Jetpac Refuelled - Xbox Live Arcade

[Dezm0nd]

Only tried the trial version just now and i'm enjoying it quite a bit, you get the option to try the new and improved refuelled mode for 2 levels which sums up the game a fair bit for you.

Its the same concept as before, piece your rocket together and fuel it up and blast off, but this time it feels alot like geo wars with the new laser weapon upgrades, smart bomb move and lovely colourful lights going on.

It looks really nice in HD for a 21mb download, the music is funky retro and the controls are a piece of piss to play with.

I think XBL just got itself another purchase, for 400 points you'd be silly not to if you enjoyed the trial.

It offers 2 player competitive play, which should be a laugh and a leaderboard too.

To me, this is what all retro Live arcade titles should be, a well made remake with the option of playing the original too for less then 4 quid

edit: having spent 400 points, i'm now on level 5 and it gets frantic very fast! It seems you also get new rockets to build every 5 levels which keeps it fresh rather than just fuelling your rocket up each level.

[Yoshimax]

I checked this morning about 8:50 in the vain hope I'd get to give it a quick blast before work. I can't believe I'm going back to this 24 years after loving the original ^_^ Amazing scenes indeed.

I had a feeling they might take it down the Geo Wars route - When you say that is that because they've gone particle mental and have several distinct enemies each with their own behaviours ?

I can't get home soon enough - Reckon something with a very high BPM will be needed to accompany this :D

[Dezm0nd]

I'd say it doesn't have the particle effects overload, but it has enough without making it look stupid. Some clever achivements, there's one called "play with another infected play on Live" for 0 gamerpoints, I don't understand :(

Enemies have their own behaviour and character, which reminds me alot of Geo Wars too, I couldnt play Geo Wars, but this is great fun!

edit: reaching level 5 is a new rocket assembly, which i've said, but also acts as a checkpoint for the single player mode, so i can start at level 5 and so on for each new rocket assembly :)

Playing the retro version just made my decision even more justified in buying this, its a bit pap in comparison :)

[Yoshimax]

That'll be a viral achievement - like the beat a developer ones in THP8.

[Jebus]

I played the two trial levels and bought it straight away, it looks wonderful, plays well and...well, it's the kind of price these games should be.

So yeah, I like :)

[watusi]

is it analogue control or can i bust out my arcade stick for this?

[kendra]

Bought this, brilliant game!

[DavidHolliss]

Yes, very good, spot on with the difficulty level also. Cracking stuff for £3.40 :)

[Jebus]

How do you get the achievement for getting your laser to the max level? I stayed on level 1 for ages, but eventually had to leave it cos I nearly ran out of fuel...!?!

[merf]

loving this, downloaded the trial and it had me by the end of the 1st level.

as has been said a bargain for the cash and exactly what XBLA is all about, cracking stuff.

[xXIShadowIXx]

This game is great fun!

Bought after playing trial level 1. for 400 points you cant go wrong really.

:thumb:

Got as far as level 13 and went back and picked up a few achievements. 128 levels in total as far as I know. Thats a lot of levels!

[Concept]

Yup, I can see this following Geometry Wars and Mutant Storm in being one of the best shooters to come out of XBLA. Great stuff.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Bang on the money.

Plays just like the original. Knocks the cock off that Castlevania shite that everyone was braying for.

[Charlie]

Had a quick go earlier and don't quite know what to make of it. I mean, it's okay, but I was hoping for something a bit better from Rare; it's certainly no Geometry Wars. I really enjoyed seeing "Ultimate Play the Game" when loading it up though, brought back so many memories.

Knocks the cock off that Castlevania shite that everyone was braying for.
Castlevania shite? How dare you! :eek:

[AllYourBase]

It's quite good fun this. I had a quick go on the speccy version included for old times sake. OMG I can't believe I used to play stuff like this! Blip, blip, blip!

[Yoshimax]

This is the quintessential XBLA game for me. :)

Single Player Refuelled - Awesome - Really nicely balanced, sublime controls.

