't been following this feud as much as I'd like to since I don't get Smackdown! anymore, but from what I've read both men have stepped up their games tremendously. I think we'll get a good 15-20 minute brawl out of these guys, but I'm hoping it's more than just a spotfest. If so, we could have a great match and a Wrestlemania moment. If it's just a spotfest, well, it'll look good in video packages. My pick is Jeff though, since this is supposed to be a quick feud.
*Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal
Nobody is a winner in this match.
*Edge vs. John Cena vs. The Big Show for the World Title
I know I'm in the minority when I say I thought the build for this match has been good. Sure, it's not exactly classic by any means, but I think this feud will lead to bigger and better things and will be looked back upon more fondly as a starting point for something bigger. Of course, they can just as easily screw it up, so who knows? I'm hoping for an Edge victory, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see Big Show walk out with the strap. He's put on some good matches since his return and has always been a company man - I think he deserves at least one big Wrestlemania win.
*Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
This should be a classic by anyone's standards as these two have always put on great matches. We got a preview of what this match would be like a couple years back at the Royal Rumble and it was great. What's weird about these two, however, is that they seem to have got even better and with a match of this importance and it being at Wrestlemania, you know we're in for a treat. The outcome of the match, however, seems pretty easy to guess as HBK has been "winning" this feud since day one. Plus, if he's looking to take some time off, there's no way HBK is winning.
*Randy Orton vs. Triple H for the WWE Title
I am a HUGE Randy Orton mark, and I hope to God he wins the title. If Orton doesn't win then they have wasted months of build on this (basically since his return) and screwed him over even more than his failed face-push. I expect this to be a wild and bloody brawl that should last for a while, but hopefully Orton can get the pinfall and win the championship and become one of the all-time great heels.
That's all for now. I'm going to get ready to watch Wrestlemania, but if you have any questions or comments, be sure to post down below.
