Living LIVE 06.15.09: The 25th Edition - New Arcade Releases, DLC Movies, More
Posted by Trace Aber on 06.15.2009
Featuring information on the SIX arcade releases this week as well as the DLC, movies, and community games.
Opening Comments
As I type this I'm sitting on the 18th floor of the Double Tree Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with my girlfriend, Brittany, to celebrate her 19th birthday. So, with that being said, I do not have my XBox 360 with me, but considering all of the arcade games released this week have been most likely played to death by everyone anyways, I don't think it's that big of a deal if they don't have reviews.
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.
Altered Beast (400MP)
When Zeus, the legendary Greek God, brings you back to life, set forth on a mission to rescue Zeus' daughter Athena from the underworld in Altered Beast™. Along the way, collect the Spirit Balls dropped by enemies to increase your strength and transform into a variety of mythical creatures with powerful attacks.
Honestly, I never got into this game. I understand why people like it, but that doesn't mean I agree with it. Rating (Out of 10): 6
Comix Zone (400MP)
In Comix Zone™, Sketch Turner is an artist in New York City. One day Sketch is drawing, and a huge thunderstorm threatens the city. A bolt of lightning hits Sketch's image, and brings it to life. That image is Mortus, a megalomaniac mutant who wants to become real and to rule the earth. Mortus magically transports Sketch into the pages of his comic book so that he can end his creator's life and become real. Inside the comic book, Sketch meets General Alissa Cyan, who believes Sketch is a superhero come to save their post-apocalyptic world from the evil brought by Mortus' hand. Now that he's a comic book superhero, Sketch can instantly fight like a one-man mercenary platoon!
A really unique game and I remember being blown away by it when it first came out. It doesn't hold up nearly as good as some of the other Genesis classics, but it's still fun as hell. Rating (Out of 10): 7.5
Gunstar Heroes (400MP)
The Gunstar 9 planet was peaceful for many years until the vicious dictator Colonel Red kidnapped the Gunstar twins' older brother, and used mind control to make him his slave. Now, face many different enemies and bosses in Gunstar Heroes™, as you battle to stop the dictator from unleashing "Golden Silver the Destructor" with apocalyptic consequences!
I have never played this game, though my friend swears by it. He also enjoyed Custard's Revenge, so I don't know how much I can trust him. Rating (Out of 10): N/A
Phantasy Star II (400MP)
Hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by fans and media alike, the role-playing game Phantasy Star II™ features an epic storyline and turn-based battles. Play as Rolf, Nei, Rudo, or several other characters as you navigate through the Algol Star System battling the evil Dark Force. Build your characters, select the right weapons and armor, and battle the forces of evil through various missions as you find the right combination of characters to complete each objective. Experience the magic once again in this great sequel!
Great RPG game that is a must for any fan of the genre. At 400MP it's a steal, you'll get your money's worth. Rating (Out of 10): 9
Shinobi (400MP)
As the ninja Shinobi™ (Joe Musashi) you must stop the criminal organization known as Zeed, who have kidnapped the children of the Oboro clan. Test your ninja skills through five missions of increasing difficulty, and make your way to Zeed's headquarters to free all the hostages. The Ring of Five, the leaders of Zeed, are determined to stop you as you face off against one of them at the end of each stage.
Shinobi is the one that started it all, but probably my least favorite one in the series. Rating (Out of 10): 5
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (400MP)
Sonic and Tails are back for another adventure in Sonic The Hedgehog 3™ as they again battle the evil Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik), who is desperately trying to collect all the Chaos Emeralds in order to rebuild his Death Egg. Our heroes must find the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, but winning the race won't be easy. A new adversary, Knuckles the Echidna, has arrived on the scene and will do whatever he can to keep Sonic and Tails from reaching their goal. Grab all the golden rings, find various bonus zones, and overcome Knuckles and Dr. Eggman as you rocket through the third chapter in Sonic's adventures.
What is there to be said about this game? Often considered the best Sonic game (I'm still partial to Sonic 2), this game is a classic in every sense of the word. A must-have. Rating (Out of 10): 10
Community Games
A Morons Challenge (200MP)
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=1/3. Yo Moron, get your finger out of your nose and let us prove your foot size is actually larger then your IQ. Beat 6 levels and 50 moron challenges to solidify your status as "Smart As Bait". Yo momma might think you're dumb as dirt, but your chance is here to prove your worth.
The game seems like the Moron test you can find online, which means you should probably just look it up online. Recommendation: Check the online version
EyeCandy: Chromadose (200MP)
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. EyeCandy: Chromadose is a dose of visual coolness. Just turn it on and let it do it's thing. Use as a visual backdrop while listening to music, as a screensaver, or perhaps to make your television happy and full of life! Recommendation: Depends on if you're looking for "visual coolness." As far as I know, this is the only application offering this.
Whack Em in a Hole (200MP)
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. Whack Em...in a hole! A modern take of a classic carnival game. Whack various creatures with your hands just like you would in an amusement park! Unlock different difficulties and stages with high scores! And all for the price of a hot dog and soda. Recommendation: Download the demo unless you're drunk. Then this game could be a lot of fun.
Revenge of the Evil Aliens (200MP)
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=2/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. The long awaited sequel! Thousands of shuttles stand before the Unnamed Hero and an alien Mastermind. As the Earth burns, one ship rises to the challenge. Old school twin stick shooter featuring challenging missions with unique locations and bosses. Recommendation: I'm a huge fan of twin-stick shooting, so get all of this
Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack 2 (800MP)
Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack 2 continues to expand the addictive COD multiplayer experience with four new maps. Battle to control the river bridge in "Banzai" a bright jungle map featuring a waterfall and hidden caves. In "Corrosion" face down your enemy in a shattered train yard, and in "Sub Pens" wipe the monsoon rain from your eyes as you struggle over a bombed-out submarine base. The Zombies return in "Shi No Numa" (Zombie Swamp) featuring Perk machines, the deadly new Wunderwaffe DG-2, new Achievements and flaming Hell Hounds.
