TheOverSeasConnection
XBLA
The Overseas Connection Podcast #197
The Overseas Connection, the official G4TE.com Community weekly podcast discusses gaming news, community feedback, new releases and the podcast teams current play lists. Tune-in and listen to this combination U.S. and U.K. video game podcast as they discuss this weeks topics:
- We discuss COD Black Ops 2, Assassins Creed 3, Hitman Absolution and The Walking Dead.
- We ask the community if they ever had a glitch / bug that prevented them from playing a game they wanted /looked forward to.
- Ouya is set to release first consoles this year.
- Microsoft prices their surface pro tablet.
- Steam officially gets all big picture on us.
- PS3 still getting the shaft on Skyrim DLC.
- Epic looses another epic employee.
- And much more…
email the show: ocpodcast@gmail.com
Leave us a voicemail if you live in the U.S.:(626)50-OCPOD [626-506-2763]
Double Dragon Neon Review
I have such fond, fond memories of the original (Yes I meant to say fond twice ☺) with many an hour spent in the local café, games arcade or shopping centre (mall for you Americans) button bashing this 80’s classic !!! (1987 to be precise) Generating many hybrid versions due to its immediate success – Final Fight, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe to name but a few, you could say it was inspired by the 70’s classic movie “The Warriors”.
The arcade version of this game was re-released on many home computers, games consoles and handhelds throughout the 80’s and 90’s etc… XBLA a few years ago, 2007 to be precise… even iOS has a version !!!
The 2012 iteration comes along to coincide with its 25yr anniversary available on XBLA (800ms / $10 ) and PSN (£6.50 / $10 or Free to PS+ subs).
The plot or game objective is one of the purest and simplistic you will ever come across…. Rescue your girlfriend from a bunch of thugs by fighting your way through a whole host of gangs and environments utilising what you can along the way.
The fighting / gameplay mechanic is as you would expect, rather linear with your basic punch & kick moves. However in DD these can be enhanced further with flying kicks, elbows etc… with the additional feat of grabbing and throwing enemies.
Elements of the scenery continue to be destructible or interactive by being punched or kicked to be broken, with some releasing items such as food, weapons, and in this version money which can be used to buy various upgrades / power ups for your character fireballs, whirlwinds, etc…
In the 2012 version, the graphics and animation have had a total overhaul, redone in HD & 3D polygons. It is very colourful, with the scenery being, as the title says, heavily neon lighting based.
Each level brings it own unique enemies, level design, obstacles, backdrops (some you won’t expect), together with the usual enemies encountered throughout.
The soundtrack itself is worthy of a mention, very retro / 80’s classic rock based (composed by Jake Kaufman). You quickly find yourself turning up the volume (wondering if these are on itunes? are they ? ). Even the classic DD rhythm is still in there, bringing a wry smile to your face while finding yourself reminiscing slightly!!
The end of each level brings something I thought I would never see….. Think a Bill and Ted like guitar rift, and yes, this is redone by the characters themselves!!! This made me smile a lot… and I couldn’t resist emulating this classic air guitar rift in person (yes I did really).
This is your classic remake / re-release of a gaming legend which spawned an entire generation of beat’em ups and rightly or wrongly helped to develop many of the games we see today…
So to the scores…
Pros
Classic gameplay
Stunning soundtrack
Nostalgic
Not as easy as you think
Cons
Still has the awkard jumps
Falling off ledges
2D fighting issues (proximity to you)
Anyone who enjoyed the original really should own this, not only to make you feel that bit younger, but also if you don’t have the old console to play it on!
8 out of 10 looks great, character power ups could be its downfall, however still a must for fans of the genre as a whole..
Want to comment? Click here and jump in to the G4TE forum and let you voice be heard!
written by: DSUVZ
The Overseas Connection Podcast #159
The Overseas Connection, the official G4TE.com Community weekly podcast discusses gaming news, community feedback, new releases and the podcast teams current play lists. Tune-in and listen to this combination U.S. and U.K. video game podcast as they discuss this weeks topics:
- What is your preferred class to play in Mass Effect 3?
- I am Alive impressions
- A lengthy Spoiler Free Mass Effect 3 discussion.
- Alan Wake proves to have long legs.
- February NPD’s and UK Software Charts.
- Peter Molyneux says farewell.
- Phil Harrison finds a new home.
- iPad 3…errr…the new iPad gets announced.
- XBLA rumored to be getting an acheivement bump to its games.
- Our upcoming Question of the week: If you could play console type games on a tablet would you consider giving up your console?
- And much more…
email the show: ocpodcast@gmail.com
Leave us a voicemail if you live in the U.S.: (626) 50 – OCPOD [626- 506-2763]
The Overseas Connection Podcast #156
The Overseas Connection, the official G4TE.com Community podcast discusses weekly gaming news, community feedback, new releases and the podcast teams current play lists. Tune-in and listen to this combination U.S. and U.K. video game podcast as they discuss this weeks topics:
- More Kingdoms of Amelur: Reckoning talk
- Mass Effect 3 co-op and demo.
- SSX & The Darkness 2 demos.
- Chris tells us about building his PC over the weekend.
- We briefly mention the Vita launch and Mass Effect 3 on PSN day one.
- We get into a big discussion on what makes an RPG an RPG.
- We announce more winners for contests as well as our newest giveaway.
- Music Break: BF2 Gun Sound Song makes its way back to us.
- Our upcoming Question of the week: Williams or Lawson? (You know… think Mass Effect)
- And much more…
email the show: ocpodcast@gmail.com
Leave us a voicemail: US# (626) 50 – OCPOD [626- 506-2763]
