Bad Caterpillar review: Creepy Crawly

Posted on by Anthony Swinnich in Reviews, xblig, XBLIG Reviews | Leave a comment

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Bugs. People hate them. The theory is that the circle of life would unravel completely without them providing one of the lowest ends of the food chain, but most folks can’t resist the urge to smash them on sight. Some go so far as to say they would eliminate them for good if they could. An opportunity to do just that, at least digitally, came up way back in the 80s with Centipede but it didn’t last. In fact, bugs are still one of the most common video game enemies around, coming in just behind zombies, red barrels and ‘terrorists’. Now the bugs are invading again, this time through Microsoft’s Xbox Live Indie Games service in Fun Infused Games’ Bad Caterpillar, a modernization of Atari’s classic hundred-legged game.

Let’s get one thing out of the way right away: Bad Caterpillar does nothing to hide its inspiration. If you’ve ever played, nay, even seen Centipede then you’re familiar with what this game has to offer. As with most shooters it’s you and you alone against an entire army of enemies, so don’t expect any back up, soldier. Grip that trigger and let the bullets fly. The game’s titular enemy descends from the top of the level and it’s your duty to blow each and every segment of its body to Kingdom Come, lest you explode at its mere touch. You move onto the next level once you’ve successfully smashed each and every thorax.
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PAX East Indie Megabooth packs 62 games onto the show floor

Posted on by Mike Wall in News, PC News, PSN News, XBLA News, XBLIG News | Leave a comment

Like indie games? Going to PAX East? Then you’re in luck. The Indie Megabooth is making its triumphant return to the PAX East show floor, replete with 62 games. This year’s lineup includes Charlie Murder, Guacamelee, and Organ Trail, and more. Fifty-nine more to be exact.

Check out the video for super-brief snippets of all the games, and be sure check them all out on the floor if you’re in attendance. PAX East 2013 is being held from March 22-24 in Boston, but if you don’t already have tickets, you’re kinda screwed. However, be sure to keep it locked to Armless Octopus for ongoing showfloor coverage.

Cave Story developer unveils Gero Blaster, landing in May

Posted on by Anthony Swinnich in Mobile News, News | Leave a comment

To say that Cave Story was an indie smash-success would be an understatement — its humble freeware roots betray its modern-day platform ubiquity and if you haven’t played it yet, well, you haven’t really lived. Of course the indie gaming world takes note, then, when its developer reveals a new game. Behold: Gero Blaster.

Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya’s newest title is headed to the iPhone, retaining the retro aesthetic that helped put the one-man team on the map. It bears a few other similarities to its predecessor as well, such as variable weaponry, an emphasis on running and gunning, and large-scale bosses.

The game is set for a May 2013 release on the iPhone, though no pricing details have yet been revealed. Also, it appears that a Nintendo 3DS version may already be in the works as well.

Source: Indiestatik, Indie Games

Armless Octopus Video Review: Arcadecraft

Posted on by Daniel Campbell in Reviews, XBLIG Reviews | 4 Comments

Let’s take a moment and pretend that it’s the 1980′s and arcades aren’t just a relic of a lost generation. Now, imagine you’re in charge of one such arcade. Sound like fun? You’ll just have to watch the video review and find out if the XBLIG title “Arcadecraft” is a thriller, or just a broken heart of glass.

Ascent of Kings review: Mini Metroidvania

Posted on by Anthony Swinnich in Reviews, xblig, XBLIG Reviews | Leave a comment

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The king is dead. That’s how Nostatic’s newest Xbox Live Indie Game Ascent of Kings starts out. It’s a somber beginning what is otherwise a breezy and carefree exploratory platformer. Your quest to become the new king is a fun, albeit short one despite this.

The journey begins much to the chagrin of your father, who believes you to be too young to handle the rigors ahead. Youthful confidence prevails and you set out on a quest for kinghood in the footsteps of your recently-journey-bound brothers. Each of your kin was equipped with a special item to help them with the road ahead. While you have none to start with, you’ll eventually acquire them all. It’s a good thing, too, since you’ll need them to reach your destination.
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Arkedo calling it quits for now

Posted on by Anthony Swinnich in Mobile News, News, PC, PC News, PSN, PSN News, XBLA, XBLA News, xblig, XBLIG News | Leave a comment

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It appears that no one can escape the “Wrath of the Dead Rabbit“, not even the studio that developed it. Our brothers in “arms”, Arkedo Studios, has announced that they’re closing their doors.

The indie studio, who was also behind the beloved Arkedo Series and the DS’ Big Bang Mini, will be splitting up and moving on to other projects. Studio head Camille Guermonprez is already working on a “publishing project”, while Aurelien Regard is working on starting a “mini-studio”.

Regard did lay out a couple reasons for the studio’s departure in his goodbye blog post. A desire and inability to make smaller games without a publisher was chief among them. The studio feels they are now too big to have success with that model. They also felt that they reached their limits with Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit.

The studio was careful to leave things on a “See ya” than a “Farewell”, so there’s a possibility that they’ll group back up in the future. But for now, at least, Arkedo has been put to rest.

Source: Regard’s blog post

Hotline Miami Video Review

Posted on by Daniel Campbell in PC Reviews, PSN Reviews, Reviews | Leave a comment

Hotline Miami has received a lot of attention lately for being somewhat of an indie darling on the PC and with the game gearing up for a PSN release, we figured now is a good time for the AO crew to dig into the game and give you our two cents on the bloody romp through 1980′s Miami. Please enjoy.

PS: Eff the dogs

 

Serious Sam Double D XXL Out on XBox Live Arcade, Wants You to Stack More Guns

Posted on by Taylor Bliss in News, XBLA, XBLA News | Leave a comment

Serious Sam Double D was already certifiably over-the-top and chock-full of awesome when it debuted back in 2011. If you don’t believe it, check out the video review. Since then, Mommy’s Best Games has been working on classing Double D, elevating it to XXL status. Now out for XBLA, the game boasts new features such as co-op (couch only, sadly), and a new upgrade system for guns. There’s also a barrage of new and still ridiculous enemies, oh, and a giant dynamite powered unicycle. What I’m saying is you should check it out. It’s available today on XBLA for 800 Microsoft Points (that’s 10 real dollars).