Limbo-
Jonathan Blow game
E3 2010: Castlevania XBLA Preview
Don't despair -- now you can take a friend into Dracula's castle with you.
June 14, 2010
by Daemon Hatfield
We just played a couple games of Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, the new six-player Castlevania game coming to Xbox Live Arcade this summer. Harmony of Despair is a 2D side-scrolling Castlevania that looks quite similar to the post-Symphony of the Night games we've been playing on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS for years. Apart from its looks, though, this is a pretty unique spin on the Castlevania formula. It's designed as a co-op game for up to six players that works like raids in World of Warcraft.
There are six levels, each guarded by a boss that must be hunted down and murdered. The maps are expansive, full of traps, shortcuts, and dead ends. Here's the thing: these levels and bosses are designed to be attempted many times over. Not only are the bosses powerful, but you only have 10 minutes to find them. You are more than likely to fail the first couple times you try. Luckily, you retain all the items and monies you collect on a "raid." So the formula goes: try a level, fail, buy and equip better items, and make it a little farther next time. You don't earn experience points and level up your character, but you are constantly finding new items and earning money that can buy you cool stuff. The next time you try that level, you'll be better equipped for it.
The more players you have the easier it will be to complete each level, but you can always fly solo if that's more your style (or if you're just unpopular). Five characters are available to choose from, each pulled from a previous Castlevania game. Alucard, from Symphony of the Night, is bound to be a popular choice. Shanoa, from Order of Ecclesia, is another option I noticed. Each character behaves as they would in their own game. Shanoa, for instance, can use her magnetic abilities to cling to certain hooks in the environment and gain access to new areas. The character you choose will determine the path you take to the boss. But they all have the same core abilities like slide, double jump, and backwards dash. Yes, with only five characters, you will be playing with twins in a six-player game.
On my first try playing level one I ran around looting treasure chests and slicing up familiar skeleton enemies (I was Alucard). But I ended up running into a dead end and time ran out before I could make it to the boss. On my second try I had a better idea of where to go and eventually came face to face with the guardian: a two-legged, no-armed behemoth that shoots a giant laser and sprays poisonous blood. There is a nice bit of foreshadowing in this level, as you can see the laser blast piercing through the halls of the castle long before you reach the boss. When you whittle the boss's health down enough the floor will cave in and you'll plummet to a platform below – where a mess of enemies await. The whole gang was too much for me to handle and I met my second demise. This is where more players would come in handy. It's also possible to make it to the monster party ahead of time and clear out the enemies so that when you fall down with the boss it doesn't have any henchmen left.
To get your bearings and plan your route through a level, you can zoom way, way out. You'll be able to see all enemies and other players in the castle, but you're so small on the screen it's probably not possible to play this way. Each level will have a few special areas where you can switch your equipment, but you'll need to do it fast because the clock won't stop counting down. Enemies won't stand around waiting for you to finish, either.
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is a fun new take on this long-running franchise and we can see why Microsoft picked it to be included in Summer of Arcade. Summer of Arcade starts in July so you won't have to wait long to posse up and go after those bosses.
So the formula goes: try a level, fail, buy and equip better items, and make it a little farther next time. You don't earn experience points and level up your character, but you are constantly finding new items and earning money that can buy you cool stuff. The next time you try that level, you'll be better equipped for it.
This + co-op = boner city. I'd like some new sprites, but if the level design and boss encounters are halfway decent then I'll happily shell out some space dollars for itQuoteSo the formula goes: try a level, fail, buy and equip better items, and make it a little farther next time. You don't earn experience points and level up your character, but you are constantly finding new items and earning money that can buy you cool stuff. The next time you try that level, you'll be better equipped for it.
Hot hot hot
Crazy Taxi? Anyone?That's fall-ish.
Bueller?
Crazy Taxi? Anyone?That's fall-ish.
Bueller?
I was hoping for the inclusion of a single player HD IGAvania option as well, but this does sound awesome. Day 1!This + co-op = boner city. I'd like some new sprites, but if the level design and boss encounters are halfway decent then I'll happily shell out some space dollars for itQuoteSo the formula goes: try a level, fail, buy and equip better items, and make it a little farther next time. You don't earn experience points and level up your character, but you are constantly finding new items and earning money that can buy you cool stuff. The next time you try that level, you'll be better equipped for it.Hot hot hot
Couple surprises there. Monday Night Combat looks very TF2-y. The only game of the bunch I have no interest in (at the moment) is Limbo.
yeah, limbo is interesting.
