GRcade's Recommended XBLIG pg 1 updated 27/09

Dr Cottle wrote:I have the Dark Reign demo downloaded, eager to try it out. Downloaded a few other things, Orbitron, DLC Quest, some sidescrolling zombie shoot em up and Wizorb.

The Zombie game didn't grab me. DLC Quest was pretty good, not a bad wee idea (unlock the running animation!)

I presume you played Dead Pixels? (as in the Zombie game?) I found it a bit slow at first so gave it another go, once you start unlocking weapons, realising you have to ration you bullets etc it gets good. The developers released an update adding load of extra content for the game.

DLC is good, very short lived experience.

Glad a few of you post in here cause sometimes I am thinking I might be the only one who still bothers with Indie games on here, which would be a huge shame as there are some gems on the service.

I think we're all pretty appreciative of you informing us about these titles Qupe. As you say, there's quite a number of little gems that would be lost if word never got out about them. So thanks for that again.

Yeah it was Dead pixels. It seemed like it was lacking something, I wouldn't be adverse to giving it another go though. It looks pretty great anyway, love the pixel art. That's the thing about these Indie games, some of them look lovely to me, despite the lack of resources.

The Dark Reign demo expired on me and I didn't get time to give it another go. I'll have to skip all the FMV when I try it again. I'm sure this might offend people, as the FMV is quite poor quality, but as a 400pts port it's okay by me. Some of the assets looked touched up in the 2 minutes I got to play. Seems very Command and Conquer. Interesting to warrant further investigation.

Hypership Still out of Control crashed my xbox Don't even know how but it did. Loved the original so I'm still eager to try it out. I assume it's more of the same.

Dr Cottle wrote:I think we're all pretty appreciative of you informing us about these titles Qupe. As you say, there's quite a number of little gems that would be lost if word never got out about them. So thanks for that again.

Yeah it was Dead pixels. It seemed like it was lacking something, I wouldn't be adverse to giving it another go though. It looks pretty great anyway, love the pixel art. That's the thing about these Indie games, some of them look lovely to me, despite the lack of resources.

The Dark Reign demo expired on me and I didn't get time to give it another go. I'll have to skip all the FMV when I try it again. I'm sure this might offend people, as the FMV is quite poor quality, but as a 400pts port it's okay by me. Some of the assets looked touched up in the 2 minutes I got to play. Seems very Command and Conquer. Interesting to warrant further investigation.

Hypership Still out of Control crashed my xbox Don't even know how but it did. Loved the original so I'm still eager to try it out. I assume it's more of the same.

I haven't tried dark reign, It's a redux of a 97 game I think. I ll give it a go tomorrow with some other stuff. Hypership is like a 1.5 version of the old game, it's getting hammered ratings wise and I think the developer said it has only sold 100 copies.

I am sorry I haven't tried any of the minecraft clones on the service. I might have to soon as my daughter wants to try it, she played the old version yesterday when she was with me but I can't pay 17 quid for it at the min.

Another quick round up but a mixture of games for you to try. The releases are piling up at the minute.


Brand (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Brand looks absolutely gorgeous, seriously look at it. The combat of the game takes a little adjusting to as it's not a game, at the beginning at least, that you can just hack your way through. You need to apply some tactics to enable you to enhance your weapon. This means a fair bit of blocking between strikes is needed. The Combat for the game and some other issues is causing some very average reviews for this game at the minute. Until this issue and others are corrected I think this game is one you should try before you buy.



Verdict: Trial



Little Racers Street (80pts) - Marketplace Link

An excellent racer, the only minus is it's single player only.



Verdict: Buy


Two more price drops

Escape Goat (now 80pts) - Marketplace Link

An excellent puzzle/platform game.



Verdict: Buy



Rotor'scope (now 80pts) - Marketplace Link

A highly polished puzzle game. Now yours for a measly 80pts



Verdict: Buy

Little Street Racers is very good, at 80 points it's a giveaway. I spent an hour with Lightfish as well which is curiously addictive.

Those first two game videos look amazing for indie games. Very pretty. I'll have to download all of them at the weekend.

Brand needs a few fixes if I am honest. The game grated on me when I played it. Yes it's 80pts, going up to 240pts in 2 months, but it's got some gameplay issues I feel they need to iron out.

