EpicSteve

Finally, a good pirate themed XBLA game, a bottle of rum for you and me! Age of Booty is a lighthearted strategy game, which revolves around pirates fighting other pirates in territorial battles. The game is really simple. You control a single pirate ship in a hex based map, fighting another team of two or four opponents for control of various towns. Your goal is to simply control the map, this is where the game's teamwork focus comes in to play. The game may sound simplistic, and it very well is, that's what makes the game so damn good. It's a strategy game that doesn't bother with micromanagement, but never feels shallow.

The basic premise of the game is to sail around the level with your team, sinking enemy vessels and capturing more towns than they do. Don't get me wrong, this is a real-time strategy game, but one that's learnable and easy to control (all you need to do is press A). You sail up to an opposing village, press A to shoot cannons at it until it becomes yours, then move on. Although, you'll have to keep constant communication with your team discussing who's gong where, and so on. It's typically best to stay together, but always knowing when to split up is the challenge. In order to win, all four players need to know their role.

By vanquishing your foes and random villages, your team will collect a variety of resources. Wood, gold, and, most importantly, RUM! You can either spend these points toward ship upgrades such as speed, cannons, and armor, or utilize the resources to upgrade your towns defenses so they can fight off your enemies a little better to give you more time to arrive and defend. Anyone on the team has the power to upgrade, and anyone can be a total dick and just upgrade themselves. So in a controlled environment it's important to either pick a person who will decide what's best at the moment, or hope for a friendly game were everyone converses.

On top of everything, the built-in map editor defines user accessibility. You can create a map worthy of playing a competitive game on in a matter of minutes, and you'll even automatically download a friend's map when you connect with them!

If you have a group of like-minded individuals, Age of Booty is a wonderful strategy game, that's both addictive (one more game!) and challenging. The single-player mode, however, is worthless. The very fabric of this game is heavily dependent of cooperation among teammates, and that's impossible with AI. Age of Booty is all about user-friendly mechanics, and keeping a short learning curve. This is a game anyone can learn, but the great design keeps it from feeling shallow, or too simplistic. Age of Booty actually becomes very competitive! Hopefully though, you have some buddies that are willing to dive in this game with you, otherwise you may not have as much of a positive experience. For 800 Microsoft Points, it'll be tough to find a better multiplayer experience.

Steve

War World drops the ball in almost every aspect. Adapted by the PC game of the same name, War World is a shinning example of a game that “could have been”, but otherwise is laughable. Mechs you pilot range of small and speedy, to tank-like giants. Although the larger mechs are more impressive from a presentation standpoint, the maps are so grossly unbalanced the bigger mechs can hardly move in some of the smaller maps. Rather your firing mines, rockets, machine guns, or lasers, the environments don't react whatsoever. Even for an XBLA game, some environmental damage is expected. My skyscraper-size robot shouldn't be stopped by a tree.

What could have been a set of decent skirmishes with fellow LIVE gamers, fell into the shit pile when I realized no one bought the damn game. So getting a match with more than three other people is a challenge itself. The game is one of the prettier games on the LIVE Arcade, but doesn't meet the standards of it. This generation is missing mech games, but unfortunately this game's lack of customization, different weapons, and a community doesn't even warrant a download of the 45 second trial. I guess we'll have to wait for Mech Assault 3 to get any fun mech action on the 360, and don't act like Chromehounds was cool.

Steven Beynon

GamePortrait.com

It's impossible to try and describe the absolute chaos that is Smash TV is. One of my personal favorite arcade games from the past. Not only are you treated to an arcade faithful recreation of a fantastically frantic game, but you are also given online play to a great co-op game. While I experienced getting kicked off 2 times, I can't say if it was my poor connection at the time or the game itself. Regardless, the time I spent blowing endless swarms of enemies away with a buddy was exhilarating.

