After a week with no XBLA games, we were ready to sink our teeth into something new. This week, we not only get A Kingdom for Keflings, but it also happens to be the first Xbox 360 game that lets players use their Avatar as a playable character. We take the game and our Avatar for a spin in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief. Check it out in the video above.

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In our second and final part of our Gears of War 2 multiplayer map preview we take a look at the five remaining maps included on the retail disc. Why do we make this distinction? Well, those of your who purchase a new copy of Gears of War 2 -- sorry rental fans and used game buyers -- will nab five bonus maps. In this view we run through Pavilion, River, Ruins, Security and Stasis and explore weapon placement as well as the environmental effects found in the maps.

Check out our Flashback Map Preview video to check out how those bonus maps stack up against the original versions found in Gears of War and the first part of our Gears of War 2 Multiplayer Map Preview. We're so close to release, we can almost hear the chainsaws.

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We've already shown you the bonus maps -- only available to people who purchase a new copy of Gears of War 2 -- now we're continuing with the rest of the maps. In this first of two videos we examine the multiplayer maps included on the retail disc for Gears of War 2. Watch as we run through the maps Avalanche, Blood Drive, Day One, Hail and Jacinto showcasing some of the weapons found throughout the map as well as the various environmental effects you'll encounter when the game launches tomorrow.

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Tomorrow, one of the most anticipated titles of the year ships with a sizable bonus regardless of which version you pick up. On top of the ten included multiplayer maps in Gears of War 2, Epic Games has included a download code within each new copy of the game to download five additional maps. Taken from the original Gears of War, the Flashback Map Pack not only adds a dose of nostalgia to the Gears of War 2 multiplayer experience but it keeps the action fresh with new designs for each of the maps in the pack.

The waters of Canals have been frozen, Gridlock has been taken over by lush vegetation, Tyro Station seems to have had an upgrade in tech, Mansion appears more abandoned than ever before and Subway had dried up and now rains pieces of ash from the ongoing war.

Want to see the changes for yourself, in action? Check out our video that includes footage from the in-game Battle Camera.

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Car combat games are few and far between these days. Good car combat games are even fewer and further. Car combat fans rejoice, because today marks the release of Vigilante 8 Arcade on Xbox Live Arcade. We took the trial version for a spin and we liked what we played. Take a look at this weeks installment of XBLA in Brief and see if the game is up your alley.

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This week on XBLA in Brief, we look at two radically different games. On the one hand, we have an RPG filled with disgusting creatures and filthy dialogue and on the other we have a family friendly trivia game. They are Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 2 and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, respectively. Also, one of the games has a digital Jeff Foxworthy. We'll let you figure out which. Check out the latest episode to see how the games stack up.

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This week on XBLA in Brief, we take a look at Portal: Still Alive. Sure, it seems like an easy choice for those wanting to try Portal without paying for The Orange Box. 15 bucks for the original Portal and 14 new challenge maps? Sounds pretty good to us. The only real question is whether or not the 14 additional maps are worth it to Portal fanatics. At a buck a map, we're inclined to say yes. Check out the latest installment of XBLA in Brief to see what's new in Still Alive.

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Savvy gamers are already aware that gold obtained in Fable II Pub Games for the Xbox Live Arcade can be transferred to their characters in Fable II -- which releases today. While we've told you how it's done we thought we'd create a quick tutorial video and show you the quick and painless process. Also, make sure to check out Fable2.com (part of Xbox.com) and to win gold and items for your characters within Fable II. This video also walks you through the steps of obtaining those bonuses as well. We're all about helping a gamer out here at X3F.

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Let's just put this out there: Age of Booty is really, really fun. We know this because the trial version (the trial version) allows you to try online multiplayer for two days. Why it's taken nearly three years for an Xbox Live Arcade game to offer online play in the trial version, we have no idea. We just hope it's the beginning of a beautiful trend. Oh, Crazy Mouse came out this week too. That's all you really need to know about that one. Check out the latest episode of XBLA in Brief above.

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Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway marks the first time the critically acclaimed World War II shooter has made its way to the Xbox 360 generation. Known for a dramatic look at the relationships and emotions of war, Hell's Highway continues the story of Staff Sergeant Matt Baker as his squad of 101st Airborne Division veterans this time as they push through the ultimately flawed plan of Operation Market Garden. How does the latest from publisher Ubisoft and developer Gearbox Software stack up? Check out our full video review.

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This week, after announcing the arrival of MLB Stickball, Microsoft surprised us with two additional titles, Beat'n Groovy and Shadow Assault / Tenchu. Of the three games, let us tell you that Beat'n Groovy is definitely the standout title this week. Let us tell you also that it's the standout title for all the wrong reasons. That should really be the takeaway from this week's XBLA In Brief, even if the other two are decent (particularly Shadow Assault) games. Hear our take on all three in the video above.

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This is a pretty interesting week for Xbox Live Arcade. One one side of things, we have Mega Man 9, a brand new game in the series done in a retro style. On the other, we have War World, which the developers originally announced was scheduled to arrive last August. And yet, even a year from its missed debut, it's still one of the best looking XBLA games out there. So which is worth the dough, tough-as-nails platforming or online twitch multiplayer? Check out the latest installment of XBLA in Brief to find out.

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With the web positively on fire about the Keep It Clean teaser trailer released by Bungie this morning, we thought we'd give the video a once (and twice, and thrice) over and deliver to you our own analysis. This isn't some kind of lame picture analysis either. Nope, this here is one of them fancy video analysis ... um ... videos. Find out everything you need to know but are too busy to find out on your own by watching our detailed video analysis.

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For the sake of full disclosure, we loved Duke Nukem 3D when it was first released over 10 years ago. So, we might be a teeny bit biased, but that doesn't keep Duke from being one of the best FPS games on XBLA. In fact, we'd say it is the best, with no disrespect to Marathon or Doom. For 800 Microsoft Points, you get a substantial campaign and 8 player online multiplayer and co-op. Not too shabby. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief to see all the reasons why Duke Nukem 3D is worth it. (Warning: the video is mildly NSFW.)

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This is sort of a slow week for XBLA. It's not that the games -- Feeding Frenzy 2 and Domino Master, lest you haven't heard -- are bad. It's just that they aren't exactly mind-blowing either. But hey, we can't have AAA, hardcore titles every week. Where would we find the money, right? Besides, Grandma likes dominos. Rather than driving all the way over to her house so you can play in person, now you can save the hassle and do it over Xbox Live! Find out just how easy it is in our latest episode of XBLA in Brief.

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