Microsoft has announced a sale on the Xbox Live Marketplace which is open to Silver and Gold members. Running from May 15 – 21 the featured content includes Arcade Games, downloadable content, avatar items, and themes.

Arcade Games

• Castle Crashers – 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
• Fusion: Genesis – 400 Microsoft Points (was 800)
• Iron Brigade (formerly known as Trenched) – 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
  – Rise of the Martian Bear – 200 Microsoft Points (was 400)
• Orcs Must Die! – 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
• Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 – 400 Microsoft Points (was 800)
  – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 Expansion Pack - 200 Microsoft Points (was 400)
• Trials HD – 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
  – Big Thrills – 200 Microsoft Points (was 200)
• Worms: Ultimate Mayhem – 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
  – Single-player Pack – 200 Microsoft Points (was 400)

DLC/Add-ons

Forza Motorsport 4

• December IGN Pack — 280 Microsoft Points (was 560)
• February American Le Mans Series Pack— 280 Microsoft Points (was 560)
• January Jalopnik Pack — 280 Microsoft Points (was 560)
• Launch Bonus Pack— 280 Microsoft Points (was 560)
• November Speed Pack— 280 Microsoft Points (was 560)

Gears of War 3

• Horde Command Pack — 400 Microsoft Points (was 800)
• RAAM’s Shadow — 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
• Lancer Complete Launch Collection Skin — 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
• Shotguns Launch Collection Weapon Skin— 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
• Weapon Skin Collection: Launch Collection— 1800 Microsoft Points (was 3600)

Halo: Reach

• Anniversary Map Pack — 600 Microsoft Points (was 1200)
• Defiant Map Pack — 400 Microsoft Points (was 800)
• Noble Map Pack — 400 Microsoft Points (was 800)

Kinect Sports: Season 2

• Maple Lakes Golf Pack — 200 Microsoft Points (was 400)
• Midnight Mountain Pack— 200 Microsoft Points (was 400)

The Gunstringer

• Real Big Shootin’— 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)

Avatar Items

• Kinect Disneyland Autograph Book — 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)
• Halo: Emile SPARTAN 239 Armor— 200 Microsoft Points (was 400)
• Halo Energy Sword— 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)
• Gears of War 3 – Boomshield — 160 Microsoft Points (was 320)
• Gears of War 3 – Kryll Shield— 160 Microsoft Points (was 320)
• The Gunstringer – Gunstringer Mask— 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)

Themes

• Disneyland Adventures Premium Theme — 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)
• Forza 4: High End Sports Car Theme — 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)
• Gears of War 3: Brothers to the End Theme — 120 Microsoft Points (was 240)

Survival horror is a genre I hold dear to my heart. Starting with the first time I booted up Alone in the Dark back in my youth I have been hooked. Through good (Resident Evil) and bad (Illbleed), I have tried most titles in the genre. Sadly Amy falls into the bad category.

Story- You play as Lana who is somehow connected to a mute girl named Amy. You both have seemingly escaped a place called plainly “The Center”, while on the run from “The Professor”. Why were you there? What are you running from? Well good luck cause the plot in Amy is about as deep as a puddle. A little later in the game you find out Amy has psychic powers that she can use, but even that is left in the dark as far as the plot is concerned .

Gameplay- Well where should I begin? Terrible, almost tank like controls ala Resident Evil plague you from the start. Partner that with laughably bad and glitchy melee combat and you pretty much have summed up the gameplay. The mingame for hacking is also incredibly broken. For instance on the first hacking puzzle I thought I had the solution, but upon inputting it I was told it was incorrect. A couple tries later I retried the original answer I had and voila it worked. The game feels almost unfinished and untested.

