I liked the first Assault Heroes but after a few tries, I still couldn't get past it's first level - I just don't have the twitch-touch I used to for these sorts of games, and I guess I need infinite continues or something. So unless #2 has something that makes it easier, I'm gonna have to pass.

Well, there hasn't been an official announcement yet, but on Major Nelson's blog, he mentions during a podcast interview with the designer that next week's game will be Assault Heroes 2. Among the new features mentioned : a fourth default weapon (ice gun), the ability to use any of the gun types when on foot (yeah!), hijackable vehicles (yawn), and an outer-space level (interesting). No price was noted but it'll have to be 800 points, right?

Since the original game was recently dropped from 800 to 400 then it's pretty much guaranteed the new one will launch at 800.

I enjoy the humor of PA and I love this style of game, so I'll be definitely checking it out. Haters can suck it.

At $20 it looks like you'll be the one sucking it.

$20 for an XBLA game???

Checking it out != Buying, for reference

But still, I paid "$15" for PQ and I already had that on the DS. My points are still half-off from last year's CC sale. So 1600 points is only about $10 for me.

Sigh.

I want the PA game so badly but i can't bring myself to pay the 20$ for the thing. Especially since there are indicators that this is chapter 1 in a four part series.

4x1600, or $80 MSRP, would be a tough pill to swallow, no doubt. I'll still be checking out the demo and reviews to see if the initial 1600 is worth risking on the game.

Call me crazy, but I judge the value of a game based on a very complicated enjoyment:value ratio. Some $50 games like SSBB fail me miserably, while others like $170 Rock Band or $10 Pac-Man:CE give me endless enjoyment.

I know, I'm weird judging games based on other than cost and platform solely

laying on the sarcasm a bit thick aren't we?

I think most do the same thing. I personally look for replayability and multiplayer games give me the most bang for my buck. A single player adventure game i know would only get played once so it is a harder pill to swallow (even though i love PA and want to support them).

Anymore i evaluate how much a Arcade title costs in Rock Band DLC. I always think "For that much money i could download X number of songs...." So far Rock Band DLC has won out in most cases.

Better or worse than unfounded trolling?

I was just posting news of the next announced XBLA game. Made a comment that I'm interested. Then was told I was sucking it, meaning I'm a fool for being interested in a game that hasn't offended me yet based on price.

Then it came up that somehow $20 crosses some arbitrary barrier because it's an XBLA game.

I just don't see what the point of either of those are.

But, yes, sarcasm is my main form of communication.

Shame on you.

I want to apologize to PA Haters for my initial attack. I just knew that it wouldn't be long before the news and/or my interest was attacked anyway, so I just pre-emptively did it.

I'm childish and I apologize

You are an American, pre-emptive strikes are expected.

I do have an odd mental price barrier on Live Arcade titles though. When i get to 20$ i want a disc i can re-sell if i desire. Personally i think all new games on the Arcade should be 10$ and all remakes 5$.

I already voluntarily bend over for DLC, they ought to at least romance me with a lower priced entry game.

I know nothing about this Penny Arcade, so someone answer me this - what is supposed to be so great about this game that it garners a higher price tag than every other XBLA title released?

This makes sense, but I don't sell anything so it's a moot point for me. I'm used to keeping what I pay for.

I would obviously love for everything to be cheaper, but I'm willing to look before I don't leap.

If I hear some positive word of mouth, I'll probably grab PA. $20 is more than usual for XBLA, but its still only $20. I've gambled $20 on tons of games when they hit greatest hits level, so $20 is doable.

Nothing. It's just going to be a premium for inflated egos. They'll charge it because they can.

I'll drop $20 on PA if the demo is solid.

My, my aren't we touchy today.

You called out PA 'haters' so I responded in kind. It was a joke.

I am with miyu on the price barrier though. $20 is too high for a bunch of 1s and 0s that I don't physically own and can't get money back for if it ends up sucking.

It got a good review in OXM and they equate it to a full retail game that is available for download. I'll certainly give the demo a try, but I've never found PA to be very funny and if it's full of inside jokes I don't get and potty humor I don't enjoy, well I'll probably pass.

About the price : If it's a full game, then the price is very fair. Still, what I think Corvin was expressing is a concern I have as well. I don't want this to be a precedent. I like having my games for 800 points and if there becomes more and more at a 1200 or 1600 price, I'll buy far less games and that would be a shame for both the consumers and likely for MS as sales will surely go down.

Oh, and about pricing -- Bionic Commando Reloaded will indeed be 800 points it was confirmed yesterday by Capcom. Hooray!!!!

I think that should pretty much be a given. If they left out all the inside jokes the fans would be bummed.

I know nothing of PA either so I don't love it or hate it...but that gives me no reason to want to pay a premium either. With so many great games at the 800pts price there is a lot of competition out there. No matter, the description does not sound interesting to me anyway.