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[Miles Quaritch]

So Zeno Clash 2 is pretty great, but I've noticed a glitch whereby you can get stuck on the environment and not be able to move until you're attacked/restart from last checkpoint.

Pretty annoying, but apart from that, it's great. So much better than the first title and a lot more ambitious too. Some stunning environments on display throughout and the combat has been much improved too, although it still doesn't feel as responsive as it should.

 

[LorDjidane]

Did you guys have issues downloading on XBL today?

I just had to wait 9 hours for 2Go of download. Usually, it takes me 25 minutes.

 

[breezer79]

Hi HFR bro ^^
Nothing unusual here (Belgium).

 

[Montresor]

Symphony of the Night is ridiculously unforgiving, at least early on. I have three branching paths, each of which are long (feels like 15+ minutes of game play each), and I keep dying before I find a save point, no matter which path I take.

I'm enjoying the game but I'm getting my butt kicked.

Halo Anniversary on Heroic was kicking my butt earlier but I finally got the hang of that game.

 

[Vert boil]

I'll update throughout the day.

DOTW

GTA 4 - 800msp/10$ (was 1600/20$) US price, check your region
--The Ballad of Gay Tony - 800msp (was 1600)
--The Lost and the Damned - 400msp (was 800)

-----

Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway - 1600msp/20$ (was 2400/30$) US price, check your region

Catherine - 2400msp/30$ (was 3200/40$) US price, check your region

CSI: Deadly Intent - 1600msp/20$ (was 3200/40$) US price, check your region

Driver San Francisco - 1600msp/20$ (was 4800/60$) US price, check your region

Fighters Uncaged - 1600msp/20$ ( was 3200/40$) US price, check your region

Forza 4
--American Muscle Car Pack - 240msp (was 560)

Game of Thrones - 1600msp/20$ (was 3200/40$) US price, check your region

Rocksmith
--All the Small Things by blink-182 - 160msp (was 240)
--Dammit by blink-182 - 160msp (was 240)
--Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down - 160msp (was 240)
--Loser by 3 Doors Down - 160msp (was 240)
--What's My Age Again? by blink-182 - 160msp (was 240)

Testament of Sherlock Holmes - 2400msp/30$ (was 3200/40$) US price, check your region

The Cursed Crusade - 1600msp/20$ (was 2400/30$) US price, check your region

-----



----------
Games with gold bits, (these expire in a day or two)

AssCreed 2 - free (was 1600/20$)

Full House Poker - free (was 800) Japanese Gold Account needed

 

[toythatkills]

DOTW

GTA 4 - 800msp/10$ (was 1600/20$) US price, check your region
--The Ballad of Gay Tony - 800msp (was 1600)
--The Lost and the Damned - 400msp (was 800)

Literally the tenth time that this has been on sale. Nice one, Microsoft!

 

[Oynox]

I'd really really like a big Forza sale.. meh

 

[Card Boy]

Literally the tenth time that this has been on sale. Nice one, Microsoft!

Be thankful Fallout/Elder Scrolls stuff hasn't gone on sale again for the 200th time.

 

[Steverulez]

There must be tons of older xbla games that could go on sale like they do with the GOD stuff, get some extra money for developers… they really need to do something like that

 

[aku:jiki]

I've got spare codes for State of Decay, Minecraft and Battleblock if anyone's interested. 800MSP each.

Literally the tenth time that this has been on sale. Nice one, Microsoft!

Yeah, crappy sale. Came in here hoping to be excited and found GTA4 for the billionth time... Borderlands next week again, I guess.

 

[MikeJAMoran]

Not a great week for deals, all in all.

Although I really should drag out my copy of GTA IV and replay it (originally completed on old gamer tag). I think I only have The Lost and the Damned, too... Hmm...

 

[CrunchinJelly]

I went to download that Space Shooter Bundle yesterday and it's been removed already!

Why do they keep taking these bundles down so quick?

 

[Feindflug]

I've got spare codes for State of Decay, Minecraft and Battleblock if anyone's interested. 800MSP each.

Yeah, crappy sale. Came in here hoping to be excited and found GTA4 for the billionth time... Borderlands next week again, I guess.

Yep, pretty disappointing sale this week...I'm waiting for a price drop on Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and War of the Worlds but I guess it's too soon for Blood Dragon and I doubt we'll see WotW anytime soon as well, that being said my demos are ready and waiting to get unlocked.

Also I need to get a 4200 points card this week for Brothers, Charlie Murder, Castlestorm and State of Decay.

