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Summer of Arcade 2008 vs 2009 vs 2010
- Thread starter LevityNYC
- Start date
A Human Becoming
More than a Member
MikeE21286 said:
This.
akilshohen
Member
Limbo will be a classic for XBLA
I gotta say 09. I was honestly hyped for most of the games (still haven't touched 'splosion man even though I bought it to get the points back)
Out of 2010 I've bought Castlevania so far, Limbo will be next, maybe Tomb Raider, and I hope one of the other 2 are decent enough so I can buy them to get my points back :lol (free games are nice)
Tomb Raider dropped the ball big time with no co-op Day 1.
I gotta say 09. I was honestly hyped for most of the games (still haven't touched 'splosion man even though I bought it to get the points back)
Out of 2010 I've bought Castlevania so far, Limbo will be next, maybe Tomb Raider, and I hope one of the other 2 are decent enough so I can buy them to get my points back :lol (free games are nice)
Tomb Raider dropped the ball big time with no co-op Day 1.
I've been wondering how they compare myself, so some quick ratings on a 0-5 scale:
2008
Geometry Wars 2 (5.0)
Braid (4.5)
Bionic Commando (4.0)
Galaga Legions (3.5)
Castle Crashers (4.5)
AVG = 4.3
2009
Marvel vs Capcom 2 (DNP)
Trials HD (4.5)
'Splosion Man (3.5)
TMMT (3.0)
Shadow Complex (5.0)
AVG = 4.25
2010
Limbo (4.0)
Hydro Thunder (4.5)
Castlevania (4.5)
Monday Night Combat (3.5)
Lara Croft (4.5)
AVG = 4.2
Hmm. About even. This year wasn't as unique as others but has a bunch of strong games.
2008
Geometry Wars 2 (5.0)
Braid (4.5)
Bionic Commando (4.0)
Galaga Legions (3.5)
Castle Crashers (4.5)
AVG = 4.3
2009
Marvel vs Capcom 2 (DNP)
Trials HD (4.5)
'Splosion Man (3.5)
TMMT (3.0)
Shadow Complex (5.0)
AVG = 4.25
2010
Limbo (4.0)
Hydro Thunder (4.5)
Castlevania (4.5)
Monday Night Combat (3.5)
Lara Croft (4.5)
AVG = 4.2
Hmm. About even. This year wasn't as unique as others but has a bunch of strong games.
goldenpp72
Member
2008 blew them all away.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
Lara Croft can't count as it was shipped in an incomplete form.
MyEpitomeCliché
Member
Huh, I enjoyed this year's selection quite a bit. The only one I didn't buy was Monday Night Combat, and if Shank wasn't releasing next week, I probably would. I'm currently playing through Lara Croft, and it's very awesome.
Tossup between 08 and 09 for me. I bought four of the five games for each in those years (skipped Galaga in 08 and skipped MvC2 in 09). Summer 2008 was kind of the rebirth of XBLA, with "big" games and some really high-quality original games. But I think 2009 gets the edge for Shadow Complex, Splosion Man, and Trials.
2010 has been a dud as far as I'm concerned, haven't bought a single title in the Summer of Arcade lineup. To be honest I never even downloaded any of the trialsÂ… Limbo is the only one that really interests me.
2010 has been a dud as far as I'm concerned, haven't bought a single title in the Summer of Arcade lineup. To be honest I never even downloaded any of the trialsÂ… Limbo is the only one that really interests me.
2008 and 2009 are tied. I loved Geo Wars 2, Galaga Legions, and Castle Crashers, but I also loved Splosion Man, Shadow Complex, and Trials HD(Trials HD being the best release yet).
This year has been pretty underwhelming. Limbo and Hydro both felt dull. I'll pick up Castlevania eventually, but not for 1200 MS points. And the only real one that felt worth the 1200 mark was MNC
This year has been pretty underwhelming. Limbo and Hydro both felt dull. I'll pick up Castlevania eventually, but not for 1200 MS points. And the only real one that felt worth the 1200 mark was MNC
2010>2009>2008.
That is with saying Braid is among the top 5 games of this gen for me. CC is good for me just not totally great. Limbo and Lara have pushed this year beyond the rest for me and I'm likely among the few. Lara is just addicting fun and I cannot wait for DLC and that is without the co-op experience as well (This is the kind of stuff we need more of on XBLA MS). Granted Shadow Complex and Trials are a superb combo. If Trials had a bit more of a hook in me it probably would have edged out. I have enjoyed Splosion man as a late comer just not in the league with the rest of these mind you.
Bought all these and Geo Wars 2, but none of the rest.
That is with saying Braid is among the top 5 games of this gen for me. CC is good for me just not totally great. Limbo and Lara have pushed this year beyond the rest for me and I'm likely among the few. Lara is just addicting fun and I cannot wait for DLC and that is without the co-op experience as well (This is the kind of stuff we need more of on XBLA MS). Granted Shadow Complex and Trials are a superb combo. If Trials had a bit more of a hook in me it probably would have edged out. I have enjoyed Splosion man as a late comer just not in the league with the rest of these mind you.
Bought all these and Geo Wars 2, but none of the rest.
Honestly, I think the 2010 line-up probably should have been made out of components that were in the House Party stable from the Spring. The likes of Perfect Dark, Toy Soldiers and even the Game Room lined up with say Limbo and Monday Night Combat probably would have made things a lot stronger.
The Crimson Kid
what are you waiting for
Got all 5 in '08, 3 in '09, none this year.
08 was basically jam-packed with classics for xbla save Galaga, trials and shadow complex are essential as well in 09, but nothing this year was exceptional save possibly limbo.
Between the majority of games this year being overpriced (hydro, castlevania, limbo), the over-focusing on MP titles (people have been burned too many times by xbla mp's bad matchmaking/lack of players and are wary), and games being rushed/unfinished (Lara croft coop & castlevania dlc plans)
I really considered Limbo but I thought the precedent it would set would be terrible. It would open the floodgates for MS to price games that weren't as good as limbo but were the same length for the same price. It's exactly what happened after Braid did so well.
08 was basically jam-packed with classics for xbla save Galaga, trials and shadow complex are essential as well in 09, but nothing this year was exceptional save possibly limbo.
Between the majority of games this year being overpriced (hydro, castlevania, limbo), the over-focusing on MP titles (people have been burned too many times by xbla mp's bad matchmaking/lack of players and are wary), and games being rushed/unfinished (Lara croft coop & castlevania dlc plans)
I really considered Limbo but I thought the precedent it would set would be terrible. It would open the floodgates for MS to price games that weren't as good as limbo but were the same length for the same price. It's exactly what happened after Braid did so well.
GillianSeed79
Member
2008 barely edges out 2009 for me. I only bought Limbo this year, but to be fair this summer has been pretty awesome retail game wise.
TheFightingFish
Member
I'd agree that's it's the weakest of the three, but I think 2010 seems to be getting a little disrespected in this thread. I've got MNC which is excellent and I greatly enjoyed the demos for Lara Croft and Hydro Thunder and will probably be picking them up in just a while.
Even with the $15 price point the $60 that you would spend on all of the summer of arcade games (counting the $15 rebate for buying all 5) is so much more game for the money compared to any one $60 retail 360 game released all year. Same deal with the previous two years as well.
Even with the $15 price point the $60 that you would spend on all of the summer of arcade games (counting the $15 rebate for buying all 5) is so much more game for the money compared to any one $60 retail 360 game released all year. Same deal with the previous two years as well.
MirageDwarf
Member
Playing Braid in first Summer of Arcade (2008) was like popping up the cherry. Combined with other games, it is the best so far.
TheFLYINGManga_Ka
Member
This year was the best, IMO.
I think Lara Croft is the best arcade game out of all these Summer of Arcade games. This was a surprise hit for me.
Castlevania HD is a dream game for fans. But you have to be a fan of the series to really appreciate it, I guess. I love it because I'm a fan of the series.
Hydro Thunder is just pure fun to play. It's probably the best example of what an Arcade game for XBLA is all about.
Limbo, IMO, is so much better than Braid. And although Splosion-Man is fun, I think Limbo tops that as a platformer.
I didn't purchase Monday Night Combat but it's still a good competitive online shooter.
For me it's:
2010 > 2009 > 2008
I think Lara Croft is the best arcade game out of all these Summer of Arcade games. This was a surprise hit for me.
Castlevania HD is a dream game for fans. But you have to be a fan of the series to really appreciate it, I guess. I love it because I'm a fan of the series.
Hydro Thunder is just pure fun to play. It's probably the best example of what an Arcade game for XBLA is all about.
Limbo, IMO, is so much better than Braid. And although Splosion-Man is fun, I think Limbo tops that as a platformer.
I didn't purchase Monday Night Combat but it's still a good competitive online shooter.
For me it's:
2010 > 2009 > 2008
Got hyped into buying Limbo (with people saying "OMG this game is so goooood" and junk) and felt like I wasted $15. Also bought Castlevania and I feel like hardly any time was put into it. I'm a huge Castlevania fan... and I thought the game was shit.
Have to go with 2009 > 2008 > 2010.
Have to go with 2009 > 2008 > 2010.
This year may be lacking in style and uniqueness (besides Limbo), but these are all really solid games with classic gameplay styles.
Limbo reminds me very much of Out of this World.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a lot like, hey go figure, Hydro Thunder from the arcade/Dreamcast.
Castlevania Harmony of Despair is like classic Castlevanias but with far better level design and persistent character growth.
Monday Night Combat is part Defense of the Ancients and part Team Fortress 2.
And Lara Croft reminds me of God of War along with many classic environmental puzzle/action games.
Limbo reminds me very much of Out of this World.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a lot like, hey go figure, Hydro Thunder from the arcade/Dreamcast.
Castlevania Harmony of Despair is like classic Castlevanias but with far better level design and persistent character growth.
Monday Night Combat is part Defense of the Ancients and part Team Fortress 2.
And Lara Croft reminds me of God of War along with many classic environmental puzzle/action games.
2009 was definetly my favorite one. I ended buying 4 of them, although not all on release.
-TMNT
-Trials
-Shadow Complex
-Splosion Man
2010 was easily the weakest of them all. I didn't buy any and won't do so even when they get a price drop. Limbo and Guardian of Light look decent, but I'll pass. So 09Â>08>>>10.
-TMNT
-Trials
-Shadow Complex
-Splosion Man
2010 was easily the weakest of them all. I didn't buy any and won't do so even when they get a price drop. Limbo and Guardian of Light look decent, but I'll pass. So 09Â>08>>>10.
Fortinbras
Member
LevityNYC said:
I didn't like TMNT and Castle Crashers as much as I thought I would. 2009 ftw.
I think 2008 was the weakest. I only enjoyed Braid out of the lineup. 2008 seems to be the most "Arcade-ish" out of the lineups. I for one am glad that XBLA is moving out of that direction. I can see many liked it that way though.
From the 2009 set Shadow Complex and Splosion Man were both really awesome. Trials HD was good too.
From this year's lineup the quality might not be as high as 2009 but in my opinion many of the games are more addicting than in previous years. I have put more hours to MNC and Castlevania than to any other SoA games so far. And of course there was Limbo which is just plain amazing.
So overall, 2009 is the winner here. It produced 2 top quality titles and one very fun one too. Then I'd put 2010 next. Limbo is just so special and MNC is one of the most fresh shooters in 360's catalog. Castlevania was a big surprise as well, it lacked in budget but made up for that in pure fun. Then 2008 for last with Braid as the only shining star there.
In Limbo's case, the price doesn't seem to matter. The game is already closing in to 350k sold which is really amazing. It doesn't seem to hurt Monday Night Combat either as it has been selling very well as well.
I do think the price hurts Castlevania the most. It got to ~60k sold quite fast but after that it has just stopped. I think that says that Castlevania fans bought it early but it has zero legs, mostly because of the price. Hydro Thunder is another game that would probably be selling quite a bit better with 10 bucks.
Then there is Lara Croft which hasn't been that big of a success so far but I don't think price is the main issue here. It's the fuckup with the online co-op.
From the 2009 set Shadow Complex and Splosion Man were both really awesome. Trials HD was good too.
From this year's lineup the quality might not be as high as 2009 but in my opinion many of the games are more addicting than in previous years. I have put more hours to MNC and Castlevania than to any other SoA games so far. And of course there was Limbo which is just plain amazing.
