The Button Presser

Developer- RedLynx
Publishers- Ubisoft
Release Date- October 5th, 2012
Price- $4.99 MSRP
Review Platform- Xbox Live Arcade






Explore a new island of pain







Millions of gamers have enjoyed Trials HD and its sequel Evolution, and been hard at work creating thousands of new tracks everyday. RedLynx trickled in their own tracks here and there, and have now released the first pack for the game which not only features new tracks to ride around on, but also new skill games, a new island to play on, and the introduction of a BMX bike to use. For $5, you'll be getting a good amount of content that comes with new tools for creators that want to utilize the new tools.

The new island does a good job of providing a nice range and variety of tracks that utilize the new BMX bike as well as the original bikes already in the game. While there are a number of tracks that are BMX-only, most of the new tracks support the set bikes so you can use the your bike of choice to put up a good time on the leaderboards and against friends.

While I really like using the BMX bike, it did a bit of time to get used too since it lacks in acceleration compared to the dirt bike, but is much lighter which allows for extra air when hitting the many large ramps. It's also pretty neat to see your ride peddling extremely fast as they make their way through the tracks.

The new tracks in Origins of Pain provide a wide variety of themes and all seem to be pretty unique. Once you've gone through easy, medium, hard, and extreme from the developers, you'll be able to dig into the many custom tracks by users that take advantage of the new tools available in the track editor. Any tracks that use the use tools are noted with a '+', so you'll know which ones require the new DLC. The creations that players have been making never cease to amaze, and now there are some really cool new tools to use to improve on the already great custom content.

Some of the cooler custom tracks I found were made with the BMX bike in mind and consisted of some cool dirt tracks that fully utilize the changes that the bike brings. There's also some new and wacky ones like the skill games, and there should be some awesome custom tracks incoming that utilize the new grappling hook ability.



The DLC also comes with the ability to purchase more items to customize your rider including some pretty awesome helmets like the Orange Knight from Castle Crashers, and even the squirrel head from evolution.

Whether you're a track editor looking for new tools, or a fan of RedLynxs' tracks, Origins of Pain gives you plenty to enjoy for a low price. A definiet must download!

"Trials Evolution: Origin of Pain is the first DLC for Trials Evolution. Crammed with content and new ways to play, this DLC expands the best-selling Trials franchise with never before seen tricks, sets, and thrills! Get 36 new levels, including 10 all-new Supercross tracks, the BMX dirt bike, tons of new editor objects and abilities, from teleports, guns and vectors to the awesome new grappling hook. In-game progress required for DLC play."

Two SEGA classics return for XBLA Friday in Sonic Adventure 2 and NiGHTS into dreams. I enjoyed Sonic Adventure 2 a lot when I played it on Dreamcast, but never owned a Sega Saturn and missed out on NiGHTS, but now get a chance to play it on XBLA. Both titles will cost $10 (800 MSP).

Things will be getting naughty next week on XBLA as Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise is set to be released on October 10th, but in the meantime have fun with these games and addons!

"The hunt for the Chaos Emeralds is on and battle lines have been drawn between Hero and Dark. Experience two unique adventures featuring both long-time heroes and new and returning villains as they battle for the fate of the world! Sonic Adventure™ 2 makes its return on Xbox LIVE Arcade with a full cast of playable heroes and villains, exciting two-player competitive modes, Chao Gardens, and more than 30 action-packed stages, all remastered in HD!"

Link To Trial- Sonic Adventure 2 trial (2.37 GB)

Link To Content- Sonic Adventure 2 Battle Mode (240 MSP)





"Slip off into the dream world and go on an aerial adventure as NiGHTS in this classic Saturn remake. Collect Ideya (colored orbs), rack up points, and battle bosses to help Elliot and Claris save Nightopia from Wizeman the Wicked. With all 7 original dreams, enhanced graphics, achievements, leaderboards, and playable content from Christmas NiGHTS, this beloved title is back and better than ever."

Link To Trial- NiGHTS into dreams trial (2 GB)

Link To Full Game- NiGHTS into dreams (800 MSP)

Retail titles aren't the only games that deserve your time and money in the next year or two, if these titles have anything to say about it. Today marks the announcement of several exciting downloadable additions coming to XBLA, PSN, and PC.

First up from Ubisoft is Call of Juarez: The Gunslinger. This game will be a FPS and returns the game back to its Western roots with a new cast of characters to accompany the new title. Good back to how Bound in Blood was is a great idea in my opinion.

Next is upcoming DLC for the Ubisoft published, Redlynx developed Trials Evolution. Titled 'Origin of Pain', the content will feature 36 new tracks with a theme consisting of temples, beaches and volcanoes. There will also be 10 new tracks for multiplayer, a BMX bike with its own events to use, and new tools for level editors in the game. The content will cost $5 (400 MSP) when it is released. PC fans will also be happy to know that Ubisoft is bringing Trials Evolution to the computers as well!

Lastly from Ubisoft is the announcement that upcoming action brawler Spartacus Legends will be free-to-play when it arrives in 2013. Aside from its brutal combat, Spartacus will feature permadeath, so you'll have to be really careful not to sustain severe blows in battle.

