Realm Media Networks - Xbox 360

Review: Bionic Commando: Rearmed

Luke Wallace — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:43:05 -0700

Capcom continues their retro arcade titles with a new release of an old classic: Bionic Commando: Rearmed. It's not a new adventure of an old hero, it's simply an update of the graphics and sound of the original, with the core game mechanics. But is that enough to be worth the price of admission?

Review: 1942: Joint Strike

Ryan Klemick — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:16:08 -0700

Capcom sure has been having a blast releasing some remakes of classic arcade shooters recently, haven't they? Next off the development line is 1942: Joint Strike, the new (re)incarnation of its classic WWII Pacific Theater shooter series. Like Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, 1942: Joint Strike should satisfy the old school shooter fans out there with some tight graphics and killer gameplay. Read on for the full review.

Rock Band Live Tour comes to Dallas in November

Luke Wallace — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:51:03 -0700

With the huge success of the original Rock Band game, Harmonix is promoting their upcoming sequel, Rock Band 2, by taking the show on the road. Using headliners Panic At The Disco and Dashboard Confessional, they will be having concerts across the country that will feature Rock Band performances by the general public. That means that you might be able to play on stage between the major acts, and show off your Rock Band skills to the world.

Tickets for the event will go on sale starting on August 8th, 2008, with the local Dallas show happening on November 12, 2008 at Nokia Theatre.

The full press release and tour dates are listed after the jump.

Impressions: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3

Ryan Klemick — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:00:58 -0700

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is a new Xbox Live Arcade release from Capcom that packs quite a punch to the senses. With bright and colorful visuals and crisp, accurate audio your eyes and ears will be under a full on assault from the first moments you hit the beach.

Perform on Fake Instruments on a Real Stage for Real Money

Luke Wallace — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:03:08 -0700

The idea behind games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band is to give you the sensation of playing in front of a huge crowd and rocking out, but usually these games are played in a living room with a very small group of people. Occasionally there are competitions that allow you get on stage, but even then, they are usually on a small, temporary stage. But fear not, little rocker dude, because Saturday July 12, 2008, Maximedia Studios will be offering the chance for anyone to play on a professional stage in front of a roaring crowd. The "Ultimate Guitar Hero / Rock Band Contest" will be challenging rockers from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to compete with each other for an as-yet-unspecified amount of cash in front of a live crowd on a real stage. There will be prizes given away throughout the day, and it should be fun for anyone. The full press release at the "read more" link below. For more information, check out the event website at www.liveatthemax.com/rockband.

Xbox 360 console licenses now transferrable

Luke Wallace — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:41:13 -0700

When you download content on your Xbox 360, it's linked not only to the Xbox LIVE account that downloaded it, but also to the console on which it was downloaded. That console license allows any profile on that particular console to access the content, not just the user that downloaded it. Unfortunately, only one console license can exist for each piece of content, so if you replace your Xbox 360, or lose it due to theft or disaster, you can't use that content again without being signed on to Xbox Live. Well, not until now.

Microsoft has just released a new tool to allow you to transfer your console licenses to a new console, meaning that people who have replaced their Xbox 360 may now re-download content and have it be accessible to any profile logged into that Xbox 360. It helps simply the licenses, and makes content more accessible, at least on one console. Microsoft still doesn't allow content to have two console licenses, which would be useful for people with multiple Xbox 360s, but as always, content can be accessed from anywhere using the Xbox LIVE account that the content is linked to.

Major Nelson (Larry Hryb) has posted a small story explaining the process and linking to a walkthrough video that shows how it all works.

Content License Transfer Tool (aka the DRM Tool) now available [MajorNelson.com]

Review: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition COLONIES EDITION

Luke Wallace — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:11:49 -0700

Many games are released in different editions. Collectors Edition, Ultimate Edition, Barnyard Edition, whatever. Usually these editions involve different packaging, a bonus comic book or artwork, or maybe even a figurine. After a game has been released and sells well, it may even be re-released in a "Game of the Year" Edition, or in the case of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, the COLONIES EDITION. There have been a few changes to the game since its original release, but are those changes enough to tempt new consumers? Read the full review below to find out!

Review: Rocky & Bullwinkle

Luke Wallace — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:27:22 -0700

Whenever people talk about mini-game collections these days, the games likely end up being for the Nintendo Wii. However, a new mini-game collection has recently come to the Xbox Live Arcade in the form of Rocky & Bullwinkle. Can a traditional controller bring as much fun to the living room as a motion-sensing remote control? Let's take a look at this mini-game collection from a few different perspectives, and find out.

The Rocky & Bullwinkle Enthusiast
On the surface, this game sounds like a great fan service to all the Moose & Squirrel fans that like mini-games. Unfortunately, the graphics don't have the same endearing quality as the original TV programs. All the characters are here, but they won't animate the same way they did on the show, and none of the characters actually talk. Audio clips play at the beginning of each mini-game, but no video from the original series plays except in short, soundless montages at the beginning of each "show."

Click read more to read the rest of the review.

Review: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil

Ryan Klemick — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:50:10 -0700

They say you cannot judge a book by its cover, so I guess sometimes you cannot judge an Xbox Live Arcade title by its demo. Rocketmen: Axis of Evil is one such title. What seems dull at first look became an addicting romp through a colorful world of action packed adventure.

The first two levels included in the demo give you some idea of the weapons available, the enemies you will face and the gameplay that you will experience. I cannot explain exactly when I started to like the game, but I do know that a large part of it is the RPG element of upgrading your weapons and character through loot and experience points. Enemies drop three different types of 'money' which can be used for armor, weapons and secondary items between missions. The XP you earn allows you to improve the stats for your Rocketman (or woman). I played enough to fully upgrade my Rocketwoman , and it is quite a joy to blast through endless waves of enemies when you are at your quickest and toughest.

Click the read more link below for the rest of the review

Gears of War 2 coming November 2008

Luke Wallace — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:24:06 -0800

Microsoft and Epic Games have been denying rumors of a Gears of War sequel since the original came out in 2006, with only a "wait and see" comment here and there. At the Game Developers Conference today, Microsoft had a short teaser trailer and Cliff Bleszinski came on stage to announce that Gears of War 2 would be arriving this November. Our network site Gears of War Realm has the latest:

Providing a dramatic close to Microsoft’s GDC keynote address, Epic Games Inc.’s lead designer Cliff Bleszinski announced that the epic saga of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad continues exclusively on the Xbox 360 this fall with Gears of War 2. This highly anticipated sequel to the 4.5 million-selling blockbuster Gears of War delves deeper into humanity’s struggle for survival against the nightmarish Locust Horde, and promises to take high-definition visuals to a whole new level.

To our team the original game was just a tease, the appetizer to the ‘Gears of War’ characters and new style of gameplay. We were so amped to get to the next chapter, and dig deeper into the universe of this franchise," said Cliff Bleszinski, lead designer for Epic Games. "Gears of War 2 is an even bigger, better, and more badass experience than the first game, and we can’t wait to get it in the hands of eager gamers this November."

There's sure to be more info available at E3 2008 later this year, keep an eye on Gears of War Realm for all the latest news.

Gears of War 2 Announced for November [Gears of War Realm]
Gears of War 2 teaser trailer