io9: xbox 360

The Dead Space Trailer So Scary It's Banned

Ed Grabianowski — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:00:00 PDT

Electronic Arts recently debuted the "Lullaby" trailer for upcoming space-horror video game Dead Space. It's creepy and gory, but did it deserve bannination? Check out this teaser trailer that's intended "for mature audiences only."

According to Ars Technica, after seeing this trailer at E3, the press was notified that the ESRB refused to approve the trailer, so it couldn't be released in the U.S. Why this means anything at all with a form of media intended to be released online is anyone's guess, but it sure won't hurt the marketing buzz. Dead Space is the tale of a mining operation that cracks open an alien planet looking for materials . . . and finds something they didn't bargain for.

Two Dead Space Trailers: one the ESRB doesn't want you to see. [Ars Technica]

These Skurgian Space Slugs Need Exterminating - Any Volunteers?

Ed Grabianowski — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:00:00 PDT

A few million Skurgians were unleashed onto the Xbox 360 this week, and all you have to defeat them is an unlimited supply of cluster bombs, torpedoes and chain gun ammo. Plus the ability to slow down time. Oh, and the occasional space warp. But other than that, you're on your own out there, man. Cluster bombs! What else is in store for you?

Aces of the Galaxy was released for the Xbox Live Arcade this week, and it brings all the retro rail shooter goodness consoles were known for, back in the day. There's a back story involving alien slugs and some kind of stolen superweapon, but seriously, it's all about blasting alien ships by the dozen. You have three weapons to choose from and can play cooperatively with a partner through three different "paths." Temporal shifting lets you slow down time to pick off whole squads of enemies with ease, and the graphics are gorgeous.

The game is pretty hardcore about the old-school ethos, though. No save games. No continues. You'll feel like you need a stack of quarters by your side whenever you play. If you get misty-eyed whenever someone mentions Defender or Gradius, Aces of the Galaxy is probably worth the 800 Microsoft points (roughly $10) to download. The best part? Throw some mp3s on a flash drive and plug it into your 360 so you can slaughter aliens accompanied by the tunes of your choice. Might I suggest some fine vintage NWOBHM? Image by: Team Xbox.

XBLA Wednesdays: Aces of the Galaxy and Roogoo. [Team Xbox]

New "Mass Effect" Aliens Are Jacking Your Asteroid

Graeme McMillan — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:30:35 PDT

Addicts of the game Mass Effect, which focuses on the discovery of cool alien tech about 150 years from now, have no doubt been spending this week inside. They're huddled in front of their screens, playing the first downloadable addition to the game, "Bring Down The Sky," released earlier this week. The pack - available via the Xbox Live Marketplace - introduces players to an entirely new alien race, the Batarians, who clearly don't come in peace: They've hijacked an asteroid station and are about to crash it into a colony on a nearby planet.

"Bring Down The Sky" is the first in a series of planned updates for the popular game series (originally planned as a trilogy, but now being spoken of by makers EA as a "franchise for a very long time"), with a second game due in the near future, in addition to the already-existant book series and soundtrack album. I would complain about the fanbase being sucked dry, but it's always good to keep voiceover talent like Lance Henriksen, Seth Green and Marina Sirtis off the streets.

Mass Effect Xbox Live Content Launched [Digital Spy.co.uk]