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10 more arrivals hit home with Xbox One Backwards Compatibility – Are they worth the return?

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It’s been a great month so far for the backwards compatibility scheme on Xbox One, but this week may just be the busiest week of all since its introduction. 10 more Xbox 360 titles have made the generational jump and are now playable on Xbox One, so let’s take a look and see if they are worth returning to once more.

Timeshift Ignore

It can be hard to find an idea that hasn’t been covered before, or at least it feels that way until we see the next spectacular IP light up the stage at E3. But one thing that hasn’t always been toyed with is that of time-bending – Timeshift however was a game that changed all that.

With an enjoyable campaign and some fairly impressive visuals when it arrived back in 2007, many were surprised at the negative reception it received. However, even with my own excitement all those years ago, seeing it arrive on Xbox One hasn’t brought that same level of intrigue I got first time around. That’s probably because recent times have seen us welcomed into the fantastic world of time bending gold, with Quantum Break and addictive time-slurping bullet fest indie hit SUPERHOT delivering the goods.

With such quality gracing the Xbox One, there isn’t really any need to head back to something that will now feel much more dated than it once did, especially when it’s not as good as what is now available elsewhere.

Commanders: Attack of the Genos Ignore

I love a good strategy game. The chance to put my tactical mind to work and outdo my opponent is something that I get a real enjoyment from. I’m not always the best at them, but even given my deep love for the genre, Commanders: Attack was one I never found myself fond of.

It wasn’t a terrible game, but by the time it had made its way to my living room there was only really one strategy game I cared about on Xbox, and that was Command & Conquer.

Unfortunately, with nothing more than a shallow colour palette and simplistic visuals, there was never really anything on offer to compete with other titles in the genre, and in a world in which we now have both a remaster of the legendary Halo: Wars, as well as a sequel to keep us occupied on Xbox One, a return to Commanders: Attack of the Genos is something we can probably turn down.

Assault Heroes 2 Play

Sometimes a game can offer simplicity in its content and still provide a truly enjoyable experience. One such game is Assault Heroes 2.

Playing out as a top down twin-stick shooter, you control a vehicle and traverse an area, racking up as many points as you can, finishing the level by killing all the enemies before they kill you. Simple, right?

That was all there really was to it, but sometimes you don’t need explosive cutscenes to be good and Assault Heroes 2 proves it by being a ton of fun to play. Whilst it may not be the most exciting twin-stick shooter on the market or even on the backwards compatibility program – check out Geometry Wars – it’s certainly good enough for a relaxing session to help that Sunday lunch go down.

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013 – Ignore

The Cabela series, whilst not being something I find overly exciting, has always been a series I have wanted to play. It’s not because I hope to become fully engaged in the sport of hunting though, and neither do I have a distinct need to hunt down the exotic creatures that appear throughout the series. That interest stems from the fact that it gives us something a little different.

Of course, 2013 was certainly not the year for that to happen and whilst there might have been some pretty scenery to look at if you squinted hard enough, the quality of Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013 was just too low for a hunting title to be engaging.

If you bear in mind that this was the same year we first started enjoying titles like GTA V – which provided better hunting activities in itself – you’ll soon realise your time can be spent better elsewhere. Just as it was back in 2013.

Cabela’s Alaskan Adventures – Ignore

It’s another Cabela title next and for the few of you too eager to read everything, you’ll notice the next few are too.

Cabela’s Alaskan Adventures however was one that was truly poorly received by most who played it.

Of course, you had the hardcore fans of the series defending it to the hills, as you do with most fans of their favourite titles, but truth be told Alaskan Adventures had a poor outing on Xbox 360.

The graphics were terrible, the A.I. was dull and whilst the effort made to bring new activities to the series – such as fish and duck hunting – were well received, the sloppy feel made it feel like more of a let-down than something new and unique in the series.

Cabela’s Hunting Expeditions – Play

As I mentioned before, each of the Cabela titles seem to provide some type of extreme difference – with Hunting Expeditions it was the realism.

The series has always been known for its arcade type approach, but Hunting Expeditions was only arcade by look. From the slightest noise, to the tiniest bit of your cap sticking up between the blades of grass, if you didn’t do things perfectly, the game let you know about it…usually by having you mauled by that enormous lion you had no real way of getting back home after you killed it.

