Weekly Xbox Indies - 11/21/09

Yay

• Wool - 80 MS points. Wool is a game that puts you in the paws of a sheep dog herding sheep, with gameplay similar to the Xbox Live Arcade game Flock (or more accurately, the PS1 game Sheep). Personally, I actually prefer this indie take on the gameplay over Capcom's (far more expensive) offering. The sheep AI is just the right balance between cooperative and unruly to make the game challenging without becoming too frustrating. There is also a nice multiplayer mode that has up to 4 players trying to horde the herded sheep all to themselves that gets very competitive very quickly.
• Neo Terra - 80 MS points. Neo Terra is a real-time space strategy game that moves at a very quick pace akin to the popular iPhone game Galcon. The game presents a galaxy of planets to conquer that will produce more ships that you can send and conquer more planets. The game creates an addicting tug of war dynamic between you and your opponent where both sides will be taking and retaking planets from each other. There are two main game types, with the first an all out domination match where the last player standing is the victor, as well as a king of the hill type mode where a player wins by controlling a flagged planet for a set amount of time. The multiplayer extends to up to 4 players, with the option to also have 4 AI players in the mix as well, making for a truly hectic strategy experience.
• Inside Lacrosse's CL2010 - 400 MS points. Perhaps it's the just because of the sheer phallic imagery involved in the sport, but I've always been fascinated by lacrosse. As such, I've always wished there was a lacrosse videogame, and Inside Lacrosse's CL2010 does a damn good job of that. I don't claim to know the intricacies of the sport, but I do know that while playing the game I had a lot of fun. Even if it's just the little touches, like seeing the trajectory of a pass before you throw it, or using the right analog stick to aim a shot while you maneuver around the field, this is one of the few sports games that I've truly enjoyed and feel comfortable recommending to anyone regardless of how familiar they are with the sport.
• Aesop's Garden - 240 MS points. Aesop's Garden looks, sounds, and plays like a long-lost NES game. Someone nefarious has been planting weeds in your garden, and you need to collect the weeds to make your garden beautiful again. It's a puzzle game at heart, with the real challenge to maneuver mazes and push blocks so you can reach the weeds. There is also a complete level editor for the game to create your own puzzle gardens, though the created levels cannot be shared online.
• Aardvark - 240 MS points. On the surface, Aardvark seems like just another Breakout clone with a funny name. In large part that assessment is true and, despite the sheer number of Breakout clones already on the Xbox Live indie game channel, Aardvark is one of the top out there. But what really sets Aardvark apart is the level editor, letting you build your own block breaking levels. There's no level sharing online, but it's still fun to play your own creations.

Return to Ostagar With More Dragon Age DLC

Are you one of the large number of people upset about the day 1 Dragon Age: Origins DLC? Well it looks like Bioware has listened to your complaints and will be releasing more DLC after the game's release too. See, Bioware and EA do care about you. And your wallet.

The following may contain story spoilers from the first few hours of the game, which have probably already been spoiled for you by now anyway.

The first piece of fresh DLC content was announced yesterday titled Return to Ostagar, which let's you, wait for it, return to Ostagar. After the tragic battle of Ostagar the darkspawn have taken over, and this DLC allows you to return to the battle site to fight back the darkspawn and reclaim the fallen King's armor. The DLC also gives you another opportunity to recruit the dog character into your party if you missed his side-quest in Ostagar the first time around.

Personally, I'll be holding off from getting this particular DLC since the King's weapons and armor seems to be the main draw and my mage character would have no use for them. I also have yet to find a use for the dog in my party, so I can't really say that people who missed out on him are missing that much. It will be interesting though to see if the content will take full advantage of the implications of wearing the armor of a recently deceased King, which I imagine should cause some unfavorable reactions from most other characters you meet during the game.

The content has been set at a price of $5 (400 MS points for Xbox 360 gamers), and though no exact date has been set yet for the content the claims of "available this holiday season" seem to imply an imminent release.

Playstation Network Getting Premium Subscription Content

Today Sony held a media/investor conference to discuss some of the company's future plans. While not all of it is relevant to gaming, there was, of course, a portion of the conference that touched on Sony's plans for the PS3 (and to a lesser extent the PSP). Some interesting details were revealed which non-investors can learn all abut through the conference's slides made available here. Sony sees it's motion controller and 3D gaming (via special glasses and a firmware update) as two of the PS3's key advantages over the competition, all good stuff. But under the Playstation Network section of the presentation there is a tiny detail that might seem a little out of place.

The line "New revenue stream from subscription" appears on the slide detailing how PSN is one of the PS3's key advantages. Of course, this is meant for investors, so new revenue would be seen as an advantage. But as a gamer, this is worrying news. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I had always thought that that one of the PS3's key advantages over the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live was that PSN access was free.

