Living LIVE 02.28.09: The 11th Edition

Posted by Trace Aber on 02.28.2009

This week we will make an Exit 2 the end of Kittie's Mazes which may cause some Double Vision when looking at the Spine of the World, though if we win the yearly Battle X tournament we could finally play some Fitba and win that brand new Aquarium HD(TV)!



Before we begin, I'd like to point out that 411Mania Games has it's own official Twitter account now, which everyone can check out by Clicking Here. If you subscribe to the account, you can get all of the latest updates on the video game industry instantly on your cell phone or even your RSS feed. So check it out.

Two major announcements this week, the first one being that of the return of the Deal of the Week. Every Monday the price of games that cost 1200MP will now be 800MP, which is a 33% savings. This is, however, only for Gold members. Anyways, this week's game is Braid, which if you do not own, well, you should. So, every Monday there's a chance to get a really good deal on a good game - keep checking!

Secondly, this week kicks off the Second Annual Xbox LIVE Arcade Awards and the nominees have been announced with voting taking place next week. You can actually vote on your console, but for those who have troubles making decisions you can see the nominees. My votes are italicized.

Best Overall Arcade Game
Braid
Castle Crashers
Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2
Street Fighter II HD Remix
Portal: Still Alive

Best Original Game
Castle Crashers
N+
Braid
Penny Arcade Episode 1
Schizoid
Age of Booty

Best Family Game
Boogie Bunnies
Roogoo
A Kingdom for Keflings
Lost Cities
Meteos Wars

Best Co-operative Multiplayer Game
Castle Crashers
Schizoid
Bionic Commando Rearmed
N+
Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2

Best Competitive Multiplayer Game
Street Fighter II HD Remix
Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2
Soul Calibur
Meteos Wars
Age of Booty

Best Solo Game
Braid
Mega Man 9
Penny Arcade Episode 1
Rez HD
Portal: Still Alive

Best Innovation in XBLA
Braid (time travel)
A Kingdom for Keflings (use of Avatars)
Fable II Pub Games (retail game integration)
N+ (level sharing)
Duke Nukem 3D (dynamic replay)

Best Graphics
Street Fighter II HD Remix
Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2
Braid
Castle Crashers
Bionic Commando Rearmed

Best Classic/Remake Game
Bionic Commando Rearmed
Street Fighter II HD Remix
Mega Man 9
Galaga Legions
Rez HD

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.

Exit 2 (800MP)
I want to like the Exit series of games. They look stylish, have a really cool idea (saving people from extremely dangerous situations), and by all means should be incredibly fun. This is never the case, however, as Taito just gets it all wrong. Instead of being fast and frantic, the game is slow, plodding, and the controls are bulky. You can really do an epic running jump over a huge gap filled with fire. Instead, you have to walk to the edge of the ledge, press the jump button, and calmly land on the other side. You don't get to avoid death in last-second scenarios, but instead you have to walk around and push crates around. The controls just do not feel like they belong to this game. I feel Exit would be better served as an arcade-type game where everything is moving fast and every second is exciting. I realize this is a puzzle platform action game and all, but with the theme of the game I feel like they really dropped the ball.


I can promise you that this scene is nowhere near as cool as you would first think it to be.

Graphically, the game has a very distinct style and looks great. They are very consistent and the comic-book style cutscenes they use to tell the story is fantastic. The visuals match the audio of the game, which is "hip" and "cool" techno music. Actually, the graphics and audio makes me wish this game was faster-paced even more because it could be so epic and so much fun. Especially with multiplayer mode, with both people racing to the exit or to the survivors, trying to be the first to exit. Instead, it's a solo game that is slow and a constant reminder of what could have been great.
Recommendation: Avoid.

Community Games

Battle X (800MP)
Battle X is a fighting game that features 11 characters each with their own story, endings, and abilties. The characters are pretty crazy, ranging from a stick figure to a robot to just some weird creatures, and they all battle on multi-platform levels which creates a sort of Smash Brothers-lite game. The graphics are very cartoony and work well, while the sounds are just passable (very basic, but it works within the context of the graphics in a weird way). You can have up to 4-players battling it out and there are eight levels of difficulty.

