Hypotenuse (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Iamrese -- Publisher: XBLIG

First impression:
Well, it's another fighting game.. but unlike yesterday, these graphics look better.  Except all it looks like is a bunch of rendered.. lines/boxes?  And they fight?   Hopefully there will at least be some sort of AI so I can actually play the game..

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Fooled around for:  7 minutes (Indie Game Demo Limit)
That was an interesting little game..  So you play a Samurai "Rectangle".. and you are fending off waves of Evil Rectangles.  You have a sword and a few shurikens, as do the enemies.  At first, I wasn't really digging it too much.  The sword-play seemed clunky and the shurikens were are hard to aim enough to actually hit the enemies.  About halfway through my time, I remembered that I had seem "lock-on" in the controls.  That really turned the game around as far as playability.

Unfortunately, the other side of this is just that there really isn't much to the game.  It says on the exit screen that the full version gives you more death animations, items, and enemy types.  Even a small taste of those might have made the demo a little more fulfilling.  I know they don't want to give it all away, but considering there's a 7 minute time limit anyways, why be so stingy?  Makes me wonder how much more it's really going to add to the game.

The music isn't really music.. It's just some pinking of an instrument hear and there.  In a different type of game, this might work better.  Adventure, puzzle, something like that.  In an action game, it's a little too calm.  Maybe it's on purpose, but it just didn't really work for me.

The graphics are good though, despite being simple.  It's "fancy" simple, with all of the animations on what amounts to be very basic shapes.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)
Since it's only a buck, I could almost see myself picking this up.  It might be fun to pick up every now and then.  But the game also doesn't give any indication that it will be keeping track of high scores, or progress or how much the game will actually grow.  For that, I really don't see myself getting too much into this game in the long run.  Despite being a cute little game that is well put together for what it is, I would have to quit it.

Eat my Shuriken and die! (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: FlatRedBall -- Publisher: XBLIG

First impression:
Pretty brutal name.. I have to eat your shuriken.. AND die?  Man..

The screenshots show this actually looks like a Smash Bros clone.  Haven't really seen anything like that before.  Granted, it's pretty basic graphics, and I really don't expect the controls to handle very well at all, but that's what they seem to be shooting for.  I should note as well, that I never really like Smash Bros (yeah, yeah.. get over it) in the first place, so I'm especially not looking forward this.

When the game loads, but before it starts, there is some pretty hyper chiptuney techno crazy music.  If that's the music during the game, it might actually be a little distracting.

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Fooled around for: 0 minutes (!?)

..This wasn't even worth the bandwidth to post, let alone the time it took to actually put this post together.

The game is MULTIPLAYER ONLY WTF?!?!??!  I get that it takes quite a bit of extra time and programming to program AI, especially into a larger scale fighting game, but really?  It should be called Eat my MULTIPLAYER ONLY in the title.  This is dumb.  The game was ugly anyways.  Quit it.

Halloween Extravaganza!

Since it's my first Holiday on this blog, I figured I would do something a little different.  I found 4 "games" to play to make an extended Hit it or Quit it!  I say "games" because it was hard to find 3 "Halloween" games, so the first is actually more like an XBLIG App.  Trick or Treat!  Hit or Quit!

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Daniel Steger -- Publisher: XBLIG

First impression:

All I know so far is the screen is showing me a bunch of differently designed pumpkins.  Probably starting with a blank pumpkin, and using stencils or hand drawn "cut outs" to design how you want it to look.  I'm not expecting this to last long, but maybe it will at least be a little fun!

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Fooled around for: 3 Minutes (Not even worth pushing the 7 minute limit)

Well, that was disappointing, even for having really low expectations.  There's no date in the credits, so I'm not sure if this is just so old, he didn't think to do anything more with it, or he just didn't.  There was no "carving" at all.  It was just:

-- Move the cursor to either:  Left Eye, Right Eye, Nose, Mouth

-- Pick a pre-designed piece

-- Repeat

I was hoping for some hand-drawn carving, being able to put the stencils where you wanted, change the size or shape of the pumpkin, turn the candle inside on or off.. SOMETHING!  There was nothing.  Being the trial, you could only pick the first three choices of any feature.  That's fine though, because you can't do anything with them anyways.  There could have been "save/load".  There could have been "Use this as your gamer picture".

The only options past the limited pumpkin "carving" was to turn the background ghosts and fog off.  Woo.  Oh, and change between different "creepy" soundtracks.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)

With even one of the afore-mentioned features, it might be worth even a buck.  As it is, no.  Quit it.  In his defense, maybe it's his first "game", maybe it was a school project.  Who knows.  I just know he's not getting my dollar.  In case that wasn't clear, again, Quit it.

