Weekly Xbox Indies - 11/21/09
Yay
- Wool - 80 MS points. Wool is a game that puts you in the paws of a sheep dog herding sheep, with gameplay similar to the Xbox Live Arcade game Flock (or more accurately, the PS1 game Sheep). Personally, I actually prefer this indie take on the gameplay over Capcom's (far more expensive) offering. The sheep AI is just the right balance between cooperative and unruly to make the game challenging without becoming too frustrating. There is also a nice multiplayer mode that has up to 4 players trying to horde the herded sheep all to themselves that gets very competitive very quickly.
- Neo Terra - 80 MS points. Neo Terra is a real-time space strategy game that moves at a very quick pace akin to the popular iPhone game Galcon. The game presents a galaxy of planets to conquer that will produce more ships that you can send and conquer more planets. The game creates an addicting tug of war dynamic between you and your opponent where both sides will be taking and retaking planets from each other. There are two main game types, with the first an all out domination match where the last player standing is the victor, as well as a king of the hill type mode where a player wins by controlling a flagged planet for a set amount of time. The multiplayer extends to up to 4 players, with the option to also have 4 AI players in the mix as well, making for a truly hectic strategy experience.
- Inside Lacrosse's CL2010 - 400 MS points. Perhaps it's the just because of the sheer phallic imagery involved in the sport, but I've always been fascinated by lacrosse. As such, I've always wished there was a lacrosse videogame, and Inside Lacrosse's CL2010 does a damn good job of that. I don't claim to know the intricacies of the sport, but I do know that while playing the game I had a lot of fun. Even if it's just the little touches, like seeing the trajectory of a pass before you throw it, or using the right analog stick to aim a shot while you maneuver around the field, this is one of the few sports games that I've truly enjoyed and feel comfortable recommending to anyone regardless of how familiar they are with the sport.
- Aesop's Garden - 240 MS points. Aesop's Garden looks, sounds, and plays like a long-lost NES game. Someone nefarious has been planting weeds in your garden, and you need to collect the weeds to make your garden beautiful again. It's a puzzle game at heart, with the real challenge to maneuver mazes and push blocks so you can reach the weeds. There is also a complete level editor for the game to create your own puzzle gardens, though the created levels cannot be shared online.
- Aardvark - 240 MS points. On the surface, Aardvark seems like just another Breakout clone with a funny name. In large part that assessment is true and, despite the sheer number of Breakout clones already on the Xbox Live indie game channel, Aardvark is one of the top out there. But what really sets Aardvark apart is the level editor, letting you build your own block breaking levels. There's no level sharing online, but it's still fun to play your own creations.
Ay?
- Jumper Robot - 240 MS points. Jumper Robot is a basic but fun platformer. One thing that Jumper Robot does differently from similar platformers is character running, which here is momentum based. A standing jump won't get you very high or far, with a running jump giving you a lot more distance and air time. This can get very tricky with some of the game's more precise platforming and can lead to some very frustrating segments. But if you can get past the frustration, then Jumper Robot can be a fun ride.
- Alderman - 240 MS points. The best way I can describe Alderman is that it's like Star Fox on horseback. You play as a jousting knight plowing through the countryside and shooting other knights and archers with your beam-shooting lance. It is worth mentioning that the game's graphics are, well, ugly. But beauty is only skin deep they say, so if you can bear the poor looks, then there's a fun game to be had.
- Crisis Nuclear Holocaust - 80 MS points. Crisis Nuclear Holocaust is an FMV game that has you debating a rogue computer AI that wants to exterminate the human race. And when I say "debating" I mean the game is comprised almost entirely of choosing dialog options. It's an intersting concept for a game, and if you don't mind social commentary that is extremely heavy-handed, then it's a game worth experiencing.
- Marvelous Galaxy - 80 MS points. Marvelous Galaxy is a fairly robust space strategy game that has you exploring and conquering the galaxy while upgrading colonies and amassing resources. There are a lot of intricacies to the game, and it's a shame that there is barely any explanation of how to play. The help option explains the basic concept of the game, but figuring out even something as simple as the button layout is entirely trial and error. There's a great strategy game here for those that are willing to spend an hour with the game just to learn how to play, but that is a frustrating hour. And good luck convincing friends to learn how to play for multiplayer gaming.
- XMAS Taxi - 80 MS points. I was a bit hard on the original Astro Taxi when it was released a while back, but for some reason I found myself enjoying this semi-sequel much more. Sure it's a shameless attempt to appeal to the holidays with the title, but I actually enjoyed the level layouts this time around more than the first game. There's also the fact that this game's 24 levels are at a cheaper price than the original's 30 levels, and this game definitely the better deal. The controls still have a long learning curve though, so be prepared for plenty of frustration when you're just starting out.
Nay
- The Earth Move With The Moon - 240 MS points. This is a physics-based puzzle game in which you control the Earth and try to use gravitational pull to move the moon into a designated area of the level. The gravitational pull never feels quite right, and often completing a level involves more luck than skill. Combine the haphazard gameplay with a confusing and cluttered presentation and you've got one less game to worry about downloading this week.
- Ultimate Arcade Chat Rooms - 80 MS points. This is a chat room application for the Xbox 360 that lets you chat with random players instead of just those on your friend list. To it's credit, the app does have an "alternative lifestyle dating" chat room option, so the developers are at least heading in the direction of equality. But it all comes down to the fact that you can only chat with other people using this app, and currently the user base is practically non-existent.
Updates
Beat Hazard
Drop Zone
Carcophony
Hexothermic
Gogs
1337 Ship Deathmatch
The Gravity Effect
Astro Match3
Orbyx - Mystic Orbs of Chaos
A Frog Game
A Wizard's Odyssey
Astro Taxi
NaviFairy
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 21 November 2009
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