Xbox Live Arcade Wrap-Up and Review: Week of May 8, 2011

Another week has come and gone, and with it, two more Xbox Live Arcade releases have hit the Marketplace. One is a throwback to a classic 80’s Atari 2600 game, but with revamped graphics and gameplay. The other is a boldly original shooter from Electronic Arts, one that’s destined to become a classic. How do they fare overall? Let’s break it down.

Star Raiders - (800 Microsoft points) This is the second recent reboot from Atari (following the 3-D shooter Yars Revenge) that attempts to do something bold with an 80’s franchise that fared well on the Atari 2600, and, like Yars, it ends up falling flat. The game has you in control of a space combateer as they take on enemy ships and escort fellow rebels in a battle to save the galaxy or something like that. I’m only very short with the plotline because, well, the game is too. There’s no driving factor to keep you going here, no noble cause or even any sort of drive to keep you motivated. The gameplay tries to keep up, but there are some problems. First, it’s repetitive, as you spend most of your time flying around and shooting enemies, Starfighter style. That’s okay, but the enemies hardly put up much of a fight, and some take too long to destroy. Secondly, the transformations are weak, and the controls almost change up completely with each form you take. It’s confusing. Finally, the graphics remind us of a poor Halo clone, not really pushing forward in any sort of creativity. Worst of all, the game has no online multiplayer, as originally promised. So you’re fighting on your own. And that’s a real drag in this galaxy.
Overall, SKIP IT.

Gatling Gears - (1200 Microsoft Points) a game that appears to take place in a steampunk-style 1940’s combat world, where you control a walker as it runs through areas, blasting invading enemies from the ground and sky. That souhds like it’s been done before, and it kinda has, but Vanguard has managed to rejuvenate the formula with exciting gameplay, non-stop action and a presentation that’s so good, you’d think it was retail. The areas you run through in Gatling Gears are amazing, with lots of attention paid to the décor and plenty of stuff that blows up real nicely. There are times the screen overflows with enemies, but that just means you have to put some hustle into your assault. Just deal with it, bucky. The gameplay is pure twin-stick magic, and your variety of weapons – including upgradeable grenades and missiles – let you dish out some major damage. And for later enemies in the game, you’ll need them. Along with exquisite presentation and gameplay, Gatling Gears also has a great shop where you can buy extra goods, a main character (Max Brawley) who actually provides some heft to the game, some interesting comical moments, and some of the best boss encounters we’ve seen in a shooter for a long time. Plus the online leaderboards will keep you gunning – literally – for the highest score possible. Some multiplayer would’ve been great, but Gatling Gears still works tremendously on a solo level. Its price is higher than most but if you’re a fan of outstanding throwback shooters and got about 1.5 GB free on your hard drive, it’s worth every penny.