GRcade's Recommended XBLIG pg 1 updated 27/09

I signed up, just for this thread:) Been following it for a while. Love your mini-reviews qupe:) Not many indie game reviews to be found lately, it seems:/

Hidden In Plain Sight is one of my favorites. Me and my friend laughed so hard while playing it, she mostly.

My favorites from the top of my head:

Meep
Motorheat
They Breathe
Unbound
Speedrunner HD
Apple Jack
Home Run Challenge

So sorry I have not been posting loads recently. I have a lot going on and it is quite time consuming. Here is a round up of games released over the past 6 weeks. I have loads still to go through.

Manic Miner 360 (240pts) - Marketplace Link

Manic Miner may split people on XBLIG depending on your age I feel. If your younger than 23 it may not appeal. If your older you'll appreciate the game for what it is, a game of memory and platforming skill.

The game has very basic, simple, controls. You move left or Right and Jump. There are no floaty platform mechanics in play here, you need to time things to perfection in order to progress.

The game features a cheat mode, which enables you to play through with unlimited lives, and the normal mode where you'll try to progress through the rooms with your basic 3 lives - the ultimate challenge.

It's a classic, it may not be for everyone, but people of a certain age may appreciate it more.



Verdict: Buy


Washington's Wig (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Washington's Wig won Team2Bit IGN’s Next Game Boss, but to be honest that means jack gooseberry fool to me.

I found this game slow, repetitive and boring as hell. Humour, not that it's funny, is not enough to save what is essentially a dull get to the end of the stage game by jumping a bit. There are better versions on a mobile for free.



Verdict: Avoid


Super Amazing Wagon Adventure (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Is a charismatic - slightly nuts, 8bit looking, shooting game.

Try it, grow to enjoy it. Play it again make different choices or experience whatever the game throws at you, via it's random scenarios, and your party of 3 next.

The game has some issues, occassionally the difficulty is a little tough and you'll struggle to avoid some things, like dead bloody skunks, due to the size of your wagon, you'll watch as your team members get a sudden illness and their energy sapaway but despite this I found SAWA good fun to play.

Unlockables, additional modes....Just go get it, it's enjoyable fun.



Verdict: Buy



Sushi Castle (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Milkstone release an arcade roguelike game for XBLIG.

The game mixes the rooms about, it has each time I have played so far, and you'll have to progress through the game without a save. It's tough and sometimes you'll curse as you'll get so far and then get trapped in a room with an enemey that slaughters you and you have to start all over again. But the game has that one more go factor for me, it looks good and has some nice bosses, but I'd also say be prepared for a few cuss words when you get sent back to the beginning.

Milkstone have promised to add more content as the game hits sales targets.



Verdict: Buy



Obsessive Collecting Disorder (80pts) - Marketplace Link

OCD is a challenging platformer, punisher to some, broken into 7 sections with each section containing 10 stages. Your aim is to complete these 10 stages as fast as possible enabling you to post a decent time on the high score table. It's nothing new but it does everything well enough. Decent value for 80pts.



Verdict: Buy



Pig & Bullet (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Pig & Bullet is a conversion of a mobile game.

The XBLIG features 4 games modes but they are all very basic games but again all scored based.

The biggest issue for me with Pig & Bullet is that it has no high score table, so each play you'll start afresh and for me it renders the whole game pointless, it's a highscore game for flip sake.

Normally with this type of game you'll go back to try an beat a score set by yourself or a friend but due to the score only being based on your current session I believe that you'll rarely go back to this as there is no incentive.

If a high score table is added then I may move this up a level but as it is I just don't see the point. Nice soundtrack though.



Verdict: Avoid



Little Ninjas (80pts) - Marketplace Link

A very primitive fighting game.



Verdict: Avoid



Pulse: Fight The Night (80pts) - Marketplace LInk

Twin sticks games have to be special to be recommended there are way too many on the service. This is a bog standard one and that annoying looping soundtrack grrrrrr.