The fighting features your basic punch/strong punch and kick/strong kick controls, with some added moves such as super-speed and the addition of specials using the right trigger. I have noticed that while playing the guard button is overpowered as there is simply no way to break it - not even the specials. This becomes a problem as battles often come down to two people standing next to each other guarding and trying to catch the other one off-guard, much like a game of thumb-war (and it should be noted that I am the 2008 Thumb War Champion). Another downside is sometimes the game seems to slow down. Perhaps this is a special move of certain characters, but there is really no notification of such events happening so regardless of what it actually may be - it simply appears to be in-game slowdown. This game would have been perfectly acceptable as a 200MP, or maybe even a 400MP game, but at 800MP it is simply too expensive to be considered a worthy purchase, which is a shame because with a few fixes and a good set of friends, this game could go a long way.
Recommendation: Avoid until price drop.

Kittie's Mazes (400MP)
Kittie's Mazes is a simple game where your goal is to finish a maze. The mazes themselves are complex, though the graphics are extremely basic. The controls can be tricky when it comes to traveling around the edges. Other than that, there really is not much else to say about this game except that it is silly to pay to complete mazes.
Recommendation: Avoid.

DoubleVision (400MP)
As a kid, I used to love looking through newspapers and magazines and finding the "spot the differences" games they would have. While I still play the quick game here and there, I grew out of that phase years ago. DoubleVision, however, hopes that it can entice back into the sick and twisted world of differences. And it tries by giving me 150 puzzles and two player mode. The game gives you pretty much what you expect - two similar pictures with some key differences. The game works fine on this level, but one glaring problem is that some of the differences are simply too difficult to see on some TVs. The TV I use to write this column is probably 20 inches or so, and there is always two or three differences that are impossible to see. Perhaps that's why they give you so many hints and so much time (though the time decreases everytime you incorrectly by about 30 seconds). But, considering that this game relies on being able to see such fine detail, it's a pretty big problem. Not to mention paying to look for differences is weird.


Spotting the difference is clearly more entertaining on a TV screen

Recommendation: Avoid.

TWP Spine of the World (800MP)
Spine of the World is a side-scrolling RPG that looks good and seems like it could be a really fun RPG. The game looks good (for a community game), the controls seem simple enough, the story is decent (awakening evil and all that jazz), and the presentation is impressive. Then, when it comes time to actually play the game, you get bored of it pretty quickly. Your first mission finds you battling a bunch of skeletons and dudes dressed like horror movie monsters for a number of screens. And that's it - just pressing attack over and over again with no real rhyme or reason. I really wish they would have stuck with a more traditional turn-based battles because the game has so much potential, including 7 classes and 34 skills. The overworld map also reminds me a lot of Chrono Trigger, so up until I actually started playing it I was really excited. Still, despite the boring gameplay, this is a step in the right direction for community RPGs as I believe it to be among (if not the) first RPG community game. But, like with virtually every first, a lot needs to be fixed and changed before it can become feasible to use and market.
Recommendation: Avoid.

Fitba (400MP)
Fitba, which is just a way to say "football" with an accent, is an over the top perspective soccer game that has some decent gameplay ideas but suffers from its amazingly tiny characters and objects. This game does a lot of things right - including separating passing and kicking by using both analog sticks, which creates a new level of gameplay. Fitba also allows you to create and edit your own teams, which presents a new level of customization not seen in a lot of community games. The controls of the game handle well, at least when you can tell what's going on. The game is viewed from what seems to be a helicopter as the field, players, and especially ball are all extremely small. This is ok in some games, but when you have all the action going on that Fitba gives you, it can be overwhelming at times. The view does switch to an on-the-ground prespective when you have to do certain tasks, but you almost wish the game stayed in the over the top view as none of the players have limbs. It's quite creepy, actually. Though, it is impressive when you take into account the fact that they can still play in their current medical conditions.
Recommendation: If you have a big TV, this game would be great with some friends. Otherwise, stay away.