Don't worry, at least too much yet. Online play will still be free through PSN. Shortly after the conference, Sony's Kaz Hirai commented on the subscription plans to reassure gamers that the current free services will stay the same.

"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network. Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."

Premium content could mean any number of things ranging from more Qore-like content on PSN, to an MMO game, to exclusive Home channels, to early access to game betas and demos. It's good to know that the things on PSN that are currently free will stay that way, but I am very curious to see how Sony will introduce the new premium subscription content into PSN.

Hirai - Current PSN service to remain free, subs for "premium content and services" [VG247]

Modern Warfare 2 Hidden Multiplayer Modes Could Be Future DLC

It's no secret that PC gamers are none too happy with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. While some saw boycotting the game as the solution, others have decided to take a much more productive approach and tear into the game's code for buried treasure. And buried treasure they found, with three multiplayer modes hidden on the disc that aren't currently available to play in matchmaking.

The three multiplayer modes are: One Flag CTF, VIP, and Global Thermonuclear War. The first two operate as you would expect them to, having appeared in countless online games in the past. The third mode, Global Thermonuclear War, sounds far more interesting with players racing to capture and detonate a nuclear bomb. The three new modes have been tested on the Afghan and Favela maps and are fully functional game modes.

Activision has already claimed that new multiplayer modes will come out for Modern Warfare 2 in the form of DLC, so it is very likely that future DLC will simply unlock these modes on the disc. The real question then is how much Activision is going to charge for it. I would hope, especially now that ith as been revealed that the content is already on the disc, that it would be a free download in a couple of months as a way of keeping players interested with new content. But considering how successful the boycott of the game has been, the message has been loud and clear: When Call of Duty is involved Activision can name its price. I expect it to cost at least $9.99.

Unlocking Hidden MW2 Game-Types [Modern Warfail 2]
[via Destructoid]

3D Dot Game Heroes Gets US Release Date, $40 Price Tag

Last month Sony let it slip that 3D Dot Game Heroes would be getting a US release, but no release date or US publisher was given. Late last night a press release appeared from Atlus announcing that it would be the publisher bringing us a heaping helping of "pure retro sexy", accompanied by the release date of May 11, 2010.

The fact that Atlus is publishing the game isn't much of a surprise. Atlus has a history of bringing niche Japanese RPGs to the overseas audience, most recently having huge success bringing Demon's Souls to the US market, so to publish From Software's next RPG is a no-brainer. What is more of a surprise, and a very pleasant one at that, is the price. 3D Dot Game Heroes will release in May for the budget price of $39.99. I guess Atlus must be worried about how the US market will accept the intentionally blocky graphics (Atlus had less success with the similarly styled, and personal favorite, Gamecube game Cubivore) and set a budget price to match the visuals. Personally I would have gladly paid the full $60 for the game, so a discount is just icing on an already sweet retro cake.

Atlus has put up an official US 3D Dot Game Heroes web site that will be updated in the future months leading up to the game's release. The game has also already started appearing for pre-order on the usual suspects of sites, which might actually be necessary if Atlus does another one of its limited releases. Check out Atlus' full press release after the break.

Nintendownloads - 11/16/09

With today's Nintendo download update, free WiiWare demos will finally be available so you can try before you buy. If you've ever wanted to try BIT.TRIP BEAT, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Dark Lord, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits, or World of Goo well then now is your chance since those are the first games to be getting the demo treatment. In addition to the demos Nintendo will also be releasing Pokemon Rumble, which lets you battle wind-up toy Pokemon to add to your collection. Bradamantium gave us a preview of the game not too long ago, but if you're still not sure about a purchase there's a demo available for Pokemon Rumble too.

On the virtual console things get kinky with the whip wielding Indian Jones' Greatest Adventures. The SNES Indian Jones game featured levels from all 3 films and was akin to the Super Star Wars series in both gameplay and difficulty. Also available is the TurboGrafx-16 version of Street Fighter II': Championship Edition. Come on, there are already 4 other versions of Street Fighter II on the Wii, do we really need this one too?

Despite WiiWare getting demos, nothing demo-wise is happening on the DSi front just yet. But don't worry, Nintendo has not forgotten about DSi owners with three new games released today. Art Style: DIGIDRIVE offers traffic controlling puzzles as you guide cars through an intersection, Arcade Bowling brings the classic Skeeball carnival game to your handheld, and Robot Rescue tasks you with guiding robots through a series of labyrinth puzzles.

Note About WiiWare Demos: It appears the demos aren't going to be around forever. A message on the Wii Shop home page lists "WiiWare Demos Available for A Limited Time!" When you click on the note to read more it says at the bottom of the message that "The demos will be available at least through the holidays." It is unknown if this applies only to the current demos or if Nintendo will stop releasing any WiiWare demos after the holidays. As soon as we know more we'll let you know.

Check after the break for each game's full description and details.

