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Microsoft Says Playing Field Now Level

For years certain series were only found on certain consoles. These exclusive titles were a big win for whoever had them since many of them were popular enough to sell a new console on the mere promise of a game for it. Unfortunately with the rising costs of development this has become less and less of an effective strategy. Sony in particular has been suffering as a result of this. Recently the newest Final Fantasy title was announced to be a multi-platform title; the JRPG series had been a Playstation exclusive for more than ten years. Now with Metal Gear Solid Rising being developed for the Microsoft console as well, Xbox strategy boss Shane Kim has said that the third-party playing field has become level.

Kim says that achieving this has always been part of their strategy for the console, hinting that they knew the viability of exclusive games was soon to be ended. Their future plans include focusing more heavily on exclusive downloadable content for multiplatform titles as they have with games like Fallout 3, as well as Project Natal.

Mario Party 8 Game Review–Take Their Hint

Seeing as how me and the Big N parted company back around the Gamecube era (as in, I had one, but after a couple weeks I took it to the local Gamestop and traded the sucker in on an Xbox because, as far as I could tell, Nintendo would not put out a game for anyone over the age of twelve), I never really got the opportunity to take a stab at the Mario Party line.  Thusly, my first exposure to the Mario Party series was this one right here, Mario Party 8 for the Wii.

Yes, it’s true–the game that amounts to little more than a board game wherein mini-games are played to decide who wins and who loses has reached its eighth iteration with this one.  And, plotwise, that’s really all you do.  You’ll play, generally in a four player environment with computer players to make up the slack as needed when humans aren’t on hand (if it’s just you, you’ll play against a trio of computer players), a series of board games.  You’ll punch a dice cube above your head when it’s your turn, then you’ll proceed the correct number of spaces along the board, at which point you’ll receive rewards or punishments based on the rules and then proceed onto the next mini-game, and you’ll repeat for a certain number of turns.

Yes, it’s a little bit monotonous. No one ever said this sucker was going to be the kind of thing you’d ever mistake for high art.  Or low art.  Or any other kind of art, come to think of it.  There’s nothing really resembling a storyline here–in fact, the only thing that keeps Mario Party 8 from being nothing more than a second-rate collection of mini-games is that it’s actually a FIRST-rate collection of mini-games.  I admit that, when I played this, I had more than my share of fun, for about the first half-hour or so.  After that first half-hour, however, that’s when the boredom settled in.  It only started grating, though, and every time a new mini-game came up, the boredom lessened significantly.

Now, there’s a lot of appeal in a game like this.  Indeed, with three or more friends around this sucker’s probably incredible fun.  Even with one extra buddy in tow, Mario Party 8 could easily be a great time.  But if you’re playing this one by yourself, the limits of the fun are sorely strained.  In fact, the appeal in playing this one in single player mode is fairly well limited to the number of new mini-game experiences you can have.  Once you’ve played through all the different games, and all the different boards, and won all the various prizes you’re able to win, you might as well just unplug your Wiimote and take that sucker back to the store, because you’ve just done everything you could ever possibly do with this game.

Mario Party 8 isn’t the kind of game you can give a simple yea-or-nay review to.  It has a series of very specific applications that, if your intended use doesn’t fit them, will limit your enjoyment of this game by limiting its usefulness.  If you need a game to play with friends or as a short-term rental, then yes, absolutely, Mario Party 8 will do the job nicely.  The game is called Mario Party for a reason–take the hint.

Resonance of Fate Unveiled for PS3 and Xbox

Role Playing Games (RPG) are a big hit and while we have tons of them around in the market, expect one big splurge from this latest from tri-ace, Sega in Resonance of Fate. Resonance of Fate will be the next big RPG from tri-Ace, Sega announced today, as the title is currently in development for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 . A release date sometime during spring 2010 is all we could get out of Sega, though the company did share a few details about the game itself.

Resonance of Fate will include highly stylized graphics and focus on “realistic gunplay” for its core gameplay mechanic. And speaking of mechanic, players will find themselves role-playing their way through a gritty, mechanized world that is ripe for supporting Hollywood-style action sequences.

With its focus on gunplay, Resonance of Fate will let players completely customize their weapons, presumably giving unique weapons for each of the game’s characters.

(Source) Daily Game

Top Spin 3 Shifts to Simulator Mode

Though this game has been around for some time now, it is still widely played. And ever since the change in game play where it is practically a turning into a simulator, the challenge is there no matter how simple it may seem to be. You can’t believe how realistic players can seem as you serve, volley and lunge for balls.

But the game gives you less help than before in body movements and swings, so you really have to practice and learn to position yourself exactly right to hit that little ball on the screen or you’ll lose. And the controls are a little tough to master. So, if you’re looking for a challenging, lovely, frustrating game, this is one. It’s selling in used game stores for $15 for Xbox 360 and PS 3, and $10 for Wii and DS. It’s rated “E.”

(Source) Times Picayune

Overlord II Announces Release Date

For the people who have heard of the coming of Overlord 2, you can mark your calendars now. Codemasters is bringing back hoardes of minions with the release of Overlord II on June 23 in North American for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, a date much sooner than anyone had anticipated.

