ninjabee.com

EDIT: This topic has been split from the Preview/Review Sticky above.
To find all the links to reviews and previews go here and then come back here to talk about it.

Based on the Siliconera preview: I guess all that work on the level editor really paid off! And it sounds like sharing maps is easy and intuitive. I like the way this is shaping up. Really can't wait to get my hands on it. Grr....

"...it’s coming out on Xbox Live Arcade soon."

Is this going to forever be the standard for XBLA game release dates due to the approval process? I can't wait for this after playing your other releases, but it is really hard to budget points without knowing when things are going to come out until a day before. ><

Yeah, it's frustrating for us, too. I sincerely apologize for this. Release date is one of those things that we just can't talk about.

And, to take some responsibility for this (as opposed to claiming it's Microsoft's fault): we certainly thought we were closer to done than we really were. I have to say that including a level editor has not made the final stages very easy!

Delays are part of development and I understand that. I would rather a later release than a problematic game. The addition of a level editor significantly increases the value of the game for me and as far as I am concerned certainly worth the wait. Keep at it, it will be worth it.

It just seems publicity wise MS is shooting themselves in the foot, and indirectly those who created whatever game is being released that week, by not making it known...but hey, that is just a consumer's opinion.

I don't know if it is something you can release before an official release date or not, but once a final point cost is determined could you let us know? If it is one of those things you just can't talk about I do understand.

You know, MS cherishes their certification process. However, 9 times out of 10, the game that is released has some noticeable flaw. I understand the politics that work behind the scenes in regards to release dates. Like how some games have probably been ready for ages, while some games are rushed out to meet certain criteria (movies, TV, etc.). I wonder how long NinjaBee has been finished with the game (probably at least a month or more...right? Obviously I will never know anytime soon, just speculation.)

Price I can probably say is going to 800 pts. Seems to be the going rate for most 3rd party original IP's.

I wish MS had a long, long look at refurbished 360's too.

OXM reviewed the game and gave it an 8.0.

+ Deep, compelling gameplay
+ Intuitive, easy to learn controls
- Unhurried fighting animations slow the game at times
? Where's the strategy guide? Some of these insect moves are tough to figure out. (Drunky )

The review itself was written a lot like a preview or hands on article, but not really anything we don't already know. 20 single player missions and confirmed at 800 points. No mention of the level editor though.

Uh, whoah. Cool!

I'm quite happy with that rating, though I certainly hope some people will like it more than an 8.0!

Intuitive controls?!?! They clearly didn't try the editor! (just kidding! )

The editor has been in almost every build ever, but they may not have known what our official plans with it were. Magazines and lead time and all that...

Those 20 levels are just in the main campaign. There are tutorial levels and some stand-alone mission levels as well as a bunch of skirmish levels that can be played single or multiplayer. This was all shown at the GDC, so I don't mind pointing it out here. I think all together there are about 40 playable levels in the game, and then of course you can make your own.

Why don't I have a subscription to OXM yet? I need to correct that oversight.

Thanks, AC!

Thanks AC!

Thanks indeed AC! My OXM can't come fast enough.

And seriously...why no OXM stay?! I mean the demo discs this year have given me a ton of free *premium* content (Graw Chapter 2 and Oblivion Stuff)...plus the mag and all the demos, videos, screenshot galleries...totally worth the $30. In my opinion that is...

Yep, you're right. Wheels are in motion for me to get a subscription. (I nicely asked somebody else to do it for me... )

I think it is a pretty good magazine. The content is usually pretty good, and the reviews are always earlier than other magazines because they have access to more things. The disc saves me space on my HDD for demos and videos, but with the 120 GB one coming down the line, they won't be that useful for that purpose anymore.

The new OXM Universe was alright I guess. Pretty dry, but hopefully it evolves into a cooler strategy game with more options instead of that linear path. I haven't tried this issue's chapter of it yet though.

I need to get a subcription. Last issue I received had Niobe from the Matrix on the cover.

That is pure comedy gold right there. Mainly for how long it has been since that mag, but especially since the Matrix games were so universally panned.

Marmoset brought in his copy of OXM today and I got to read the review. It's very nice! Very positive. And I won't sneeze at an 8.0 rating, but I have to wonder what it's based on. It's just a little blurb and a number. And is Luxor 2 really an 8.5?

In any case, note that Band of Bugs has an 80% average rating on gamerankings.com: http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/938058.asp

6 months from now, when the rating has plummeted to 23%, I want you to all remember that for one glorious moment it was 80!

So it's confirmed to be released within 6 months? Saaweeeet!