Weekly Xbox Indies - 8/7/09
With the Dream Build Play competition coming up I have a feeling that several indie developers are holding back. I mean, just look at some of the games being submitted (Note that each word is a link to a different game's trailer). In the mean time there were still a fair amount of games that came out this week for you to enjoy. And prices on tons of older Xbox indie games are still dropping, so now is the perfect time to download some indie games if you haven't already.
Yay
Spaceman - 240 MS points. Spaceman is a fun and challenging puzzle platformer where you build the platforms. There are a ton of levels, almost all of which are deviously difficult. But that just makes it all the more satisfying when you make your way through.
Ay?
Block Fight - 240 MS points. One part Pong, one part Breakout. Each player must protect their rows of blocks from an ever-increasing supply of balls while also trying to destroy the opponent's block wall. The game really isn't much to look at, but once you're trying to keep track of 4 balls bouncing around you won't have time to focus on how it looks anyway.
CardArcade - 240 MS points. CardArcade is a collection of 5 card games: Three Peaks, 5-on-3, 21, 5X5 Poker, and Form-11. I had only previously heard of one of these card variations before picking up the game, but there are helpful visual tutorials to teach you how to play in no time. The downside is that the presentation makes it look like an early Windows 95 game, but if you can get past appearances you'll get an addicting card game.
Extreme RPS Online - 200 MS points. I've been pretty hard on rock, paper, scissors games on Xbox in the past, but this one was actually enjoyable. The characters and art are well done, and there are some pretty odd bonus characters that are worth unlocking. But what really sets it apart is the battle mode which turns the simple rock, paper, scissors formula into a Street Fighter style fighting game.
Nay
尊い犠牲 Ultimate Sacrifice - 80 MS points. A slow, plodding shooter where you control an enormous space ship that is very easy for enemy projectiles to hit. Your own weapons are pretty difficult to control on their own, making for an experience that I can't say is one of the favorites I've had with the Xbox indie games.
Spectra Musical Massage - 240 MS points. To its credit, if you like electronica music then there's some nice tunes here. The visualizer and controller vibrations also match the music quite well. But none of the music could qualify as relaxing for a massage, nor would it get you in the mood for a "massage," so if you're downloading this one it would be just for the music.
The Oracle - 80 MS points. A magic 8-ball for your 360. I asked it what rating I should give it for the weekly round-up and it replied, "Does Koala poop smell like cough drops?" So here it is.
GhastlyGhouls - 80 MS points. You control a floating Dracula head as you dodge various ghosts, spiders, and other creepy crawlies. This "avoid-em-up" is best left avoided.
Mayan Countdown - 80 MS points. Neon lights and what I assume to be Mayan symbols flash on the screen in a haphazard, unappearling sequence. There is also a countdown clock to the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012. Apparently there are 4 secret messages to unlock that have something to do with a Mayan Spaceship. Can you find them?
Reef Rave - 80 MS points. This is a music visualizer app that distinguishes itself by not allowing you to choose your own music once in the app. Sure you can start playing your music and then start up Reef Rave, but the visuals don't seem to try and match the rhythm of your music, so there isn't much of a reason to.
Updates
Kodu Game Lab
Hangman's Revenge!
Johnny Crush
Biology Battle
クレッシェンドシンフォニー (Crescendo Symphony)
Halfbrick Blast Off - price change to 240 MS points.
Micro Invasion - price change to 80 MS points.
Ocean Scenes - price change to 80 MS points.
Carrum - price change to 240 MS points.
Snax Lite (Cooking Arcade) - price change to 80 MS points.
Barf and Beer - price change to 80 MS points.
Retro One - price change to 80 MS points.
Retro One Part 2 - price change to 80 MS points.
Aquarium HD - price change to 80 MS points.
Fridgy - price change to 80 MS points.
Jigdoku - price change to 80 MS points.
Math Sniper 3D - price change to 80 MS points.
No Frills Sudoku - price change to 80 MS points.
No Frills Cross Sums - price change to 80 MS points.
Time and Tune - price change to 80 MS points.
NaviFairy
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 7 August 2009
Other stuff like this: dream build play, indie, price drop, Spaceman, Xbox 360, XNA