Graphics/Audio-visual- Lana and Amy’s character models are very well done, as a matter of fact all of the character models are pretty nice. Is framerate important to you? If you answered yes just stop right here. Amy runs at a solid and steady 20-30 fps. Infected (ha pun) with choppy framerates is an immediate turnoff for me and it lasts throughout the whole game. Some textures seem ripped directly from PS1 games. Overall graphically it is an insult to players to produce a game with textures and visuals this bad this late in a consoles life. The sound in Amy is well, like the rest of the game bad. Music adds nothing to the atmosphere and you never feel immersed. The voice acting is also terrible, how terrible you may ask. I would rank it #1 all time above Resident Evil and at least the voice acting in RE is quote worthy.

Overall- Amy is just plain bad. The game feels very undone and I am ashamed to admit I spent $10 of my own money on it. I cannot in my right mind recommend this game to anyone, unless you are incredibly masochistic and love suffering through the worst of the worst. The worst part is the trailers for this game make it look really promising but it fails to deliver.

Pros-
-Character models

Cons-
-Terrible plot
-Bad controls
-Glitchy combat

3 out of 10

Hydrophobia is on sale this week for the great low price of 400 Microsoft points. After debuting for $15  as the lead title in Microsoft’s Game Feast promotion last Fall, Dark Energy Digital listened to fans and reviewers and made massive adjustments to their already decent game and relaunched for only 800 MSP in December. For only $5 (67% off the original price), Hydrophobia is a must buy for any gamer, especially since Microsoft is also hosting a sweepstakes this week with a “Water themed vacation for two” as the Grand Prize, and five runner up prizes of 4000 MSP.

The Deal of the Week also includes two other water themed Xbox Live Arcade Games: Aqua for 400MSP (50% off), and Hydro Thunder Hurricane for 800MSP (33% off).

Battle vs. Chess is coming in a few weeks and we’ve got the first trailer ready to show you the DRAMA and SERIOUSITY (yeah, I just made that up. Suck it, AP style guide!) of engaging in epic chess battles with perfect strangers via THE INTERNET! Think Battle vs. Chess is just another chess game? Well, think again, my friend. Sure, it is a chess game made with one of the premier chess AI engines, Fritz 11, as its backbone, but it also has a stunning personality with just about every random twist on chess gameplay you can think of and is totally gorgeous to boot. Don’t believe me? Check out how pretty chess can be in our first trailer!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCuq_U4APc

Battle vs. Chess creates a fusion between professional chess software and upbeat, combat oriented game mechanics, complete with richly animated game pieces and a diverse set of new gameplay twists to the classic strategy game. In addition to twisting up the experience of chess itself, the game adds vibrant fantasy touches, including eight stunningly rendered game environments and re-imagined, fully animated game pieces such as hulking stone golems and beastly horsemen.

Adding yet another layer to the game are the Battle Modes, which if activated entirely change the nature of the game! Instead of triggering a pre-scripted combat animation, the act of invading an opposing unit’s position will throw the “advancing piece takes the square” rule out the window and engage both pieces in deadly combat. Various weapons, fighting techniques, even combos all play into the action, and to the victor go the spoils.

Features:
• A Challenge for Chess Players of all Levels: Uses the famous Fritz11! chess software, with 10
distinct levels of difficulty and leaderboard rankings which rate players using the same system as real-world official chess rankings.
• An Action Twist to a Classic Board Game: The innovative fusion of professional chess software and
the deathmatch Battle Modes result in a strategic action experience unlike anything before
• Primed for Multiplayer Competition: Engage friends and foes via local head-to-head matches or
online (select platforms only).
• Unique and Challenging Chess Puzzles: Various modes with set scenarios challenge players to
complete games using limited turns, limited pieces and even replicate some of the most famous chess conundrums of real, historical matches.
• Non-traditional Game Options: Piece placement options on top of the standard system, like random
placements in “Madness” mode or choose-your-own placements in “Tactic” mode allow players to
engage in chess with just enough of a twist to add a new level of challenge to the traditional rules of the game.

Battle vs. Chess is coming out on September 28th for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC for $39.99 on consoles and $29.99 on PC…

Score: 8 out of 10

A review sample of this DDR pad was givin to the reviewer for reviewing purposes.

Too Hadouken Or Not Too Hadouken?