It takes Jonathon Blow 10 years to make a game. It's only been 2 since Braid. You've got another 8 years before being subjected to him again.
Yeah, he made "Demi Mad."It takes Jonathon Blow 10 years to make a game. It's only been 2 since Braid. You've got another 8 years before being subjected to him again.
Has Jonathan Blow made anything else other than Braid?
:rofl very good! Limbo looks so arthouse and lame. Boycotting that stinky turd. Zomg black and white :rolleyes so artistic.Yeah, he made "Demi Mad."It takes Jonathon Blow 10 years to make a game. It's only been 2 since Braid. You've got another 8 years before being subjected to him again.
Has Jonathan Blow made anything else other than Braid?
Can't wait for Hydro Thunder.
It boggles the mind why they only have 5 playable characters in a 6 player co-op game. It's not like they ran out of games to rip sprites from ::)
Any release dates for these fuckers yet?
Ive got TF2 on Orange Box, only played it once. As I said Im not big on competitive multiplayer, especially trying to get into one with a well established hardcore community.Wha'...? Then why buy TF2 or Monday Night Combat at all? It's entirely based around competitive multiplayer!
Limbo, July 21: This black and white puzzle platformer will draw you into its surreal world.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane, July 28: This multiplayer racer on water is a cult favorite from back in the Dreamcast days.
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, August 4: A Symphony of the Night-style Castlevania game designed for six-player co-op.
Monday Night Combat, August 11: A multiplayer, Team Fortress-style third-person shooter.
Lara Croft & the Guardian of Light, August 18: This isometric co-op adventure is a big departure from previous Tomb Raiders.
Each game will set you back $15. Microsoft will be rewarding gamers that download all five titles with 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), so you basically get one for free. Download at least three and you'll be reimbursed 400 Points ($5).
I will get Castlevania and probably Limbo if it's good.
I will get Castlevania and probably Limbo if it's good.
Bah, I won't pay 1200 Spacebucks for single-player games. They all go on sale eventually. I'll jump on the co-op and multiplayer stuff, though.
Castlevania IS a gimmick game. They arent trying to fool you. They've said "you do boss rushes, you grindan levels and you grindan equipment. And you can do it with your friends."
Monday Night Combat is like The Grid and runs at 60fps. Will purchase!
Diablo Croft?
I have a bunch of coupons for TRU, so that I can buy three 1600 cards and get them for ~$35Super-prepared. I'm just getting one for Hydro Thunder Hurricane, and I'll wait for reviews on the others before diving in. I'll see how well Castlevania and Monday Night Combat are first.
http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/110/1106885p1.html
http://www.giantbomb.com/limbo/61-30380/reviews/
http://www.destructoid.com/review-limbo-179246.phtml
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/limbo-review
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-pod-limbo/701815
http://xbox-360.nowgamer.com/reviews/xbox-live/9311/limbo
I've heard Limbo compared to Braid. I'll hold off to see what people who didn't like Braid think about it.
You didnt notice the bear trap above? Or hear the "clank clank" of it dropping? Unless you meant the part afterwards, that is when the demo ends.
If I had points, I'd probably get Limbo. I need some for Harmony of Despair, Shank, and Scott Pilgrim.
also, since when did the cost for downloadable games become $15? I remember most of them being $10 but recently everything is $15. I remember people complaining about that Penny Arcade rpg being more expensive in the past (or was that $20), but now it seems to be the standard.
Destination Arcade seems to be shit.
http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/castlevania-harmony-of-despair/achievements/
Do the puzzles come more hot and heavy when you get to the industrial area?
Do the puzzles come more hot and heavy when you get to the industrial area?
They are a little more difficult but I'm not really sure they ever get "hot and heavy".
Is there level select when you are done?
I just beat it and got all the hidden shit last night in one sitting.
The gravity stuff is sweet. Bought, played through and finished it in one sitting today. Took ~3 hours. I'm pretty keen on Hydro Thunder Hurricane, The Guardian of Light and Castlevania too which means I'll prob pick up monday night combat for the hell of it as I'll get teh 1200 pts back as a bonus for buying all of them.
