Author: Thomas Ortsik

Founder and Kinda-Editor-In-Chief at Twinstiq.
Also known as Dr. Strangethumb

Xbox Games With Gold In April

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As Microsoft promised last month, they are offering double the amount of free games on offer in April. Well, technically, that isn't true. At least not for Xbox One users.

So, if you are an Xbox 360 gamer, you are in luck! If not, then unfortunately, you're not so lucky. Not sure why Microsoft has decided to snub those Xbox One users, but hey... Free is still free

Head after the jump for the list.

Child of Light: Available all month on Xbox One
Pool Nation FX: Available all month on Xbox One
Gears of War: Judgment: Available from April 1-15 on Xbox 360
Terraria: Available from April 1-15 on Xbox 360
Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel: Available from April 16-31 on Xbox 360
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag: Available from April 16-31 on Xbox 360

Shocking News for Xbox One Owners

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VentureBeat has shared some startling news: Researchers have found that if your XboxOne is in “Instant On” mode, it’s likely adding a decent amount of energy consumption to your already hefty electric bill. The Natural Resources Defense Council environmental group, or NRDC for short, told our friends at Microsoft that the console had a serious problem with its energy consumption. Now you might be asking, how much extra energy does it actually use? To be honest the numbers are staggering. In their recent study, NRDC confirmed that an extra 10 to 11 Billion kilowatt-hours are used from the 7 million consoles that were sold in North America. How much is that exactly? To put it into an idea, "enough to provide electricity to every home in Houston for a year."
Wait a minute, Houston? A city with a population of over 2.19 million people? That figures out roughly to be a staggering $250 million a year in extra electricity charges.

Microsoft however does know about the situation. They've implemented certain power saving features to correct the problem, but NRDC claims it's just not enough. Before the quick fixes, the "Instant On" feature used somewhere around 18 watts, now it's closer to 12.5. One of the alternative ideas to fix the problem that was brought before Microsoft, included the option to change the “Instant On” to where it completely shuts down the power of the Xbox One and disables the capability to power it on with your voice.

Hold on here, doesn't it come with that feature already? Oh yeah, my bad, only Xbox Ones purchased in Europe came with this feature. How could I have possibly forgotten.

The NRDC claims that the Xbox One isn't the only massive energy hog. The PS4 has a very similar “Standby Mode," that allows the console to download updates and run certain software in the background while not turned off. Sony has already been working with its power problem, they released an update recently that shuts off any power to its USB ports after the system’s controller is finished charging.

NRDC responds by saying they will be working closely with Microsoft until the problem has been resolved and the energy consumption has been reduced to "normal" levels.

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-Tisnight

First Look at Halo Online

A Halo Online Trailer draws near...

This is our first real look at the game, showing off character customization, and what looks like a ton of available weapons.  More after the break.

This is Microsoft's first huge free-to-play offering, combined with a top-tier IP. Perhaps Russia is a test bed for something  that has the potential to go worldwide, but for now Microsoft and 343 are focusing on the upcoming Halo 5 launch. Are you more interested in traditional Halo matchmaking, an online-focused competitive environment, or are you just in it for the campaign and co-op? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Source: YouTube

New Nintendo eShop Releases: These Aren’t the Downloads You’re Looking For

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You can go about your business. That's because, if you're like me, none of this week's new eShop releases are games you were really clamoring for (no offense, Dot Arcade guys). With that in mind, I have decided to put together a little list. A small handful of games I would be excited to see hit the eShop. Specifically, a list of Super Nintendo Virtual Console games. So, if you are reading this, Nintendo (and I hope that you are), these are my demands:

  • Star Fox
  • Sunset Riders
  • Maximum Carnage
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time
  • Super Star Wars

I don't want to hear any nonsense about emulation issues or not being able to acquire the rights. Just make it happen. Please and thank you. Everyone else can move along past the break if you still want to see this week's new releases. Just try not to be too disappointed when you don't see any of the ones I just mentioned. Also, feel free to leave your own list of game demands for Nintendo in the comments section.

Wii U

  • Dot Arcade (James Montagna, 1 player, $4.99)
  • Namco Museum (Game Boy Advance Virtual Console) (Namco Bandai Games, 1 player, $6.99)

3DS

[Image: Nintendo]

Andrew J Amideo
[Source: Business Wire]

GenCon versus State of Indiana over “religious freedom” bill.

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Gamers are a diverse lot of people who also like to go to conventions. One such convention is GenCon, one of the largest in the USA. While GenCon isn't specifically gamer oriented [it's very much about gaming in general as opposed to video gaming, in particular] it does cover video gaming topics and, as such, what happens here might be important for more narrow conventions everywhere.

