14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has sent word that two new titles will join the line-up of its Xbox Originals initiative for the Xbox 360 gaming consoles. The two new titles are Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, a classic of the stealth shooter genre, and a little known title from Sierra called Metal Arms - Glitch in the Machine.
Xbox Originals is maybe the most interesting concept that Microsoft has rolled out as part of its Xbox Marketplace initiative. December 2007 saw the launch of the service that promises to offer those games that really changed gaming forever at lower-than-usual prices for direct download to the hard drive by Xbox users. Although Microsoft promised weekly releases and never made good on its promise, the games that they added to Originals are definitely worth taking a look at.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory was released early in 2005 and improved on all aspects of the Splinter Cell series. While the previous games only had a light-based detection system, Chaos Theory adds sound as an important element to consider when going in stealth. Also Sam Fisher, again voiced with style by Michael Ironside, gets plenty of new gadgets to fool enemies with and a few new close quarter combat moves.
The plot of the game involves some sort of conflict between North Korea and South Korea and makes for a pretty engaging political thriller setting that's normal for the Splinter Cell games, co-authored by Tom Clancy.
Metal Arms - Glitch in the Machine is a third-person shooter featuring robots that live on the planet of Iron Star. It was released in 2003 and it allowed the player to battle Mil-bots as part of a mining Droid rebellion. It featured linear but interesting levels and some nice combat sequences but was never a big hit with players.
These games will join the line-up of Xbox Originals games that already consists of games like Fable, cult hit Psychonauts, gaming classic Halo or adventure title Dreamfall. Look for them in the Xbox Live Marketplace on April 21.