| Live Arcade: 360 Launch review |
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It's only now in the middle of this decade that we have a games console with online functionality built-in from day one. Not just built-in, but integral to the experience. Without online, the 360 realises less than half of its potential.
Microsoft's second attempt at Live Arcade is a resounding success. Moving the core code from an extra disc to the heart of the dashboard has invigorated the concept. Such a small change might seem insignificant, but these games can now be enjoyed on a whim - an impulse play. But that's not to disrespect them as games at all for there are some gems in this box of treasures.
The most essential purchase is Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, the sequel to the easter egg hidden in PGR2. Like amphetamine Jelly Babies, it’s so simple and so addictive. Its heart is Robotron but with precise 360-degree analogue control, an expanded screen area and furious vector-style explosions to a thumping trance beat.
The premise may be ridiculously simple, but it adds layers to the mix that build to a frenetic rush. It’s retro in more than just the way it plays, all the 'ships' are basic geometric shapes, a homage to the days when a simple vector shape was the equivalent of the HD era.
Maybe the full version should have been free with PGR3, but at only 400 points (around three pounds) the option to dive straight in without negotiating menus and garages is worth the price.
The Robotron theme continues in three other titles available. If Geometry Wars is a glow-sticks-aloft trance party, then Mutant Storm:Reloaded is an Autechre concert. Rather than one screen that grows gradually more insane, Mutant Storm plays through stages like Robotron which you complete by punishing every last enemy. The movement is deliberately slower and the shooting more precise, which matches the beautiful organic look and slower, pulsating soundtrack.
The original is available too. Robotron 2084 still stands as a testament to the genius of Eugene Jarvis. It is arguably still the most playable game from that era. It’s cheap enough to buy on impulse and should be downloaded if only to see what all the fuss was about. If you already own it, then download it for the added online play (and not for the updated graphics which can thankfully be changed back to their original blocky beauty).
Then there's Smash TV, a game utterly suited to online multiplayer. The Running Man setting and the complete lack of subtlety have aged, but only in a good way. Here's hoping for download of the completely over the top sequel Total Carnage with its Robot Hitler final boss.
The final two retro titles currently available are Gauntlet and Joust. The former demands to be played with four players, anything else is a slog. Joust still holds up well, although any pad is not ideal for hammering on the fly button.
All these retro games are ports of ports, released by Digital Eclipse who created the first two Midway Arcade Classic collections. The controls are tighter on these versions, although that might just be the 360’s superior controller. The inclusion of online modes in all the games bodes well for future releases.
Outpost Kaloki X is a rare sight on a console: a management simulation. Whilst tiny in scope compared to the Sid Meier games, a beautifully crafted game it most definitely is. You take command of one of many Space Stations and balance cash and power reserves, adding extra modules such as Restaurants, Research Libraries and Spy Training facilities to appeal to the roving aliens who temporarily visit your station. The aim is to build a profitable station whilst dealing with the story aspects of the game, such as fighting off alien invaders or wooing the President’s daughter.
Kaloki oozes quality with likeable characters and genuine wit. Games are broken down into digestible chunks that don't force you to lose a whole evening to progress, but it will last with many scenarios and extra downloadable levels already available. If nothing else, download it because there is nothing else like it in the 360’s catalogue (and that’s includes the compatible Xbox games).
Bankshot Billiards' unique selling point is its selling point. Or rather 1200 selling points (which equates to between eight and ten pounds, depending on where you purchase your points from).
Initially it’s disappointing. The game eschews the Archer MacLean model of 3D pool and instead opts for a completely overhead view. Despite this retrograde step it plays wonderfully. Superior physics, an excellent frontend and that nice ‘clackety’ sound when the balls connect. There are myriad different pool types, but online is where it shines. The occasional crashes frustrate though and there is no word on a patch (as yet).
It could have been the runt of the litter, but instead it’s remarkably compelling. A relaxing come-down game after hours of blowing Nazi scum to pieces.