GenCon is generally held in Indianapolis. That particular state has passed a rather noxious bill by the name of SB 101.

While SB 101 is - at it's core - about religious freedom, it could be used in all kinds of other ways. Naturally, this has GenCon rather worried.

Part of this worry ties into how the bill might be used to bad ends - for example, it's not difficult to see how a bill about religious freedom could be misinterpreted to also mean banning folks with an orientation [or the like] because they are curtailing people's "right to practice their religion."

GenCon has sent a letter to the representatives of Indianapolis noting that the convention draws in a fair amount of money and that this, in turn, helps the state's income.

SB 101 has passed and this has prompted GenCon to post a letter on their website detailing their future plans. [Spoiler:  they're staying in Indianapolis for the time being, since they have a contract with that state.]

After 2020, though? It remains to be seen what GenCon will do.

Ys VI and Akiba’s Trip Coming to Windows

Two XSEED games are making their way to the Windows operating system, and will be available on Steam, GoG, and the Humble Bundle Store.
Both games are expected to release in spring, meaning you'll be able to download them very soon. Great news for Japanese game enthusiasts!  Are there any other Japanese game franchises you'd like to see on Windows or other PC OSes? Personally I'm hoping for the Katamari and Dragon Quest series!
Source: PC Gamer

Throwback Thursdays: Sagaia

One of the oldest genres, shoot-em-ups, or shmups, have been around almost as long as computer games.  Hitting the mainstream back in the late 1970s with quarter munchers Space Invaders and Asteroids, you can trace the lineage all the way back to Spacewar!, maybe further.
The first shmup that won me over almost to the point of obsession was Sagaia on the Sega Genesis. As soon as I saw the back of the box, I knew I had to experience it. Reading Electronic Gaming Monthly, seeing those screenshots Sagaia has some cool graphical trickery going on right from the first stage. I just had to see that game in motion! So after pushing my parents and insisting I need a new game, I walk into the Toys 'R' Us, look at the little laminated card that displayed the front and back of the box, and instead pick out... Fantasia. Well, that's a story for another article. Back on topic!
Also playable in the arcades, Darius II made its way home on Sega Saturn, PC Engine Super CD-ROM2, Gameboy, Wii Virtual console and under the name Sagaia on the Sega Genesis and Master System.  I'm not quite sure why it was renamed for these systems, but luckily I later found out it was part of the Darius series and proceeded to explore the canon. Sagaia / Darius II remains my favorite, but I have definitely enjoyed a few of the others.
On the other hand, I also remember persuading my brother to rent Twin Darius for his SNES, mostly so I could try it. Unfortunately, it failed to reach the level of its cousin and I found myself trying to justify my recommendation. It was a let down to say the least, but I digress.
Many shmups have a mere handful of stages, but here there are 28 as part of a scheme of branching paths. When I finished the first stage and got a view of all of the levels there were to select, I just couldn't believe how much there was to experience! When you're a kid who only gets games on their birthday or Christmas, you thank the stars when you stumble upon a treasure trove of replayability like we have here.
Some levels have similar enemy patterns, but each feels unique enough and backgrounds aren't usually repeated. Many different enemy types and huge bosses, often based on some form of sea life, skulk around or fly at you in tailored patterns. Minibosses surprise you now and then, soaking up damage and flying away if they're not defeated in time. If you're careless, they'll take down your shields, and perhaps deplete your reserve of extra lives.

There are a wide variety of music tracks to accompany the varied landscapes (soundtrack available on iTunes), and you probably won't hear the same one twice during a single run through the game. The music is extremely catchy, comprised of various styles from progressive rock to the more atmospheric, and the style matches the Genesis sound chip perfectly.  Some of those tunes are burned deeply into my memory. Just thinking about them reminds me of the areas they accompanied and it all makes me want to go back to the game, even as I write this.

Collecting powerups would enhance your main cannon, add missiles, four-way lasers, or add a shield, making a fully upgraded ship devastating to your opponents. Die, and you lose them all. At least you could make things a bit easier by selecting a different starting ship that would give you one round of basic weapon advancements from the start.

This game did so much right, it was exceptional in every aspect for the time. The whole package is a shining example of how a good third party effort could really make the Genesis sing. As a title that came out just as the system hit its stride, it hit home as a reason to pick up the system even as the SNES became a tempting alternative. It compared very favorably to the launch title Gradius III on the competing console. If you're at all into the genre, please check out this stand-out classic.

Bonus: Screenshot Comparison

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Sega Master System
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PC Engine CD
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Sega Saturn
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This is the impressive multi-monitor arcade version

If you enjoyed reading this, please check out previous Throwback Thursday features: