The Goods: Nostalgia, Great Soundtrack, 6 full story modes to play through
The Bads: Dreamcast had the worst camera directions, and now, so does the XBLA version. Nothing will kill you more than the camera. Hardest NPC I've ever faced.
Game: Sonic Adventure XBLA
Platforms: XBLA / PSN
Multiplayer: 1 player offline
Genre: Action
Published by: SEGA
Developed by: SEGA
Story:
Sonic Adventure was one of the release titles for the Dreamcast way back on December 23, 1998. And thanks to Wiki, they have provided one of the best back stories to this game. Centuries ago, the planet was bestowed the seven Chaos Emeralds. These emeralds were a source of absolute power, and consequently it did not take long before wars broke out over who would control the Chaos Emeralds' seemingly unlimited power. A tribe of echidna (the ancestors of Knuckles) responded by creating a singular Master Emerald.[citation needed], which held powers that could control and neutralize the Chaos Emeralds. With the Master Emerald came a guardian spirit. Later on, a tribe of echidnas, led by Pachamac, angered the guardian by attempting to steal the Chaos Emeralds and ruining the sanctuary it was protecting. They were all but completely destroyed within a single night and the guardian was never seen again. What was believed to be the guardian was then named Chaos, the God of Destruction, lending its name to the Chaos Emeralds. (Citation, Wikipedia.org)
Random:
Two Statues... A Doorway to the past.
Singleplayer:
The game is divided into multiple game field. Action Stages, Adventure Stages, Mini-Games, and Missions. The Adventure Stage is the same for every character, but the Action Stages and Mini-Games can vary between each.
Since there are six different playable characters, gameplay greatly changes from each play through. Sonic's story is by far the longest and most fulfilling. You start fighting the liquid fiend, Chaos. A monster that seems to be the tool of Dr. Robotnik's newest plan. But, as you progress through, you come to release that there is a much larger mystery behind who or what Chaos is, and the real motives of the monster.
Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Big the Cat, and E-102 "Gamma" are the other playable characters. Each character adds more information into the plot holes that become revealed within Sonic's story.
Tails' action stages revolve around Tails' trying to prove he is capable of Sonic's friendship (I think). You race to the finish while trying to beat Sonic to there first. Sonic gives encouragement and guidance while continually yelling an old Fat Albert quote. (Hey, Hey, Hey)
Amy's story last all of 3-4 action stages. You find birdie, and then get harassed by Zero the robot. So, you have to run to the giant balloon at the end of the stage while avoiding Zero. If you can't avoid him, turn around and WHACK him with the giant hammer that Amy carries.
Knuckles is my ABSOLUTE least favorite character to play. You have to search for pieces of the Master Emerald. They could be hidden, or not. They could be buried in the ground, or not. They could be within and enemy, or not. This could have been fun, or not.
Big the Cat fishes... Find the lure upgrade, fish for your frog. Lose the frog, find and fish again. Lose the frog. Fish again. BOSS FIGHT! Throw your lure into Chaos, snag froggie, win the game. Pretty hard... or not. :)
E-102 "Gamma" is my favorite character to play. You are one of Eggman's newly created E-100 Series robots. You have a sweet targeting system and launch missiles at enemies. But, on the reverse side, time counts down for you. Killing enemies award more time. Fun, Fun, FUN!
Controls:
The XBLA port of this fantastic Dreamcast classic is near flawless. I played the Gamecube version and many of the auto-control features would most likely lead to a death 4/5 times. I call an "auto control feature" any time the game has a very fast or pre-designated route for you to travel and you just hold forward. IE: Sonic's first level has you run from a LARGE WHALE! You touch a boost, and the game takes over. XBLA = no dieing. GC = DEATH (unless you actually do something)
Graphics:
Best visuals you will ever see in a 1998 games reported into "HD" on the Xbox. But, seriously, Sonic Adventure was the bee-knees back in the day. The Dreamcast was pitted against the PS2. And comparing name titles, I choose Sonic's graphics over Crash Bandicoot's.
Sound:
Again, thanks to Wiki, we have a good summation of what Sonic's music is like. Head composer Jun Senoue brought a new sound to the Sonic the Hedgehog series with this game, and as such it features many different styles of music such as jazz, rock, techno, pop and country. Each heroic player character (aside from Gamma) also has an instrumental motif that later translates into a vocal theme song that plays during the end credits of their story. The game contains vocal performances from Tony Harnell, Karen Brake, Marlon Saunders, Dread Fox, Ted Poley, Nikki Gregoroff and Johnny Gioeli, whom the latter would later join Senoue to form the band Crush 40.