 

[aku:jiki]

Yep, pretty disappointing sale this week...I'm waiting for a price drop on Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and War of the Worlds but I guess it's too soon for Blood Dragon and I doubt we'll see WotW anytime soon as well, that being said my demos are ready and waiting to get unlocked.

War of the Worlds would be never - it was delisted a couple of weeks back.

 

[JDdelphin]

Be thankful Fallout/Elder Scrolls stuff hasn't gone on sale again for the 200th time.

I liked the last fallout sale- I got everything for $2 each.
I think I was the last person on the planet that hadn't already got everything, though.

That said, the last few weeks spoiled me.
I WANT MORE

 

[akilshohen]

Out of all those games, the only one worth $20 is Catherine... Which is $30 unfortunately.

 

[RotBot]

Out of all those games, the only one worth $20 is Catherine... Which is $30 unfortunately.

It was $15 last month. And it's $20 on PSN right now.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

War of the Worlds would be never - it was delisted a couple of weeks back.

Already? That was quick. Like Vert, I was waiting for a sale before picking it up. I think I might still have the trial on my hard drive.

 

[Undead Bokun]

War of the Worlds would be never - it was delisted a couple of weeks back.

Disappointing. Really wanted to give that one a go but the negative vibe surrounding it had me waiting for a sale. Pretty sad how XBLA games get delisted with little to no notice or fanfare.

 

[Stumpokapow]

Honestly, if a game is licensed, you should assume it will be delisted on a go-forward basis. Personally, if there's anything you're waiting for a sale on that's licensed and has never been on sale before, it's probably not going to go on sale and it's probably going to magically disappear some day.

 

[Doug Heffernan]

I'd really really like a big Forza sale.. meh

No kidding, that Horizon Rally Pack is due for a sale.

Also still waiting for the second Trials Evo dlc, Skulls of the Shogun and Runner 2 to go on sale!

 

[Apdiddy]

War of the Worlds would be never - it was delisted a couple of weeks back.

Glad I bought it when I did. I heard it has a reputation as an insanely hard platformer.

 

[aku:jiki]

Disappointing. Really wanted to give that one a go but the negative vibe surrounding it had me waiting for a sale. Pretty sad how XBLA games get delisted with little to no notice or fanfare.

We have to assume that's some weird MS policy at this point. Outrun is the only XBLA delisting I know that was announced far ahead of time (like an entire year). Everything else just gets yanked and it doesn't make any sense from any perspective.

Honestly, if a game is licensed, you should assume it will be delisted on a go-forward basis. Personally, if there's anything you're waiting for a sale on that's licensed and has never been on sale before, it's probably not going to go on sale and it's probably going to magically disappear some day.

While that is probably very true, WotW wasn't based on the movie(s) and likely had a more generous license. This delisting was probably due to shelf cost and low sales.

This kind of thought always brings me back to the same game: Days of Thunder Arcade. How? Why?

 

[Of All Trades]

While that is probably very true, WotW wasn't based on the movie(s) and likely had a more generous license. This delisting was probably due to shelf cost and low sales.

Shelf cost? What's strange to me is that if you have a title with low sales then dropping the price, particularly with DD, seems like the obvious route to recoup some of the expense. Just throwing in the towel is bizarre.

At some level you have to wonder why the game was made at all.

This kind of thought always brings me back to the same game: Days of Thunder Arcade. How? Why?

The Cruise missile never stops.

 

[Goodacre0081]

WSOP: Full House Pro is now on the Canadian dashboard/marketplace.

 

[Bacon]

Is cloudberry kingdom coming to xbla today? Really interested in that one.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

Is cloudberry kingdom coming to xbla today? Really interested in that one.

Tomorrow. 800pt.

 

[Jhoan]

Tempted to check out Driver: San Franscisco for $20 but I think I've seen it on sale for as low as $15 every now and then. I'll think about it. The rest of the deals suck.

Hopefully next month's deals/free game is a game that most people don't have; I would love to check out Dark Sector for free or any of the 360 Halo games seeing as how I've never had any interest to check out the series. Halo 3 as a free game can't come soon enough.

 

[kennistond]

Hopefully next month's deals/free game is a game that most people don't have; I would love to check out Dark Sector for free or any of the 360 Halo games seeing as how I've never had any interest to check out the series. Halo 3 as a free game can't come soon enough.

It's rumored to be Dead Rising 2 and Crackdown for August.

 

[crpav]

It's rumored to be Dead Rising 2 and Crackdown for August.

I guess I would be ok with Dead Rising 2 even though I couldn't force myself to finish the first one. Crackdown though? Come on, make it 2.

