Top 1 Xbox 360 Site

July 27, 2007 –
When the all-multiplayer shooter Shadowrun was released several weeks ago, much puzzling was done over the choice to associate the title with the classic pen and paper role-playing game of the same name. Other than utilizing the character classes of Shadowrun, it really didn’t have much in common with the RPG. And here we are again, wondering why this shallow, 2D shooter bears the Wing Commander name — a franchise known for pioneering 3D vehicular battles with an epic, space opera backdrop. We could overlook the shameless attempt to trick a few people into downloading Wing Commander Arena based on the name alone if it were any good. Alas, it is not.

Let’s get the pleasantries out of the way so we can get right to telling you why this game sucks. Arena is an arcade space blaster with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer deathmatch-style gameplay. There are several different play modes and 18 ships to choose from, each with its own attributes (you start out with two available and randomly unlock more as you play). Controls have been drastically simplified from previous Wing Commander games so that you steer with the left stick and perform fancy-pants (but useless) maneuvers like loops and barrel rolls with the right stick. Weapons are mapped to the triggers, bumpers, and the A button.

Although the game is simple to control, the fun in Wing Commander Arena never achieves liftoff. The lackluster tutorial, clumsy interface, and dearth of options ensure players will be wandering aimlessly around the furthest reaches of space. Before launching into a proper game, players can take a ship for a spin in the Proving Grounds, where they can theoretically hone their skills. Unfortunately, the Proving Grounds don’t provide any helpful hints or suggestions of what to do, where to go, or how to pilot your ship. You’re simply dropped into outer space and some jerk flies up and starts shooting you. A first-timer’s thought process may go something like:

“Okay, just dropped 800 Microsoft Points on Wing Commander Arena, here we go. Wait, why is that guy shooting me? How do I shoot him back? Crap, I blew up. Ok, I’m back in it. Here’s a space station. Looks like I can dock with it. What does that do? Hm, I’m docked but nothing seems to be happening. Wait, someone’s shooting me again. Crap, I blew up. All right, this time I’m gonna seize the day. Oh, here are some items. What do they do? Guess I’ll never know. Let’s see what’s in this direction. Flying, flying, flying