The game is designed kinda like Blade Runner. You are set in a futuristic TV game show and have to survive countless enemies to win prizes. That's about it. You play through only 3 levels of mazes with multiple paths and literally THOUSANDS (if not more) enemies. Once you think things are going to settle down and you'll move onto the next stage, you're bombarded again. The enemies are relentless and come in droves...And then there are the bosses. Gigantic things that have multiple forms and shoot the hell out of everything are exactly the kind of bosses I like to fight. Smash TV does not disappoint at all in this aspect.
Controls are simple, left joystick moves, right joystick shoots. Sound is what is expected from an arcade game from the 80's, but it isn't horrible. Replay value is huge since there are multiple paths in each level, not to mention the seemingly impossible achievement system to beat the levels without continuing...And online play only adds to the replay.

This is a solid game and a classic experience. While not as satisfying as the similar Geometry Wars, it's hard to compare the games since they set out to achieve totally different gameplay styles. If you're looking for lots of mayhem on your Live Arcade, this is the game for you.


Steven Beynon

You probably wont enjoy everything Boom Blox has to offer, but its casual gameplay mixed with smart design makes it a perfect excuse to dust off your Wii.

What makes a great game is not only the fun factor, but how well the game blends its technology, and gameplay. Boom Blox is a concept of a great game, the gameplay is centered around different types of blocks and the properties it has. Sometimes you have to pull blocks away without losing the top block or you have to knock down certain blocks with as few throws as possible. Sorta like Jenga, but with certain twists.

What makes Boom Blox great, however, is the implementation of the puzzles using these blocks and various items. Using this simple concept, the game gets really creative with puzzles ranging from hitting a block at the right speed and angle to hit another block to hitting a single explosive block making a chain reaction in hitting others. Also, using other properties (like tennis balls, bombs, and grab tools) add further to the game itself.

Some single player puzzles tend to be too frustrating, due to the camera. Also, some single player scenarios, such as the Tower Defense-esque games, just aren't that much fun. That is all fine however since you get an excellent and easy-to-use editor to fool around with. Creating puzzles and scenarios are fairly simple, but you can go as crazy and complicated as you'd like to. This adds a ton of replay value to a game that could easily stay in your Wii for months at a time.

Boom Blox is a simple game that was made much more compelling by its physics engine and its excellent use of puzzles. Puzzle fans will definitely want to purchase this, but multiplayer fans will also find tons of fun in this unique game. This game is not only family-friendly, but offers a great girlfriend game" experience that's a rarity to find these days. 

Trying to describe the absolute chaos that is Smash TV is completely understated unless you're watching a video or have played the game yourself. One of my personal favorite arcade games from the past. Not only are you treated to an arcade faithful recreation of a fantastically frantic game, but you are also given online play. While I experienced getting kicked off 2 times, I can't say if it was my poor connection at the time or the game itself. Regardless, the time I spent blowing endless swarms of enemies away with a buddy was exhilarating.

The game is designed kinda like Blade Runner. You are set in a futuristic TV game show and have to survive countless enemies to win prizes. That's about it. You play through only 3 levels of mazes with multiple paths and literally THOUSANDS (if not more) enemies. Once you think things are going to settle down and you'll move onto the next stage, you're bombarded again. The enemies are relentless and come in droves...And then there are the bosses. Gigantic things that have multiple forms and shoot the hell out of everything are exactly the kind of bosses I like to fight. Smash TV does not disappoint at all in this aspect.
Controls are simple, left joystick moves, right joystick shoots. Sound is what is expected from an arcade game from the 80's, but it isn't horrible. Replay value is huge since there are multiple paths in each level, not to mention the seemingly impossible achievement system to beat the levels without continuing...And online play only adds to the replay.

This is a solid game and a classic experience. While not as satisfying as the similar Geometry Wars, it's hard to compare the games since they set out to achieve totally different gameplay styles. If you're looking for lots of mayhem on your Live Arcade, this is the game for you.