Aquarium HD (200MP)
When I first looked at the name of this title, I became scared. I was positive we were getting another "app" game such as Celebration, Ocean Scenes, or even worse - Fireplace. My fears were made even greated when I saw the controls, which consisted of a button for menu, "tap glass," and "feed." Then, after officially loading up the game, my fears were realized - all you do is look at fish in water in HD. Don't get me wrong - the game looks beautiful and it does offer some customization options that the previously mentioned games did not. You can choose what fish and how many of them you want, with your options being butterflyfish, clownfish, goldfish, neon tetra, firefish, and tadpoles. You can also choose from one of four scenes. But, I'm about to say something that might surprise, or even shock you. So let me interrupt it by showing a picture.


From the real world to screen savers to Xbox LIVE - Aquariums have traveled the globe

Ok, here it is - I can actually see a reason to purchase this. If you have a big HD TV and just want some background action, this would look great. Or, if you're having a party and using the 360 to play music, this could work out as something to look at. I mean, everyone likes fish.
Recommendation: Only if you have a decent-sized HDTV and are too cheap to buy real fish.

Game Add-Ons

Call of Duty: World at War - 'Makin' Map (Free)
Free Multiplayer Map! The tide is out and the sun is high – this daytime version of Makin sheds new light on the battle!

Guitar Hero: World Tour
"Get Out of Denver" by Bob Segar (160MP)
"Her Strut" by Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band (160MP)
"Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band(160MP)
Bob Segar Track Pack (440MP)

Rock Band
Alt Country Pack (680MP)
"3 Dimes Down" by Drive By Truckers (160MP)
"Time Bomb (Live)" by Old 97's (160MP)
"Satellite Radio" by Steve Earle (160MP)
"People Got a Lotta Nerve" by Neko Case (160MP)
"Can't Let Go" by Lucinda Williams (160MP)
"Lucky Denver Mint" by Jimmy Eat World (160MP)
"Futures" by Jimmy Eat World (160MP)
"Sweetness" by Jimmy Eat World (160MP)
Jimmy Eat World Pack (440MP)

Merv Griffin's Xwords - Puzzle Pack 01 (150MP)
This downloadable content consists of all the puzzles from the first season of the TV show.

Lips
"In the Shadows" by The Rasmus (160MP)
"The Adventure" by angels and Airwaves (160MP)
"Amber" by 311 (160MP)

Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore 2
"Breakaway" by Avril Lavigne (120MP)
"Brick House" by Lionel Richie (120MP)

LIVE Activity for week of February 16th
Xbox 360 Top Live Titles
1 Call of Duty: WaW
2 Halo 3
3 Call of Duty 4
4 Gears of War 2
5 GTA IV
6 Left 4 Dead
7 Halo Wars Demo
8 FIFA 09
9 Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X: Rio Demo
10 Guitar Hero World Tour

Top Arcade Titles
1 3 on 3 NHL(TM) Arcade
2 Castle Crashers
3 Worms
4 UNO
5 Death Tank
6 Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
7 A Kingdom for Keflings
8 The Maw
9 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
10 Minesweeper Flags

Original Xbox Top Live Titles
1 Halo 2
2 Star Wars: Battlfrnt 2
3 Counter-Strike
4 Fable
5 Splinter Cell Chaos
6 Conker: Live Reloaded
7 Doom 3
8 Star Wars: Battlefront
9 Call of Duty 3
10 Street Fighter Anniv.

Top Community Games
1 RC-AirSim
2 Bowling X
3 Miner Dig Deep
4 Rumble Massage
5 Remote Masseuse
6 bricks4ever
7 Golden Royal Blackjack
8 Barf And Beer
9 A Game of Tennis
10 Simply HangMan

Video Marketplace

I Want Candy (NA, 320MP)
Budding filmmakers Joe and Baggy know that they have a script made of gold, but lack the finances for production until a desperate producer throws them a bone. There is one catch – they need Candy Fiveways (Carmen Electra), the World's No. 1 Adult Star, to play the lead in their movie. Making a groundbreaking film, complete with explicit scenes, in your own parents' house is never easy, but dreams have a funny way of working out…

The Lucky Ones (NA, 320MP)
Three soldiers -- Colee (McAdams), T.K. (Pena) and Cheaver (Robbins) -- return from the Iraq War, after suffering injuries, and learn that life has moved on without them. They end up on an unexpected road trip across the U.S., with Colee on a mission to bring her boyfriend's guitar back to his family because he saved her life, T.K. seeking confidence to face his wife after a shrapnel injury threatens his sexual function, and middle-aged Cheaver planning to hit the casinos in a desperate effort to pay for his son's college tuition.