Multiplayer Refuelled - Fantastic - Not just some tacked on multiplayer it's actually really, really clever - Had some fantastic games with Paulos & Rusty last night :)

Single Player Retro - They've tweaked this - the thrust mechanic was never that good on the speccy one I'm sure. What surprised me most was I found myself playing retro properly not just for nostalgia - I'll be doing all 16 levels of that bitch.

Presentation wise - Massive grin when I saw the ULTIMATE Play The Game logo, the little bit of spectrum loading crackle as it faded to the title screen, the fact the title screen looked like a spectrum cover from the era (complete with artists signature & date in the bottom corner), the way the menus are framed in a classic ultimate frame.

I :wub:

Underwurlde next please !!!!

[arcnas]

Yes i love this game, but imagine if they remake atic attack and sabre wulf, knight lore, we can all but hope it may happen, the we can play some of the best spectrum games again in HD.

[Dezm0nd]

I'm upto level 41 i think now, I love it when you click with the game and you go off on a tangent and become nearly invincible.

Its a tricky game to get back into, but it makes the challenge that more enjoyable. seeing a broken rocket is satisfaction, gotta love the check point system. I think i've gotten 600,000 approx in points now, im really trying to beat it everytime.

favourite XBLA shooter? it is for me!

[Yoshimax]

Yeah me too - controversially I'd say I prefer this to Geo Wars ><

The thrust mechanic is so finely tuned - Works so well with R trigger for thrust !!!

Can't wait to get home and play it again !

[AllYourBase]

What is the best control method do you guys think? I found it least fiddley to assign trust to the up action on the analogue stick. Using the R trigger seemed too clumbsy.

What do others think?

[Paulos G]

It is a cracking little game. Simple in concept but it just drags you in. As Yoshi said, multi-player is excellent. And a mere 400 points? Why thank you, I'll have two!

AllYourBase - I found that the R trigger worked best for me.

[Dirty Sanchez]

In the background is the buggy from Lunar Jetman, the next project or hidden in this release?

Any other references hidden in the artwork of upcoming releases?

[Yoshimax]

The background has references to just about every Game they made - the buggy, the knight lore cover, alien8 robot, I'm sure I saw some bubbler artwork.

Loved the little "Ultimate History" option too :D

It's fair to say xbox live has really come back to life after everybody was starting to bemoan the lack of output.

[merf]

I'm loving all the little old Rare references in the game

On a very nerdy note anybody else reckon that the EMP sound effect is ripped straight out of the new Star Wars films when Boba Fett sets off the EMPs in the asteroid belt ?

[DavidHolliss]

How do you get the achievement for getting your laser to the max level? I stayed on level 1 for ages, but eventually had to leave it cos I nearly ran out of fuel...!?!

See post 5 here matey
http://www.achieve360points.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32422

basically you need to get 8 laser upgrades without dying, however when you start a new level you go back to the latest version of the single laser..

Only managed about 30 minutes play on this last night, can't wait to have another go, are there checkpoints in the retro version also ?

[Yoshimax]

Dunno David died before fuelling up the shuttle in Retro ><

The laser - I tried hanging about lev 1 too Jebus - I'd suggest waiting till you're much farther in and hanging about the level shooting cos I got the feeling last night it'll only power up so much during the first few levs !

[TheForce]

great stuff !!
this is what I expected/hoped XBLA games to be, simple and fun!

128 levels..... I can only imagine how difficult that will be...

this game will make the wait for SpaceGiraffe a bit easier.

[Jebus]

See post 5 here matey
http://www.achieve360points.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32422

basically you need to get 8 laser upgrades without dying, however when you start a new level you go back to the latest version of the single laser..

Only managed about 30 minutes play on this last night, can't wait to have another go, are there checkpoints in the retro version also ?

Don't think there are checkpoints in the retro version as it's only 16 levels long I think.

Saw that post the other day actually, seems a bit of an annoying achievement. Was mighty impressed I got the 250,000 one on my first proper go though.

