XBLA
Now that you've had your fill of the Virtual Console, maybe it's time to check out This Week in Xbox Live Arcade. This is the part of our show where we take a look at the brand new Xbox Live Arcade titles, and then review them using our unique POINT/COUNTERPOINT style. In these reviews I will make a solid point about a game, and then I will argue the other side just to confuse everything. What do I really think about this week's Xbox Live Arcade game? I guess you'll never know. Instead you get what has to be the single least useful review ever posted on this website. Up first we have Battlefield 1943, the Xbox Live Arcade port of one of the most successful PC shooters of all time. We follow that with one of the rarest SNK fighting games. And round out the episode with a very conflicted take on Worms 2: Armageddon.
Battlefield 1943 ($15)
Point:
This year it feels like the Xbox Live Arcade has moved from being a place to find casual games to a place where you can download real games that people want to play. Battlefield 1943 is one of those games. It's a 24 player action game full of great maps, impressive visuals and more action than you deserve for a mere $15. It's not a perfect exercise, but it does warrant a look if you're into this kind of thing. Battlefield 1943 is a blast.
Counterpoint:
While I'll give you that you get a lot for your money, I have to argue that this is the Battlefield game to get this week. Perhaps you haven't heard about Battlefield Heroes for the PC, the recently released cartoon-style war game that has everybody talking. Not only is it considerably more entertaining than Battlefield 1943, but it's also free. That's right, free. Plus you can play it on just about any computer. Why pay for this Xbox Live Arcade game when you can play a better version of Battlefield for free?
Garou: Mark of the Wolves ($10)
Point:
Don't know it by the name Garou? This is the famed closing chapter in the Fatal Fury franchise. Known for pushing the Neo Geo's graphics engine to its breaking point, Mark of the Wolves is one of SNK's greatest fighting games. Years ago I was forced to import the Sega Saturn version of the game, because this game is, for whatever reason, rarely released in the U.S. Thankfully now people have a better option for buying it. Plus, for a mere $10 you can play the game online with friends. If you're a fan of Fatal Fury, then there's no reason not to pick this game up.
Counterpoint:
So let me get this straight, you actually paid extra to import the game for the Saturn? Talk about being a loser. I bet you're the kind of guy that has to buy one of those mail-order brides, too. Look, Garou: Mark of the Wolves is an okay game ... as far as Fatal Fury games go. This is a series that has always been marred by poor controls and dopey character designs. Mark of the Wolves fixes some of that, but not enough to warrant a purchase.
Worms 2: Armageddon ($10)
Point:
Hey, screw you Team 17! Talk about a money grab, Worms 2: Armageddon is everything Worms should have been in the first place. Instead of releasing a robust Live-enhanced version of Worms in the first place, you guys duped us into buying a stripped down game before releasing the main course. Thanks for nothing. Don't think you can fool me this time around, I'll just wait to see if you guys finally get around to giving us Xbox Live Arcade fans everything that the old Dreamcast version is known for.
Counterpoint:
Whoa, whoa, whoa ... I think you need to calm down a little. Yes, I agree, this is the version that should have been released in the first place. Nobody forced you to buy the original game. You could try it out for free, just to see if it had all of the options that you wanted. But even if you did buy the gimped version a couple of years ago, all you're out is a maximum of $20. Is $20 too much to ask for two of the best multiplayer games of all time? I think not. So quit your bitchin' and download this gem, you'll love all of the new weapons and gameplay modes. Trust me, this sequel is much better than the original, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
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