Verdict: Avoid


Masteroid (80pts) - Marketplace Link

You'll play it once and that's it. There will be nothing else to see.



Verdict: Avoid



Dead Sea (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Dead waste of a potentially good idea. Swim, QTE, Swim, QTE, Swim. Game over.



Verdict: Avoid (although try it to see how bad it is)



Mister Jump (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Very very basic platformer that has nothing enticing you to play it. The game also seems to pinch it's sound and graphics from other games.

(18 minutes play through)

Verdict: Avoid

Men wrote:I signed up, just for this thread:) Been following it for a while. Love your mini-reviews qupe:) Not many indie game reviews to be found lately, it seems:/

Hidden In Plain Sight is one of my favorites. Me and my friend laughed so hard while playing it, she mostly.

My favorites from the top of my head:

Meep
Motorheat
They Breathe
Unbound
Speedrunner HD
Apple Jack
Home Run Challenge

Thank you for the post. I keep meaning to try Hidden in Plain Sight, but as this thread is about games that Grcade members recommend too, I'll add it to the front page as I know enough people have recommended it for multi-player fun.

Super Amazing Wagon Adventure has been reviewed on the EDGE and Eurogamer websites...

http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/supe ... ure-review

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... ure-review

8/10

I have a hell of a lot of catching up to do and the process has started today.

Firstly the Indie Uprising 3 has begun today. Website: Indie Uprising 3

Trailer



The first game has been released today and it's Qrth-phyl (80pts) Marketplace Link

From the maker of the excellent Leave Home, I hope you purchased that one, comes this Snake/Pac-Man clone in a 3d environment. The first time you play it you'll be a bit lost but soon you'll get the hang of things and be pressing the start button to try and get further in the game/beat your highscore.

If you visit the Notes page on the elements part you'll find more play modes from levels you've cleared. It's an addicitive game, once you get the hang of things, and I definitely recommend giving it a go.



Verdict: Buy


Funky Balls (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Monkeyballesque game, your avatar is on top of the ball instead of inside, where the objective is simple; get to the exit on each level. The challenge, on later levels, comes from collecting all the gems, monkey badges, stars and beating the level times as quickly as possible; so in total 6 objectives on each level. There are 5 worlds with each world containing 5 levels. As you progress you unlock different balls with different abilities, like quad jumps. The game is nicely presented my only issue at times is with the camera which seemed to be fixed so on some levels made collecting all gems a little harder then it needed to be.

However despite all this I think Funky Balls is a decent game and a steal for 80pts. Go pick it up.



Verdict: Buy


I have loads of games to catch up on so will be posting a bit over the next few days. The guys on here have already mentioned Murder Miners (240pts) - Marketplace Link The game has its own thread here

Day 2 of Indie Uprising 3 and Sententia (80pts) - Marketplace Link was released.

The game is terrible. It is a chore to play, has some terrible controls and.... just leave this one.



Verdict: Avoid

I've tested a fair few games the past few days and currently I've not come across any more games to recommend just yet but have some I am looking forward to trying, not many, but some.

Day 3's effort has just been released. I'll let you know what that one is like soon.

If you're a fan of shoot em ups you must buy this game

Snops Attacks Zombie Defense Squadron (240pts) - Marketplace Link

Beautiful looking and challenging shooter. 4 difficulties. Go try it now!!!!



Verdict: Buy (especially if you're a shooter fan)

and today's Indie Uprising game is Diehard Dungeon (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Search the dungeons to find the keys to escape, avoiding and killing many enemies and bosses. There are bonus chests and bonus rooms that enable you to earn better weapons/upgrades. The first few games be prepared to die, when you restart you'll play the level with a slightly different layout, but you'll learn a bit more about your weapons, spot more traps, bonuses etc. I'd of liked a little more variety in the way you escaped (find keys) rooms but all in all not a bad little game and easily worth 80pts.