I keep wondering if I love this game or I'm just completely bowled over by the visuals.

Either way its superb value for money!

[The Guppy]

For the laser upgrade achievement, collect every item that drops immediately. Only one item (not counting fuel) drops at a time and there's a random chance it will be a laser power up, so you need to collect fast and be a bit lucky. Look out for items right on the edge of the screen too, sometimes I don't spot them when the screen is zoomed in a little.

[CMcK]

Had a quick shot of this wee gem yesterday. I will purchase it tomorrow and relive the Speccy days.
I'm amazed how well the gameplay seems to have stood the test of time.

[ChrisField]

Just hearing the sounds on the retro version is worth the 400 points imho! Fantastic value for money. <rant>Do you see Nintendo?!? Do you see what 400 pts gets you on XBLA?!?! Pah :)</rant>

Great game then. Game game now.

[IainGamer]

Amazing!

This is what XBLA is all about, not just rehashes of old games but proper updates.

Lovig this soo much. Bringing back my childhood when I got this and my speccy for christmas!

Come on Rare bring your other classics out and do the excellent updates to them like you have to this!

[AllYourBase]

Rare should update NES classic Snake rattle n roll. That would be amazing fun in 2 player mode. What a game!

[Dezm0nd]

The maxed out laser is quite easy, you get to keep the latest level of your laser when you change level, so if you get to laser level 3 it'll carry on at 3.

[Yoshimax]

OOoooh when I die in this it makes me mad.

I thought the survivor achievement wouldn't be too bad but there's ALWAYS something that screws it up .....

[Jebus]

Yep, got to level 5 and was cruising then got hit by an alien I just didn't see.

Superb, SUPERB game though, had an hour on it last night unlocking 2 more achievements.

I'd say it's absolutely certain this is the best value for money on the marketplace to date.

[Dezm0nd]

got a million points last night, heart beat was pumping :) not had that for a little while from a game :)

[Concept]

Yeah, the more I play, the more it confirms it's a great game (I can barely remember Jet Pac on the ZX, its quintessential game to me was always JSW).

I'd really like to see Rare make over Knight Lore next.

[ChrisField]

Is anyone here "infected" and fancy a game? I'm having no joy at all getting multiplayer games. The only one I have managed - the guy quit on the second level. I think because we were both having troubles picking up the pieces of the rocket? Anyone else get that too? (and yes, I know you have to get them in order...:))

[TonyDA]

Not infected, but also having trouble getting an online game, so add me if you want debug.

[Ajay1986]

Gotta echo the other opinions oh here, this is what the Arcade should be about. Not just releasing retro titles but actually updating them and making them worth a purchase. Great game at a great price.

[ChrisField]

Wahoo just got the 500k multiplayer one. Considering I rarely play MP, I feel quite chuffed with that.

Still no infected people around though :(

I tell you what, I dunno about you guys, but I'm struggling to get past level 17! Lose your weapons on that and you dont stand a chance. Those robot things must take like 5-6 hits?!? :(

[Yoshimax]

I'm up for online too - it's a superbly balanced multiplayer game pity it's not busier tbh !

[kendra]

128 levels..... I can only imagine how difficult that will be...
Impossible, yet I managed it!

Retro is harder because if anything comes anywhere near you, you die, and no checkpoints (managed level 13 so far).

On a side note - is anyone else unable to get the theme to download? The pictures download fine but the theme just says Error.

[Yoshimax]

Force ya swine I'm gunning for ya score - If I don't get GH today consider it destroyed !!!!

[Jebus]

Force ya swine I'm gunning for ya score - If I don't get GH today consider it destroyed !!!!

Looking at my friends list, more specifically what Yoshi is playing...looks like he's safe for another day :thumb:

[Yoshimax]

Yes indeed he is :D

It won't last though - I love GH so because like JP it's a dip in & out game !!!!

[Jebus]

I guess people will believe any old excuse nowadays eh...

[The Guppy]

On a side note - is anyone else unable to get the theme to download? The pictures download fine but the theme just says Error.

