Xbox Live Update: Torchlight, Dragon Age II DLC arrive

Leading the pack this week is Runic Games' hack-and-slash loot-grabbing role-playing game Torchlight for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15). The Diablo-esque dungeon crawler gained accolades on the PC in 2009, selling more than 800,000 units to date. Torchlight is the fourth title in Microsoft's House Party promotion, which ends next week with Full House Poker.

Out now are two new add-on packs for BioWare's Dragon Age II, which was released today. The first pack is the Exiled Prince DLC for 560 Microsoft points ($7), which was bundled with copies of the game preordered before January 11.

The Exiled Prince downloadable content introduces players to "noble archer" Sebastian Vael through three missions. After living as a priest, Vael is thrust back into the throes of "princely politics" when his family is murdered, leaving him the lone surviving heir. When players encounter Vael, they have the option to either avenge the untimely death of his family or "direct his holy vengeance on their enemies in Kirkwall." Additionally, players will be able to recruit the ranged-weapon master to their party.

The other add-on content available now for Dragon Age II is the Black Emporium for 800 MS points ($10). Bundled with all new copies of the game, the Black Emporium is a location inside Kirkwall where players will be able to score access to three items and venues: a fighting Mabari war hound, the mirror of transformation, and exclusive entry to magic and crafting shops.

Those looking for more from Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood can now download The Da Vinci Disappearance DLC for 800 Microsoft points ($10). The content includes both single-player and multiplayer content to extend the experience of Brotherhood. The solo mission sees players attempting to track down Leonardo Da Vinci, who was kidnapped by the Hermeticists after the fall of Borgias in Rome. As Ezio, players will track Da Vinci through clues found in art, uncovering two new locations and a pair of gameplay features.

According to Ubisoft, The Da Vinci Disappearance represents the most substantive multiplayer expansion yet for Brotherhood. It will include a single map, Alhambra, which is set in Spain's Albaicin of Granada and features multistory gameplay in both indoor and outdoor areas. Four new characters will also be included: Dama Rossa, the Knight, the Marquis, and the Pariah.

The multiplayer add-on also includes two new gameplay modes: Escort and Assassinate. In Escort, two teams of four players guard their own VIP while attempting to assassinate the opposing side's very important target. Assassinate mode sees six to eight players attempting to off each other a la classic deathmatch.

Gamers who prefer to try before they buy can download a demo for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters today. The sampler thrusts players onto the tee box of the par-4 18th hole at Augusta National. Virtual golfers will play as Tiger Woods in the demo, and the voice of longtime Masters announcer Jim Nantz (and the colorful David Feherty) will provide commentary as Woods goes for his fifth Green Jacket.

Three new Games on Demand titles are out this week, the first of which is Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days ($40). The other two full-game downloads are Ubisoft's Surf's Up ($20) and Crash: Mind Over Mutant ($40).