The development team preferred the use of "hot, funky, and rock 'n' roll" music over the traditional techno-based music present in earlier Sonic games. (Citation, Wikipedia.org)
In the end:
I LOVE SONIC!
5/5 - Buy it
The Bads: Dreamcast had the worst camera directions, and now, so does the XBLA version. Nothing will kill you more than the camera. Hardest NPC I've ever faced.
Game: Sonic Adventure XBLA
Platforms: XBLA / PSN
Multiplayer: 1 player offline
Genre: Action
Published by: SEGA
Developed by: SEGA
Story:
Sonic Adventure was one of the release titles for the Dreamcast way back on December 23, 1998. And thanks to Wiki, they have provided one of the best back stories to this game. Centuries ago, the planet was bestowed the seven Chaos Emeralds. These emeralds were a source of absolute power, and consequently it did not take long before wars broke out over who would control the Chaos Emeralds' seemingly unlimited power. A tribe of echidna (the ancestors of Knuckles) responded by creating a singular Master Emerald.[citation needed], which held powers that could control and neutralize the Chaos Emeralds. With the Master Emerald came a guardian spirit. Later on, a tribe of echidnas, led by Pachamac, angered the guardian by attempting to steal the Chaos Emeralds and ruining the sanctuary it was protecting. They were all but completely destroyed within a single night and the guardian was never seen again. What was believed to be the guardian was then named Chaos, the God of Destruction, lending its name to the Chaos Emeralds. (Citation, Wikipedia.org)
Random:
Two Statues... A Doorway to the past.
Singleplayer:
The game is divided into multiple game field. Action Stages, Adventure Stages, Mini-Games, and Missions. The Adventure Stage is the same for every character, but the Action Stages and Mini-Games can vary between each.
Since there are six different playable characters, gameplay greatly changes from each play through. Sonic's story is by far the longest and most fulfilling. You start fighting the liquid fiend, Chaos. A monster that seems to be the tool of Dr. Robotnik's newest plan. But, as you progress through, you come to release that there is a much larger mystery behind who or what Chaos is, and the real motives of the monster.
Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Big the Cat, and E-102 "Gamma" are the other playable characters. Each character adds more information into the plot holes that become revealed within Sonic's story.
Tails' action stages revolve around Tails' trying to prove he is capable of Sonic's friendship (I think). You race to the finish while trying to beat Sonic to there first. Sonic gives encouragement and guidance while continually yelling an old Fat Albert quote. (Hey, Hey, Hey)
Amy's story last all of 3-4 action stages. You find birdie, and then get harassed by Zero the robot. So, you have to run to the giant balloon at the end of the stage while avoiding Zero. If you can't avoid him, turn around and WHACK him with the giant hammer that Amy carries.
Knuckles is my ABSOLUTE least favorite character to play. You have to search for pieces of the Master Emerald. They could be hidden, or not. They could be buried in the ground, or not. They could be within and enemy, or not. This could have been fun, or not.
Big the Cat fishes... Find the lure upgrade, fish for your frog. Lose the frog, find and fish again. Lose the frog. Fish again. BOSS FIGHT! Throw your lure into Chaos, snag froggie, win the game. Pretty hard... or not. :)
E-102 "Gamma" is my favorite character to play. You are one of Eggman's newly created E-100 Series robots. You have a sweet targeting system and launch missiles at enemies. But, on the reverse side, time counts down for you. Killing enemies award more time. Fun, Fun, FUN!
Controls:
The XBLA port of this fantastic Dreamcast classic is near flawless. I played the Gamecube version and many of the auto-control features would most likely lead to a death 4/5 times. I call an "auto control feature" any time the game has a very fast or pre-designated route for you to travel and you just hold forward. IE: Sonic's first level has you run from a LARGE WHALE! You touch a boost, and the game takes over. XBLA = no dieing. GC = DEATH (unless you actually do something)
Graphics:
Best visuals you will ever see in a 1998 games reported into "HD" on the Xbox. But, seriously, Sonic Adventure was the bee-knees back in the day. The Dreamcast was pitted against the PS2. And comparing name titles, I choose Sonic's graphics over Crash Bandicoot's.
