Way back in April, we tried out the Monster Madness demo and walked away less than impressed. What was present in the game wasn't bad, but it definitely had issues. Particularly, the game had serious camera and control issues, which made the demo much more difficult than it had to be. It looks like the developers have taken many of the game's criticisms (we weren't the only ones who made them) and addressed them in a title update available now on Xbox Live. SouthPeak informs us that the update includes several tweaks to the gameplay but the biggest change is definitely a revamped control scheme and camera. You may recall (but probably don't) our major gripe with the demo: "the directional aiming is constant. In other words, if your character is facing left, he keeps facing left until you adjust the right stick. It works fine for ranged weapons, but it's a pain to have to manually aim a melee weapon." The new control scheme makes it so the camera and character point in the same direction as the left stick, which is definitely a step in the right direction. Find a complete list of the other changes after the break.
Those out there with the game, let us know what you think of the changes.
This week Circuit City is offering all kinds of deals, some we've seen before while others are new. But be sure to note that most (if not all) are in-store only deals, so let's get to it. This week they brought back two deals including the two free HD DVD offer with the purchase of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player and the 4' tall Master Chief wall graphic with a Halo 3 preorder. For new deals we have a free tshirt with the purchase of Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia and an offer for our PC fanboys. This week you can get Halo 2 Vista for $39.99 and with the purchase you'll get Shadowrun Vista for free! Two PC games for $40, not too shabby at all. So, that's it and be sure to remember that most of these deals aren't available online. Happy spending!
Oh how far we have come. Only two weeks ago we had high profile games like Shadowrun and Forza Motorsport 2 descending on our Xboxen. Hell, we even had the Halo 3 beta. This week we get, um, Tenchu Z, Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia, and yet another movie tie-in (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, if you must know). We pretty much had our minds made up about Tenchu Z since our Japanese buddy let us try out its Japanese counterpart, Tenchu Senran, nearly a year ago. It wasn't spectacular then, and it's not made any better with the addition of English subtitles. It's possible that Monster Madness has made significant strides since its demo released (and after a few delays), but we're not holding our breath. And then we have a game based on a sequel to a mediocre movie.
Call us conspiracy theorists, but we think the releases over the last few weeks are part of a maniacal Microsoft plot to sell more copies of Shadowrun and Forza 2.
Xbox Live Marketplace has two new multiplayer maps available for Monster Madness, both costing 200 Microsoft points individually. The first is a 4v4 Capture the Flag level called Zack's House, and is a close quarters indoor map. The second map is called High School and is fit for 16 players, and has opportunities for vehicular combat outside, with close quarters action inside. Does this float anyone's boat, and do you think the 200 MS points is a fair price for each map?
It's a pretty big week for the Xbox 360. This week we see the release of two of Microsoft's major releases for the summer, Shadowrun and Forza Motorsport 2. Not only that, but also get Monster Madness and Surf's Up. You know, on second thought, maybe we should just stick to the first two. Honestly, the big question for 360 gamers this week is whether the choose Forza or Shadowrun. Given that these are two different games that appeal to two different kinds of gamers, it's not likely to be a tough choice though.
Posted May 3rd 2007 12:00PM by Dustin Burg
Filed under: News
For the firstest time ever a demo is receiving an Xbox Live update treatment. Major Nelson sends word that the Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia demo has been updated to fix the matchmaking issues, but sadly, not the control scheme. And since most everyone is a tad underwhelmed by the game, we're not sure how many will even see the update. But no matter, it's updated. Also, developer Jeremy from Artificial Studios will be online tonight and tomorrow playing the Monster Madness demo. Maybe you could play a few games with him and he'll turn you into a full blown Monster Madness fanboy. Maybe ...
This past week, GamingTalkHQ got on the horn with Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia developer SouthPeak Games and learned that the game was being delayed again. According to them, Monster Madness will miss its scheduled May 15th release, getting pushed back to May 29th. GamingTalkHQ also goes on to say that there will be an official announcement coming within' a week or so.
Anyone play the demo, are eagerly awaiting the game, and a little bummed about the rumored delay? Or will you be too busy playing a little thing we call the Halo 3 beta?
We had planned on posting these impressions yesterday, but we were just swamped in Oblivion paperwork. A Monster Madnessdemo dropped yesterday, and we were raring to give it a go. Being big fans of dungeon crawlers like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and more recent titles like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, we were excited to give Monster Madness a go. A typical dungeon crawler with a twist of horror movie camp? Sounds great. At least, it did.
Having missed its April 3rd release date, a new demo has arrived for Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia. The game is a top down hack n' slash in the style of Gauntlet and Raven's recent Marvel games. Players take control of one of four different stereotypical horror movie characters (our favorite is Jennifer, the requisite hottie) and proceed to wreak havoc on hordes of monsters. The enemies, like the playable characters, are pulled from the horror movie lexicon as well. Expect vampires, mummies, and werewolves for example. The game also utilizes a parts system that allows different weapons to be created. Finally up to 16 players will be able to play online in co-op and competitive modes.
So, get to downloading already. We'll post our impressions of the demo later today.
April 3rd has been nailed down as the release date for Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia. Created by Artificial Studios, Monster Madness is a top down brawler in the tradition of Gauntlet and the recent Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. We really like the concept: kill stereotypical monster archetypes as stereotypical horror movie teenagers. However, the video of the game on Marketplace left something to be desired. Still, games like this aren't necessarily communicated well in a video, so we're hoping the game is as interesting as its premise. Monster Madness promises cooperative and versus multiplayer for up to 16 players over Xbox Live, so there is plenty of potential. The ability to create weapons should add to the fun as well. Here's hoping Monster Madness delivers.
This week Circuit City is offering all kinds of deals, some we've seen before while others are new. But be sure to note that most (if not all) are in-store only deals, so let's get to it. This week they brought back two deals including the two free HD DVD offer with the purchase of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player and the 4' tall Master Chief wall graphic with a Halo 3 preorder. For new deals we have a free tshirt with the purchase of Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia and an offer for our PC fanboys. This week you can get Halo 2 Vista for $39.99 and with the purchase you'll get Shadowrun Vista for free! Two PC games for $40, not too shabby at all. So, that's it and be sure to remember that most of these deals aren't available online. Happy spending!
For the firstest time ever a demo is receiving an Xbox Live update treatment. Major Nelson sends word that the Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia demo has been updated to fix the matchmaking issues, but sadly, not the control scheme. And since most everyone is a tad 
This past week, GamingTalkHQ got on the horn with Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia developer SouthPeak Games and learned that the game was being delayed again. According to them, Monster Madness will miss its scheduled May 15th release, getting pushed back to May 29th. GamingTalkHQ also goes on to say that there will be an official announcement coming within' a week or so.