Check out videos of each game below!







[Source: Joystiq]

Tony Hawk HD is the first Summer of Arcade release on July 18th and will be the day when you can get some new free content for Minecraft and Trials Evolution! For Minecraft, you'll be able to receive an exclusive skin set which is based on the new releases, and tracks for Trials Evolution which center around the games.

All you'll need to do is download these items from either the dashboard or ingame for the tracks on Trials. I also believe you have to be a Gold Member.

This Summer of Arcade is looking pretty good too. Can't wait to play Tony Hawk again, but I really want to get Deadlight!

[Source: PlayXBLA]

Developer-RedLynx, Ltd.
Publishers-Microsoft
Release Date- April 18th, 2012
Price- $14.99 MSRP (1200 MSP)
Review Platform- Xbox Live Arcade






Trials by fire









Trials Evolution is the sequel to one of the most popular Xbox Live Arcade titles and it incorporates everything from Trials HD to create a game everyone can enjoy. With an expansive editor, multiplayer, and track sharing, Evolutions has some serious replayability.


RedLynx has created a set of great default tracks that slowly ramp up in difficulty, as well as license tests which have two purposes: explain new mechanics to complete harder tracks and provide a new bike which is tailored to the upcoming tracks. Career mode can be completed in a few hours, but you’ll want to go back to the tracks to gain more medals, compete with your friends’ leaderboard scores, or just to play through the awesome tracks again and again.

While skill games are back, there are few less than from Trials HD, but they are just as fun. You can also make them in the editor, allowing for a whole new type of skills becoming available to creative editors.

You’ll probably want to show off your rider and bike when playing multiplayer, and RedLynx has provided more customizations options than ever before. Money earned in Career mode allows you to purchase accessories for your rider and bike, as well as a nice color wheel to change specific parts. There are no performance advantages to buying new parts, so you won’t have to really worry about having money – it’s just all for cosmetic purposes.

After you’ve played through all of the default tracks, you can hop over to Track Central, the destination for finding new tracks and content for Trials Evolutions. There are various options available, so you could search by a creator’s gamertag, find only skill games or motocross tracks, or just check out what RedLynx recommends with ‘RedLynx Picks’.

You can literally find a new track to play every couple of minutes, or simply work on making your own with the editor, either the lite or pro version. Every track that you’ll play all takes place on one big island, which you can explore in the editor. The main difference between lite and pro is mainly programmable functions like scripts, which allows you to trigger certain events on your tracks to further create something that’s truly unique.

While it was fun to see how you ranked among your friends on the leaderboard, its much cooler to actually race against them in real time. When playing multiplayer on the regular Trial tracks, you’ll see a ghost for each player, but on the motocross tracks your friends or matchmaking opponents will be there with you on a set path, allowing you to see how they are making their way through the track.



With new maps to check out everyday, and an excellent physics based gameplay, Trials Evolution is a great game that anyone can enjoy and begin to slowly master each track and dominate the leaderboards. A definite must-download!

"It's survival of the fastest with Trials Evolution! Your favorite physics-based motorcycle racer is back in a brilliant new outdoor setting. Ride in real-time multiplayer with 2-4 players, either locally or through Xbox LIVE. Enjoy a deep, rich single player career with 50 brilliant tracks, challenging unlocks, and tricky achievements. A massive, powerful track editor lets you build the track of your dreams and easily share it with the world. Or simply download top-rated tracks from around the world, using the all-new Track Central. Customize your bike and rider with awesome gear and unique parts, enjoy unique skill games, try ghost racing, beat your Friends' scores, and more! Don't miss the madness! "

Arcade Next begins! The first release available is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Trials HD with Trials Evolution. It has everything from the previous game, and tons more including Track Central, multiplayer, and a more robust editor for making awesome tracks. The full version of Trials Evolution can be yours for 1200 MSP ($15)!



"It's survival of the fastest with Trials Evolution! Your favorite physics-based motorcycle racer is back in a brilliant new outdoor setting. Ride in real-time multiplayer with 2-4 players, either locally or through Xbox LIVE. Enjoy a deep, rich single player career with 50 brilliant tracks, challenging unlocks, and tricky achievements. A massive, powerful track editor lets you build the track of your dreams and easily share it with the world. Or simply download top-rated tracks from around the world, using the all-new Track Central. Customize your bike and rider with awesome gear and unique parts, enjoy unique skill games, try ghost racing, beat your Friends' scores, and more! Don't miss the madness!"

Link To Trial- Trials Evolution (1.23 GB)

Link To Full Game- Trials Evolution (1200 MSP)

Today marks the release of The Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 in the form of an Enhanced Edition. Containing extra content including additional DLC, the game's soundtrack, and a poster of the game's map, the enhanced edition has a lot of goodies to accompany the game.

Another exciting release for this week is Trials Evolution, which will be out tomorrow for 1200 MSP ($15). With multiplayer – both online and off, and a track downloader, Evolution will be a worthy new addition to the Trials franchise.

Happy Release Day!

4-17-12

The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition (360)
4-18-12

Trials Evolution (Xbox Live Arcade)