Okay, so there wasn't much spiritual when it came to Carmageddon, but that doesn't mean its spirit can't live on. Developer Stainless Games has released a game called Novadrome onto Xbox Live Arcade this morning, an arena-based car combat game that lacks the carnage and piledriver bonuses that made Carmageddon so great, but appears to have the looks and gameplay to be successful in its own right. And, with eight-player Xbox Live matches, 15 arenas, and 20 cars, it's pretty good value for your 800 points.
We'll be back with more detailed impressions later once we get a chance to get our hands on the game. Oh, and the above screen, while pretty close to the 360 version, actually dates back to 2004 when the game was going to be hitting the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. Seems it never found a publisher back then!
Destroy or Be Destroyed in the Arenas of "Novadrome" on Xbox Live Arcade
Stainless Software, the creators of the renowned vehicle-combat franchise “Carmageddon,” return to their roots with “Novadrome,” an original 3-D smash-’em-up game. This unique combat-driving game will be available for download on Xbox Live® Arcade for Xbox 360™ beginning Wednesday, 20th December at 9.00 a.m. GMT
In “Novadrome,” gamers blast, smash and crash their way to victory as they fight for survival among friends and foes alike in one of the 15 detailed 3-D arenas. Abducted by robots from the planet Nova, the players must stop their captors before they launch a full-scale invasion against Earth. Gamers will need to use their speed, wit and determination to defeat robot gladiators and other abductees in a series of combat-driving competitions in high-powered armored vehicles equipped with front-mounted automatic weapons. “Novadrome” also provides gamers with a frantic multiplayer mode for up to eight players via Xbox Live*.
“Novadrome” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points.
GAME FEATURES
* Frantic eight-player combat driving action set in a far-out alien world
* More than 20 off-road-buggy-style combat vehicles
* Fifteen arenas full of non-stop, furious action. Combat arenas feature upgrades, power-ups, obstacles and mines.
* A wide range of dynamic vehicle-mounted weapons. Players can destroy their enemies and acquire their weapons as power-ups.
* Adrenaline-pumping boss encounters. Humans in vehicles battle a variety of gladiatorial robot opponents.
* Multiple gameplay modes and event types to choose from. Modes are Career, Arcade Challenge, Free Play, and Multiplayer.
* Top of the class. Gamers can experiment with the various modes and master their gameplay to top the online “Novadrome” leaderboards.
* Twelve achievements. Players can increase their gamerscore by 200 points with 12 diverse achievements.WHERE CAN I GET IT?
“Novadrome” can be downloaded beginning Wednesday, 20th December at 9.00am on Xbox Live Arcade.
“Novadrome”: 800 Microsoft Points, Rated E10+ (Fantasy Violence)
More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.
Source: Carmageddon's Spiritual Successor
Originally published on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 13:30:29 GMT
Microsoft's crack at the Grand Theft Auto crown, from Grand Theft Auto creator David Jones and his Real Time Worlds studio, is set to hit streets February 20. Admittedly, Crackdown shares more in common with Mercenaries than it does with any of the GTA titles, as it's less structured than Rockstar's series and not mission-based -- you're charged with taking down three criminal organizations however you see fit. Of course, the ability to become a 'super freak' (leap buildings, transform vehicles, throw semis, etc.) puts Crackdown in a niche of its own -- if not the superpowers, then the cel-shaded visuals. It's totally like being inside a graphic novel! Right?...