I would, but Im saving my points for co-opvaniaYou better get Hydro Thunder, bro. >:(
Nobody is buying your crappy port. You cant even ram people.Your taste in racing games is awful anyways. :yuck
bomba, that turd should have never made the "Summer of Arcade" lineup
bomba, that turd should have never made the "Summer of Arcade" lineup
bomba, that turd should have never made the "Summer of Arcade" lineup
online play (as well as split screen co-op online play), sweet physics, speed, boat racing, crazy set-pieces.... Sounds real fucking good bro.
bomba, that turd should have never made the "Summer of Arcade" lineup
online play (as well as split screen co-op online play), sweet physics, speed, boat racing, crazy set-pieces.... Sounds real fucking good bro.
I only read the Eurogamer review. 1up and IGN are the two worst sites on the internet. I did JO to the IGN Strategize chick on the Xbox dash once tho. It was awesome
You're only saying that because one of the achievements requires you to round up three other people for some local multiplayer, aren't you? :patel :smugbomba, that turd should have never made the "Summer of Arcade" lineup
online play (as well as split screen co-op online play), sweet physics, speed, boat racing, crazy set-pieces.... Sounds real fucking good bro.
Nope, it's turd city. Hope this helps
No, I'm saying it because it's in fact, a turd game. Like Blur. Hope THIS also helps.If it's a turd game, why is everybody who's actually played it saying that it's good? But it's okay, like I said, your taste in racing games is awful anyways. :patel
No, I'm saying it because it's in fact, a turd game. Like Blur. Hope THIS also helps.If it's a turd game, why is everybody who's actually played it saying that it's good? But it's okay, like I said, your taste in racing games is awful anyways. :patel
Monday Night Combat looks really shitty and highly derivative of much better games. Specifically TF2.
I just wish co-opvania was out this week :fbmWord, I'm all over CV come next week. :hyper
so keen for shitty sprites and item grindan
technically every game is derivative yes, but generally I'll only use the term when a game looks to be derivative in a blatant, unpleasant way. (see: Monday Night Combat)
Yeah, I'd let her lick my PSP(P).I only read the Eurogamer review. 1up and IGN are the two worst sites on the internet. I did JO to the IGN Strategize chick on the Xbox dash once tho. It was awesome
Jessica Chobot?
I just wish co-opvania was out this week :fbmWord, I'm all over CV come next week. :hyper
so keen for shitty sprites and item grindan
technically every game is derivative yes, but generally I'll only use the term when a game looks to be derivative in a blatant, unpleasant way. (see: Monday Night Combat)
I won't overly argue this as its kind of pointless without knowing whether it sucks or not but compared to most other shooters on the console platform this is one of the least derivative shooters out there by comparison in the shooter genre. I'm sure there are some similarities between this and some other games ala TF2. But without having played it myself I'm not willing to go there. Not to mention the people who made TF 2 themselves put out a dog shit version on consoles so its no like there is much competition in this space.
Sounds like somebody might be down for staying awake until it goes up on Wednesday morning perhaps? I'm considering it and if there's other folks who're down with some CV insmonia I'll do it. I'm up until 2 est most days anyway, a few extra hours is no biggie.I just wish co-opvania was out this week :fbmWord, I'm all over CV come next week. :hyper
so keen for shitty sprites and item grindan
argh I want to play it noooowwww. Goddamn M$
Next thing I know, you're going to bring up the IGN review in a lame-ass attempt to cover your ass. We all know your taste in racing games is awful, but why do you have to take it out on me?No, I'm saying it because it's in fact, a turd game. Like Blur. Hope THIS also helps.If it's a turd game, why is everybody who's actually played it saying that it's good? But it's okay, like I said, your taste in racing games is awful anyways. :patel
Because they're dumb? That's like asking "How come I couldn't get my sister a better gift than a flash game?"
Hope this helps - loser
Yet Harmony of Despair has no sympathy for failure. When a boss claims victory, you start from the very beginning of the stage, with nearly a half-hour wasted. That's right: the first time you die, you have to make another run through the whole mansion. The second goddamn time you die, you have to make another goddamn run through the whole goddamn mansion. After the third time, you start using words that my editors won't let me print.
Fuck it, I bought Hydro Thunder.If you want some help with the online achievements, shoot me a PM on Live and we can work something out.
http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-castlevania-harmony-of-despair/17-3002/
With so little of the game explained, some players may find themselves confused or, worse, frustrated.
looks like total shit
haters vindicated
send me your $15 instead of wasting it on this fail
Continue waiting for your food stamps, I'll be dining on my fine mignon come tomorrow, while your wife wants a crack at it
Oops, I didn't even know they sold 2000pt cards. Thought he meant 1600.
Are they adding missions and content to the free roam portions, or are the 'maps' those little areas you enter when you do deathmatch? Fuck the latter
re: quick look
That first dungeon wasn't amazing, but the second one looks dull as fuck. If that's how creative the platforming and item placement is, why not make them randomly generated?
I could go for a Castlevania lootfest, but not like that. And no local multi?
wat the fack
i bought my code, put it in and it says code isnt activated by retailer. do i have to wait for this shit to propagate?
bah its still not up, Im going to bed and I'll get it tomorrowMaybe it's good that my laptop crapped out yesterday then. I couldn't get connection sharing going at 3 am and decided the hell with it.
re: quick look
That first dungeon wasn't amazing, but the second one looks dull as fuck. If that's how creative the platforming and item placement is, why not make them randomly generated?
I could go for a Castlevania lootfest, but not like that. And no local multi?
I bought it and beat the first stage. Game is awesome confirmed. Add me if you want to play some co-op later on.
PS. I like how it's a 6p game but there's only 5 characters to choose from. At least they have a bunch of alternate colors and such. But then again I don't really care, I'll just be playing Shanoa. :bow OoE
Tried the demo, didn't like it much.
Do the enemies have more HP in multiplayer? I figure with a full group of 6 you'll be able to steamroll the entire stage like nothing if it's the same as single player.
So it's good? I heard some people harrumping that you move too slow and it's basically a glorified CV chat room.
Its pretty hot, GOTY contender
Its pretty hot, GOTY contender
lol
no
pe
Prove me otherwise? It wipes it's ass with Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead. What else came out this year?
Really dumb. Don't put out your co-op online game if it doesn't have co-op ready when it releases. How simple is that. I'm beyond the N64 at this point.
Really dumb. Don't put out your co-op online game if it doesn't have co-op ready when it releases. How simple is that. I'm beyond the N64 at this point.
there has to be something behind this delay, the same day the online co-op patch goes online is when the other versions get released too
Its pretty hot, GOTY contender
lol
no
pe
Prove me otherwise? It wipes it's ass with Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead. What else came out this year?
Really dumb. Don't put out your co-op online game if it doesn't have co-op ready when it releases. How simple is that. I'm beyond the N64 at this point.
there has to be something behind this delay, the same day the online co-op patch goes online is when the other versions get released too
> he thinks RDR isnt a shitty retread of GTA4It's not. You are made of poop.
Castlevania demo is pretty neat. How many different castles are there? I might buy if there are a few.
its an Alucard gamerpic if you solo Drac. Still cool. I think Im gonna spash out on the premuim theme, too.
Rman, sweet! Im still not that great at the game (wasted a lot of game time this weekend grinding golden guns in RDR multiplayer). But Im gonna play hard this week, upgrade my Shanoa and get good at hard mode. Im so down to join your team anyhow.
Anyone playing tonight?I'm playin right friggin now. gt is same as my sn here.
Any balanced Castlevania impressions from guys with good tastes?It's a multi player only game, IMHO. It's just not that fun on your own. If you don't have the lootwhore itch, then I would also say to skip it. Have you tried the demo?
Any balanced Castlevania impressions from guys with good tastes?
I like it a lot, and I'm not huge into the 2D castlevania games (I used to love them on the GBA but they were the same thing over and over so I stopped). I really like this one though because of the WHOLE castle being on screen at once, with all the monsters active, and seeing your 5 friends all wrecking shit at the same time. It almost reminds me of Todd's Adventures in Slime World, an amazing co-op side-scroller that nobody played because it was on the Lynx.
That being said, I'm not too sure of the longevity of it. I was getting into some games where they were just breezing through the levels in about 6 minutes or something. That might have been because it was set to normal difficulty though.
I'm gonna jump on in a half hour or so. But I haven't finished the game on normal yet. Up to chapter 5.
Lyte Edge I can help you pass level 5 now :D I'll hit you up next time I see you on
I did a marathon seesion of CV with some SA goons earlier today, good times. Got up to Chapter 5 hard but it'll only let me select up to Chapter 2, probably because I was dead at the end a lot due to not having as good a gear as most other folks.
Sure, though I dunno if I'll be that much help. I'll probably be on tomorrow night after 10:30 PM EST.I did a marathon seesion of CV with some SA goons earlier today, good times. Got up to Chapter 5 hard but it'll only let me select up to Chapter 2, probably because I was dead at the end a lot due to not having as good a gear as most other folks.
lets play hard mode baybee :punch I need help so bad :'(
I'm done for the night, Demi. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow. I unlocked Hard Mode :hyper with Fatalty.
Sorry I didnt join your paty RMan, I was playing Medal of Honor Beta with my sexy bearfriend. I am available now though
Nope, I'm in Seattle now. I left Japan because there was too much loll and uguu
So did anyone even bother with Monday Night combat? I had assumed it would be the one major turkey in the line-up, but I've seen some fairly decent reviews.
Anyone wanna try some hard mode on CV? Sorry I haven't been available Trent.Wifi's decided to be gay when I try to play CV lately, hopefully it's a tempy thing and doesn't stick around like it did for 1 vs. 100. Played fine for two weeks then crap. Freed some space up on the 360 hd and it's still bein' weird. Whatever.
Also we should just make a separate thread for the CV Boresquad
Wow, Lara is over 2 gigs. Dissuades me from even trying the demo. Might still do so if the game is said to be like 6 hours long.
Wow, Lara is over 2 gigs. Dissuades me from even trying the demo. Might still do so if the game is said to be like 6 hours long.
pfft, 6 hours. Ive put 20 hours into Castlevania and still going strong. That game was worth 1200.
The Lara Croft game is all kinds of awesome. Best XBLA game I've played in months.
Wow, Lara is over 2 gigs. Dissuades me from even trying the demo. Might still do so if the game is said to be like 6 hours long.Uh, wow... :o
btw. I also canceled the demo. I aint waiting 2GB just to delete it. I'll get it if I get a free code somehow.
6? where do you people even find out about this stuff?
6? where do you people even find out about this stuff?
Rupert Murdoch
http://www.offersinthetimes.com/laracroft/index.php
Sorry no more codes are available.
MNC and Lara Croft are both really good. The only turd is Hydro Thunder. :yuck Who was hyping that up? Ferrariman?Guilty as charged, and you're only saying that because demi hacked into your account, or you suck at the game.
he hypes every single racing game that gets releasedI didn't hype Gran Turismo 5...
he hypes every single racing game that gets released
MNC and Lara Croft are both really good. The only turd is Hydro Thunder. :yuck Who was hyping that up? Ferrariman?Guilty as charged, and you're only saying that because demi hacked into your account, or you suck at the game.
Bionic Commando Rearmed is soooooooooooooo good (200/200 here :rock) Cant wait for the sequel
I only bought Castlevania this year. Admittedly, I don't like it as much as I was expecting to. Castlevania is one of my favorite series and I adore loot, but I dunno, of what I've played I haven't been feeling it. I probably would have continued playing if it had a leveling system as well as the items.
I do want to play Limbo but I didn't want it to be another Braid situation and held off until I heard reasonable people talk about it. Tomb Raider is the other one I want and I'll get that in a month on PC. Will also pick up Dead Rising 2 Demo whenever that comes out.
The trouble is that Limbo strays from the personal touch at its soul. One of its sweetest surprises came in the first couple seconds of play. I hit the jump button, and when my character landed, the controller vibrated. It's mild, yet it says a lot. It says that this is just a boy, not a futuristic robot or a genetic-freak hedgehog, so when he hits the ground with both feet, he feels it. And you do, too, by way of a lopsided motor in the Xbox 360 controller. With one touch (literally), the black silhouette on screen struck me as a full-bodied person.
I haven't bought anything yet, but I might get one this week. I dunno if I should get Castlevania or MNC though.
if you hate Castlevania HD, you are a degraded thing and i hope you get your urethra fucked by an angry scorpion
Sorry, but I need an unbiased opinion. :lolI haven't bought anything yet, but I might get one this week. I dunno if I should get Castlevania or MNC though.
get Castlevania
There is no such thing.Sorry, but I need an unbiased opinion. :lolI haven't bought anything yet, but I might get one this week. I dunno if I should get Castlevania or MNC though.
get Castlevania
More people on my friendlist are playing MNC right now, so I think I'm gonna get that. I'll get them all except maybe :piss Hydro Thunder :piss2 eventually, but I'm a filthy poor right now.But if you get them all right now, you pick up Hydro Thunder for free, right?