Feeding Frenzy is not one of the first games that come to mind on XBLA that you would think desperately needs a sequel. Even with a skeptical mind going in, Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown reminds players of how much fun it is to swallow underwater creatures over and over again.
Gameplay is extremely simple and will appeal to hardcore and casual gamers alike. The objective is to eat fish bigger than your fish. As you eat more fish, your character grows and can eat the next size. Controls are somewhat loose and take time getting used to. Your fish floats through the water and sometimes you have to steer it away from the larger fish more often than you should have to. There is no rumble feedback, which is always disappointing.
The interface on top of the screen gets in the way of the fish's action at the top of the ocean. Some new variations on the original gameplay include jumping out of the water and gulping down insects in the air. Also, by pressing the B-button, swallowing a school of fish is strangely satisfying. Graphics are simple, yet stylish and work well for an underwater XBLA game. FF2's sound effects are a little too simple, yet somewhat soothing (minus the announcer's Feeding Frenzy! call during every stage).
Remember bowling? You get your ball, line up your shot and hurl it down the lane hoping to get a strike. Well, the guys over at 21-6 Productions are changing the way you think of bowling with Rocketbowl. Featuring a 50s style retro-futuristic vibe, out-of-this-world courses, and rocket-powered bowling balls this title will surely keep you busy and sharpening your skills on the new and improved spin on this classic sport.
Who does #2 work for? - PC and Wii gamers get the best download of the week, Strong Badia the Free (episode 2), which was made available today. To check out the review I posted this afternoon, click here.
If Strong Bad and Co. aren't your bag, well there's probably something wrong with you. But if you're looking for something else to download, XBLA is offering up "Domino Master" (800MS points), "Feeding Frenzy 2" (800 pts) and some "Ticket to Ride" DLC (400pts). Aside from "Strong Badia the Free", Wii gamers can also pick up "Potpourri" (800 Wii pts) and Mega Man 2 (500pts).
Read on for all the details.
Sometimes it seems an arcade game is released just for the diehard fans of a particular title, which is just fine by me. When Cyberball came out I'm pretty sure there were only about 10 of us who bought it, and the game was universally panned. Not that the reviews mattered to me, the memories of thumping all comers at the arcade in college made it a must have. The same situation applies to the recently released Samuari Shodown 2 on XBLA. Old school gamers and SS fanboys will love it because it stays true to the original and now offers online play. However, for gamers who've never heard of the series this release isn't anything to get excited about.
What is it with card games and XBLA? It seems like every other month something to do with cards is coming out. Well Gin rummy is another one of these titles to add to the list. But is it worthy of its brethrens Texas hold'em and Uno? Unfortunately no, while having a slew of game play modes to choose from like Classic Gin Rummy, Speed Gin Rummy, Oklahoma Gin, Hollywood Gin, Three-Hand Gin, or even the ability to customize your own rules. This game just lacks that unique hook that others games have had.
A ton of options this week for the arcade lover in you. There are 3 offerings on XBLA this Wednesday - retro/futuristing bowling in "Rocketbowl" (800 MS points), 2D sword fighting with "Samurai Shodown 2" (400pts) and "Shotest Shogi", a kind of Japanese chess. But wait, there's more! Gamers can also nab the new Buku Sudoku Puzzle Pack with 1200 new puzzles (200pts) and the N+ Level Pack (200pts).
On the Wii gamers can also pick up three games with "Groovin' Blocks" (800 Wii Points), "Final Soldier" (700pts), and "Cho Aniki" (900pts) available today. Read on for the fine print on all of this weeks releases.
The story behind the developers of Shred Nebula should make gamers fall in love with this title. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
CrutchTime Games is the definition of a small game developer. Working out of a converted garage, two first time game developers and a few former Street Fighter designers pitched an idea to Microsoft and this week saw their title released to the public on XBLA.
Shred Nebula is a top down Sci-Fi space shooter in which the player can only shoot in the direction the ship is facing. The objective of each level is to locate and scan a beacon. However, it is not always clear what the objective is and you will spend time flying around the level waiting for the next text box to pop up.
The highlight of this weeks downloads are Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball on XBLA and Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the Wii Channel. That's right, Pirates and Ninja's just hanging around throwing red dodgeballs at each other. I can just picture Johnny Depp running around the beach dressed like Jack Sparrow, dodgeball in hand. I'm not sure whether the game is any good or not but at least it sounds cool. Gamers can purchase Pirates vs Ninjas on Wednesday for 800MS points.
Also this week, Nintendo celebrates its 250th virtual console release, making classic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (800 Wii Points) available along with Clu Clu Land (500 points). WiiWare fans can nab My Aquarium (500 points). Read on for all the details.
Editors Note: Looks like Pirates vs Ninjas isn't the only downloadable game on XBLA this week. Shred Nebula (800 pts) and everyone's favorite card game, Gin Rummy (400 pts) will also be available.
Xbox LIVE's Summer of Arcade has reached its end and it does so in style as this week gamers can pick up the excellent Castle Crashers. The Behemoth, the studio behind side scroller Alien Hominid, are scrolling yet again...with sexy results. Don't let the $15 price tag scare you, this game has a ton of content and is a blast to play with friends, making it one of the best values on XBLA.
You better jam in as many BBQ's and visits to the neighborhood ice cream truck while you can, summer is just about over. How can you tell? Microsoft's Summer of Arcade program comes to and end this Wednesday with its final XBLA release of the season, Castle Crashers (1200MS Points/$15). Not a bad way to go out.
Today on the Wii gamers can pick up Helix (1,000 Wii Points), Ys Book I & II (800 pts) and Samurai Shodown 2 (900 pts). Read on for all the details.
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- Review: Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown
- Feeding Frenzy is not one of the first games that come to mind on XBLA that you would think desperately needs a sequel. Even with a skeptical mind going in, Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown reminds players of how much fun it is to swallow underwater creatures over and over again.
- http://www.gameproarcade.com/article/103507/review-feeding-frenzy-2-shipwreck-showdown/
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