Review: Fusion: Genesis

Posted on November 27, 2011 by geelw

Platform: Xbox 360 (via Xbox Live Arcade)

Developer: Starfire Studios

Publisher: Microsoft

# of Players: 1 (1 – 4 online)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Score: A (90%)

For a first game, Fusion: Genesis is outstanding, but what would you expect from four ex-Rare team members who got together with the express purpose of making great games? Starfire Studios’ beautiful, addictive and deep space combat game combines elements from shooters, MMO’s and RPG’s in a solid blend of twin stick action, loads of loot and a nice range of customizable spacecraft. It’s too bad this is a 360 exclusive, as what’s here would do well as a Games for Windows title or even a cross platform and handheld release. Nevertheless, if you have an Xbox Live account and want something deep and thrilling that won’t be over in a weekend and has replay value to spare, this one’s got your name all over it. Continue reading →

WIN FREE STUFF! Fusion: Genesis Code Giveaway – ACT FAST!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by geelw

Hey, you DO like free stuff, don’t you? Well, listen up: I have TWO codes here for Starfire Studios’ upcoming XBLA exclusive (the game launches tomorrow) and yes, you can grab one for your very own. All you need to do is follow DAF here on WordPress, reply to this post, THEN (and this is the important part), send me an email at geelw2@gmail.com so I can reply back with your code.

Don’t post your email in the reply here or I’ll give it to the troll in the basement who will ship you a box of smelly socks instead of a game code. Um, having an Xbox Live account as well as a working Xbox 360 in your home would be a good idea as well. Anyway, get moving, as I know these won’t last an hour… Read the rules below the jump BEFORE you enter. Continue reading →

Fusion: Genesis – Half of Twenty Questions With Starfire Studios

Posted on November 8, 2011 by geelw

(Or: Conquering Space in a Packed Online Universe, One Player at a Time)

Thanks to my one-man army status and rather ridiculous tower of stuff to tackle, It’s been a little while since I’ve interviewed someone for a DAF feature. Fortunately, I’m ending that quiet streak in a nice way. Every so often, I play a really cool game that demands a bit more attention and a little Q & A time, so here you go. Starfire Studios’ upcoming Xbox Live Arcade exclusive Fusion: Genesis is set to launch November 9, and it’s looking like one of those games that’s bound to gain a dedicated following as more gamers discover its stunning visuals and easy to pick up but highly challenging gameplay. With their first release done and ready to roll, I shot a few basic Q’s over to the fab four at Starfire and got a speedy response from two of the team, Phil Dunne and Chris Tilston (plus a musical guest star)… Continue reading →

Fusion: Genesis – Hands-On With Starfire’s Sure-Fire XBLA Hit

Posted on October 22, 2011 by geelw

One of the nicer surprises at the VERY packed New York Comic Con was actually hidden in plain sight at the Microsoft booth. While packs of gamers waited in lines to play the spectacular Mass Effect 3, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and a few other AAA games, right next to those was Fusion: Genesis, a sprawling, top-down space shooter/RPG/MMO hybrid by Starfire Studios headed exclusively to Xbox Live Arcade later this year. You probably haven’t heard of Starfire just yet as this is their first title under that name, but the four-man team is comprised of Chris Tilston, Mark Edmonds, Philip Dunne and Ross Bury, all ex-Rare talent with credits that range from GoldenEye, Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark and Kameo. Fusion looks and plays like none of the above games at all, but it’ll definitely seem familiar to fans of PC classics such as Starflight, Star Control or even the Sega Dreamcast sleeper, Armada. The game also tips its cap to classic arcade shooters, Star Wars and Star Trek in spots, but I don’t want to spoil too much in this preview… Continue reading →