Trials, Fable, Minecraft and Bloodforge Headline XBLA’s ‘Arcade Next’

Microsoft Studios is proud to present Arcade Next, a new Xbox Live Arcade promo series scheduled to deliver four hot titles to help gamers burn away any springtime showers that may come between April 18th and May 9th.

Ubisoft and RedLynx’s dirt bike racer Trials Evolution will kick off the proceedings, followed by the weekly Wednesday releases of Climax Studios’ brutal action game Bloodforge, Lionhead’s candy-coated hack-and-slash Fable Heroes, and the long-awaited ‘Xbox 360 Edition’ of indie sensation Minecraft. All four games will feature increased Gamerscore points and up to 30 Achievements to earn.

Here’s an outline of the Arcade Next lineup, plus a slick montage trailer to get you geeked up for the spring Xbox Live Arcade program.

Trials Evolution
Publisher: Microsoft Studios; Developer: Ubisoft/RedLynx
E-10 (Everyone 10+)
April 18 for 1200 Microsoft Points

“Trials Evolution” is the next dimension of the smash-hit, award-winning “Trials HD.” Bust out of the warehouse into an outdoor world of night and day, curved driving lines, and spectacular scenery. Multiplayer comes alive in the living room or on Xbox LIVE.* Build tracks with the in-game editor or download those of any other player from the new Track Central. Customize your bike and rider with awesome gear and unique parts, enjoy innovative skill games, try ghost racing, beat friends’ scores and more! Don’t miss the madness!

Bloodforge
Publisher: Microsoft Studios; Developer: Climax Studios
M (Mature; 17+)
April 25 for 1200 Microsoft Points

With a brutal combat system, stunning art style, and a deeply compelling story, “Bloodforge” empowers you to slaughter hordes of demonic soldiers, deformed worshippers, and the gods themselves, using ferocious Rage Kills, devastating Rune attacks, and furious Weapon Combos. Help seal Crom’s fate – and the fate of the rest of the world – in this dark, visceral story of revenge, betrayal, and destiny.

Fable Heroes
Publisher: Microsoft Studios: Developer: Lionhead Studios
E-10 (Everyone 10+)
May 2 for 800 Microsoft Points

“Fable Heroes” is an action-packed, hack-and-slash adventure built for Xbox LIVE Arcade. It delivers a fresh spin on the “Fable” franchise with a unique art style and gameplay that takes playful competition to the next level. Whether on the couch or using Xbox LIVE, up to four players work together to defeat enemies while also competing with one another to collect gold coins and level up.Precious gold collected in Fable Heroes can be imported into the forthcoming Kinect title, Fable: The Journey, providing players with a valuable head start from day one.

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition
Publisher: Microsoft Studios; Developer: 4J Studios/Mojang
T (Teen)
May 9 for 1600 Microsoft Points

The infinite possibilities in “Minecraft” just got bigger. “Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition” brings the global phenomenon to console gamers for the first time. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game features an innovative new crafting interface, natural controller movements, a full Tutorial mode to teach the basics and for the first time in “Minecraft,” split-screen multiplayer as well as over Xbox LIVE.

You may also be interested in these XBLA articles:

• XBLA Shmup Sine Mora Dated and Trailered (vgblogger.com)
• Review: Alan Wake’s American Nightmare (vgblogger.com)
• Review: Quarrel (vgblogger.com)