Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode One lands on XBLA this Wednesday

[supafreak]

“Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” Launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade This Wednesday!

Discover the mysteries of New Arcadia with Gabe and Tycho in “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One,” available on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).
The first episodic RPG-Adventure game to grace Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” is the result of a collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade. The first episode sends players to a deranged 1920s comic-book-meets-pulp-horror universe called New Arcadia. Armed with unconventional weaponry, players join forces with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency to make war on bizarre enemies and solve the mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia.
“Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” offers players the ability to design their own customizable character, a dynamic turn-based combat system and the ability to transfer your customized character’s stats and inventories to future episodes, or start fresh with each episode. Fans of Penny Arcade will appreciate the authenticity of the game, which features distinctive artwork and characters designed by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik and a story and dialogue written by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins.
Developed by Hothead Games, “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” will be available worldwide (with the exception of Korea) for 1600 Microsoft Points and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB for all platforms. For more details on “Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One” please visit:

• http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/p/pennyarcadexboxlivearcade/

[supafreak]

There should be a trial for this since it's an arcade game. I will be giving the trial a test run for sure. The $20 price tag is kind of heavy, but this really shouldn't be consider as a regular arcade game.

Does anyone have plans to get this one?

[D_Litch]

I'll probably snag it after I finish up GTA IV, during the summer dry-spell. I miss adventure games, and the PA guys, while a little pretentious at times, have a good sense of humor and really understand gamers.

So yeah, I'll have it soon after release.

[Wallace Suka]

I got the points to get it.

[Lord LouDog]

I would love to grab this if I had the points! Been looking at this for a bit. These guys crack me up.

[Peench]

I saw this at the Spring Showcase but didn't get a chance to play it unfortunately.

[Ishmael]

I have read the comics before, but I believe I am gonna wait to see what the overall reception is before I go and buy it. Is it true that this is going to be the most expensive XBLA title yet? If so how much is it going to cost?

[Wallace Suka]

Originally Posted by Ishmael

If so how much is it going to cost?

1600 MS Points or $20 Dollars.

[CoryB23]

I wouldn't so much look at this as the most expensive XBOX Live game ever, but instead as Microsoft's testing the waters with digital downloads of episodic content using the XBOX Live Marketplace. If this is a successful title at the $20 price point, I think we'll see more and more of this as Bill Gates has been saying for years that digital distribution is the way of the future for media.

If $20 an episode provides the same value that purchasing a a top-notch $60 title does, I'm all for this method of releasing games. It could potentially keep a steady stream of quality titles (or episodes) throughought the year, without the usual summer drought that we've become accustom to. Here's hoping.

[Peench]

Originally Posted by CoryB23

I wouldn't so much look at this as the most expensive XBOX Live game ever, but instead as Microsoft's testing the waters with digital downloads of episodic content using the XBOX Live Marketplace. If this is a successful title at the $20 price point, I think we'll see more and more of this as Bill Gates has been saying for years that digital distribution is the way of the future for media.

Shane Kim said the same thing when we interviewed him at the Spring Showcase. When asked if the next rendition of the Xbox would have a bluray drive in it, he reiterated that digital downloads are the future and that's likely where they would head.

[Twilight]

I like the digital download idea but they are going to have to offer monster HD sizes at low costs for it to work. I am all for it as far as music goes, so I guess keeping games and movies to a digital format is not a big stretch. Who buys CDs anymore???

[ZoomZoom71]

Originally Posted by Twilight

I like the digital download idea but they are going to have to offer monster HD sizes at low costs for it to work.

Well, I think if MS keeps a record of what you've downloaded over time, you should be able to delete something to make room for additional purchases/downloads. Then, if you want to download a previously purchased game, then you could do so. And, I'm pretty sure you can already do this.

[Epyon MX]

I finished the trial game yesterday and enjoyed it. It's a slower paced game than I would have guessed, but I liked it enough to pony up an buy the full episode.

[ZoomZoom71]

I tried to play it yesterday, but got interrupted by one of my offspring. It's definitely a slow game. Honestly, I'm not sure I have the patience for it. But, I really do think it looks cool on the screen.

[Thornes70]

Originally Posted by Twilight

I like the digital download idea but they are going to have to offer monster HD sizes at low costs for it to work.

All they'd have to do is store your purchases on their own servers. That shouldn't cost much more than about a bzilliontrillion or so.

[Crippler]

Man, the trial was great! Surprised me. A very polished, retail feel for a Arcade title. I love me some Fruit ****ers. Not sure I'm gonna pony up $20 bones though. Shit, Xbox originals are cheaper.