Updates:

Little Racers Street (80pts) has added 12 player online play. BUY IT!!!!. Marketplace Link

Video


Bloody Checkers (80pts) has received it's 6th content update. The developer keeps on adding stuff to this game. Another great purchase for 80pts. Marketplace Link

Video



Price Reductions worth giving a go

Growing Pains (now 80pts) - Marketplace Link

Video



Veks and Silence (now 80pts from 400pts) One of the earlier game releases on the service, finally receiving a much needed price reduction - Marketplace Link

Video



New Games

A Voxel Action (80pts) - Marketplace Link

This game is being praised around various Indie Game threads I read. I've played the game for an hour and 20 minutes so far and I'll be honest I didn't see the point of it all, it feels like something is missing. As I said though loads of people are raving about the game though.



Verdict: I'll say try for now (if you guys want me to add to the front page I will)


Hardboiled Pinball (80pts) - Marketplace Link

To be honest pinball games stand very little chance on the service when you can get a table on Pinball FX2 for 240pts. I can't fault the effort that looks like it has gone into this but the table is basic and I have been spoilt by my love of Pinball FX. It's the best effort on XBLIG.



Verdict: Try


Katana Land (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Katana Land doesn't really add much to the platformer, achieve the goals for each level in order to progress. Each level also has a challenge to complete, for example don't hit the enemies in a level is the pacifist award, which adds to the game a little. The game looks nice but the controls feel a little sluggish considering you're handling a Ninja, the jump especially. It's not bad though and I purchased the game as I wanted to complete it. Just lacking a little variety.



Verdict: Try

I haven't managed to test much lately but a fair few of the recommend games have received price drops. Videos spoilered as they have been posted before.

Beat Hazard (from 400 to 80pts) - Marketplace Link



Dysnomia (from 240 to 80pts) - Marketplace Link - Alien Breed clone



Orbitron Revolution (from 240pts to 80pts) - Marketplace Link Stunning looking game

Wasn't a big fan of Orbitron, but it does look pretty fantastic for an Indie title though. I think it was done by someone on Neogaf?

Dr Cottle wrote:Wasn't a big fan of Orbitron, but it does look pretty fantastic for an Indie title though. I think it was done by someone on Neogaf?

Yeah it was, but a lot of developers of indie games frequent their indie threads. The game was patched fixing some issues, maybe worth trying again if you like defender, the old arcade classic, style games.

Gamergeddon's latest round-up of games

Gamergeddon Round Up Episode 141



Check out their site, it covers all formats.

I am sorry I have fallen so far behind with the games at the minute. I will catch up soon, just some other priorities I am trying to deal with.

Price Reductions

Mechanoid Army (now 80pts) - Marketplace Link




Magic Racing GP2 (now 80pts) - Marketplace Link

Tons of options on this excellent overhead racer.




Alien Jelly (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Game similar to Ilomilo in ways with a level editor. Nice value.






New Games

Retro Arcade Adventure (80pts) - Marketplace Link

This is probably one of the easiest games I have played on the service. There are two modes, arcade and adventure, and you will probably have seen the whole game in 30 minutes. Basic and simple.



Verdict: Try



Super Ninja Warrior Extreme (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Nice Supermeatboyesque platformer. The game starts off simple enough but soon ups the difficulty. The levels are short (well what I have seen so far), but when one hit kills and sends you back to the start of the level you'll be glad they are. Handles well and looks ok but be warned it will frustrate at points.



Verdict: Buy

We Are Cubes (80pts) - Markeplace Link

I'd say this game is like a cross between a tempest art style with elements of Pang gameplay. You're a Cube and have to destroy the Spheres. Different spheres when shot split into more spheres potentially creating chaos on screen. You need to try and be accurate with your shots if you want to build a high score as missed shots drain your chain meter. The game has several power-ups that you need to use wisely and are invaluable to progress through the game. There are two game modes; Arcade and Survival, Arcade consists of 25 levels and Survivial er...you need to survive as long as possible. Both modes also feature a two player mode adding a little competitive fight into the mix.

I really like this game, it definitely has that one more go factor for me and it also has a highscore leaderboard. Try it, then buy it.

*At present the game does have a bit of save slowdown issue, basically when you unlock an awardment the game will freeze to save. The developer is aware of this and I believe working on a fix.



Verdict: Buy



woOOPuP! (80pts) - Marketplace Link

WoOOPuP! is a decent, if slightly easy, arkanoid clone. The game features 50 levels to play through. Within some levels you'll hit a star that opens up a sub level where basically you have to try and hit all the stars on the level within a time frame.

The biggest issue is the fact the game saves after every level you complete and in my eyes this makes the game a little easy. I would have preferred it to be every other level therefore adding a little more challenge. Presently you can complete a level, lose all your lives and then start on the level you got too. Also the gun powerup comes a little too frequently also making some levels a breeze to go through. I did one level nearly entirely with the gun and the ball stuck to my pad.

However if Arkanoid games are your thing I'd defintely say give it a go, even if it's a little simple I like it.



