The Xbox Live Arcade is a service on the Xbox 360 allowing users to download games to their hard drive for a small price. This method of distribution allows smaller cheaper games to be easily distributed via the service. Going one step further, there is also a collection of 'indie' games available, from smaller developers and for a smaller cost, encouraging new ideas and games to be created for the system. Whilst this has lead to several less exciting products, (how many rumble pad-using massage applications do you need?) it has also allowed some varied and interesting games. Also, Microsoft have made a selection of full retail games available for download, via its 'Games on Demand' service, although these are at a full price and tend to take up a hefty amount of hard drive space.
The Xbox Live arcade service then has a range of new and retro games available for download. By purchasing 'Microsoft points' either via credit card or obtaining code cards from retailers, you can download these directly to play instantly. Below are a few of my recommendations to get you started.
Shadow Complex
Shadow Complex is a platforming shoot-em up, where you explore a hidden terrorist base after you and your new girlfriend accidentally stumble across it whilst exploring some caves. Similar in style to early Metroid and Castlevania games, this 'Metroidvania' style has you searching through rooms, plenty of shooting, a few boss battles and the obligatory rpg-esque upgrades, including better weapons and armour, but also new ways to pass terrain, ensuring you can backtrack through previously visited areas to find new areas to explore which you couldn't reach before.
This is a fun and interesting little game, and with voice work from Nolan North, the voice behind Uncharted's Nathan Drake, the main character is interesting enough to keep you pushing forward. Varied level design keeps things fresh throughout, although at times pulls you out of the illusion as although the game plays in 2d, the graphics are 3d, allowing you to shoot into the background and so on. This is an interesting idea which at times works well and at other times gets frustrating. The design of the base also doesn't seem to make much sense and is mostly engineered for puzzling, platforming and route finding gameplay, and not nefarious terrorist activities, which jars with the story a little. The game is relatively short, although challenge modes with online leaderboards do keep you interested for a while after you finish the main game.
Overall, this is an enjoyable game, and genuinely enjoyable for most parts, however towards the end it starts to get a little repetitive, and without more imaginative bosses and upgrades starts to stall a little. It's still enjoyable though and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something to fill time before the next Metroid game on the Wii.
Braid
Braid seems simple enough on the surface, a simple platformer with a few puzzles to work through. But this is game design at its best, with a variety of challenging time based puzzles and an interesting if unspecific plot. The game constantly throws new elements at you, and each world builds on the general theme, with the ability to manipulate time to unlock puzzle pieces. The brilliant music and art all work well to create a unique and memorable experience, and the game is challenging but fair, just as you think you have got the hang of it, it throws you a curveball and you have to completely rethink the way you play it. Levels are designed with the minimum of wasted space, each puzzle stands on its own and the ideas in it are usually never repeated.
This is a fantastic game, evoking nostalgic feelings for intricate platforming and creating a fascinating world without ever giving away too much. Unfortunately, as is the case with a lot of these games, the experience is sweet, but ultimately short, a few of the later levels may cause a few headaches, but there is not a huge amount of content, possible a deliberate move to deliver what is basically concentrated and quite brilliant levels.
I really enjoyed this game and would recommend to platforming and puzzling fans alike.
Castle Crashers
Double Dragon, Final Fight, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage. Classic 90's side scrolling brawlers. Taking that simple formula- walk from one side of the level to the other beating on henchmen then, after figuring out the attack patterns of a boss, defeating it and moving onto the next level, Castle Crashers updates it for the Xbox 360 and creates a brilliantly playable adaption, with interesting bosses, rpg elements, shops and a world map.
With a unique visual style, Castle Crashers initially puts you in the shoes of a knight, fighting to rescue princesses and defeat monsters, through several varied levels and defeating a medley of enemies and varied bosses. You are constantly kept on your toes, with a decent variety of challenges and things to do. With a good sense of humour and style, this is an enjoyable and challenging romp through a great game, and after finishing you can unlock new characters to replay the game with, and a harder difficulty level to use your beefed up characters in.
The game comes into it's own in the multiplayer, where you can take your character online or play with up to 4 people and tackle the game together. This leads to co-op/counter-op situations, where characters rush to get the most kills, and gold, and tactics and health are shared. You can also find upgraded weapons and familiars- animals which follow your character and confer bonuses upon them.
This is an enjoyable game with a range of good gameplay elements packed into what initially is just a simple brawler. Played best with a friend or 3, this game definitely deserves a look.
Got any recommendations of Live games to download? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading! Andrew
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