About Steve Melton

OXM recently caught up with Yoichi Take, president of Toylogic, at a review event. During their interview Take stated that his team plans to release downloadable content for the …
Read More

The following is an editorial. It represents the views of the author only, and not the XBLA Fans staff as a whole.

Every few years a new game surfaces that’s “cool” to play. In the early part of the 2000’s it was Halo, then it was Grand Theft Auto 3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare started a trend that’s seen yearly addon pa–err titles to the series. But the most recent trend of only three years is Minecraft. It’s a game that every teenage boy carries on his USB thumb drive, hoping that while in the computer lab he won’t get caught playing the no-need-to-install version on a school PC. But it’s become more than that. It’s a social thing now. PC players host and join mulitplayer servers, working and battling creepers cooperatively. Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition brought a near-perfect experience to home consoles, and while it’s not quite as strong as it’s PC brother, it’s been enough of a success to post over 3 million players to the leaderboards and get the attention of Red vs Blue‘s Rooster Teeth, who have created a series of Let’s Play videos and challenges.

But I just don’t get the appeal of this game.

I get that it’s well made, that it has a social appeal, and that those who love it enjoy it immensely. And to that I say good for them. But try as I might I just look at the gameplay and scratch my head. Maybe it’s because I’m playing solo. Maybe it’s because I’m in my (early) 30’s. Maybe I just feel like it takes too much time to get to the fun stuff. Whatever the reason I wish fans and the faithful developers the best, but it was like grinding teeth for me to play this game.

Read More

TopWare Interactive and developer Chasing Carrots have announced a new top-down racing game, Pressure. In the same vein as Micro Machines, TNT Racers, and many others, Pressure seeks to create a unique identity by setting the racing in a steampunk world. An evil guy has taken all the water and so you get in your go-kart and . . . you know what? Let’s just post the official synopsis.

The hero awakes to find the usually cool waters lake where he takes his morning bath completely dry and filled with cruel machines. The sinister Earl has drained the lake to be the site of his new Wellness Spa Temple. Thwarting his sinister plans and returning the valuable water to the citizens of the world is the main objective of the game… as well as destroying his countless, caltrop-laying minions.

No release date or pricing information was released, but we’re guessing it will set gamers back around 800 MSP given the game’s current competition. Short videos showcasing a few of the game’s action sequences, characters and vehicles can be found after the break.

Read More

Cherry Pop Games’ Pool Nation was supposed to hit digital shelves last Wednesday, but due to unknown reasons it missed the initial release window. But the developer recently confirmed via Twitter that players can chalk up for their first shot on October 31, just two weeks from today. It will release for 800 MSP and features two player on-and-offline gameplay. Xbox.com hints that it may have downloadable content as well, but we haven’t heard anything of that sort. The listing also boasts that the game features “photo-realistic graphics” and “real-world physics.” We can’t speak for the physics, but we’re sold on the visuals. Hit the jump for more screenshots.

Source: @CherryPopGames via Joystiq

Read More

The Origin of Pain downloadable content for Trials Evolution was developed by RedLynx and co-published by Microsoft Studios and Ubisoft. It was released on October 5, 2012 for 400 MSP. A copy was provided for review purposes.

Fall is upon us. The Summer of Arcade promotion is over, and while the five games released all did fairly well the real heroes this year are two Spring games: Minecraft and Trials Evolution. Both have been a beacon of hope in what has been a relatively disappointing year for Xbox Live Arcade thus far. Trials Evo is one of only a few of this year’s games we’re still playing are likely to still be this time next year.

That interest is compounded with the newly released Origin of Pain downloadable content. RedLynx delivered in a big way with their Trials HD DLC, and are upping the ante this time around. It’s arguably the most ambitious DLC offered for any XBLA game, and certainly one of the best bargains on the marketplace. While it does have a few weak points, Origin of Pain brings thrills in a way that only the RedLynx gang knows how to deliver.

Read More

Sonic Adventure 2 and the Battle Mode downloadable content were developed and published by Sega. They were released on October 5, 2012 for 800 MSP and 240 MSP, respectively. Copies were provided for review purposes.
Sonic Adventure was a bit of a mixed bag. The original release was lauded by fans of the franchise, but the overworld aspects were confusing, as was its what-the-heck-is-going-on plot. When it was re-released in 2010 via Xbox Live Arcade it was met with much of the same. While the 3D platforming was almost enjoyable everything else weighed down the game. Sonic Adventure 2 was released a few years later and seemed to, at least initially, address player concerns. Gone was the overworld and much of the complicated plot. But while it was an improvement it still had minor flaws.

Now Sonic Adventure 2 joins its older brother on the Xbox 360. It brings the same sense of speed as it did 11 years ago. There are several over-the-top moments that bring a measure of enjoyment to the game. Unfortunately it still suffers from the same issues it did in 2001. This is a straight-up port aside from the fact that the GameCube-exclusive Battle Mode is available for purchase separately.

Read More

Hey, remember when Bond games weren’t just Call of Duty with different characters? Remember games like Everything or Nothing, Agent Under Fire and Nightfire? You know, back when you actually felt like Bond. Just look at the monstrosity that is GoldenEye 007: Reloaded. Everything about it screams “reboot because GoldenEye was a cash cow”. What a spit in Pierce Brosnan’s face. Not only did they go with Daniel Craig (great actor, terrible Bond), but they threw out nearly everything that made both the movie and Nintendo 64 game great.

But Nightfire was different. It had an original story. It had multiple awesome Bond gadgets. It had Bond moments, and most importantly it didn’t have the jarring “first person cutscenes”. It was fantastic. From the engaging campaign to the top-notch couch competitive multiplayer Nightfire could do no wrong. And with the upcoming retail release of 007 Legends and the SkyFall film Activision will have no way to woo Bond fans next year. This is exactly why Nightfire needs to make a comeback.

Read More

In preparation for the upcoming Origin of Pain downloadable content for Trials Evolution RedLynx is releasing a title update which addresses issues and readies the game for the DLC. …
Read More

• There was no XBLA game this Wednesday. Major Nelson, director of Xbox LIVE tweeted that it was because NBA Live 13 did not get released (and was …
  Read More

The gang over at PlayXBLA posted the official specs for what’s in the Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition 1.8.2 update. In addition to Creative Mode, new mobs, collectable and craftable items, and a number of fixes have been added. There’s no word on the release date for the patch, but such a detailed list as this can only mean it’s nearly finished. The list is quite exhaustive, so hit the jump for more info. While you’re there, tell us what your plans are once 1.8.2 is out? Will you be making crazy block sculptures, or going on a mob hunt?

Source: PlayXBLA

Read More