Originally Posted by S0DA POPINSKI Since everyone is weighing in on Castle Crashers I am going to also. The 3 most overrated XBLA Games: 1. Castle Crashers 2. Braid 3. Shadow Complex The 3 most underrated XBLA Games: 1. Geometry Wars (1 & 2 really) 2. Torchlight 3. Puzzle Quest

... because it's cool to piss on games 2½ to 3½ years old? You'll have to school me on why GeoWars is "under-rated", but I think can't even smell yourself if you love 2 games that took at least 1 year to port from native platforms to XBLA, not to mention 1 of those 2 essentially boils down to D-padding around an 8x8 Bejeweled grid.

Originally Posted by panda911 Add Trials HD to that list and you have the Mount Rushmore of overratedness.

OK, but if you & S0DA go back to 2009, you'll see that Trials, Shadow, and BF1943 were the only 3 XBLA games (breaking the top 20) that used real 3D engines with good textures, dynamic lighting, bloom, high-poly meshes, etc, rather than craptastic 2D sprites or flat-shaded textures ... combined with challenging & unique gameplay. That's why reviewers go ape-crazy over certain games, and not "match 3 gems".

This discussion is tearing us apart! TEARING US APARTTTTT!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plz-bhcHryc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S9Ew...eature=related

In short this discussion can only end with one of us jerking off into a dress before they kill themselves.

Originally Posted by S0DA POPINSKI The 3 most overrated XBLA Games: 3. Shadow Complex The 3 most underrated XBLA Games: 1. Geometry Wars (1 & 2 really) 2. Torchlight 3. Puzzle Quest

How are GeoWars and Torchlight underrated? Both games received great review scores and sell really good on XBL.

Underrated are games like Bangai-o HD...

Originally Posted by Cornelius ... because it's cool to piss on games 2½ to 3½ years old? You'll have to school me on why GeoWars is "under-rated", but I think can't even smell yourself if you love 2 games that took at least 1 year to port from native platforms to XBLA, not to mention 1 of those 2 essentially boils down to D-padding around an 8x8 Bejeweled grid. OK, but if you & S0DA go back to 2009, you'll see that Trials, Shadow, and BF1943 were the only 3 XBLA games (breaking the top 20) that used real 3D engines with good textures, dynamic lighting, bloom, high-poly meshes, etc, rather than craptastic 2D sprites or flat-shaded textures ... combined with challenging & unique gameplay. That's why reviewers go ape-crazy over certain games, and not "match 3 gems".

You clearly didnt play Puzzle Quest much at all If all you thought it was just a "match 3 gems" type game.

This is what happens when we know the DOTW 2 weeks in advance. Can't wait till we get back to speculating the deals for 2/21.

Originally Posted by Dustinator Can't tell if this was mentioned previously since the thread got so off topic, but xbldb is showing Wheelman Premium Street Showdown pack as free.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Originally Posted by wEEman33 Yeah I am about as big a beat-em-up enthusiast as there is, and Castle Crashers does nothing for me. I went through it once with a friend and have no desire to play through again. I agree with the guy who said that the combat is just really dull and unsatisfying. If all you want to do is grind out levels and loot, I guess it's OK. But I don't play beat-em-ups for that. I'd much rather replay games like King of Dragons, Final Fight, Knights of the Round on the Capcom Classics Collections. Alien Hominid was also pretty weak aside from the bonus stick man platforming mini game lol

I admit I didn't get very deep into Caste Crashers' upgrade system, but that was because I just didn't like the way the combat felt. I realize it is the most popular XBLA title, but I lived off of beat 'em ups, both good and bad, when I was younger and Castle Crashers had that spam attack shallow feel I don't care for in the genre. I just didn't feel the oomph in the hits like i would Double Dragon, Final Fight or Golden Axe.

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Originally Posted by tylerh1701 Here we go.....

Ah, that Superbowl ad was amusing to me.

Originally Posted by eastx That really sums up how I feel about discussing games with others as well...