 

[daevv]

GTA IV was only 680msp after I chose to pay with points so I had to get it again. I haven't really played it since the week it got the trophies update on PS3.

 

[Dance Inferno]

It's rumored to be Dead Rising 2 and Crackdown for August.

I played a little bit of Dead Rising 2 on PS3, but I couldn't get past the first boss, got frustrated, and sold the game. The difficulty spike on those dudes is absolutely nuts.

Crackdown I've never played, I guess I'd be OK with that. They're really scraping the bottom of the barrel for their "free games" though.

 

[LorDjidane]

It's rumored to be Dead Rising 2 and Crackdown for August.

I guess I would be ok with those. Is there a thread about those rumors?

 

[Jhoan]

I played a little bit of Dead Rising 2 on PS3, but I couldn't get past the first boss, got frustrated, and sold the game. The difficulty spike on those dudes is absolutely nuts.

Crackdown I've never played, I guess I'd be OK with that. They're really scraping the bottom of the barrel for their "free games" though.

Lmao! You've clearly never played a Dead Rising that you got frustrated. It's one of my favoritr Capcom IP's this gen. Combo weapons and leveling up will help. I would highly recommend you check out Dead Rising 2: Case Zero to give you a leg up on DR2. I loved the MP as well; it was pretty fun and unique.

The first Crackdown is pretty fun. You start out very weak jumping two feet off the ground but by the end of the game, your leaping across multiple buildings in a single jump Hulk style and crushing enemies like ants. Love the sense of progression and transforming vehicles. It has some pretty fun achievements to boot. However, I think Saint's Row IV is looking to be its worthy spiritual successor. Crackdown 2 was not a good sequel from what I heard; I played the demo and didn't like it.

 

[Slayven]

I was going to buy DR 2 in a previous sale, but heard it didn't have an infinity mode.

 

[kennistond]

I guess I would be ok with those. Is there a thread about those rumors?

http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=583086

 

[kennistond]

I guess I would be ok with Dead Rising 2 even though I couldn't force myself to finish the first one. Crackdown though? Come on, make it 2.

Personally, I think the first is miles better than its sequel. I would love to replay the first than replay the second game.

 

[G0523]

Hopefully next month's deals/free game is a game that most people don't have; I would love to check out Dark Sector for free or any of the 360 Halo games seeing as how I've never had any interest to check out the series. Halo 3 as a free game can't come soon enough.

Dark Sector is so cheap on Amazon though. It would be insulting if it were free. Then again, so is Halo 3 and we're getting that soon too. I really wish Microsoft would've at the very least offered free games that are normally in the double digits. Offering games that are already $5 or less for free is kinda insulting in itself.

 

[Jhoan]

Personally, I think the first is miles better than its sequel. I would love to replay the first than replay the second game.

Definitely agree (save for the dumb survivor AI of the first game). Especially because it has rewards tied to achivements which the sequel dissapointingly lacked. Getting the Real Mega Buster for the Zombie Genocide achievement was a terrific reward for all the time that went into unlocking said achievement.

Dark Sector is so cheap on Amazon though. It would be insulting if it were free. Then again, so is Halo 3 and we're getting that soon too. I really wish Microsoft would've at the very least offered free games that are normally in the double digits. Offering games that are already $5 or less for free is kinda insulting in itself.

Oh ok, I see. 5 cents is stupid cheap. I definitely agree that MS should be followinf Sony's model and offering more recent games. Halo 4 would be pretty sweet for free.

 

[Satchel]

It's rumored to be Dead Rising 2 and Crackdown for August.

Awesome. Another disc i can get rid of.

Crackdown is the perfect "arcade" game.

 

[aku:jiki]

Bring on the new games! Cloudberry seems awesome, can't wait to check it out.

Also still have a Minecraft code if anyone wants it.

The Cruise missile never stops.

But he's not even in it! Michael Rooker is, though...

Crackdown is the perfect "arcade" game.

I don't know what that means but I do know that Crackdown isn't perfect at anything.

 

[Vert boil]

Released today,

Cloudberry Kingdom - 800msp, 436MB.

Narco Terror - 800msp, 1.27GB.


Also,

CastleStorm
--From Outcast to Savior - 240msp

 

[OdysseusVA]

Also still have a Minecraft code if anyone wants it.

I'd love it

 

[Satchel]

I don't know what that means but I do know that Crackdown isn't perfect at anything.

Setting aside how wrong you are, i meant, at 1.6GB, Crackdown is a great "XBLA" game, especially for free.