Steven Beynon

Lego Batman is the fifth part in the popular Lego (insert popular LucasArt franchise here) series. With the lack of under the hood maintenance to the lego formula, this iteration comes with built-in problems that anyone who's played previous games should expect. Lego StarWars was a success because it told a mature story in an innocent point of view, and Lego Indiana Jones was great because the films had so many iconic scenes to imitate. So what does Lego Batman do? Nothing really, it tells a generic original story, then expects you to care.

You'll be doing the exact same stuff in this game, solving puzzles, punching baddies until they explode, and collected random stuff fr unlock ables. I've been playing games for a long time, and I found the puzzles to be a little more challenging then they probably should be. So the younger demographic may have some issues in several parts of this 30 level journey.

The decision on picking up Lego Batman revolves around two questions. Do you like Batman? Did you enjoy the past Lego games? If you checked yes to both of those questions, then It looks like a Batman purchase is in your near future. Otherwise, avoid. This isn't a bad game, but it wont change your opinion on the Lego franchise. On a side note, the lack of online co-op in 2008 is inexcusable.

Steven Beynon

GamePortrait.com

War World drops the ball in almost every aspect. Adapted by the PC game of the same name, War World is a shinning example of a game that “could have been”, but otherwise is laughable. Mechs you pilot range of small and speedy, to tank-like giants. Although the larger mechs are more impressive from a presentation standpoint, the maps are so grossly unbalanced the bigger mechs can hardly move in some of the smaller maps. Rather your firing mines, rockets, machine guns, or lasers, the environments don't react whatsoever. Even for an XBLA game, some environmental damage is expected. My skyscraper-size robot shouldn't be stopped by a tree.

What could have been a set of decent skirmishes with fellow LIVE gamers, fell into the shit pile when I realized no one bought the damn game. So getting a match with more than three other people is a challenge itself. The game is one of the prettier games on the LIVE Arcade, but doesn't meet the standards of it. This generation is missing mech games, but unfortunately this game's lack of customization, different weapons, and a community doesn't even warrant a download of the 45 second trial. I guess we'll have to wait for Mech Assault 3 to get any fun mech action on the 360, and don't act like Chromehounds was cool.

Steven Beynon

GamePortrait.com

Where's my "Deck of 52"!?

Mercenaries 2 is simply about blowing shit up, end of story. For anyone who's played the first game, should come expecting the same type of game, just on steroids. The playground of destruction your dropped in is almost completely destructible, and it's your job to finish your mission in anyway you see fit. From air strikes, to  tactical nuclear weapons, to just kicking down the door and kicking ass with an M16, World in Frames is a fantastic set piece for one of the greatest action game of this generation.

So what can be wrong about a game that's primary focus is giant explosions, and where rockets are ubiquitous? Well, Mercenaries 2 simply lacks polish, and it absolutely destroys what could have been an achievement in its genre. The AI is dumber than dirt, and the game just has a stigma to where every five minutes you question an aspect of the game, and wonder why it's the way it is. For example, fire hydrates are more deadly to a tank than a charge of C4. Also, while cruising down the bright would of Venezuela you'll see the same six-or-so cars repeated over, and over. Some times you'll witness a traffic jam, but all the vehicles stuck are the same gray car driven by the same nonwhite guy. Things like that, are just lazy and don't meet the standards of this generation.

Mercenaries 2 is a huge game with loads of stuff to keep you busy, some missions are pointless, and some offer something actually cool to do, like attack a castle full of rifle friendly pirates, and sink it to the depths of the ocean. Luckily, the co-op experience is a blast rivaling that of Crackdown's. This proves that blowing things up with a friend will always overpower the stench of a low-quality game. The co-op is drop in, drop out and uses the hosts game world to play around in. While the difficulty doesn't scale to compensate for an additional player, it doesn't matter. If Pandemic didn't bother to incorporate some basic AI beyond the standards of the N64 classic Goldeneye, then if co-op scaled it would just add cheap explosions, and more enemies most likely. Did I mention it's impossible to die because you control a super hero with one-hit melee kills, and can survive an artillery strike with 5 points of health?

