Official Xbox Magazine - Kinect

The Sole Train: The Power of Imagination

Alaina OXM — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:23:33 +0000

In this installment of our biweekly Kinect column, managing editor Alaina Yee takes a look at Microsoft's release of "Kinect for Windows" and dreams of how it could ultimately impact gaming as we know it...

Kinect Star Wars due April 3; here's the game's five modes

Dave OXM — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:29:55 +0000

The force will (finally) be with Kinect owners in less than two months, as Kinect Star Wars will be coming to the Xbox 360 on April 3. Upon release, the game will sell as a standalone game for $50, and part of the previously revealed Limited Edition bundle (which includes the game, as well as a custom-designed Kinect and 320 GB Xbox 360 console) for $450.

Double Fine Happy Action Theater review

Francesca OXM — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:15:07 +0000

A wonderfully oddball view on what’s funny and entertaining is the common thread in all of Double Fine’s wildly disparate creations (including Psychonauts, Brütal Legend, and Stacking). But in Happy Action Theater, that aesthetic basically is the experience…

left-justified

Review

Review Header:

On Xbox Live Arcade (Kinect Required)

Box Art:

Verdict:

8.0

Review Text:

+ Riotously entertaining and accessible party experience.

+ Creative and technologically impressive Kinect illusions.

– Extremely lightweight, plus little solo replay value.

? How long before this showcase title is a Kinect pack-in?

Talking Points: Achievements 2.0 — A Humble Proposal

Corey OXM — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:50:57 +0000

This being an especially busy week on the deadline front, I figured I'd take the opportunity to re-run a short Gamerscore-related column that I originally wrote for OXM's March 2011 issue. We received quite a bit of email in support of my proposal; whether you love it or hate it, weigh in with your comments below!

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Kinect: Star Wars demo almost makes you feel the Force. Almost.

Alaina OXM — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:30:26 +0000

When we first heard about Kinect: Star Wars, all of us Jedi-wannabes got pretty excited.

Zumba Fitness: Rush preview

Alaina OXM — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:27:43 +0000

The Sole Train: Going Gently into that Good Night

Alaina OXM — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:48:51 +0000

In this edition of our biweekly Kinect column, managing editor Alaina Yee ponders the inclusion of Kinect in Mass Effect 3 and speculates that perhaps the path to hardcore Kinect gaming is one filled with small, gradual steps, instead of leaps and bounds…

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 preview; Tiger's still got plenty of game (hey-oooh!)

Ryan_OXM — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:41:26 +0000

Haunt review

Corey OXM — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:08:39 +0000

Like a longlost ghost, this XBLA Kinect game seemed to materialize out of nowhere. But don't let it disappear — it's a spooky secret worth investigating.

left-justified

When you have to sneak down a hallway (because, say, a large eyeball is staring down it), your footsteps are accompanied by suitably cartoony piano chords.

It may be hidden in Marketplace’s shadows, but Haunt isn’t forgettable XBLA fare. In fact, it’s one of the more entertaining and atmospheric Kinect games yet.

Review

Review Header:

On Xbox Live Arcade (Kinect Required)

Box Art:

Verdict:

8.0

Review Text:

+ A gorgeous, atmospheric world that looks equal parts Tim Burton and Luigi’s Mansion.

+ An excellent script carried by a surprisingly good performance from Double Fine's Tim Schafer.

– Pretty short and lacking in enemy variety; misread movements can sometimes lead to frustrating encounters.

? Why do we have to close drawers and cabinets after examining them?

Country dancing to hit Kinect in March

Alaina OXM — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:45:55 +0000

Choreography from Wii-exclusive Country Dance 2. Hopefully, its successor will look better on 360.