Wik is the eponymous hero of his game. In terms of play mechanics, it’s the most innovative title on Arcade; a single-screen platformer with hints of Abe’s Odyssey, Bionic Commando and Lemmings. You control the troll-like Wik who swings around the level using his tongue to latch onto the scenery and collect bugs. They must be fed to your pet creature before either it wanders off the screen or the bugs are eaten by the other nasties that are out for them.
Wik makes every effort to ease the player in gently because the controls take a while to master. Swinging is not easy and relies on the player using the physics to carry through the momentum from previous jumps. The rolling demos in the game show Wik spinning round the levels with ease, but it takes time before the player can make Wik behave. And playing at this level is dull. But with perseverance comes reward and as the player gets better, so does the game.
Hardwood Hearts, Spades and Backgammon could have been included in a single download, sharing as they do the same backgrounds, graphics, menus and music. But they’re pretty, if pretty vacant additions. As expected Live play lifts them, but again a frustrating series of crashes online spoil the fun.
Bejewelled 2 and Zuma Deluxe are slight upgrades to the previous Arcade and MSN Gaming Zone favourites. For the uninitiated, the former plays like Puyo Puyo and the latter takes its cue from Puzzle Bobble (although a certain Japanese developer takes issue from where Zuma got its inspiration). Both games have their neat little twists to differentiate them in a crowded genre and will completely get under your skin if you let them.
The new boy is Marble Blast Ultra. The similarities to Super Monkey Ball are obvious. It may lack the immediate charm of Sega’s title, but makes it up with excellent physics and level design (which is similar to the original Monkey Ball and not the inferior sequel).
And whilst it lacks Monkey Ball’s party modes, it adds a fun online mode where battling marbles must rush to collect gems appearing at random in parts of the map. A jump button and power-ups make the game seem unnecessarily complex next to Monkey Ball’s purity, but they are integrated well and allow for some excellent freeform play.
And finally there is Hexic, the game that comes with the 360 hard drive and is strangely not available for download (presently if you delete Hexic, you lose it). It’s the first game that many people will play by Alexei Pajitnov since he wrote Tetris back in 1988. The story of Tetris and how Alexei earned nothing for inventing arguably the greatest game of all time is well documented. It’s not without some irony that Hexic is available for free.
You will have to imagine our surprise when we discovered Hexic was a puzzle game with blocks falling from the top of the screen. But that’s not fair, as Hexic offers a different experience to Tetris and the games it inspired. Unlike other puzzle games, Hexic has an end. The goal is to spin the hexagonal shapes to create flower patterns, which in turn creates a new shape that must spun into another flower pattern which creates a pearl. Get three pearls together and you win. Getting the first flower though is hard enough.
Hexic is pretty and likeable in the short term, plus it has a lovely ambient soundtrack. But it won’t keep you up all night. Unless you start dreaming of Hexagons.
For all of the Hi-Definition, big name games released with the 360, not many would have predicted that the ‘killer app’ for the system would be a collection of cheap arcade games. The cynics would say that’s only indicative of the launch line-up, but that’s doing a great disservice to Arcade. It has more than lived up to its early promise. But what’s even more exciting is the potential. Street Fighter 2 is coming and who knows what else. Rainbow Islands? An updated Stunt Car Racer? Will Matthew Smith and Andrew Braybrook be coaxed out of semi-retirement to make games for a major system again?
Whilst we all baulk at the high prices of 360 games, the cost asked for these genuine classics would make even the Fairplay campaign blush. To put it another way, to purchase Geometry Wars, Outpost Kaloki, Wik, Smash TV, Gauntlet, Mutant Storm, Bankshot Billiards and Marble Blast Ultra would cost less than a retail copy of FIFA. Which would you rather be playing?
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System: Microsoft Xbox 360
Genre: Arcade
Developer: Various
Publisher: Various
Players: 1-10
Version: European
Reviewed: Feb 2006
Writer: Jez Overton
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