*Editor's Note: I should have a review of this map pack up later this week!
Sonic Unleashed: Empire City & Adabat Adventure Pack (250MP)
Download all-new Empire City & Adabat adventures! For the final downloadable pack, play five daytime & four nighttime stages that range from a high-rise metropolis to an exotic jungle strewn with ancient ruins. This pack includes six brand new stages and three new missions. Be sure and download the other location packs to unleash the full Sonic experience! Note: These stages are accessed in Empire City & Adabat, so unlocking Empire City & Adabat are requirements to play these additional stages.
Tomb Raider: Underworld - Lara's Shadow (800MP)
Play Tomb Raider from a new perspective. Experience the world as the Doppelganger, a dark and deadly double of Lara with superhuman powers and instructions to end the Croft lineage once and for all. With the Doppelganger's unique Shadow Powers you can defeat enemies with brutal melee attacks. Use super-human agility to make it past challenges Lara could never pass. Fulfil this new mission and become the ultimate instrument of revenge.
Tomb Raider: Underworld Designer Costume Pack (Free)
Download these two new costumes. Created by fashion designers, voted for and picked by the Tomb Raider fans.
Saint's Row 2: The Unkut Pack (Free)
Pimp out your personality with over 60 brand new customization items including Unkut watches, necklaces, bracelets, T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and camisoles. Change it up with a preppy polo, or dress it down with some jeans at Sloppy Seconds. Ink-up your character with 16 all new tattoo options.
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X: Air Supremacy (800MP)
Secure a powerful fleet of 16 mainstay and prototype aircraft and fight for supremacy in online and single player modes. This download combines three packages: the US Eagles pack, the European Assault pack, and the Russian Falcons pack. - Rafale M (Dassault) - Saab 37 Viggen (SAAB) - Mirage 2000N (Dassault) - Mirage 4000 (Dassault) - FB-22 (Lockheed) - F-4 Phantom II (Boeing) - RF-15 Peak Eagle (Boeing) - A-12 Avenger II (Boeing) - F-111F Aardvark (Lockheed) - SR-71 (Lockheed) - Mig-31 Foxhound (MIG) - Mig-1.42 (MFI) - Mig-23 Flogger (YF-113) (Mig) - Su-39 (Sukhoi) - F18 HARV (Boeing) - Razorback (End War plane)
Burnout Paradise Big Surf Island (1000MP)
Get this pack and head over the suspension bridge at the end of 4th Street to reach Big Surf Island! A whole new location packed with gameplay. - The Dust Storm Buggy available to drive straight away - 8 New Cars to Win - 15 Events (Including all New Island Tours) - 10 Freeburn Challenges - 12 New Roads to Rule - 75 Island Smashes - 45 Island Billboards - 15 Island Mega Jumps Explore every part of Big Surf Island from the roads to the roof-tops and when you feel like a change of scenery head off-road to Perren's Point. For this game addition to work you need to ensure your copy of Burnout Paradise is updated to the latest version. (Burnout™ Paradise 1.9)
Video Marketplace
Last Chance Harvey (480MP, 320MP) Academy Award® winners Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) and Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) reunite in Last Chance Harvey, a hopeful romance that celebrates new beginnings—at any age. New Yorker Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss (Richard Schiff) that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend wedding but promises to be back on Monday. When he misses the plane and is fired on the spot, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate (Emma Thompson), a slightly prickly, 40-something employee of the Office of National Statistics. Thus, through the devastation of Harvey's life, a new romance is born.
Gran Torino (480MP, 320MP) Academy Award-winner Clint Eastwood ("Million Dollar Baby," "Mystic River") directs and stars as disgruntled Korean War veteran Walt, who sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino. The two learn to grow beyond their own prejudices and struggles by fighting together to change the harsh realities of racial gang violence in their neighborhood.
New in Town (480MP, 240MP) Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is an ambitious, up and coming executive living in Miami. She loves her shoes, she loves her cars and she loves climbing the corporate ladder. When she is offered a temporary assignment - in the middle of nowhere - to restructure a manufacturing plant, she accepts the opportunity, knowing a big promotion is close at hand. What begins as a straight forward job assignment becomes a life changing experience as Lucy discovers greater meaning in her life and more unexpectedly, the man of her dreams (Harry Connick, Jr.).
Events
Monday: Music Monday - Rock Band 2
Tuesday: Family Game Night - Kung Fu Panda
Wednesday: GamerchiX Ladies Night - Call of Duty: World at War
Friday: Game With Fame - Derek Mears (Call of Duty: World at War)
Friday: Game With The Developers (Guitar Hero: Smash Hits)
Saturday: Arcade Afternoon - Critters
Saturday: Game With Fame - Dream Theater (Call of Duty World at War)
Sunday: Community Playdate - Daddyplace.com (Call of Duty: World at War)
Closing
Join us next Monday for more of the latest news, reviews, and downloads on Xbox Live! Any questions or comments can be posted below! Also, don't forget to bookmark 411 as your homepage, because, I mean, you come here everyday anyways. Just save yourself the trouble.
If there are any community game developers who are looking to promote a game, give me an e-mail at traceaber@gmail.com and we'll set up an interview.