That's a bug. It's been fixed now, but you'll have to delete the game and redownload it.

http://forums.xbox.com/11431971/ShowPost.aspx

[kendra]

That's a bug. It's been fixed now, but you'll have to delete the game and redownload it.

http://forums.xbox.com/11431971/ShowPost.aspx Thanks - will try this later!

[kendra]

Excellent - it worked and is now my theme !

Completed Retro, just the 500k points on Live to go...

[Jebus]

I got infected last night YAY!!

Oh wow, never thought I'd say that in any shape or form!

I await your friend requests ;)

[ChrisField]

RARE have published a free PDF guide here if anyone wants it:
Download the Game Guide (4.82 MB PDF) (http://www.rareware.com/jetpacguide/jetpac-gameguide.pdf)

(stolen off major nelson)

[Commander Marklar]

Man, I'm glad they don't put games up like this everyday 'cos I'd be completely skint else :D Brilliant stuff, proper 10/10 for me.

[kendra]

I got infected last night YAY!!

Oh wow, never thought I'd say that in any shape or form!

I await your friend requests ;) Hi

:)

[Jebus]

You aren't "Mr Field" are you? ;)

I got it on my first EVER live game on it last night!

[Yoshimax]

Jebus - next time we're both on and all that ;)

[Jebus]

Ok...

Seriously though, who is "Mr Field" on here?

[DavidHolliss]

not going to post it here, incase he want's to remain anonymous etc, PM'd you.

[Jebus]

not going to post it here, incase he want's to remain anonymous etc, PM'd you.

I feel rather an idiot to be honest Dave...look above about 5/6 posts and you can see that person posting something, and his avatar is his gamercard...and, well... :lol: :blush:

[Yoshimax]

I was about to point out to you that he was immediately after your post and had a similar avatar setup :D

You lot with your different forum/xboxlive tags !!!

[Jebus]

The (hideous) irony is that my US gamertag is "JebusF"...

[Yoshimax]

Funny thing - I couldn't get either YoshimaxJP or YoshimaxUS or variants thereof when I set up my JP and US accounts !! Was annoyed about that !

[kendra]

You aren't "Mr Field" are you? ;)

I got it on my first EVER live game on it last night! Naaa glosoli !

[ChrisField]

Ok...

Seriously though, who is "Mr Field" on here?

Me Sir! :) Thank you for adding me...

edit: sorry for not replying earlier. for some reason i have my subscription set to daily update on this thread. /changes it back to instant updates.

[kendra]

Ta Jebus yay finished and I still love it.

My highscore on Refuelled is #15 in the world... eeek :)

[Zero9X]

great game. i can't get enough of this, so addictive and fun. the only problem i have with it is that the weapons reset to your default blaster once you clear a stage. a bit annoying that.

[MikeRox]

This game is AMAZING! I would have gladly forked out 1200 points for something so well designed :D feel free to add "MikeRox" if you need to kick someones arse at it :P

[Charlie]

Downloaded and completed this over the weekend. It's a good little game but hugely frustrating in parts due to variables outside the player's control that have a huge impact on difficulty like whether weapon upgrades are dropped when needed and where fuel pods land. For this reason I think it falls some way short of Geometry Wars which is a much purer, fairer experience and serves as a more accurate gauge of gamer skill.

Currently trying to beat Retro but can't get past level 5. Anyone got any tips?

[kendra]

Currently trying to beat Retro but can't get past level 5. Anyone got any tips? Stay on the top right ledge, and only go and get fuel when needed.

[Charlie]

I've since managed to beat it and, in doing so, got all 12 achievements. I found the best way to do level 5 (and all levels where the enemies follow you) is to wait on the top right platform, shooting anything that comes near, until all the enemies are bunched up under the platform. At this point stop shooting and take an anti-clockwise route, from corner to corner, around the screen collecting and dropping off the fuel on the way, then back onto the upper right platform and repeat. Takes a fair bit of time and patience but it makes what should be the most difficult levels extremely easy.