Sorry folks, I know its been awhile since I’ve sat down and written unfortunately I’ve been busy, anyways now why you’re reading.

Street Fighter, sheesh where to begin? It’s a childhood heartthrob too many like myself. Ohh good ol’ Sega, how I love my SFII SCE. Street Fighter exploded back onto the gaming scene last year and delivered CPR to the fighting genre on console in full force. Street Fighter IV hit 2009 and was epic beyond recognition. It was everything everyone had loved and remembered the magnificent 2D fighting!(Please Midway do the same thing with the next Mortal Kombat..!) Now jam packed with super sexy visuals and some OH MY GOD Ultras. Don’t lie seeing Sagat own with Tiger Destruction for the first time was some sexy eye-candy, and getting wrecked online by Akuma/Gouki with his Wrath of the Raging demon when you still have him locked. You know damn well that badassery(yeah I said that) was apparent.

Now one year later Capcom ups the ante and adds to an already incredibly complete package, even more perfection.

Enter Super Street Fighter IV

Ohh yes and you best believe Capcom brings the fire with this new installment too such a tremendous fighter. Ten new characters from all reaches of Street Fighters lush history, oh but Capcom isn’t finished with the awesomeness yet. Stack on five new game modes, and…. New ultra’s for EVERY character, oh let me tell you how awesome Ryu’s gut wrenching METSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU SHOYYYYYYYYYYYYUUKEN! Sorry had too lay the emphasis on the awesome of his new ultra. Bringing the total to 35 characters! Adding to an already awesome online service, hey the odd laggy match but man.. I have some incredible fights, I love this game I play it online more then anything else, and its one of the easiest games to play with friends! Just take it easy on them! They’ll learn quickly and fiend for it! Anybody even the lady friends can press random buttons and grow into the controls!

Capcom also took time to rework the reply channel and fill it with sweet awesome features and a much easy to navigate menus. The new game modes also add to an already limitless reply value, there is tag matches where u and friends rotate who is fighting tag team style. There is an endless mode where you and seven other players or friends continue to scrap it out with voice and text chat at all times. While you fight you’re friends watch can give out points or well trash talk! Bwaha!
Also I forgot to mention they added the vehicle smash up mini game and the barrels to this edition of Street Fighter IV which as we all remember are friggen’ AWESOME!

Also I need to stress this game is only 39.99 USD 44.99 CDN and folks who have purchased the costumes for SFIV will be happy to know they work for SSFIV. New costumes for everyone plus the oldies from SFIV. For the price point and the amount of content SSFIV exceeds expectations adds more reply value to an already unlimited online package.

Presentation

Capcom reworked the menus to make them more colorful and characteristic so-to-speak the character screen and training menus are loads better then SFIV its an all around improvement. The crisp details in the movements and actions in the background are applied with such character and care just as our lovely cast of fighters has been nurtured.

Presentation: 9.5

Graphics
Well the graphics have stayed the same since Street Fighter IV although you can tell Capcom has a better use/understanding of the engine and animations with some of the new ulras. Like Zangief’s new ultra Siberian Blizzard. The facial reactions when your enemy sees your impending Shoyuken/Tiger Uppercut/Ohmygodyourdonefool are still as awesome as always, oh yes and a lot of the new costumes are bad ass(Akuma’s is Uber beyond recognition)

Graphics: 9.5

Sound
The sound in Super Street Fighter IV is top notch, that was apparent with Street Fighter IV. The way Ryu’s Metsu Shoyuken bleeds out of your speakers in all its awesome bone crunching glory.

Sound: 10

Gameplay

This is Street Fighter, the gameplay hasn’t changed for twenty years and it hasn’t changed this is why it is, the franchise that it is today. Its 2D fighting at its best. The controls have never been altered. If you played Street Fighter II for your SNES or Sega you know how to play Super Street Fighter IV, there will be some awesome learning curves but the core mechanics are the same. Down, Forward, Punch.
There is an endless amount of time you can spend playing Super Street Fighter IV. This a game if you love fighters you can never get bored of, and for the price point? Like Hello? Why don’t you already own this?