Its a game you jump in and kill short amounts of time, or lose hours and hours orb hunting.

Favourite new IP this gen for me.

 

[Montresor]

I've got spare codes for State of Decay, Minecraft and Battleblock if anyone's interested. 800MSP each.

Yeah, crappy sale. Came in here hoping to be excited and found GTA4 for the billionth time... Borderlands next week again, I guess.

Those codes you have bring up a prompt that lets you buy the game at a discount? Is State Of Decay still available? =)

 

[SAB CA]

Castlestorm DLC? That's unexpected. They really don't hype these things up anymore, eh? Sounds really meaty for 3 bucks; new hero, 20 campaign stages? Eesh. Will have to get at some point!

Got Cloudberry Kingdom last night on PSN, and just want to mention it's mechanically solid, but very soulless. The sound design reminds me of early crappy 400msp XBLA games, or unpolished XBLIGs. There's no punch of excitement to anything you HEAR while playing.

However, the gameplay has it's moments. Playing Multi-player and coordinating perfect runs through stages looks like a perfect speedrun on Youtube, or something to that effect. The lack of sounds, score tallies (except on the final stage of an ep), loading, or any type of interstitial breaks in between zones feels really amateur to me (could have at least had some fanfare!), but is great in a "JUST LET ME PLAY" sense.

Oh, and for any worried about overall difficulty (since the gifs and videos show off just insane-difficult stuff), it definitely has more of a ramp, rather than starting off that way. In that way, it's quite well designed; you'll be able to get quick accomplishments in the first few stages, and at it's best speed, multiple zones feel like 1 complete Mario stage in length, making it a convenient "short burst" style experience.

 

[JDdelphin]

http://majornelson.com/2013/07/31/games-with-gold-for-august-crackdown-dead-rising-2-dr2-case-zero/

Rumors were true - Crackdown, DR2 AND DR2: Case Zero are the free Aug titles.

 

[aku:jiki]

Aw, I'm not feeling either of today's demos.

Narco Terror was expected, I guess, but I was hoping it'd just be a mediocre but somewhat fun dualstick shooter, but instead it's like they reskinned the Expendables 2 game. Completely uninteresting.

Cloudberry was good, but felt amateurish in every way; the jumping is a little on the floaty and imprecise side, the graphic artist is completely devoid of any sense of style or flair, the music is something a warez intro would have in 1998 and, like SAB posted, it's a bit confusing that one level just ends and the next just begins. At least make me press A or something to give me that accomplishment feedback. I'll be picking this one up, but I can see it getting kinda old kinda fast.

A little curious that both games today thoroughly lack in polish and style.

Those codes you have bring up a prompt that lets you buy the game at a discount? Is State Of Decay still available? =)

Sorry, someone was quick on that one. Only have Minecraft left.

 

[thelatestmodel]

Symphony of the Night is ridiculously unforgiving, at least early on. I have three branching paths, each of which are long (feels like 15+ minutes of game play each), and I keep dying before I find a save point, no matter which path I take.

I'm enjoying the game but I'm getting my butt kicked.

The game shouldn't be that hard. Try to pick a sub-weapon that helps you out - I like the Holy Water as it can be thrown into opponents' feet to cause huge damage.

Spells can help you out a lot as well, have you discovered any of those yet?

 

[Stumpokapow]

I had a very bad time with Cloudberry Kingdom. Levels are short and not particularly interesting. Like, the geometry and the patterns repeat very commonly, the variety of obstacles (at least in the demo) is quite low--you've got pop-up spikes, moving platforms, fire fingers, ball and chains, lasers, falling blocks, and pits obviously. They really feel randomly generated. Stuff kinda doesn't fit together all that well. I mean it's all playable, it's doable, I'm not saying it doesn't work, but it just doesn't feel memorable. No one is ever going to step away from this game and say "That was a neat little section".

Jumping and horizontal movement sucks, characters are ugly, customizations are ugly, sound effects suck, the music really sucks--it feels like "nerd music" to me. Not nerd music as in chiptune or electronic, I love electronic music. Hell, I love dubstep. But it feels like low-key uninteresting My First Track techno. Just really unprovocative and unengaging.

The difficulty level ramp is kind of neat, but ultimately the controls don't support wanting to play a masochistically hard level the way Super Meat Boy's fluidity does. I played with the free play mode on maximum difficulty or whatever, and I died between 3 and 10 times in a level.

I dunno, I guess I just got absolutely nothing out of it. I like platformers, I like difficulty, I like randomly generated content. I just didn't like this.