This sequel to an unexpected surprise is a perfect example of a depressing game that under six feet of dirt lies a game that isn't an unplayable poor excuse for a current generation game. Co-op is a cheap thrill that I highly suggest you and a buddy rent together for a weekend, but beyond that, Mercenaries 2: World in the Toilet has no buisness taking money from your wallet, until you local Gamestop has it in the bargain bin.

Steven




 

With a struggling campaign and scarce upgrades, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 feels more like an expansion pack than a full-fledged sequel. Vegas 2 takes the familiar formula of the previous game, and implements minor corrections, installs some news maps, and delivers Vegas fans a sequel that will leave them unsatisfied, and possibly calling this "Vegas 1.5". Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is a totally rad shooter, but bares the old saying, "what happens in Vegas, says in Vegas...and continues in the sequel".

The gameplay centers around the typical first person tactical action format. You'll roll around with your three-man posse, moving from check point, to check point, through the game's six hour campaign.
You'll have the option to tell your AI partners to bust open doors, blow up doors, or just open the damn door and flash bang the room. You'll mostly utilize the AI's ability to open doors in various ways to safe enter rooms, because that's what your limited to in terms of AI control beyond telling them to hold, or regroup. The game doesn't rely to heavily on tactics, but that doesn't mean you should completely ignore the tactical possibilities your given. If you keep your head down and use cover wisely, you should be primarily ok. This lack of a tactical focus may disappoint Rainbow veterans, but with the success of the Vegas series, this seems to be the --direction the franchise will continue to pursue.

The singleplayer campaign is where the game doesn't hit its high point. The campaign should take about six to eight hours, depending on your difficulty setting, but this is still a very unsatisfying experience. Vegas 2 does allow the option for two-player co-op which livens things up. Weird enough, is two AI squad mates remain in the co-op game only controlled by the game's host. The secondary player has no real connection to the world, and feels more like an extra gun, which makes the game unquestionably easier. Unlike the singleplayer which forces you to try again from a check point once you die, co-op offers respawns. When one of the players dies, they come back in ten seconds, for as long as the opposite player doesn't die. Also if you haven't herd you can sprint now, which may sound a little more than foreign to Clancy fans, but the sped up action is a welcomed addition.

Regardless on how much you pay attention, the plot of Vegas 2 is tough to follow. The plot centers a four-man squad in their fight against terror. That part is simple to comprehend, but the narrative is hard to pick up on beyond that. I was dumbfounded by the game's conclusion, which was some dude I didn't recognize giving me some speech about him becoming evil and blaming the protagonist. This is both the fault of the game's shoddy writing, and narration. However, its not uncommon for an action game to fall apart at its climax. But even beyond the goofy ending, the whole story is just slapped together to connect the levels together.

The most imposing quality of Rainbow Six Vegas 2, is the static and lifeless environments. The physics are basic, and very little of the environments are destructible. The graphics in the game show their age, and the lights of Vegas struggle to keep your attention.

With a shoddy campaign, and a less-than impressive story, its good the gunplay is superb. Cover mechanics are a breeze, and very useful in firefights. While you are limited with your squad, it is satisfying to see them working with you without many AI issues. With a fat Call of Duty 4-like experience bar at the bottom of the screen, you'll rise through the ranks and unlock weapons, camo, ect.
Unlike Call of Duty, this system is less featured, however its good side is that it carries through the campaign, terrorist hunts, and multiplayer. So you'll be earning XP no matter what your doing in Vegas 2. The guns sound believable, but at times I encountered that they sound more muffled than they should. Sometimes the audio doesn't act at all, but the game's audio hiccups are hard to notice, and shouldn't interrupt your gameplay.

