July 01, 2009

XBLI Trial Rundown - 7/1/09

Kodu
Kodu is something else. It's not really an XBLI game, despite its placement in the service's library. It's actually a Microsoft developed visual programming language for games. If you have any interest in easy game creation (think Little Big Planet easy) then you'll want to give this one a look. The options seem rather limited, but sometimes the most creative things can come from the simplest of tools.
(400pts)

Shiatsu Massage
If you absolutely must play one of the many massage apps on XBLI, Shiatsu Massage is certainly the most polished and tasteful offering. The game includes several massage techniques, including headache remedies, stress relief, and the obligatory partner massage. If rubbing a vibrating controller all over your face (or vagina) is your thing, you can't really go wrong here. (200pts)

Gravity Bounce
Gravity Bounce is a simple and surprisingly fun physics game. You play as a red ball, tossing yourself at a collection of other balls in an attempt to tether to them. Once tethered, you swing in a circle, charging the ball with electricity so it can be tossed at other charged balls. The goal is to clear the board by colliding all the balls within the time limit. Gravity Bounce won't win any awards for graphical achievements, but it gets the point across. (200pts)

Shield Defense
Imagine Breakout, except you're in the center of the screen bouncing balls outward. That's the basic premise behind Shield Defense. You rotate a reflective shield to bounce bullets back at a squad of tanks. As you progress the game allows you to upgrade between rounds, with progression reminiscent of a tower defense game. It's not a bad concept, but the pace is far too slow, and the physics are just as questionable as they are in Breakout. (400pts)

Meet UR Match
Here we have a party matching game that supports the Scene It! big-button controllers. It might be cool for people who have those things taking up space somewhere. For everyone else - it's a matching game, you figure it out. (200pts)

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