XBLI Trial Rundown – 7/28/09

Maladras
The Popcap visual style (Zuma, Peggle, etc.) is becoming about as overdone as the neon graphics popularized by Geometry Wars. On the other hand, having a solid graphical reference point in your low budget indie game ain’t such a bad idea. Maladras seems to run with this notion, skipping over artistic merit and focusing on polished and unique puzzle gameplay. It’s a card matching game with a twist, but before you groan, know that Maladras follows through brilliantly. The cards are laid out before you, face up – the trick is that you have to be able to draw a line from one card to the other, and that line can only change direction twice. It’s certainly a little odd, but once you see it in practice it makes sense. (200pts)

 

 

Xtreme Polygon
Even in my game development stint, I fell into the same trap: "I liked Geometry Wars, let me show you." It happens because you think it’ll be really easy, and it is. At least, until you try to do something remotely interesting. The developer of Xtreme Polygon clearly got bored before that happened. Sure there’s multiplayer, but root canals aren’t any more fun with a friend, so I don’t see why this would be. (200pts)

 

The Review Channel
Clever, rather than make another Geometry Wars clone (okay, I’ll stop), this developer chose to jump the gun on Microsoft. Review Channel is an app that allows users to review each indie game and see the consensus from the rest of the community. Unfortunately this should have been done sooner, Microsoft is adding this feature (for free) in just a few short weeks. (200pts)

 

Physics Sandbox
On XBLI there are games, there are lifestyle apps, and then there are toys, and Physics Sandbox is a great little toy. You’re given a 2D plane and a toolbox to unleash upon it. You can drop in shapes, attach springs, and adjust the laws of gravity. You won’t be making fine art, but you’ve probably done worse things in MS Paint. (200pts)

 

TabeBALL
TabeBall is foosball on a TV screen. Sure it works (and looks) great, but real foosball is already an approximation of real soccer. Ultimately, the game gets a little more diluted and a little less fun each step of the way. It’s a good version of a game that doesn’t need to exist in videogame form. (200pts)

 

Max Fun Times
Max Fun Times is apparently a customizable drinking game, but to me it looks like a spinner that randomly tells you how much fun you’re having. Sometimes you’re having max fun time! If I didn’t know better I’d be digging around looking for the box to this game, because it seems like there are missing pieces. (200pts)

 

Crescendo Symphony
I find myself playing less and less Japanese games every year, but that doesn’t change the respect I have for game development on their side of the world. The work ethic and sheer talent results in games that have a ridiculous level of polish and attention to detail. That’s why I approached Crescendo Symphony so cautiously. As the first Japanese release on XBLI, it was sure to be beyond most of what’s come along so far. That, and it was one of those godforsaken "sexy" bullet-hell shooters. Thankfully, I don’t have to embarrass myself for liking Crescendo Symphony because it’s yet another sub-par, drab, and repetitive XBLI offering. Move along. (240pts)

 

Gum Drop Celestial Frontier
Gum Drop Celestial Frontier offers a cool idea: you’re a ship with a tractor beam instead of a gun. Your only means of attack is to grab hold of space garbage and swing it towards your enemies. Unfortunately, the idea is a little half-baked. The controls are off and the collision detection with your mothership leads to some awkward moments. Thankfully, its title is so ridiculous that you’re bound to try it anyway. (200pts)

 

Shopping Crazy
This game is absurd on so many levels that I wish I could recommend it. Unfortunately, this tale of drama in the ball pit and infants trapped in mazes of balloons isn’t very entertaining. It’s basically an adaptation of that tile puzzle where one piece is missing, and you have to shift the rest of them around to make a picture. Does anyone really enjoy those? (200pts)

 

XNA ShortNovel Series Vol.01
Jam on the A button and a bug-eyed anime girl will yell at you in Japanese for all of 60 seconds. Then the game ends. I’m sure she was super-mad at you for making her take care of your pet tentacle monster. (240pts)

 

Skwug
Whoa, someone inadvertently made a Nightcrawler videogame! If you ever played an X-men game on the Genesis, you’re bound to have a soft spot for Skwug. You’re a blob who can teleport up to three times before touching the ground again. The idea is to use this ability to work your way through a maze of traps. It’s actually also a lot like the recently released ‘Splosion Man, so it has a lot going for it. If only this title were a bit more polished, I’d have no trouble giving it the full recommendation. (200pts)