Weekly Xbox Indies - 11/13/09 - Happy Friday The 13th!

Yay

• Armor Valley - 400 MS points. Armor Valley is a strategy game where you build units that get sent out to conquer the enemy base, as well as defeat any enemy forces met along the way. Unlike a typical RTS, all of the units travel on pre-determined paths, so the strategy comes from picking the right amount of the right units taking into account aspects like their speed, strength, and the number of enemy units coming back at you. You control a helicopter-like craft that flies above the battlefield to give you a full view of what's going on, while also letting you unleash machine gun fire and missiles as support. I should also mention that this is one of the better looking games in the Xbox indies section with high production values and detailed 3D unit designs. It's not as involved as an RTS, but it's more pro-active than a tower defense game, and all fun.
• Avatar Rockets - 80 MS points. Avatar Rockets is a fairly simple game where you blast your Xbox avatar into space, collecting fuel along the way to reach further into the stars. It has a nice hand-drawn art style, which is complimented by the ability to draw designs on your rocket ship like a coloring book. There are also three great multiplayer modes where the "just one more try" gameplay meets head to head competition making for a hugely addictive experience.
• Flytrap - 400 MS points. Flytrap is an arcade-style game where you control an anthropomorphic venus flytrap as it defends baby flytraps from frogs, wasps, and other enemies. Since you're a venus flytrap, you not only need to stop enemies in their tracks with a spray gun, but also swallow them down Kirby style. The balance you need to strike between shooting and eating enemies keeps the game's intensity high throughout. I do feel like the game should have been released at one price level lower, but it's still a great game.

Indie Game Developers Get Edge-y

Tim Langdell of EDGE Games is a bit of a trademark troll. He waits for a game with "Edge" in the title to be a financial success, then springs a claim to ownership to all uses of the word "Edge" in a videogame title, and demanding a portion of the game's profits. EA's Mirror's Edge is still in litigation on the trademark, meanwhile the PS3 RPG Cross Edge has been completely ignored, likely due to lackluster sales for Langdell to prey upon. The hit iPhone game Edge was removed from the app store twice at Langdell's request before finally reappearing with the new name Edge by Mobigame. Langdell's latest target, iPhone game Killer Edge Racing, is especially interesting since shortly after the game's removal from the app store Langdell applied to register his own trademark on the very same name (presumably in a bid to block the game from returning).

This seems to have been the last straw for indie game developers, who have banded together in the most amusing way possible. As of this writing I've seen 22 indie developers that have either announced a renaming of their existing games or brand new ones simply to include the word "edge" in the title. Some personal favorites are Fedge, Canabedge, Critter Credge, rEDGEonance, And Edge it Moves, Edge Yes, Not So Octopus, and of course the pictured Edgeward McEdgington.

Admittedly, most of these game name changes are meant in jest (though Canabedge and Edge Yes, Not So Octopus are fully functional games), but it is uncanny how quickly this movement built up. Will this unconventional faux-protest actually have any effect and shame Tim Langdell into relenting his crusade against games using the word "Edge?" Considering that Langdell's legal trolling forced him to step down from the International Game Developers Association board, and he is still going at it, not likely. But maybe, just maybe, a unified group of game developers could have an impact. I'm sure Miles Edgeworth would take the case.

Langdell Troll Day [TIG Source]
Edgeward McEdgington [Art and Game Development]

Rumor: Project Natal Launching With 14 Game Lineup Next November

Some new information about the release of Project Natal was leaked today thanks to some behind-closed-doors UK studio tours Microsoft is holding to help garner publisher support for the device. According to an MCV tipster, we can expect to get our hands (and arms, and feet, and body) on Project Natal in a year's time next November. Also revealed is that Project Natal is expected to have a launch lineup of 14 games when it comes out next November. Of course, this could simply mean 14 "Natal supported" games with the device only used sparingly. It's also possible that these 14 titles could include previously released games with downloadable Natal updates, as I would expect to happen with games like Madden. But still, there's bound to be at least a few games in the bunch that make heavy use of Project Natal. Considering Rare's deep involvement in the device, I would be absolutely shocked if a Natal-capable Viva Pinata 3 wasn't among the 14 launch titles.

The most interesting news to come out of the studio tours though is the price. Claims are that Project Natal should retail on its own for under £50 (about $75 US), and possibly as low as £30 (about $45 US). There are also expected to be Natal/console bundles, which is about as predictable as the sun rising in the morning.

Is that pricing attractive enough to bring on the Natal early adopters? That will probably depend on what those 14 launch games are. So far Activision, Bethesda, Capcom, Disney, EA, Konami, MTV, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft have all signed on board to make Natal games, so next November should be an interesting, and active, time of year.

