It's summer, and that can only mean one thing: time to hole up indoors and play some video games. Steam already did its best to keep up us free from the daystar's glare with its recently finished Perils of Summer sale, and now it's Microsoft's turn. Starting on July 21 the Summer of Arcade returns, bringing with it five high profile and (hopefully) awesome games. Here's a quick look at what's in store for Xbox 360 owners.

Limbo

Kicking off the Summer of Arcade on July 21 is Limbo. It's a game we've talked about several times here at Ars, and with good reason: it's a hauntingly beautiful, dark game. You play as a young boy in search of his missing sister, and to find her you'll have to enter the twisted world of Limbo—a world filled with giant spiders, burrowing parasites, and many more ways to die. It's dark, subtle, and unique, and has us incredibly excited.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane

Next up is Hydro Thunder Hurricane, a sequel to the arcade and Dreamcast powerboat racer Hydro Thunder. Set to be released on July 28, the game lets you pilot rocket-powered boats across crazy, interactive environments. There's a single-player mode, but you can also race with up to eight friends online and four friends locally, giving the game some great multiplayer appeal.

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

One week later, on August 4, Castlevania fans will get to experience the all-new Harmony of Despair. A sprawling, 2D side-scroller that once again has you hunting down Dracula, the game features characters from a number of classic Castlevania games, including Symphony of the Night, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia. You can also play with up to six other players online, either in co-op mode or survival.

Monday Night Combat

A class-based third-person shooter, Monday Night Combat is set in a future when weapon-based combat has become a popular sport. Success will net you cash and prizes, which can then be used to upgrade your character. There are six different classes, a career mode, and numerous multiplayer modes. It's due to be released on August 11.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Rounding out the Summer of Arcade on August 18 is the return of Lara Croft, though not in the way you remember her. You'll still be exploring ancient ruins, solving puzzles, and fighting enemies, but in Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light you'll be doing it from an isometric perspective. The game also features a heavy emphasis on co-op—both on and offline—as Ms. Croft teams up with an ancient Mayan warrior in order to save the day.

All five games will run gamers 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15) each, but buying multiple games will save you some cash. Purchasing three of the games before the end of August will get you a $5 rebate, while buying all five will earn you a $15 rebate.

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Bioshock 2 single-player DLC out on Aug.3!



Since BioShock 2 debuted at retail in February, it's shipped over 3 million units, injected two multiplayer packs, and helped GameStop post its biggest non-holiday ever. But publisher 2K doesn't want the maritime onslaught to end there.

The company today announced single-player add-on content for the disturbing underwater shooter. Unlike its predecessors, the Protector Trials downloadable content (400 MS points, or $5), is a single-player affair. It has the game's Big Daddy protagonist defending Little Sisters from waves of mutated Splicers trying to thwart the little women's ADAM collection. The scenario, a cross between Gears of War's Horde mode and the Resident Evil series' Escort modes, was used in several set pieces during the game.
The action will take place on six "new" maps based on locations from BioShock 2's singe-player narrative when it comes to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC August 3. Also up for grabs in the content are three difficulty levels, concept art and videos to unlock, and seven new achievements/trophies for players to collect.

The Protector Trials DLC follows the Sinclair Solutions Pack, which brought several weapons improvements and other upgrades to the game's multiplayer component, and the Rapture Metro Pack, which added several new multiplayer maps.

According to 2K, the battles won't stop there. The company promises additional downloadable content that will extend the single-player experience and provide "new insight into the world of Rapture."

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VGH'S LIVE VIDEO FEED TONIGHT!
Well, this seems to be the moment that everyone has been waiting for and it is also one that the VGH staff has been looking forward too as well. Tonight at 10:00pm EST, we are going to broadcast our first LIVE video feed at Justin.tv.


Tonight's broadcast will be featuring our very own Jacob, playing Little Big Planet on the PS3 highlighting the Marvel DLC that came out recently. Make sure you guys drop by to check it out or to just even chat with our writers! 

I will work on an embeded Live Feed on our site, so there is direct access to it right here. 
Till then,  I will keep you guys updated.