Well, I feel partially responsible for the "off the rails" course the thread has gone, and I feel bad for that. I originally intended to offer a minority perspective on a specific game someone mentioned they were considering to purchase (possibly for the rewards offer), since the person had an initial negative impression but later positive. It was not intended to spark divisive conversation. You mentioned you disagreed with my points, when I didn't feel I offered any due to length of the post, so I presented clarification for consideration in hopes to assist with a purchasing decision. I don't believe there's anything wrong with discussion about games, I am just unhappy the thread has strayed a bit from XBL deal/reward discussions since we have something new this week along with a pretty good reward offer for the month. To repeat: my intention was to detail a minority perspecitve on a specific game for assisting in a specific person's purchasing decision, nothing more.


Back to the deals ...

Now that DiRT 3 Complete Edition has been announced, granted the game does not appeal to me, but it does encourage me some publishers still release editions of games better for the late adopter. Now this may tell me DiRT 3 DLC may get the Deal of the Week treatment in the immediate future if the Live team wants to be cruel ^^. No, but seriously, I held out on Arkham Asylum and later got its GotY Edition when it was on sale. Given next week's DotW, and I have not acquired Arkham City yet, do you think it is likely a GotY edition shows up for me? (and I am not asking about its GotY worthiness, just the possibilty of an edition with all/most the DLC)

Also, in my search for unlikely marketplace items to see a deal, I have come across a Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes "I am the boss" DLC at 240MSP. I like the base game which did get on a sale before, it is an Ubisoft published game, and based on the description on the dashboard the DLC sounds a bit overpriced. I played the base game on another platform (nowhere near completion) but the XBLA edition is in my backlog, and I intend to play it to completion. Do you think it is better if I should hold out for a sale on this DLC item or just take it now for 5% refund?

I've gone back a few pages but I'm sure its quite possible that I missed this answer if the question was indeed asked... So let me apologize in advanced.

Anyhow, does Deus Ex: Human Revolution have anymore DLC coming out or is Missing Link it? It seemed like it was going to at some point but its been a long time since that bit came out.

Not sure, but A Missing Link is fantastic.

I fee like I should chime in and say, "Stay on topic and keep the fighting down," but I've seen worse here.

Originally Posted by Crono-00 Now that DiRT 3 Complete Edition has been announced, granted the game does not appeal to me, but it does encourage me some publishers still release editions of games better for the late adopter. Now this may tell me DiRT 3 DLC may get the Deal of the Week treatment in the immediate future if the Live team wants to be cruel ^^. No, but seriously, I held out on Arkham Asylum and later got its GotY Edition when it was on sale. Given next week's DotW, and I have not acquired Arkham City yet, do you think it is likely a GotY edition shows up for me? (and I am not asking about its GotY worthiness, just the possibilty of an edition with all/most the DLC)

I could definitely see Dirt 3 DLC going on sale in the near future. That would suck, but it does seem as if the Live crew enjoys torturing us sometimes.

Also, my guess would be that there will definitely be a Arkham City GotY edition. I think there is enough DLC to justify it. Also, maybe they could pair it with a Dark Knight Rises movie ticket or something.

Originally Posted by cancerman1120 This is what happens when we know the DOTW 2 weeks in advance. Can't wait till we get back to speculating the deals for 2/21.

Toy Soldiers 2 please please please please please! And Bubble Bobble!

Originally Posted by reddjoey I fee like I should chime in and say, "Stay on topic and keep the fighting down," but I've seen worse here.

Ya, there's been far worse. And I actually like this thread because it's a good community to talk about XBLA games with. Obviously any discussion not about the DotW is off topic, but I still like it. I wish the PSN thread was as alive as this one is.

Originally Posted by Crono-00 Well, I feel partially responsible for the "off the rails" course the thread has gone, and I feel bad for that. I originally intended to offer a minority perspective on a specific game someone mentioned they were considering to purchase (possibly for the rewards offer), since the person had an initial negative impression but later positive. It was not intended to spark divisive conversation. You mentioned you disagreed with my points, when I didn't feel I offered any due to length of the post, so I presented clarification for consideration in hopes to assist with a purchasing decision. I don't believe there's anything wrong with discussion about games, I am just unhappy the thread has strayed a bit from XBL deal/reward discussions since we have something new this week along with a pretty good reward offer for the month. To repeat: my intention was to detail a minority perspecitve on a specific game for assisting in a specific person's purchasing decision, nothing more.

That's exactly my intent every time I offer my opinion but HOO BOY does it rustle some people's jimmies.