Sound:
Again, thanks to Wiki, we have a good summation of what Sonic's music is like. Head composer Jun Senoue brought a new sound to the Sonic the Hedgehog series with this game, and as such it features many different styles of music such as jazz, rock, techno, pop and country. Each heroic player character (aside from Gamma) also has an instrumental motif that later translates into a vocal theme song that plays during the end credits of their story. The game contains vocal performances from Tony Harnell, Karen Brake, Marlon Saunders, Dread Fox, Ted Poley, Nikki Gregoroff and Johnny Gioeli, whom the latter would later join Senoue to form the band Crush 40.
The development team preferred the use of "hot, funky, and rock 'n' roll" music over the traditional techno-based music present in earlier Sonic games. (Citation, Wikipedia.org)
In the end:
I LOVE SONIC!
5/5 - Buy it
Crackdown 2's Toy Box DLC has released! The free version of this DLC is Keys to the City which allows you to spawn vehicles and explosive barrels, turn on god mode, run crazy fast and lots more.
And the paid version which costs 560 MSP comes with two new vehicles, five gadgets, 10 achievements, Agent armor colors, and last Vehicle Tag a new multiplayer game mode.
Download the DLC here.
And the paid version which costs 560 MSP comes with two new vehicles, five gadgets, 10 achievements, Agent armor colors, and last Vehicle Tag a new multiplayer game mode.
Download the DLC here.
Microsoft has just announced that Crackdown 2 will be getting two new DLC add-ons. The first one is free and is called Toy Box which is like Keys To The City from Crackdown 1 were you can spawn vehicles and turn god mode. And the second one will cost you 560 MSP.
Some of the new features in the 560 MSP add-on are two new vehicles (wall climbing mini-tank, and the Squad Chopper,) five new toys (The Mass Driver, Portable Launch Pads, Stickler Grenade, Thrusters, and Mags on Characters,) and finally new agent suit colors and 10 new Achievements.
Some of the new features in the 560 MSP add-on are two new vehicles (wall climbing mini-tank, and the Squad Chopper,) five new toys (The Mass Driver, Portable Launch Pads, Stickler Grenade, Thrusters, and Mags on Characters,) and finally new agent suit colors and 10 new Achievements.
Keys to the City: Made notorious in the first “Crackdown” expansion as the ultimate cheat mode, Keys to the City returns to “Crackdown 2” and puts an even bigger set of tools at your disposal, including God Mode, Infinite Ammo, Fly Cam, spawning of weapons, gadgets and more, the ability to freeze the time of day, and pushing all skills to the maximum to become faster, stronger and more lethal.[via: GamerScoreBlog]
Level 6 Reward: Fans who reach Level 6 on all Agent skills will be rewarded with the new Thruster Ability. Thruster Ability is like having jetpacks for your boots, giving Agents built-in vertical propulsion to activate flying with the Wingsuit no matter where you are in the game.
Vehicle Tag: Once you’re done taking down the Freaks and the Cell, join your friends for a thrilling new multiplayer mode where up to eight Agents can compete in these six arenas: Speed is the Quay, Industrial Action, Maim Street, Skid Row, Beachhead and The Sum of Human Knowledge.
Two New Vehicles: Access two new vehicles: the wall climbing aquatic mini-tank called the Agency ATV and the Squad Chopper, which allows four players to jump in and man their own weapon, including the proximity mine launcher, precision rocket launcher, twin machine guns and nose machine gun.
Five New Toys: Whether you’re soaring to greater heights or orchestrating a massive explosion, get creative with the following new toys: The Mass Driver (turreted gravity bending weapon), Portable Launch Pads (allows Agents to create their own launch pad jumps), Stickler Grenade (bouncing grenade that sets off smaller explosive charges as it bounces), Thrusters (allow vertical thrust), and Mags on Characters (allow Mag Grenades to be attached to characters).
Two Avatar Awards: Deck your Agent in the latest gear. “Toy Box” offers two Avatar Awards to customize your Xbox LIVE Avatar with the Xbox Green Suit (must complete the Rocketeer Achievement) and Green Helmet.
10 New Achievements: Pacific City never sleeps and neither do the exploits. Industrious Agents will be rewarded with 10 new Achievements and 250 Gamerscore:
1) Beyond the Infinite
2) Run Get to the Chopper
3) Rocketeer
4) Tac Loc Takedown
5) Burnt Offerings
6) Mile High Club
7) Never Give It Up
8) One Careful Driver
9) Wing a Ding Ding
10) Hung Out To Dry
Suit Colors:
1) Peacekeeper
2) Terror Firma
3) Agent Orange
4) May Contain Nuts
5) Minti-Sting
6) Mega Agent
7) Haz Mat
8) Dem Apples
A demo of Mafia 2 has just released onto Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The demo comes in at 1GB and gives you about 20 minutes of gameplay.