This made for a very different experience and those that spent time with Cabela’s Hunting Expeditions either loved it or hated it. Fans of realism approved, even if only slightly. We no longer had the unrealistic kills or dull A.I., but instead we were being thrown into the path of clever, animalistic enemies who were hunting us as much as we were hunting them.

My previous comments of GTA V providing a better hunting experience are still very much true, but those looking for something that will at least provide a few hours of fun should head back to one of the few acceptable Cabela titles that graced the Xbox 360.

Cabela’s Survival: Shadows of Katmai – Ignore

I’ve decided too much change is a terrible thing. That’s been a statement that has stuck with me ever since the arrival of Cabela’s Survival back in 2011. Of course, a big reason for that is the disappointment this game brought me.

From the best box art of 2011 to a boring narrative driven story that I never had the heart to finish, this game squandered its chance of being 2011’s dark horse the moment it entered my Xbox.

I’ve been fairly critical of the Cabela series so far today, and whilst there will be hunting fans out there forming a mob and grabbing their pitchforks after my words of avoidance for the majority of today’s new titles, it isn’t without reason. Spending a vast amount of money on a game can be painful enough, but when that game doesn’t know if it’s looking to be the next action blockbuster or country shooter, someone needs to start asking questions. Unfortunately, this was the case for Shadows of Katmai and whilst the graphics were slightly better than later iterations, the gameplay was nothing more than a failed attempt to continue a once hardcore hunting series.

Dead Space 2 Play

After I finished Dead Space back in 2008 I felt rather happy with myself. I’d just sat through many hours of fear as terribly deformed aliens ran at me, before leaving me to take them apart, limb by limb.

Come 2011, I wasn’t so sure that feat was quite so heroic after all. From the creaking hallways to the desolate machinery, Dead Space 2 had everything that a horror game should be.

Of course with one of the most badass protagonists in recent history, we had a little comfort in the fact that a well placed Plasma Cutter would send those limbs off into zero-gravity in no time, but with such perfection found throughout the game, Dead Space 2 was a truly memorable experience.

Even with the many horror-filled events available on Xbox One, Dead Space 2 is more than worth a return.

Dead Space 3 Play

From James Bond to The Godfather, Dante’s Inferno to Battlefield, there isn’t much the guys over at Visceral have created that I haven’t enjoyed.

The Dead Space series however may just be my favourite of the lot with some of the most frightening experiences I have ever had playing a game.

That’s not to say that the Dead Space series was perfect though and the third title may well have been the worst of the lot, but that said, as a whole, the trilogy is fantastic and you wouldn’t find me telling you to avoid the third entry just because of the poor ending – especially when the DLC is some of the best in the series. So go ahead. Jump back in, grab the Plasma Cutter and finish up those Necromorphs one last time. At least until EA bring us a fourth entry in this beloved series.

Dead Space: Ignition Ignore

Why? What is the point. That was a question I found myself asking over and over after finally getting my hands on Dead Space: Ignition.

Arriving originally as a pre-order bonus of Dead Space 2, Dead Space: Ignition was truly something different to what fans had become used too.

It wasn’t a classic horror title like I had originally expected. It wasn’t really even needed for the main game. In fact, the only real reason I bothered finishing Dead Space: Ignition was due to the bonus suit it gave me for my run in with Dead Space 2. If it wasn’t for that, I may not have bothered at all.

Puzzle games aren’t really my thing you see, but if I’m going to play one, I at least like it to be enjoyable and challenging. Dead Space: Ignition was neither of these things, and if it hadn’t of been for some redeeming comic styled art I may not have even seen this one through to the end. Whilst the main series may be one of the greatest horror series in existence, this one is certainly one you should avoid heading into.

So, there we have it. Possibly the biggest week for new Xbox One backwards compatible arrivals we’re likely to see for some time. Which ones will you be heading back to? Let us know in the comments below or via out usual social channels.

Carlos Santuana (Sly Boogie1993)
Carlos Santuana (Sly Boogie1993)
After 20 years of playing every game I can get my hands on, I can now be found selling my soul for anything Resident Evil, Gears of War, or Gamerscore related... all of which will be mastered after a good cuppa!
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