Remember Hydro Thunder, the arcade/DreamCast/Nintendo64/PlayStation1 speedboat racer that let you race through Egyptian tombs and the flooded streets of a post-apocalyptic New York City back in 1999? Or maybe you played it in Midway Arcade Treasures 3 for PS2, XBox, or GameCube back in 2005. Either way, the sequel is finally upon us. Vector Unit is developing Hydro Thunder Hurricane, but this time it can only be found in one place: the XBox Live Arcade.
Ken McKown writes: The From A to Z series lets our editors go back and take a look at games from past generations that are classics, overlooked gems, or just titles they remember fondly. The idea behind this is to pick five games from each letter of the alphabet, once a week to showcase. This delivers 26 weeks and 130 games to talk about. Hopefully it sparks some conversation, and of course plenty of memories.
Our first series will focus on Sony’s first entry into the console business, the PlayStation.
Let’s continue with the letter “H”.
Hardcore Gamer: Hydro Thunder, while certainly aged, brings back all that was fun and memorable about arcade racers. Tight controls, fast paced action and a difficulty level meant to draw quarters out of all but the most seasoned arcade racer veteran are all present in this timeless package.
Axl of WTG: "There’s something intangibly cool about a video game world that drips with atmosphere. There’s some combination of sound and visuals that knocks you out when it’s mixed perfectly, leaving you awed, intrigued, or just plain terrified. Over the years, there have been a slew of unforgettable worlds imprinted upon our memories, just like the worlds of the storybooks and films we grew up with."
In terms of atmospheric game levels, who can forget those creepy, otherworldly, WWI type levels from The Darkness? Those were friggin' cool. Looking forward to giving the 2nd game a try when I have some time.
I was going to mention The Darkness also, but I personally thought the entire game in general was one of the most atmospheric this generation. My picks are:
1. The Darkness
2. F.E.A.R.
3. CoD4
4. Rainbow Six Vegas
5. Uncharted 2
Red Dead Redemption.
Playing cards indoors with 4 fellows.
Rain and thunder outside.
Dat cosy.
LOL these are some horrible choices to be honest. Demon's/Dark Souls, ICO/SotC, NIER, STALKER series, and just about any Zelda game just to name a very few, destroy anything on that list in terms of atmosphere
Tower of Latria... How on earth that isn't there, I don't know. In fact, the entirety of Demon/Dark Souls. They're both absolutely amazing games for atmosphere.
And Amnesia! My God, that game deserves a medal
When you mention atmosphere and you dont have Metro 2033 then the article is a fail
Examples
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
For one single level in the game then watch this (EPIC SPOILER ALERT)
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Every level is atmospheric and from sound, lighting, animation and everything in between is just designed so damn well.
Oh man I devoted countless hours to the original. I hope it's only 800 MS points though. People have been majorly abusing the 1200 MS price point on XBLA.
More games need sea monsters. Every genre. This is great news.
I don't remember the original being all that great but this one looks like a vast improvement...
I used to love that game at the arcade
But at least it isnt a "Vigilante 8 arcade" the visual style looks like it should be.