Pads & Panels

#7 Ms. Splosion Man (360)

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios — Developer: Twisted Pixel

For a premise as simple as the one the first Splosion Man had, Twisted Pixel could have just rested on its laurels and made a copy of the first game with the sequel, but the studio went the extra mile, taking every element from the first one and either refining it or making it better with Ms. Splosion Man. In this way, the sequel feels somewhat similar on a basic level, but better in just about every way imaginable. The platformer’s gradual difficulty and gameplay curve reminds of the Portal games, in the sense that every element is smartly introduced in a way that gives the player a solid foundation before throwing him into the thick of it. Be it the zip lines, canons reminiscent of the barrels from Donkey Kong Country, trampolines or the very cool teleporters that transport the Splody one between the backgrounds and foregrounds, everything has its place and makes it one of the greatest platformers of this console generation, if not all time. (more…)

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Title: The Gunstringer

Platform: Xbox Kinect

ESRB Rating: T

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Twisted Pixel

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

In the realm of undead marionette cowboy video games focusing on motion controls, The Gunstringer is the only entry. And that’s why, no matter its faults, the title demands the attention of gamers. But with Twisted Pixel (Ms. Splosion Man, The Maw) behind its development, the unique entry for Xbox Kinect keeps the faults to a minimum and the fun at its max.

The Gunstringer also happens to be the name of the game’s main character, or at least the only name we come to know him by. He is a sheriff who was betrayed by his posse and killed. Only, The Gunstringer is simply a marionette, and the story takes place on a theater stage which is framed by a live-action audience. The player takes the role of puppeteer, lifting The Gunstringer to start the game, as he crawls from his grave, now undead and bent on revenge. (more…)

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Title: ‘Splosion Man

Platform: XBLA

ESRB: E

Publisher: Twisted Pixel

Developer: Twisted Pixel

Rating:

Review by: John Gustafson

Twisted Pixel’s April Fools Day joke-turned fully-realized game ‘Splosion Man launched with the dubious honor of being the first title in this year’s Xbox Live “Summer of Arcade” program. As Twisted Pixel’s sophomore Xbox Live Arcade release after the well-received The Maw, ‘Splosion Man is an original side-scrolling platformer featuring a hysterical cast paired with addictively polished gameplay. (more…)

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Twisted Pixel posted a trailer this week for its April Fools-joke-turned-actual-game ‘Splosion Man. The trailer can be seen HERE. The developer said the game is to have 50 single-player levels and 50 unique co-op multiplayer levels. The company also released this nugget of information…

Rumored to be born of pure energy and gifted with the ability to ‘splode himself at will, the ‘Splosion Man would have nearly limitless destructive power.  Director Josh Bear analyzes, “He’s just been born, so he has the mind of a two-hour old child.  All he wants to do is ‘splode things up and break through glass.”  Bear shows a clip of ‘Splosion Man ‘sploding a scientist into ribeyes and filets.  “Totally awesome… or, I mean, terrible.  Oh the humanity.”

For more info, www.splosionman.com

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Twisted Pixel announced this week that the third installment of downloadable content for The Maw, Speeder Lane, will be available on Xbox Live, Stream, Greenhouse and Direct2Drive Wednesday, April 29 for 100 Mircrosoft Points ($1.25). The level is said to have a new speeder vehicle mode, boss battle and cutscenes.

In Speeder Lane, Frank and Maw steal a vehicle from the Galactic Forces and fly through the soldier compound, according to Twisted Pixel. The boss fight is also said to be “old-school.”

For more info, www.mawgame.com

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Title: Brute Force and River Redirect DLC for The Maw

Platform: XBLA (Also for PC)

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Twisted Pixel

Review by: Bill Jones

Amidst the usual controversy of DLC for a game perceived as short and following a bit too closely on the heels of the original game’s release, Twisted Pixel has released two new levels available for individual download to expand The Maw experience. They are “Brute Force” and “River Redirect.” Pads & Panels has the breakdown. (more…)

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Title: The Maw

Platform: XBLA (Also on PC)

ESRB Rating: E10+

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: Twisted Pixel

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Before the atrocity that is Watchmen: The End is Nigh ever raped gamers of $20 and their time, the up-and-coming Austin developer Twisted Pixel made one of the first concerted efforts to bring a game with high production values to the Xbox Live Arcade. That game (and winner of the inaugural PAX 10) is The Maw. (more…)

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The announcement of Twisted Pixel’s ‘Splosion Man fit right in with Wednesday’s April Fool’s web pranks, and while CEO Michael Wilford said the presentation style of the announcement was geared toward the April 1 shennanigans, the game itself is no joke. (more…)

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‘Tis the day for April Fools. Anyone see the softcore porn on Adult Swim last night? We received this “announcement” from Twisted Pixel CEO Michael Wilford today. Though we’re 99 percent certain it’s just the type of gag we’d expect to see on April 1, we can’t help but thinking they’ve got a solid idea on their hands. The email follows…

(more…)

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