Review

TIC: Part 1 was developed by Red Candy Games. It was released on June 21, 2011 for 240 Microsoft Points. A copy of the game was provided by the developer for review purposes.

TIC: part 1 is an stunning example of what the Xbox Live Indie Marketplace was made for. This simple, beautiful game is amazing from one end of the spectrum to the other. It’s got bright vivid colors, a simple story line, a unique art style and most of all it’s tons of fun. You control TIC, a robot who needs to save the world from oil stealing aliens. To do so, you must fly, collect and drill your way through the stages.

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Braid was developed by Number None Inc. and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released on August 6, 2008 for 1200MSP. The price has since been permanently reduced to 800MS points.

Braid is a puzzle/platformer where you manipulate time in order to help main character; Tim, save the princess of his dreams from an evil monster. Tim’s motivations are hinted throughout the game with text passages in each world hub. In case you still haven’t played Braid, we’ll keep story elements vague to avoid spoiling the experience. Along your journey, time manipulation mechanics will build and evolve in each world making Braid and incredibly unique experience that stands out as one of those games that players will likely never forget.

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iCandy is developed and published by Dandysoft. It was released on the Xbox Live Marketplace May 3, 2011 and cost 80MSP. A copy of the game was provided by the developer for review purposes.

iCandy is a board based, puzzle style game. This concept is a little different and makes for quit a challenge, you must place a candy square on every block of the board. This sounds simple enough, but the challenge comes in when you have to start matching the color and candy style of all blocks. You can complete a straight line, which makes the whole row disappear, but you have to keep in mind to keep all colors on the board and playable. 25 levels, 9 pretty girls, and trophies await you in this candy packed puzzler.

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Gerbil Physics was developed by Beringela, now known as Pencel games. It was released on Xbox Live Marketplace December 7, 2009 and cost 80MSP.

Gerbil Physics is a simple block and physics puzzle game. The premise is simple: use a set amount of tools per level to get all blocks below the red line. With bombs, ropes and a disintegrators at your disposal, it’s your job to beat all 24 levels of gerbil mayhem.
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The Last Pod Fighter was developed and published by Fighter9 and was released for Xbox Live Indie Games on May 9th, 2011 for 80MSP. A copy of the game was provided by the developer for review purposes.

The Last Pod Fighter is an arcade style 3D space shooter that throws players into battle against several other space ships. It features four different pods (the game’s powerups) at your disposal to help you defeat the waves of enemies. There are two styles of game play at your disposal: arcade, in which you fight enemies round by round trying to get to the capital ships (bosses), and survival mode, which is self-explanatory.

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Gatling Gears was developed by Vanguard Games and published by EA. It was released on May 11th, 2011 for 1200MSP. A copy of the game was provided for review purposes.

Gatling Gears is a top-down, dual-stick shooter where you play as a retired Gatling Gear pilot, Max Brawley. Your objective is to shoot your way through 30 levels including six boss fights in order to stop the “Empire” from destroying your surrounding area and draining all natural resources. The story is lacking, but dual-stick games are all about the action, not the story. Gatling Gears certainly does bring hours of fun filled action, but the game also has its fair share of problems.

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Weapon of Choice is developed and produced by MommysBest and was released on Xbox Live November 14, 2008. A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for reviewing purposes.

Weapon of Choice is a fast paced side scrolling shoot’ em up reminiscent of favorites like Gunstar Heroes and Contra. The player character is tasked with protecting the world from a horde of invading aliens. There are branching levels giving players the ability to choose where they want to, each direction leading to a different ending. There are seven unique characters, each has a unique gun and double jump. This gives players a very diverse way to play through the levels.

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SFG Beach Volleyball was developed by Stir Fry Games and released on June 7, 2010 for 400 Microsoft Points. A copy was provided by the developer for review purposes.

Are you dying to have some fun in the sun but are either afraid of sand or are a vampire? Stir Fry Games has got you covered with SFG Beach Volleyball. A game featuring those lovable Xbox Live Avatars you have grown so attached to is a no brainer right? Well, with there being a considerable lack of beach volleyball games available, this title may just be what you’re looking for. That is however, if you have some friends to play with. Get your shovel and pale because we’re digging in to this one.

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Earth Shaker was developed by Battenberg Software and was releases February 2, 2010 for 80MSP. A copy of this game was provided to us by the developer for review purposes.

Earth Shaker is a very simple idea. Move your character around the stage collecting all the diamonds and then make your way to the exit, think Crystal Defender meets Dig Dug. This sounds simple enough until you add in the fact that each stage is larger then the screen so you have no clue where everything is. With boulders to crush you, enemies to kill you and walls to keep you out each stage gets a little harder then the last.

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Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes was developed by Capybara Games, published by Ubisoft and released on April 14, 2011 for 1200MSP.

Clash of Heroes stems from the Might & Magic franchise but takes it into a completely different direction with puzzle/strategy-based gameplay and a fairly self-contained storyline from the rest of the series’s continuity. With roots in the familiar match-three mechanics of games like Bejeweled, Clash of Heroes may appear to be quite generic at first glance. However, the game’s critical success in its 2009 Nintendo DS release suggests otherwise. Does Capybara’s latest XBLA release manage to carry over a winning formula that can capture the love of a different gaming audience? Read More