I found myself really enjoying Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the only thing holding it back for me was its close relations to its predecessor. Obviously no one should buy this for its campaign, though it does offer some entertainment. Vegas 2 is built for multiplayer, and thats where it shines. If you can get over the similarities to the originally, there's plenty of fun to be had with Vegas 2, however if you are a veteran of the first game, the value of this iteration may ware quickly.

Pros

+ Sticks close to familiar, yet great action formula
+ Well constructed multiplayer
+ Customizable Protagonist, that carries through campaign and mutliplayer
+ Sprint is finally added, and speeds up the action
+ Fixes most complaints about the mutliplayer

Cons

- Environments are static and lifeless
- Audio is sometimes muffled or broken
- Takes no risk, and adds little to the franchise
- While AI partners are competent, they could be better.
- Only two player co-op

When Pac-Man was released in North American arcades back in 1980 it lit the gaming industry on fire and holds a special place in almost every gamers heart as one of the most classic coin-up arcade experiences of all time. Spawning countless sequels, a horrible cartoon, and that cool "Pac-Man Fever" song, Pac-Man is one of the kings of the game industry. Now in 2007 Namco comes with the crazy idea to re-do Pac-Man, to bring the gaming icon into the modern era. So how exactly do you dust off the old cob webs to make Pac-Man a serious contender on the XBLA? Do you re-write the graphics? Add more levels Ms. Pac-Man style, or make it into a FPSMMO? Which ever of those you would choose; chances are the end result would be horrendous. Optimistic feeling's aside, Namco did a wonderful job on re-making Pac-Man while maintaining the same game play mechanics of mazes, dots, ghosts, and power pellets. With that said yes, Pac-Man CE is overall the same game with a slick new coat of paint, but that also coincides with the game's best quality which it feels totally different.

The focus in Pac-Man CE's game play is scoring as many points as you can in each of the games seven stages. Each stage is on a strict un-changeable time limit of either five or ten minutes. Unlike the original Pac-Man, you're objective isn't to eat all the dots. Survival becomes a secondary goal. Once the clock runs out, or you run out of you're lives, you're score is immediately sent to the online leader boards for you to compare with you're friends and the world.

The games set-up is its most interesting aspect and stands this edition of Pac-Man out from the pile of mediocre pellet eating. You'll find the classic Pac-Man action, going with you're four ghostly nemeses frantically trying to eat you. Their still power pellets for you do eat, when done so you have a few seconds to eat the ghosts as they turn blue for bonus points. With that said power pellets are a common thing to see appearing all around the ever changing maze, allowing you to constantly keep eating power pellets for an awesome chain of point collecting.

Another difference in Pac-Man CE is that it doesn't stop. During your given time limit the maze is constantly changing. Once you eat all the dots on one side, the empty side of the maze regenerates, spawning new walls, dots, and power pellets. Pac-Man CE has a very unique, cool, and clean look to it with its bright neon mazes. The colorful ghost look similar to the original edition of Pac-Man, but now they are more pixilated for an added graphical look and effect. The ghosts also leave attractive looking tracers behind them as they move amongst the maze. The levels themselves take full advantage of 16:9 wide screen, and it look absolutely beautiful, giving Pac-Man a fresh new look for the modern era. Most of the games audio came directly from the original game, along with well welcomed new sound effects and music track.

Pac-Man CE is a perfect example of taking an old idea and making it fresh again. The games new outlook may turn off purists, but at the same time will attract a new audience. An 800 point ($10.00) price point may be asking a lot for a limited choice of stages, but it's defiantly worth checking out even if you're not a Pac-Man fan for it's near perfect blend of old school gaming and modern ideas, leaving one of the best XBLA experiences Xbox 360 owners will have this year. Billy Mitchell might want to give this game a whirl.

Pros

+Brings Pac-Man into the modern era
+Surprisingly Intense
+Perfect example on how to rebuld a game
+Pretty colors

Cons
-Not too many stages
-While it has the new car smell, people who already didn't like Pac-Man probably wont have their minds changed.