Overlord II wraps itself around a brand new story, more combat options and a whole new breed of minions out to capture blood and laughs. No word on an improved camera which plagued the original, but an on-screen map has been added as detailed in one of the new screens below.

(Source) The HD Room

Zoom Game Review–One Big Flat Tire

Zoom, one of the latest additions to the Xbox Live community gaming lineup, is a game that’s a fantastic idea but also a game that shows how important it is to execute a good idea correctly.

Zoom is a racing game that puts you, alone, on a track in a high-powered hover racer to see just how fast you can go.  And as the world speeds by around you, you’re out to break your own high score on a nearly continual basis.

This sounds awesome, of course–why would anyone play a racing game if they weren’t out for the vicarious thrill of the simulation of high speed without having to risk their lives doing it in an actual car?  But the problem with Zoom is that it can’t hold its speed, and with sloppy controls leaving you bucking around the track even when you’re not actually accelerating, that’s never a good sign.

So as much as I want to enjoy this particular high-speed thrill ride, it never really gets off the starting line for me.  Even at two hundred Microsoft points, it’s not worth the ride.

Xeno Arena Game Review–A For Effort, F For Results

Xeno Arena, which I recently found on Xbox Live community games for the stunningly low price of two hundred Microsoft points, is a top-down shooter that tries its best to be a good game but can’t overcome its many design flaws to be a really good game.

Basically, this one’s all about survival as you plunge into the depths of a random facility that just happens to be infested with aliens.  Along the way into the depths of said facility, you’ll pick up weapons, ammo and health pickups all in the hope of getting steadily deeper in the facility.

Like I said, there’s some serious design flaws here–the graphics are a rolling practical joke played on the player.  For example, actually seeing enemies come at you is surprisingly difficult as they’re rather small.  And distinguishing a weapons pickup from the floor will also prove difficult due to the lack of quality graphics.  And anyone afraid of the gameplay proving repetitive has a lot to be afraid of here–definitely not an irrational fear–as you’ll be moving through random-generated mazes and shooting random tiny monsters until you die.  Die in the game or in real life, whichever comes first.

With horrible graphics and lackluster gameplay, Xeno Arena may be cheap, but it’s still not worth the cost.

Drum Xplosion Game Review–Parents, HERE’S The Game To Get Upset About

The really interesting part about Xbox Live community games is that they’ll really stretch the definition of what a “game” really is.  And Drum Xplosion, which really isn’t a game so much as it is a big drum kit, will still provide a lot of fun.

Considering that a proper drum kit with all the bells and whistles can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars, the fact that this one only costs two hundred Microsoft points and yet offers fully fifty different customizable drum sounds is a point worth bearing in mind.  You can even string together two different Xbox 360 controllers to simulate a full drum kit.  Fully customizable in a lot of different ways, this may well be the most extensive drum simulator ever released, even counting Rock Band.

If you ever wanted a drum kit growing up, or were a former percussionist looking to get back into practice, then you’ll likely enjoy playing Drum Xplosion.  In fact, parents out there should be advised that, now, Junior can actually afford his OWN drum kit even on what little allowance you’re giving him.  But if you can’t stand the racket or weren’t a band nerd back in high school, then this one may not be the one for you.

Aria Game Review–When Playing Your Playlist Isn’t Enough

Aria is one of those great Xbox Live community games that isn’t great because of what it does, but rather what it is.

Yes, when you start playing Aria, you’ll notice that it plays a lot like other games like Powerup Forever, Geometry Wars, and a host of others.  But this one is different–see, what it’ll do is take your music library, assuming you have one, and send out its steadily growing flood of enemies in time with the music, while playing it.  This is actually a really exciting feature, if not necessarily a real game-changer.

If just listening to music has grown tiresome, then you’ll probably get a kick out of playing your playlist.  As in  playing AGAINST your playlist. The thought of my music turning on me is actually a cheerful one, and makes a nifty game.  Sure, the gameplay’s a little on the soft side, and frankly, they definitely could’ve done a lot more with it but they’ve broken some interesting ground and hopefully paved the way for refinement.

And at the low price of four hundred Microsoft points, well, it’s worth the cost.

Pwned Game Review–If You Just Can’t Get Enough Chess, Bring Friends and Play

The word “pwn” is rapidly becoming a rapid part of our vocabulary, even if no one’s a hundred percent sure just how to pronounce it.  But for those of you who pronounce it “pauhnd”, then you’ll get the connection to recent Xbox Live community release Pwned.

Pwned, you see, is a chess game.  As such, there’s no real plot, and there’s also no real single player mode.  Pwned is made to be played with friends on Xbox Live Arcade.  As such, it has something of a limited appeal–you have to have a match in order to play–but for those who have friends or good online connections, then this won’t be a problem.

If you have friends and a desperate hankering for some…chess…then Pwned is the game for you.  Otherwise…well…okay, otherwise you’re going to have absolutely NO use for this game, but at the bargain price of four hundred Microsoft points, it costs less than some chess sets.  If you’re into chess, this is a good buy.

