Living LIVE 12.20.08: Inaugural Edition

Posted by Trace Aber on 12.20.2008

It's the first issue of Living LIVE as we discuss Doritos, Dungeons, and Downloads! Oh, and a little bit of Chevy Chase. Oh, it's ALL here.



Welcome to the first edition of Living LIVE, a weekly look at the online gaming of the Xbox 360. We will be looking at various aspects of the LIVE service along with some reviews, previews, and whatever else I can fit in here. As this is the first column, any ideas or suggestions as to improving this column would be greatly appreciated.

My name is Trace Aber and this is Living LIVE.

Game Marketplace – A weekly look at the arcade games, demos, and game add-ons released this week.

Arcade Games
This week saw the release of three games, all of which offer a different style of game play. Let's go ahead and take a look at these new releases and see if they're worth buying.

PowerUp Forever (800MP)
Developed by Blitz Arcade, PowerUp Forever describes itself as "the next-gen, next-level evolution of the top-down arcade shooter." That's a pretty hefty promise to offer, especially considering this is from the same developer that made such classic games as the "Burger King" games. Remember those from a few years ago, when The King was an American cultural phenomenon? Maybe his disappearance is the cause for the current economic crisis? Anyways, I digress.


Looking at this game for too long upsets me

The basic premise of the game has you traveling through a watery space (I don't get it either) and you kill other bugs to attract the boss. The game play is very similar to that of Geometry Wars, which normally is a good thing. The only problem is that this game is simply not Geometry Wars and, while it is a novel idea, it is not novel enough for it to stand apart from the pack. Sure, your ship grows as you kill bosses, which is neat, but it's just not enough. Then again, I love Geometry Wars more than any human being should, so maybe it's just me. Still, I cannot really recommend this game, especially if you have a similar (and probably better) game already.
Recommendation: No, spend your points on Geometry Wars 2 instead. You'll be much happier.

Meteos Wars (800MP)
Apparently Meteos was a very popular Nintendo DS game, but, never really getting that big into DS, I have never heard of it. The game is your basic puzzle game in which you have to match three similar shapes, be it vertically or horizontally, and then they rocket into the sky. There is both single-player and multiplayer modes, with various modes within those (the typical versus, time attack, etc). Having a larger TV screen would definitely help as the blocks are tiny and I found myself straining every now and then.


So much space, such small blocks

Needless to say, if you were into the DS version (or the Disney version they released, for whatever reason), you will more than likely enjoy this reincarnation. While I am not a huge fan of games like this, I did enjoy myself every now and then, but I would recommend the demo if you are not a huge fan.
Recommendation: If you liked the first one, definitely. If you are not sure on puzzle games, try out the demo before spending your points.

Doritos Dash of Destruction (FREE!)
Earlier this year, Doritos held a contest entitled "Unlock Xbox" in which people pitched ideas for a video game based on Doritos. Why Doritos felt the need to create a video game, I'll never know. I mean, this company loves to promote. They gave out free bags of Doritos on campus (at Wright State University) to encourage people to vote, and when I told them I was already going to vote, they gave me two bags. Anyways, this game isn't half bad, and considering it is free, the game starts off with some bonus points.

Your lucky winner, Mike Borland
The game has two different modes of play, one where you are a T-Rex chasing a Doritos delivery truck and another where you are the truck being chased by said T-Rex. There is also multiplayer mode, where you can both be trucks, a T-Rex, or take turns being either. I personally like being the T-Rex as the game play reminds me of Rampage, except instead of destroying everything, you are…chasing a truck filled with chips. Still, while not the greatest game, it is free and a good way to kill some time with friends. Besides, who wouldn't want to support the great Mike Borland?
Recommendation: You do not have much to lose in downloading this free game, and it can be a decent time waster. So go for it.

Community Games
First off, a disclaimer for whenever I have to talk about the community games found on LIVE. I try to like them, I really do. I understand the developers have very little resources and it is not exactly easy to make a video game, especially in small teams. I am going to try to keep this in mind when reviewing these, but when you are charging for games, they have to warrant the money spent regardless.

Type Attacks (200MP)
cannot figure this game out. I am pretty sure you need a keyboard, as it plays much like a typing-tutor game. The graphics are good, and you have to type the letters that fall from the sky to protect the city that lies below. Apparently there are varying difficulties, but seeing as how I cannot even get past the first level, I could not tell you how those play. The description text says a keyboard or messenger pad is required, but I really have to question why anyone would use this product. I mean, who really thinks of the Xbox360 as a typing instructor? Well, besides the people at Batfox.


The only typing-tutor I will ever use

Cavein – Miner Rescue Team (400MP)
This is actually quite the fun little game, and almost worthy of its 400MP tag. The basic premise is you are a miner trapped in a cave, trying to save other miners by matching different color rock together. The puzzles can get interesting, though in the demo I did not find myself being challenged. Perhaps in the full game it will. The graphics are serviceable and the game is pretty fast-paced, all-considering. The price tag may seem like a bit much for a community game, but it would not be the biggest waste of points you have probably spent. (Gamerpics, anyone?)
Recommendation: If you have 400MP to spare, I recommend it. This game may not last you long, but it does seem like a good game to play when you are bored (which, honestly, isn't that the point?)