Gameplay: 10

It truly is SUPER

Overall: 39/40

For my video review click here

                                      I was invited to an event held by Intel at my local Frys Electronics store yesterday. I spent a few minutes talking to a very nice lady named Laurie. She gave me the lowdown on what they were doing there. It turned out they wanted to give people some awesome prizes. Like a i7 975 extreme edition processor (worth about a grand), Tshirts, Really Cool Cups and some other cool things. They also wanted to let people know its easy to get a rocking computer system. If you live in the Phoenix Area you can visit them today at the Frys Electronics on Baseline and the I-10. If you can’t make it today make sure you check them out at the Fry’s Electronics on Thunderbird and the I-17 on May 15th and 16th. The odds to win a i7 975 are very good. I saw someone win while I was  there. I appreciate Intel for inviting me to check this out. Looks like  they got some good stuff coming down the line. So if you live in the Phoenix make sure you go check them out.

It’s nice that Infinity Ward wanted to bring back some fan favorites from the original Modern Warfare, but are they really worth it?  My reasoning is this:  Call of Duty World at War’s Map Pack seach came with 3 new multiplayer maps, along with a new Nazi Zombie campaign.  I call it a “campaign” because thought actually went into creating a story progression for each new setting, along with new perks and weapons.

So, the established price for Map Packs was $10 for four maps.  Plus, Treyarch provided the excellently reimagined “Makin Day” map for Free.  Yes, I said free!

Given The Stimulus Package’s massive success so far (over 2.5 million units sold on Xbox 360 alone), there may actually be another map pack for Modern Warfare 2 (hopefully a more generous, or at least more affordable one).  With the history of the Modern Warfare franchise, which saw only one Map Pack for Call of Duty 4, things become questionable.  Add to that the continuing dissolution of Infinity Ward, and you must ask how good any subsequent map pack will be.

Now, I will finally get to the point of this whole article, which is what Activision should have done with the stimulus package.  It’s something that’s been done for a couple years now with music/rhythm games.  The import fee.

Pay a small fee, and you can play all the Call of Duty 4 maps (including the Variety Map Pack) in Modern Warfare 2.   Maps could be ripped from the COD4 disc to the HDD, or charge a bit extra for direct download from Xbox LIVE or Playstation Network, etc.  This would drive retail and digital sales of Call of Duty 4, along with sales of the older Variety Map Pack.

Not to mention that this could persuade holdouts still playing COD4 to make the jump to Modern Warfare 2, selling even more copies of their record-breaking title.  With very little effort, Activision and Infinity Ward could almost double the number of maps available in MW2, and garner some much needed public opinion.

Note that I have not purchased or played the Stimulus Package Map Pack, and I don’t currently plan to. My opinion of it’s worth may change if I could evaluate them.  It would be nice to see multi-player  map packs start coming with time limited demos, similar to Age of Booty, which let you play for a set number of hours to get a feel for the maps, and whether you want to buy them.

From now until April 4th, the Modern Warfare 2 NVG Helmet is available for free on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, no doubt as a peace offering for the Stimulus Package’s failure to launch smoothly.

While not quite as good as previous XBLA consolation freebies (Carcassonne,  Undertow, Fable II LE codes, etc.), the Night Vision Goggles are still a nice, free addition to your avatar wardrobe.

You can schedule the download here on xbox.com, or go to “Game Styles” in the Avatar Marketplace on your 360 and find the Modern Warfare 2 tab.

Shenmue fans’ rejoice! SEGA has posted Avatar Marketplace items for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, including a Ryo Hazuki Jacket! Available for both male and female avatars (not unisex, unfortunately). The new additions range from Glasses to RC Avatar Props…

I’ve included pics of a couple of my favorites here, but you can check out all the new SEGA stuff at the Avatar Marketplace.

Jet Grind Radio Beat Goggles

AiAi Monkey Ball Prop