Verdict: Buy (I like Arkanoid style games)



Megacity (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Mega City is a puzzle game crossed with Sim City. You place tiles on the board trying to score a required amount of points to to clear the first play areas vertical line. Different tiles have different effects on the play field, some causing a positive effect, some negative and some that doing nothing like a car park. More buildings are unlocked the more you play which adds a nice incentive to play more. There is also a challenge mode in the game, which at the present I am not finding too easy.

A small negative is that the menu when you lose a game and in challenge mode could be a little clearer, in the sense that it's not easy to go back to the menu when you lose, you have to go via the highscores or play again then menu (unless I am missing something).

It's an addicitve game that may take a bit of time to master. It's another buy from me.



Verdict: Buy


PicBox (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Nice Picross game with 100 puzzles.



Verdict: Buy



Freeze Everthing (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Is a single screen based platform game. Your objective is to get to the exit freezing enemies and destroying them with a punch as you go along. It doesn't look up to much but plays reasonably enough. It's fairly simple in principal but initally getting used to the gameplay mechanics and what effect the freezing does may frustrate a few but stick with it, until you get to the boss at least, you may like it.



Verdict: Try



48 Chambers (80pts) - Marketplace Link

48 chambers reminds me a little or Kuru Kuru Kururin on the Gameboy Advance, although instead or a revolving line you have a small circle. Basically you have to maneuver round the level and get to the exit whilst avoiding a variety of obstacles, from spikes, bullets to spinning blades. There are 48 chambers to play through each requiring you to complete them before the clock ticks down, earning you a certain amount of points the more orbs you collect and the faster you manage it. You can collect green orbs to top up your timer but one hit and you lose a life and have to restart the chamber. Lose all your lives and you have to restart from the beginning. The controls are nice and tight and every play through you will get a little further but to start again from the beginning can be annoying but it's also a vital way of building up extra lives to tackle the later levels and build up that high score.



Verdict: Try (I purchased it but appreciate it will not be for everyone)

Previews

Apple Jack 2 (coming soon)





Price Cuts

Carcophony (now 80pts) - Marketplace

The car traffic directing puzzle game is now available for 80pts. Can be played on you own, co-operative or competitively.

Video



TIC Part One (now 80pts) - Marketplace

Once you complete the initial and rather average adventure mode, 3 very samey stages - it's short thankfully, the 3 challenge modes for each stage open up and add more to the game.

Video



Updates

48 Chambers (80pts) - Marketplace

The developer of 48 Chambers has taken on some feedback provided for the game and made some amendments. There are now 3 games modes:

Normal as before, 3 lifes.

Casual - No lives and no score, but still a time limit, to enable you to beat all 48 Chambers in the game. Please note it doesn't save how far you get so you will still have to play through from the beginning if your restart the game.

Hardcore a one-life mode get as far as you can as quick as possible mode.

The developer has also added the option to change the background colour, initally this was set on random but I had to turn that off straight away and change it to one colour I was comfortable with. All in all I think the changes are definitely for the better and I would say if you're looking for a challenge give this one a go.

New Trailer



Verdict: Buy (upgraded from a Try)



New Games

Bricks (80pts) - Marketplace

Bricks is a very basic and very average Bat n' ball (Arknoid style) game. The game looks poor, sounds poor and plays badly. Boring.



Verdict: Avoid



Fish Bait (80pts) - Marketplace

Fish Bait is a reasonable looking Bat n' Ball (Arkanoid) game played "under the sea". The only difference in this game is the ball is replaced with a fish - who'd of thought!?! The power-ups are tiny and I was guessing initially as to what they did. The games sound effects are nothing to write home about, a pop sound when you hit a fish and no music. The gameplay is rather dull too, by the 4th stage I had enough and exited the demo and the game is only 20 stages long. Don't Press X also made Space Bat on XBLIG and if I am honest this doesn't feel or look much more than a reskin of that game.



Verdict: Avoid


Septipus: Tenracle Apocalypse (80pts) - Marketplace

Septipus is a strange game. The game starts with some operatic music, you can purchase a 10 track album available from the game for $1, and reasonable voiceovers during the beginning cut scenes.

You'll then jump into a maze like game where you have to get your hero to the exit until you get to fight the one and only Septipus in a shoot'em-up style boss fight. The maze levels feature the standard spikes, required keys to open doors and annoying enemies. There are some issues regarding the collision detection and the blind spots on certain levels, especially when you're forced in a direction are annoying.

The game will only take about 45 minutes to complete and that's it. You'll watch the end credits, be shown how you can purchase the music and will not return again. It's a lot of style over substance; if they can sort out a balance they might get a hit on the service.



