Whilst checking out the entries for this year's Independent Games Festival (more on that later), I noticed that Undertow was entered into the contest. Undertow (as you may already know) is the upcoming Unreal 3 powered underwater shoot-a-thon heading to XBLA.

There have been hands-on previews and many a discussion about the game but now we're very close to an actual release date. And better yet, it's soon. Very soon.

The IGF entry states that Undertow is "expected for release in Oct. 2007."

If that proves true, we only have 3 possible days left: Oct 17th, 24th, or 31st. Anyone willing to bet which day it'll arrive?

[via IGF]

Back in May I was lucky enough to get invited to the Gamerscore Blog Road Tour in Toronto. One of the XBLA titles they were showing off was Undertow. Going into the event, I had drooled over all the fantastic screens, but came out of the event somewhat disappointed with how the action blended into the background, making it difficult to know what was going on. While it has been a short three months since that day, I can gladly say, the problem has been solved...mostly.

If you pause Undertow in the middle of the action it is still difficult to distinguish the main character from his surrounding. Luckily, unlike the last time I saw the title, that's the only time you can see the problem. To be honest, I couldn't really tell what Chair Entertainment changed, but on the level I was able to play, I had next to no troubles making the distinction.

The level I played consisted of my character, in full scuba gear, fighting alongside about 100 of my colleagues against about an equal amount of enemies. There were two ways to complete the level, either take out all of the baddies, or control all three checkpoints at one time. The promise of both online and offline cooperative play, will certainly add to the experience.

When this game finally does come out, I worry that people are only going to be talking about the graphics. While the graphics are head and shoulders better than anything currently on, or coming any time soon to XBLA, it does so many other things well too. Building on the Unreal Engine 3, Chair Entertainment have pulled out all the stops with a game that looks better and better every time I see it.

All in all, getting to play the game again has certainly put my two main fears to rest. The game seems to no longer suffer from action blending with the background, and it certainly looks to be far more than just a graphically showpiece. If the multiplayer component is up to the same standard as what I've played so far, I can see myself putting many hours into Undertow. Possibly even enough to get 10,000 kills. :)

Our trusty tipster JDUDE11 has been holding out on us. Seems SPFIITHDR isn't the only unreleased game with its very own Xbox.com page. In fact, there are at least five others. If your appetite for XBLA teasers (and delays) has yet to be satisfied, feast your eyes on these.

Fatal Fury, War World, Tron, GEON, and Undertow

Of course, I should have realized that there were easier ways to find these pages than trying to type in every game title as an URL. All I needed was to go here and scroll. Stupid me.

As per usual, X360A has the honor of a world exclusive unveil of the Undertow achievements. Did we expect any less from our friends over there? Never.

The achievements appear well balanced and there is definitely a carrot dangling for the hardcore: Lord of the Deep. To get that one you'll have to rack up 10,000 kills. Yup, it's official, the insanity that was Gears of War's Seriously... and G.R.A.W.'s Heavyweight has finally made it's way to XBLA. Can't say I'm surprised, but it's a bit much in my opinion.

[via X360A, thanks DaKing240]

IGN posted some multiplayer videos of Undertow yesterday that are worth a peek. Of the two, the Multiplayer Mayhem is probably the better one. You get to see a couple of the different unit types (this must be when the comparison to Battlefield comes in) and some very cool looking explosions. The gameplay reminds me less of Geo Wars and more of Small Arms. But underwater. With bubbly explosions. Cool stuff.

Give 'em a watch and then let me know what you all think.

[via IGN, thanks Reza420]

ESRB Watch June 2007:

Not to be outdone by the USK, the ESRB has finally given us some information we can use. Undertow, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and Spyglass Board Games have all received ratings. Undertow comes in at E10+ and the other two come in at E.

In addition, a cursory glance (read: I spent way too much time looking through the site) at the ESRB website also garners the following games that have been rated but have not been released:

Mutant Storm Empire
Tempest
Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe
Spyglass Board Games
Undertow
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Tron
Discs of Tron
Super Contra
Track & Field
Wing Commander Arena
Missile Command
StreetTrace: NYC
Lumines Live! Artist Pack: Madonna "Sorry"
Fatal Fury Special
Cyberball 2072

I am so tired right now I cannot process if any of those names are new or even if those have already been released and I missed it. Or maybe they are full retail titles? Anyone like to tell me if that list is valuable in any way? Thanks.

[via the ESRB, thanks, JDUDE11]

Another day, another company signs a deal with Epic to license Unreal Engine 3. This time it's Chair Entertainment, developers of upcoming XBLA title Undertow. The deal simply means that Chair will use Unreal 3 exclusively for all their upcoming games. Chair has already been using Unreal 3 to create Undertow so this deal is far from a shock. That said, I sure wish I got a cut from Unreal 3 licenses. Wow.

To mark the occasion of this deal, Chair has released a bevy of screenshots on their website. You can also peek at some concept art there as well. But, if you are too lazy to go there, enjoy the screens below.

Also, check out Tomacco's impressions of the game when he played it the Gamerscoreblog Road Tour event in Toronto.

Full press release after the break.

Hot off the presses comes word of this weeks new release, which is the "controversial" Double Dragon. Some may recall a bit of a fuss over the new HD look of the graphics, so this release will give us the perfect chance to make our decision in person. Of course not only is Double Dragon coming this week, but Microsoft has let slip a few more games that will be "coming soon". Full details below, but for the entire press release read the full post.

The legendary arcade classic that introduced gamers to co-op street-brawling action is back and looking better than ever. Team up with a friend or prepare to go it alone, because "Double Dragon" is hitting Xbox LIVE® Arcade Wednesday, May 9, at 9 a.m. GMT (2 a.m. PDT). "Double Dragon," from Empire Interactive Ltd., is a genuine re-creation of the classic coin-op arcade game. For the first time ever, fans of the franchise can play "Double Dragon" online with a friend over Xbox LIVE.1 The game features enhanced art, a new soundtrack and a host of extras. "Double Dragon" is the story of Billy and Jimmy Lee, twin brothers who learned to fight on the cold, tough streets of their city. Their expert knowledge of the ancient martial art of Sou-Setsu-Ken, combined with their streetwise outlook, means that they're two of the most formidable combatants ever to walk the streets. Billy and Jimmy will use their feet, fists, elbows and whatever weapons come to hand to defeat the gang that kidnapped Billy's girlfriend. "Double Dragon" will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft® Points and is rated E10+ by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, with mild suggestive themes and violence. Game Features The title includes the following: · Two-player co-op multiplayer locally or over Xbox LIVE1 · Special extras such as a look at the original Japanese and U.S. "Double Dragon" sales fliers · Gameplay with either the original graphics or with new high-definition graphics

XBLArcade has received word that Chair Entertainment is looking to create a mini revolution in Xbox Live Arcade games. Why mini? Well regardless of the recent file size limit increase Undertow will still be kicking it old school by cramming it's Unreal Engine 3 goodness into 50MB much like the fan favorite RoboBlitz. Why Revolutionary? EGM said so. According to the developer, they recently showed EGM the game, so it is a possibility. Only time or Dan Hsu can tell.

Undertow does seem to one up the current arcade live implementations (even Small Arms) with conventions found in games like Gears of War. For instance:[quote]You can play online co-op [campaign] over Xbox LIVE or you can play co-op locally via splitscreen. You can also join Xbox LIVE multiplayer matches in splitscreen. [/quote]No word on how many players can play splitscreen, but I would say it's safe to say at least two.

Undertow is quick becoming a fan favorite here at XBLArcade.com and this trailer shows why (see below). The screenshots IGN posted from Friday day really did not do any justice for this game.