Penny Arcade Adventures 2 (October 29, 2008)

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 2 is available next week on the Xbox LIVE Arcade, Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. 6-10 hours of play for $15 isn’t too shabby of a deal. The first game was actually pretty good and Episode 2 includes some improvements. Next week, the XBLA is looking weak as usual, so this is something I’ll more than likely pay for, unless Penny Arcade wants to supply us with a download code (hint to PA).

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Arcade Adventures, Arcade Windows, Darkness, Episode 2, First Game, Improvements, Linux, Linux Platforms, Mac 10, Mac Linux, Penny Arcade, Precipice, Rain, Windows Linux, Xbox, Xbox Linux, xbox live, Xbox LIVE Arcade

If you are like me and grew up on the East Coast, you probably played a bit of stickball growing up. In many ways, the real game of stickball is more fast-paced and exciting than playing actual baseball. As a kid, stick ball was one of the better pick-up games we had.

Unfortunately, MLB Stickball on the Xbox LIVE Arcade doesn’t carry the true pace and excitement of the real game. Some sites like Team Xbox gave the title an 8.5/10 score, but I assume that’s because the reviewer was probably a stickball noob. They also mention that people under 50 may not be familiar with the game. I’m 31 and played it all the time. Stickball isn’t nearly as popular as it was in the 1950s-1980s, but it’s still around. I am pleased that we’re starting to see some casual sports titles on the Arcade, but we have yet to see a good one. MLB Stickball might be an enjoyable experience for extremely casual gamers or gamers who are very young. For approximately $10, it could be worth it to some, but I’d certainly suggest that most baseball/stickball fans skip this one.

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written by Will Snizek \\ tags: 2K Sports, MLB Stickball, Xbox LIVE Arcade

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Title: Soulcalibur

Original Release: 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast™

Current Release: July 2, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Arcade) 800MP

Developer/Publisher: NAMCO BANDAI Games America

Screenshots from Microsoft

I was very excited when they added the original Soulcalibur or SoulCalibur (noobs spell it Soul Calibur with the space btw) to the Xbox LIVE Arcade.  While the game is certainly a rewarding download, I have to warn the old school Soulcalibur fans of what the game is actually missing in this review.  When I see a retro game reborn on the XBLA, I typically expect updated graphics, updated sound and a few extras added to freshen up the title.  Notice the word “extras” because Soulcalibur doesn’t seem to have any.  With that said, Soulcalibur was defiitely a needed title on the arcade.  We already had a little taste of Street Fighter and Mortak Kombat, so it was fitting that we’d eventually get what I consider a better fighting game in Soulcalibur.  Old school fans of the arcade or SEGA Dreamcast version will still find some value from this $10 download, unless you still happen to have your Dreamcast or an arcade machine with the title loaded on it.  In that case, there would be no reason in the world to pick this up.  One bonus of picking this title up is the fact that it’s a great way to get geared up for Soulcalibur IV which I can tell you will be awesome.

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written by Will Snizek \\ tags: download, Soul Calibur, Soulcalibur, Xbox LIVE Arcade