One of the coolest things to happen to gaming since multiplayer and the totally useful Vitality Sensor is the addition of online content. One of the hardest things is the addition of payment methods for it. Each console now has its own pricing and point structure, and each has its own difficulty level. After wondering why each works the way it does, and a little research, this is what I came up with. Read more…

For the second time, Microsoft hosted their ‘Summer of Arcade’ on XBOX Live. SoA is a chance for Microsoft to feature some really top notch Indie games on Live, and really get the community talking.

This year, they had a few really good games, as well as a remake or two. In total, 5 games were released over the five week period. I’m gonna highlight just a few of them, for two reasons, 1. I’ve played them, and secondly, typing up a review of 5 games, let alone a few I have not played, seems unfair.

Golden Shiny Golden.

First up, ‘Splosion Man.

If you’ve heard anything about this game, many references to drugs have been put forward to describe it. I like to use language, and I use that language to say it was a super fun and very engaging. Controls are simple, run and ‘splode. You ‘splode against walls, you ‘splode scientists, and you ‘splode your way across levels and eat cake. Yes, cake. Apparently men made of ‘splosion love their cake.

I’d say, totally pick this game up, its a wild blast of adventure and fun. It will cost you 800 Microsoft Points (10 Dollars in the real world).

Shortly now, we speak of Ninja Turtles. TURTLES IN TIME. Its a rehash of the old game, with updated graphics and not so updated audio. Its fun, but a bit of a bore. Its a button masher, and if you have some friends over its good for a play through.

Get it if you love Ninja Turtles, or are in love with some solid, but repetitive games. This one will set you back 1200 MS Points. (14.99 in Reality.)

Finally, the best. Shadow Complex.

While this game has some interesting controversy behind it, I won’t go into that, I’m going to focus on the gameplay. The sweet, sweet gameplay. This game is everything you would expect from a major production house. You’d be right, it’s created by the same people who made Unreal Tournament. They are some people who clearly know what they are doing. While the story itself is a bit light I felt, the gameplay, graphics, and just sheer in your face amount of fun is completely worth the price of admission. One of the best games I have played in a very long time, and I totally recommend picking it up. Seriously, do so now.

No rating, just buy it. Honestly. 1200 MS Points (14.99 monies.)