Virus Wars Game Review–On Par With Some Great Titles

I have to admit, the Xbox Live community games are pretty solid in their own right.  Some of them are easily on par with current Xbox releases–for instance, when I tried Virus War, I had a pretty good experience, even if it was a bit familiar.

Essentially, in Virus War, you’re playing in a human bloodstream, out to exterminate a series of viruses that will descend on the system.  You’ll be able to power up your weapons and use various equipment to defeat the viral hordes, all of which have “distinctive behaviors”.

If you’re thinking that this is a giant ripoff of PowerUp Forever or Geometry Wars, then you’re right in a limited way.  Those are exactly how this game plays.  But at the same time, the fact that we can compare this one to professionally developed games that got the full Live Arcade presence, even in a derisive way, illustrates the skill that went into this one.  Virus War, being offered at a surprisingly bargain-priced four hundred Microsoft points, will prove to be a smooth and professional experience.

Mothballz Game Review–Don’t Try This At Home, Kids

Have you ever considered the difficulties involved with trying to kill moths…with a cannon?

I know, that got me too the first time I heard about recent addition to the Xbox Live community MothBallz–a game that requires you to do as I just said–kill moths with a cannon.  You’ll set the angle and the power level, then fire into the open room trying to kill the moths swarming around the light bulbs in the room…and do so without breaking the light bulbs.

This sounds a lot easier than it actually is, especially when you start getting multiple light bulbs involved, but sometimes you’ll actually be required to kill the light bulbs along with the moths.  This isn’t the kind of thing you see very often–I haven’t played a good round of bug killing since Stephen King’s F13.  And even better, you can enjoy all this bug killing frenzy for a measly two hundred Microsoft points.  You can almost hit the dollar menu for that kind of value.

It’s a fun little game, really, and at that kind of price, there’s almost no reason to NOT get it.

Lode Runner Game Review–An Near-Perfect Port, If You Care In The First Place

Way back when, in the depths of the eight-bit revolution and the good old straight-eight Nintendo Entertainment System, back when Mario was still a plumber and not a merchandising icon, I remember playing a little game called Lode Runner.  It was a strange little title, a kind of strange puzzle / platform action hybrid in which you ran around a maze, trying to lay hands on piles of gold while being pursued by robots who would have preferred it if you were dead.

You were unable to jump, and instead were given a blaster gun that didn’t work on your enemies, but rather on the floor to your immediate left or right.  I didn’t have a whole lot of fun with it, but maybe that’s because at the time I was like eight.

Now here’s the part that really got me.  Recently–like within the last couple days–I found a copy of Lode Runner on Xbox Live Arcade, for twelve hundred Microsoft points.  And except for the updated graphics, there’s virtually nothing that distinguishes it from my memories of the original.  And oddly, I STILL didn’t have a lot of fun with this.  Fully twenty years of growth and maturity still couldn’t make this canard be fun.

So if you’re looking for an almost completely intact copy of Lode Runner with a little bit of a graphics upgrade, then head on over to Xbox Live Arcade.  And if you’re not, then don’t worry–you’re not missing anything.

Funtown Mahjong Game Review–Hot Shots Mahjong

I’ve played a lot of different Mahjong games before, and they mostly wind up being tile matching games whilst I steadily winnow down a pile to nonexistence.  This is all right by me, generally, and so when I saw Funtown Mahjong on Xbox Live Arcade for eight hundred Microsoft points, I was fairly interested.

What I got, however, was a whole different matter.

I got a really top-rank chill game with some great music and an almost rummy-style of mahjong play, where my big task was to assemble runs and sets of three tiles.  That’s pretty much it.  You’re out to do it before everybody else, of course, and you’ll actually have a multiplayer versus mode to try out.

Sure, the graphics make it look a LOT like Hot Shots Golf / Tennis (Hot Shots Mahjong?  That’s really rather interesting….), and at first, it’s going to be a little difficult to pick up since I can’t remember ever playing THIS kind of Mahjong before despite having played several different kinds.  But still–it’s nice to have a game you can cool off with at the end of the day, and Funtown Mahjong definitely fills that bill.

Death Tank Game Review–A Little Goes A Long Way

When you introduce a game called Death Tank into the world, you have certain expectations to live up to.  You expect lots of firepower and lots of vicious weapons and lots of awesome explosions.  You don’t, however, expect an old friend to come back and surprise you, and that’s just what happened for me.

Death Tank, recently released to Xbox Live Arcade, allows you to take control of tanks with a small arsenal of weapons, including cannon, machine gun and guided missiles to take on a series of other tanks.  Defeating your opponents allows you a cash budget to upgrade your own tank and improve the chance of killing everyone else.

When I said “an old friend”, I meant it.  There was a game a while back, in which you were required to input the angle and velocity of shots and fire on other cannons.  Death Tank is a lot like that game, only with a lot more movement and a lot less deliberation.

Death Tank is a surprisingly fun title, even if it doesn’t have a lot of replay value unless you get a group game going, then you’ll probably have even more fun with it.  But anyway, it’s a nice little title from Xbox Live and should give you occasional bits of fun for a long time, especially if you spread them out.  A little of this game goes a long way.