Download the demo here
Download the demo here
Some big news for us Halo fans Bungie has just announced that FireFight will be returning in Halo: Reach! This trailer that they released shows off the new game mode (FireFight 2.0) along with new weapons, Covenant and levels. Watch it after the jump!
Sony has finally revealed what we hope to be the final release date of Gran Turismo 5. The release date that they showed is... November 2nd!
Valve has just announced that Portal 2 will be coming to the Playstation 3! You can view some screen caps we took of the first in-game footage after the jump!
Update: Added the Trailer.
Update: Added the Trailer.
Sony has just revealed that Playstation Move will release September 19th in America and will cost $49.99 for the motion controller only.
Well it looks like all the rumors are true because Microsoft has announced that a Xbox 360 Slim has been in production and starts shipping "this week!" This 360 is smaller then the current one, runs quieter and will come with a 250 GB hard drive along with built in wifi 802.11n.
Bungie has released a trailer today of the first in-game gameplay for Halo: Reach's singepleayer. The trailer shows off the enhanced singleplayer graphics, lots of enemies on the field along with space combat. Check it out after the jump!
Are you having a hard time finding all of the locations for the "Spot Monopolist" achievement? Thanks to Aaron for sending this image in now we can all get us a quick 30G in Skate 3! Check a larger image out after the jump!
Amazon has been kicking butt lately handing out video game deals and today's is definitely a good one! Amazon has Lost Planet 2 right now for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 for only $48. What are you waiting on? Hurry up and get over there before they push the price back up!
Amazon is having an awesome deal right now on Split/Second for the Xbox 360. You can get the game and free shipping for only $46 bucks! Sounds like a great deal to me! On top of that it comes with $10 game credit to use on another video game purchase. Split/Second releases May 18th.
Update: The deal is now dead.
Update: The deal is now dead.
Some brand new screenshots of Id Software upcoming shooter RAGE have been released. Check them out after the jump!
It has been announced today that Ubisoft has been working on the next version of H.A.W.X. which is scheduled to release later this fall. In H.A.W.X. 2 you will once again be an elite aerial soldier flying in the most advance aircraft.
Bogdan Bridinel, creative director at Ubisoft had this to say: “With over one million units sold worldwide, Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. has become a very successful brand for Ubisoft. This new H.A.W.X. game is directly inspired by Tom Clancy’s books, and it will enable fans to once again experience the excitement and intensity that established H.A.W.X. as a successful brand”
It has just been revealed in the recently released "Leave a Message" trailer for Medal Of Honor that the game will ship October 12th in America and October 15th in Europe. You can check the trailer out after the jump.
The team over at Zipper Interactive have released a few brand new screenshots for SOCOM 4. The images show a solider running around a level calling out orders, bit boring but the game is looking pretty good. Check them out after the jump!
Bungie's last HALO game, Halo Reach is due this fall. Until now that is all we knew but online retailer Amazon.com has just sent us an email updating the release date for September 1st 2010.
This might still change but for now get your pre-orders in for a 20 Dollar credit at Amazon. Also, check back for an update of our upcoming Halo Reach Multiplayer Beta Live Stream later this month.
We here at onPause are extremely excited for some jet pack action...are you?
This might still change but for now get your pre-orders in for a 20 Dollar credit at Amazon. Also, check back for an update of our upcoming Halo Reach Multiplayer Beta Live Stream later this month.
We here at onPause are extremely excited for some jet pack action...are you?
Bungie has just released six brand new screenshots from the upcoming Halo: Reach mutliplayer beta. Check them all out after the jump!
A demo for Skate 3 is now available on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the low price of FREE. The demo size comes in at 863 MB. Download it here. Update: A PS3 demo is now available as well.
"Welcome to the SKATE 3 Demo which offers both a single and multiplayer experience. Learn the ins and outs of skating with the all-new Skate.School or team up and throw down in co-op or competitive gameplay. Featuring new challenge types like Own The Lot and Domination, the ability to save and upload clips using the Replay Editor, and to drop objects to personalize your demo experience, the SKATE 3 demo has a little something for everyone. SKATE 3 – Team Up. Throw Down."
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