Natal Details Leak From Secret Microsoft Tour [MCV]

Henry Hatsworth Dev's Next Game: Project Monster

After creating the amazing Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, developers Peter Ong and Ryan Pijai broke off to create their own game studio: DreamRift. For those that haven't played Henry Hatsworth, the game seamlessly combined Mega Man-esque action platforming sensibilities with a puzzle game on the touch screen for powering your character. With a history of such excellent genre blending, it's a gross understatement to say that I was eager to discover what the developer's next game would be.

DreamRift has revealed its new game to be yet another DS genre mash-up with Project Monster. Project Monster puts players in control of Ellie, a girl who can "kick some major butt" and fight through a side-scrolling adventure on the top screen Metroidvania style. On the bottom screen is Ellie's pet monster, adding a Pokemon element to the game as she trains the creature with items found on the adventure. Ellie can also call the monster up to the top screen to use abilities ranging from shields and projectiles to jumping on it like a trampoline to get to new areas. As Peter Ong explains the monster training aspect:

You have direct influence of how your pet grows based on what food, toys, equipment, and items to give to him, as well as how the pet is used throughout gameplay. For example, your pet will grow differently based on how you use its abilities, which forms you use, which screen it lives on most, what types of enemies it encounters, and many other choices.

The blend of Metroidvania and monster training is a promising premise for a new game, and if anyone can pull the combination off it would be creative minds of DreamRift. DreamRift doesn't have a publisher yet for the game, but expects to release Project Monster sometime in the second half of 2010.

World Debut: Project Monster [IGN]

Nintendownloads - 11/09/09

Nintendo's been bringing out some great games for its download services lately, and that trend continues this week. On WiiWare things start out with the much anticipated release of Excitebike: World Rally, which brings back series' classic 2D racing, track editor, then adds online multiplayer on top of it. Also this week on WiiWare is Frogger Returns, which thankfully ditches the mascot platformer style of recent Frogger games in favor of a return to the game's arcade roots and gameplay. WiiWare releases are rounded off with Dragon Master Spell Caster which looks to be a competitive dogfighting game with dragons.

DSiWare gets plenty of excitement as well this week with the release of Bomberman Blitz, which brings 8-person online multiplayer to the touchscreen handheld. But what I personally find even more exciting is the wealth of Electroplankton content. Electroplankton Trapy, Hanenbow, Rec-Rec, Nanocarp, and Beatness all come to the DSi in downloadable form. If you missed Electroplankton before (which was quite easy to do since the game never saw a retail release and was only available online) it is a brilliant musical experience, and one of the most unique games in the DS library. These are the first 5 Electroplankton games, with presumably the remaining 4 to be released in the near future.

Finally, on the virtual console things are a bit less exciting with the release of Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap for the Master System. Considering that the superior TurboGrafx-16 version, Dragon's Curse, was released on the virtual console over two years ago, the Master System original isn't going to turn many heads. Also on the virtual console this week is the Commodore 64 shooter Cybernoid, which is known for both its amazing chiptune soundtrack and punishing difficulty.

Weekly Xbox Indies - 11/06/09

Hey all you closet indie fans, why not come out and show your indie pride? Check out the new Xbox Indies app on Facebook and show off your favorite indie games to friends. It's a great way to show indie game support, as well as get back at your friends for clogging up your news feed with pointless personality quizzes.

Yay

• Squid Yes! Not So Octopus! - 80 MS points. In my mind, the name alone makes the game well worth a look, but there's actually a very solid shooter here. Unlike the modern trend with shooters, SYNSO! does not use a dual stick control scheme. Instead you fire in whichever direction you are facing, making for a feel that is both familiar and refreshing at once, and just all around fun. There are also a ton of options in the game, ranging from difficulty level changes to how psychedelic the graphics will be. SYNSO! has actually been around for quite a while on PC, for free I might add, so you might also want to check it out (and it's sequel SYNSO!: Squid Harder).
• Antigrav Racing Championship - 400 MS points. Do you wish that the Xbox 360 had a futuristic racing game like F-Zero and Wipeout? Well now it does thanks to Antigrav Racing Championship which boasts 8 vehicles to choose from on 20 well-designed tracks. Anyone looking for their futuristic speed junkie fix need look no further.
• Space Milkman - 240 MS points. Space Milkman is a platformer with cute graphics and a nice selection of power-up abilities. Unlike other platformers, you can't just jump on an enemy's head. Instead you need to whip enemies in front of you, or use a move where you jump and slide into the enemies. This jump and slide move also becomes integral to navigating the levels since it is the only way to fit into smaller passage ways. The jumping physics felt just a little off to me, but it never caused a death in-game, and overall the game is just so fun that I can't not recommend it.
• Mirror - 80 MS points. Mirror is a unique puzzle game. Each level gives you a line that acts as a mirror, and you are challenged to predict where objects will appear when reflected on the other side of the mirror line. It's a simple and surprisingly fun concept that I highly recommend for people to go out and give a try.