Verdict: Try.


Quiet, Please! (80pts) - Marketplace

Is a nice little adventure type game. Basically you’re a girl who gets home from school and wants some peace and quiet so she can go to sleep. However there is noise everywhere. Your objective is to use objects found throughout the house to make the noise stop. This entails a bit of wandering back and forth from room to room to silence your mother, the cats, the lawnmower man, the dog, the TV etc etc. It's all fairly straightforward and another fairly short-lived experience that again will not take longer than 20 minutes to complete. It's nicely presented using 8bit style graphics.

All in all a fairly simple brief experience.



Verdict: Try


Ashlands: Retribution (240pts) - Marketplace

Ashlands: Retribution is as close to Super Stardust as you'll currently get on the 360, the developer hasn't played the game as far as I am aware. It features several game modes, 2 are unlocked when you complete Campaign mode. Campaign mode starts with some nice voiceovers which add to the experience and then you're thrown into things, literally, with very average weapons and no real explanation to what buttons do what, unless you view this option via the start menu. Why is there no control guide in the pause menu? So initially be prepared to die a fair bit.

The game looks and sounds good, especially the voiceovers, but overall I feel the different modes should have mixed things up a bit and added more variety to the modes that are initially available. The first 2 levels in campaign seem to have few differences bar more of the same enemies, the 3rd is more frantic and more varied. I would have like more variation to the enemies and a different style of play in Arcade mode with faster progression through the waves and it throwing weapons at you to use against the enemies rather than carrying over the weapon you have built up throughout the game.

With a few adjustments this could be an excellent shooter, at present it feels like a missed opportunity, and one I feel a lot will overlook because it starts off too hard. Give it a go and see what you think.



*Thanks Ben for the review code

Verdict: Try


Bluebones Curse (80pts) - Marketplace

Bluebones Curse is a fairly standard platformer. Your objective is to get through the levels to find Davy Jones lost treasure to break the curse on Bluebones and return him to his true form.

The game has a good atmospheric look to it and the main character and spiders are well animated. The game controls smoothly too. As for the gameplay, if I am being honest there isn't much to say that you can't see in the trailer. You jump around occasionally flicking switches to turn off flames blocking your path to requiring some platforming dexterity to progress through the level.

It takes under half an hour to complete the game and which is a shame but it does show that the developer drew me in, even if the experience was shortlived.

*Thanks to Chounard for the code provided for this playtest. Check out his Vlog detailing what he is currently working on.



Verdict: Trial

Elite are releasing Manic Miner on XBLIG

Manic Miner coming to Xblig

Ooh Apple Jack 2. I'm not even kidding when I say that it has one of favourite soundtracks this gen. I got quite far into it (the night stages), but I was starting to realize how twitchy it felt. If the developer could tighten up controls it would be a change from a good game to a fantastic one. I hope they're tweaked in Apple Jack 2, I also hope the rewind feature isn't to make up for the shortcomings I just mentioned.

Super Ninja Warrior Extreme and Picbox look like something I'd be interested in. Picross was my main addiction.

Spectrum games on the Indie service is also a really cool idea. Maybe the Dizzy games will be re-released, given the recent game that came out in that series?

I'd just like to applaud qupe for the work he puts into this thread. Splendid stuff.

Thanks Rudderless, much appreciated.

Anyway hoping to do an update over the weekend but for now thought I'd mention a couple of games with price drops. Videos spoilered as they have been previously posted.


Blocks that Matter (80pts) - Marketplace Link





All the Radiangames have dropped back down from 400pts each to 80pts each.

Radiangames Ballistic (80pts) - Marketplace Link




Radiangames Crossfire II - Marketplace Link




Radiangames Fireball - Marketplace Link




Radiangames Fluid - Marketplace Link




plus Radiangames JoyJoy, Radiangames Inferno, Radiangames Crossfire.

Regarding the Radiangames price drop, I thought putting them up to 400pts was a pretty stupid thing to do after they were released at 80pts. Not surprised he dropped them again.

I played Super Ninja Warrior Extreme and Picbox. Picbox is awesome, but then it's bloody Picross, how could it not be? Super Ninja Warrior Extreme is cool, really tight controls and good level design.

Is Blocks that Matter any good?

Blocks that Matter is a great platform puzzle game. Just be warned the later levels can get frustrating, especially when one mistake can send you back to the beginning so make sure you plan ahead.

The game has loads of levels and has added community levels and a humble bundle level update. It's a steal for 80pts.


I am going to postpone my round up for this weekend as I am having problems enjoying any games I have tested this week and all I seem to be doing is saying AVOID, AVOID, not for me, not for me... being a right grumpy Victor meldrew.