GraphSpacer (200MP)
GraphSpacer is a fun little game that definitely gets inspiration from Geometry Wars as the premise is the same; you're a triangle shooting stuff. The artwork, however, is what sets this game apart from the rest of the clones as it is done on a piece of paper and everything looks as though some kid drew it in class one day. Actually, it is exactly how I expected Geometry Wars to look when I first heard the name. Another neat little feature is that your bullets only go as fast as your ship and they bounce off the walls a couple times before disappearing.
Recommendation: At 200MP this is a really cheap game and I think it could have some lasting appeal, even having Geometry Wars 1 and 2. I recommend it.

Xbox Originals
After what seemed like forever, they have finally released two new Xbox original games on LIVE.

Raze's Hell (1200MP)
I never heard of this game, but apparently the reviews have been positive. It's an action game with a decent sense of humor, from what I have gathered. You play as Raze, who witnessed the destruction of his village by the Kewletts, a group of really cute and happy beings, who are spreading their boarders to purify the "ugly" world. And by purify they mean kill.
Recommendation: It's hard to say based off the fact I've heard so little about this game, but it sounds like it could be decent. Just not 1200MP decent.

This cover art is just confusing

Sega Soccer Slam (1200MP)
A violent soccer game, unfortunately not featuring any of Sega's mainstays. There are multiple modes of play, including exhibition, challenge, practice, and a tourney mode. There is a pretty cool Quest mode where you pick one of nine teams (three of them unlockable) and go through ten games and earn money to upgrade your team as the league progresses.
Recommendation: I say get it if you want to have an arcade soccer experience with a few of your friends.

Game Add-Ons
Well, seeing as how DDR Universe 3 (and, even though I find DDR games fun, do we really need this many games about it?) has taken up just about every slot under the "New Arrivals" category, looks like there won't be much variety. And, to make matters worse, all of the songs are listed as either "Download Song #" or "Premium Song #" which just seems like a bad idea. Anyways…

DDR Universe 3
Download Song 1: 39th St. Strut (100MP)
Download Song 2: Dance Till the Sun Comes Up/Big Idea(100MP)
Download Song 3: HIT THE GROUND (Alexa Remix)/NAOKI (100MP)
Download Song 4: Jewelya of De' Nile/Big Dead (100MP)
Download Song 5: Lady Be Good to Me/In Geer (100MP)
Download Song 6: Musk Up/The Blue Light Specialists (100MP)
Premium Song 4: Don't You (Forget About Me) (150MP)
Premium Song 5: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (150MP)

Guitar Hero 3: World Tour
The Eagles Track Pack: "Life in the Fast Lane", "One of These Nights", and "Frail Grasp on the Big Picture" (440MP)
Eagles – Frail Grasp on the Big Picture (160MP)
Eagles – One of These Nights (160MP)
Eagles – Life in the Fast Lane (160MP)

Video Marketplace – A brief look at the specials and videos that are being played right now on Xbox LIVE!

With the Christmas just around the corner, LIVE is celebrating with some Christmas-theme entertainment.

The first offering is seven Christmas-themed episodes of South Park, most of which include Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo. While these are only 160MP, I am sure you will see most, if not all, of these episodes as we draw nearer to Christmas time. Unless you need to watch talking poo, you can probably live without this.

The second deal is the 1965 classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas." While this will run you 800MP, you will also get two bonus episodes, though LIVE does not want to tell me which two episodes will be given away for free. Much like South Park above, you will probably be able to find this for free on TV on Christmas, so spending 800MP on it is kind of a silly idea. I still recommend watching the preview though, just to hype yourself up for when it is shown on TV.

And, finally, they have one of my favorite movies as a child, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." We would watch this every year, and even though I now realize the jokes are corny and what have you, I still love this movie. I am going to recommend this one just because I can't guarantee you'll find it on basic cable. Plus, it's only 240MP, so go for it.


How can you not love a movie with a poster such as this?

Events – Here you will find all of the public gaming events held over LIVE, usually with some theme or game developers.

Monday: GamerchiX Ladies Night: Fable II
A night for ladies only, and if you don't want to play Fable II, you can just go on the MyGamerCard.net Chix Trackerand search for other games that girls want to play.

Tuesday: Family Game Night: Crash Bandicoot Mind Over Mutant
This seems kind of like a silly idea. Basically, Microsoft suggests a game each week for your family to play…and then you play that game. I'm not really sure how this is a LIVE event, but, eh, what do I know?

Wednesday: Primetime: DefJam Icon
Just play some DefJam Icon.

Thursday: Primetime: Madden 09
Is there normally a lack of people playing Madden 09?

Friday: Primetime: NBA Live 09
Once again, does a sports game need more people playing it? Aren't more players already playing it?

Sunday: Community Playdate: Hardcore Christian Gamers
Members of the popular Hardcore Christian Gamer websitewill be playing a game of Call of Duty: World at War from 8-11PM E.T. The goal is to denounce the stereotypes associated with Christians and gaming.

Closing
And there's the first issue of Living LIVE. Thanks for reading and if you have any comments or suggestions please leave a comment below.

Screenshots
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