So overall, 2009 is the winner here. It produced 2 top quality titles and one very fun one too. Then I'd put 2010 next. Limbo is just so special and MNC is one of the most fresh shooters in 360's catalog. Castlevania was a big surprise as well, it lacked in budget but made up for that in pure fun. Then 2008 for last with Braid as the only shining star there.
In Limbo's case, the price doesn't seem to matter. The game is already closing in to 350k sold which is really amazing. It doesn't seem to hurt Monday Night Combat either as it has been selling very well as well.
I do think the price hurts Castlevania the most. It got to ~60k sold quite fast but after that it has just stopped. I think that says that Castlevania fans bought it early but it has zero legs, mostly because of the price. Hydro Thunder is another game that would probably be selling quite a bit better with 10 bucks.
Then there is Lara Croft which hasn't been that big of a success so far but I don't think price is the main issue here. It's the fuckup with the online co-op.
Randy Lanzarote
Member
2008 = 4 games bought (cc, gw2, braid, bc)
2009 = 2 games bought (sc, sm) I did buy mvc2 when it was on offer though.
2010 = 0 games bought
I know what my favourite year was!
2009 = 2 games bought (sc, sm) I did buy mvc2 when it was on offer though.
2010 = 0 games bought
I know what my favourite year was!
Hmm... from 2008 set I bought: Geometry Wars 2, Braid, Bionic Commando and Castle Crashers. From 2009 set: Marvel vs Capcom 2, Trials HD, Splosion Main, TMMT, Shadow Complex. And from 2010 set: Lara Croft, Castlevania: HD and Monday Night Combat (I'm buying Limbo later this month).LevityNYC said:
So, what reigns supreme?
For coop: 2010 > 2008 > 2009
For sp: 2009 > 2008 > 2010
Overall: 2008 > 2010 > 2009
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
LevityNYC said:
Tough call really.
Vanillalite
Ask me about the GAF Notebook
It's hard to judge 2008's lineup because Castle Crashers rules NOW, but that shit had so many issues at launch. Once it got patched to hell and back it was all good.
I'd probably say 2009>2008>2010
If only because Shadow Complex is IMO the best XBLA game to date. Honestly I'm much more hyped about both of the XBLA releases this week much more so than the 2010 slate of games. Pilgrim and Shank are gonna be awesome!
I'd agree though I wish this year had a little more variety in games that weren't all MP focused. Both MNC and Castlevania are MP games, and even Laura while a descent sp is more suited for co-op. 2010 needed either another SP game or one more game that really lent itself toward the original "arcade" idea like Geo Wars.
I'd probably say 2009>2008>2010
If only because Shadow Complex is IMO the best XBLA game to date. Honestly I'm much more hyped about both of the XBLA releases this week much more so than the 2010 slate of games. Pilgrim and Shank are gonna be awesome!
I'd agree though I wish this year had a little more variety in games that weren't all MP focused. Both MNC and Castlevania are MP games, and even Laura while a descent sp is more suited for co-op. 2010 needed either another SP game or one more game that really lent itself toward the original "arcade" idea like Geo Wars.
blackMamba1187
Member
Summer of arcade has consistently been a winner for me. Perhaps I just buy too many games. I've enjoyed the hell out of games during all 3 promotions, regretting only TMNT (cause its crap) and to a lesser extent limbo (cause its too short).
2008
Geometry Wars 2
Braid (have on PC)
Bionic Commando
Galaga Legions
Castle Crashers
2009
Marvel vs Capcom 2
Trials HD
Splosion Main
TMMT
Shadow Complex
2010
Limbo
Hydro Thunder
Lara Croft
Castlevania
Monday Night Combat
Currently enjoying the battle to stay on top of my friends in the leaderboards of Hydro Thunder.
2008
Geometry Wars 2
Braid (have on PC)
Bionic Commando
Galaga Legions
Castle Crashers
2009
Marvel vs Capcom 2
Trials HD
Splosion Main
TMMT
Shadow Complex
2010
Limbo
Hydro Thunder
Lara Croft
Castlevania
Monday Night Combat
Currently enjoying the battle to stay on top of my friends in the leaderboards of Hydro Thunder.