Also, in my search for unlikely marketplace items to see a deal, I have come across a Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes "I am the boss" DLC at 240MSP. I like the base game which did get on a sale before, it is an Ubisoft published game, and based on the description on the dashboard the DLC sounds a bit overpriced. I played the base game on another platform (nowhere near completion) but the XBLA edition is in my backlog, and I intend to play it to completion. Do you think it is better if I should hold out for a sale on this DLC item or just take it now for 5% refund?

That DLC just lets you play as the boss characters in versus mode. It's absolutely not worth it. You won't be playing much versus mode because the campaign will have completely tired you of it anyway.

Originally Posted by RollingSkull That DLC just lets you play as the boss characters in versus mode. It's absolutely not worth it. You won't be playing much versus mode because the campaign will have completely tired you of it anyway.

Haven't played it yet, but from what I've heard this is correct. Very long campaign.

I'm REALLY on the fence about the Crimson Alliance pack (all characters). I played the demo (by myself--didn't try multiplayer), and have read the metacritic reviews, and am still undecided. I have a long-term goal of saving up enough points to get the Forza 4 Season Pass, and I'm half-way there, so maybe that's why I'm hesitant on biting.

A couple questions for anyone who has the game:
-Do you stay in the dungeons the whole game?
-How is the loot/character upgradeability?

Thanks for the help. I'd definitely be interested in hearing from people who feel strongly about the game either way.

-B

back on the topic of the current deal of the week, i am enjoying nba jam on fire edition. plays like i remember back on sega genesis. if anyone is curious, the entire details of the recent roster update can be found here. also, if you bought the disc based version of nba jam that came out in late 2010, you get bumped up to level 10 and get a bunch of "jam bucks" that you normally have to earn to spend in-game to unlock players, teams, etc. this is basically how ea should have re-released nba jam in 2010 to begin with.

Originally Posted by Abbadon74 I'm REALLY on the fence about the Crimson Alliance pack (all characters). I played the demo (by myself--didn't try multiplayer), and have read the metacritic reviews, and am still undecided. I have a long-term goal of saving up enough points to get the Forza 4 Season Pass, and I'm half-way there, so maybe that's why I'm hesitant on biting. A couple questions for anyone who has the game: -Do you stay in the dungeons the whole game? -How is the loot/character upgradeability? Thanks for the help. I'd definitely be interested in hearing from people who feel strongly about the game either way. -B

I've only played the demo, but I'm pretty sure I can answer at least one of your questions.

The upgradeability in the game seems to be very limited. From what I could tell, you don't even level up your character. The only way you improve your stats is by finding new weapons. Also, I'm pretty sure there is no loot system either, there are weapons stashed away in treasure chests hidden in levels, and you can pick up gold from vanquished foes to buy weapons, but as for actual "looting", it seemed non-existant.

Someone who's played the full game please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I'm finally leaning towards just getting a single character pack (the assassin), because I don't see myself replaying it too much.

Originally Posted by chipper_95 back on the topic of the current deal of the week, i am enjoying nba jam on fire edition. plays like i remember back on sega genesis. if anyone is curious, the entire details of the recent roster update can be found here. also, if you bought the disc based version of nba jam that came out in late 2010, you get bumped up to level 10 and get a bunch of "jam bucks" that you normally have to earn to spend in-game to unlock players, teams, etc. this is basically how ea should have re-released nba jam in 2010 to begin with.

That's cool, I didn't know you got bonuses for having the disc-based version. I had the disc on 360 but bought OFE on PS3, so I guess I'm out of luck on that one.

Originally Posted by RollingSkull That's exactly my intent every time I offer my opinion but HOO BOY does it rustle some people's jimmies.

People tend to be pretty sensational when expressing a negative opinion though, or offer no context.

For example we've seen stuff like "If it weren't for the narration, Bastion would be a piece of crap"

A more insightful comment could be something like "It's got a good story, and the narration and music are good, but the gameplay is a bit repetitive and thin." Personally that's how I felt about Bastion. I enjoyed it a lot and would have it in my XBLA top 10 all-time... but I felt the actual core gameplay was largely ignored in the super lofty reviews that some sites gave it. And I think having in top 5 of the year overall (as some sites have had), borders on insanity. It's not a faultless game.


Anyway, i think if people offered more thought-out opinions on why someone shouldn't buy something it would probably be better received. Talk of 'mount rushmore of overrated' doesn't do anyone much good.