The game features 2 game modes; Dungeon mode and Mayhem mode. Mayhem is basically a 3 minute shoot em up stage. Depending on how many sales the game reaches more content may be added.



Verdict: Buy

I'll be downloading Snops Attacks Zombie Defense Squadron and Diehard Dungeon

suzzopher wrote:I'll be downloading Snops Attacks Zombie Defense Squadron and Diehard Dungeon

Did you get a chance to try them? Snops developer have stated they are looking to add bits to the game, improvements etc which is nice.

Today's Indie Uprising games is Gateways (240pts) - Marketplace Link by the developer of Adventures of Shuggy on XBLA.

The game is an excellent platformer/puzzle/explorer game. Use the back buttonto check your map and find out where your next objectives are. Use the power ups you obtain to solve puzzles and progress around the map; the puzzles get more complex the further into the game you get.

The vials, your hit points, are a little difficult to tell when you've been hit and controlling the mirror is a little fiddly but these are small moans on what is another cracking Indie game. (Yes it's also on Steam for those who'd prefer it on PC). The Gateways mechanic is excellently handled. Watch the video for more of an idea on some of these.

Small tip, try not to waste too many of the orbs you collect on the early puzzles if you get stuck, you'll need them on some of the later ones, I did. Some people have said this is like a 2-d version of Portal, I can't comment as I'm still to play Portal.



Verdict: Buy

Smooth Operators (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Build, develop and run your own call centre in this Sim game.

I'll be honest at the begining your options seem pretty limited in what you can do, but as you progress and your call centre grows and more options unlock you have more resources available to expand your centre, take on new employees, new business etc.

The game seems to have a lot of options available as you progress like; adjusting salaries for employees, sending them on vacations, training them up, hiring staff for expansion, motivation, upgrade offices etc.

All in all it's another time consuming game as you build up your centre and expand your business enabling you to build higher and higher.

*There are some codes that you can enter to get some extras, as soon as I know a few of these I'll post them up.



Verdict: Buy

Murders Miners looks like it has a level based on Complex from Goldeneye/Perfect Dark. That is a really cool touch. And yes, Snops Attack looks great.

it's been a while, to be honest there has been so much crap released I lost interest and I've hardly touched my Xbox bar for Netflix.

Here is one to definitely give a go. Bleed (400pts) - Marketplace Link

The controls take a little getting used to but once you do you should be handling your character with ease and tackling the games bosses with ease, well initially at least. You can also buy additional weapons and switch between the two main weapons you carry as and when you wish. The game features 4 difficulties and extra modes are unlocked on completion.

I personally think the game should have priced at 240pts max but still it's a higly polished effort.

Verdict: Buy

Here is an Astralis gameplay trailer



With an accompanying preview:

Astralis Preview

Thoughts welcomed

A few games to talk about today.

Saturn 9 (80pts) - Marketplace Link

A sci-fi horror that has nice production values, some decent puzzles and plays well. May not be the longest game ever but for 80pts I think you're getting your moneys worth here.



Verdict: Buy


Aqua Kitty (240pts) - Marketplace Link

A defender style game with nice graphics and great playability. Features a world based mode and a survival (infinite espresso) mode. I really like this.



Verdict: Buy


One Finger Death Punch (80pts) - Marketplace Link

Straight off the bat, I don't think this game will be for everyone but I think plenty will enjoy it.

Basically it's a time based fighting game. You hit X or B to hit the enemies depending on what side they attack from. You can see that Silver Dollar have put plenty of effort into it, with voiceovers, power moves, weapons, power-ups. The weapon based levels so far have been some of my favourite. It may not be for everyone, check out the video, but I like it even if it's a little repetitive at times.



Verdict: Buy


Mount Your Friends (80pts) - Marketplace Link

This game is great fun and just a little nuts. I think you'll have to watch this video to get an idea what it's like. Great with friends.



Verdict: Buy



I know the front page needs updating and some of the images replacing, I'll try and do that soon.