W. (480MP, 320MP)
Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W. Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. In an unprecedented undertaking, acclaimed director Oliver Stone is bringing the life of our 43rd President to the big screen as only he can. W takes viewers through Bush's eventful life -- his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to Bush's decision to invade Iraq.

The Jackal (360MP, 240MP)
Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Sidney Poitier star in this international suspense thriller directed by Michael Caton-Jones. A ruthless assassin (Willis) has been hired to eliminate someone at the very top of the U.S. government. Constantly changing his identity and location, he is known only as the Jackal. Everything about this hit man, including his sinister timetable, is a secret. Aware of the Jackal's presence but uncertain of his purpose, the FBI's Deputy Director (Poitier) faces the biggest challenge of his career. In order to track down this coldblooded killer, he and a by-the-book Russian intelligence officer (Diane Venora) enlist the aid of an imprisoned Irish terrorist (Gere). These unlikely allies enter a global race against the clock to stop the mysterious mercenary before he can complete his deadly assignment.

The Great Buck Howard (1200MP, 800MP)
SEE THIS MOVIE NOW, BEFORE IT RELEASES IN THEATRES. From the producers of MAMMA MIA comes THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD, a hilarious new comedy starring John Malkovich as Buck - a faded mentalist whose glory days are long behind him. Colin Hanks co-stars as Troy, Buck's new road manager who's quit law school looking for a change of pace. With his angry father (Tom Hanks) demanding he finish school, a deranged limo driver (Steve Zahn) making his life hell, and a gorgeous publicist (Emily Blunt) stealing his heart, Troy is in for the ride of his life as Buck makes one last ditch grab at the limelight.

Events

Monday: Music Monday - Lips

Tuesday: Family Game Night - Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts

Wednesday: GamerchiX Ladies Night - Gears of War 2

Thursday: Co-Op Night - Call of Duty: World at War

Friday: Co-Op Night - Halo 3

Weekend: Community Playdate - Halo Wars with Geezer Gamers

Top Ten Xbox-Live Arcade Games Everyone Should Own
I love playing the random, quirky, and classic games that Xbox Live has to offer. Obviously, like everyone else, I have my own quirks about me that form the types of videogames I like. So, each week, I will be revealing a new game to my list of XBLA games that everyone should own. Or, at the very least, try out. These are in no particular order, by the way.

Week 7: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (400MP)
Everyone remembers their first fatality, and why shouldn't they? It was one of the defining moments if video game violence history, creating all types of controversy, but, most importantly - memories. While recent Mortal Kombat games have not been nearly as revolutionary as the first few in the series, there is no denying that the games on the Sega and Super Nintendo were amazing. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (UMK3), released in 1995, captures everything that made the early MK games great, along with some new gameplay elements.



The LIVE version of UMK3 is merely an emulation, but a good emulation at that. The graphics and sound will all sound very familiar and I have never noticed any problems with either. The game introduced new playable characters Jade and Kitana, along with hidden and unlockable characters and two bosses. Since the game is basically an upgrade of Mortal Kombat 3, you will find all of the original stages (short of The Bank and Hidden Portal), and the addition of six new stages. This game also features the ever-popular "layers", where upcutting an opponent will send them to another layer of the level.

This emulation does feature the addition of online co-op, and despite the game's age there are still quite a few people playing online. The game also features two new tournament modes, 2-on-2 Kombat and an eight player tournament. Other changes saw character states slightly edited, making some moves more powerful and others less. Most of these changes were simply to balance gameplay, which comes in handy if you ever decide to play on the new "Master" difficulty.


Green blood is clearly the most masculine blood

In a cool little fact that I did not know about until doing research for this review, apparently the game was released on Friday, October 20, 2006. The problem was that the game was meant to be released the following Wednesday. The game was removed within 20 minutes but some people had already bought the game. After an emergency meeting, it was decided that the game would be released the next morning. And, to this day, UMK3 is the only LIVE game to be released on any day but Wednesday.

Closing
That's all for the 11th edition of Living LIVE. If you have any questions or comments be sure to post them and I'll respond as quickly as posible. Thanks for reading!

Screenshots
All 10 Living LIVE Screenshots