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Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: BandanaGames -- Publisher: XBLIG

First impression:

It can only get better from here, right?  I sure hope so.  This is another randomly-found Indie Game though, so it could really go either way.  If this is worse than Pumpkin Carver though, I'm not sure I'm even going to be able to continue today.

So far, it's just holding on a title screen, with a picture of some emo little lady and the Press Start thing.  And the music is creepy.  Not "real" creepy.  Just you know it's supposed to be creepy.  But it's abrasive and annoying.  Just not balanced well.   Maybe I should turn the lights off and set the mood...

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Fooled around for:  7 minutes (Indie Game Demo Limit)

I can at least say this was better than Pumpkin Carver.  It turns out it's a screen-by-screen "text" adventure game.  On each screen, each of the four button causes an action.  The story is that you are summoned by your distant aunt to come stay the night and find her at her mansion, and you will receive her inheritence.  Totally normal, right?  

Then, as I mentioned, you just go screen by screen and try to find your way through the house, surrounding areas, puzzles, etc.  It was pretty "easy" and straightforward so far. There was one death from trying to take something from the dog.  Nice to know you can die, but a little worrysome for getting later in the game.  It looks like you should be able to save though. Probably a tough game to pick back up later and know where you left off though.

The only really graphics or animation was the background changing as you went from room to room.  Not much, but at least it's something, considering the type of game.  This could easily be converted to text-only and not need anything.  Unfortunately, the music that would be the only other thing to experience was almost non-existent.  Even a little bit would have helped set more mood.  There were sound effects for some actions though, which was nice too.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)

I was actually pretty engaged by the time the timer shut it down.  I was getting anxious as I knew the time was approaching.  I almost thought about running through again, trying to get further in the 7 minutes, but I won't.  The game seems simple enough so far, it would be fun enough to just see how the rest of it turned out.  I probably wouldn't pay any more than a buck, but for a buck, I might actually buy this and finish it up!  Hit it and make it Halloween Scream (the likely one sitting it would take to finish it, at least)!

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Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: EXOR Studios -- Publisher: Cyberfront Corporation

First impression:

Being an XBLA Game, there's actually a demo video to watch.  Looks like a top-down driving game.  Drive around and take out zombies.  That sounds like some Halloween fun!  Well, it's not really Halloween-y.. just Zombies.. but like I said, it was tough finding actual Halloween games!  

I'm a little concerned it may be tricky controlling it, or the cameras may be weird or something.  Huge bosses.. Missles.. Explosions.. Flamethrowers..  Could certainly be interesting.  Let's see how it actually plays out!

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Fooled around for: ~25 Minutes (and still had at least another level in the demo to play)

Pretty big demo.. Two hefty levels, and a third I still could have played.  I would guess that would be that last one though.  Overall, definitely could even just play the demo again and get something out of it!

As for the game, it is indeed a top-down driving game, where you just mow down bunches and bunches of zombies.  It's like a mix of Carmageddon and Grand Theft Auto.  Each level has a primary objective and a secondary objective.  As you complete them, you earn upgrades you can buy for the various cars you are collecting throughout the game.  It looks like it won't even just be "oh, new car, never use the old one" since they have different stats for different missions, and even different passenger limits, for when you have to rescue people.

The story is that you are stuck in the city, but the military isn't allowed to come in, so they are directing you to give them a hand.  You complete stuff, they buff you.  You can also destroy fences, cars, etc, and earn more cash for buying upgrades.

The graphics are really nice, everything looks super good. The zombies splatter nicely.  The only thing is that the view is pretty high out so you can see a lot, but it makes everything pretty small.  It can be hard to see where all the zombies are sometimes.

As I was worried, it's a little difficult to control, since you are trying to pinpoint your driving to run into zombies.  When you have to clear out the 100 in the area, it can get a little frustrating that you just barely missed a couple of them, then you have to reverse, try to hit them, miss, turn around, etc.  The weapons are also hard to aim because they just shoot forward, but you can't just turn the car without actually driving forward.

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Hit it or Quit it? (800 MSP)

Controls aside, the aesthetics and feeling of the game are great.  I love the idea, and even playing it some.  I just don't know if I have the patience for the controls.  For the 10 bucks I could spend on this, I could get something else on my Buy list that will probably fit me a little better.  It looks like there might be a pretty hefty amount of game underneath all of this though.  I don't know if I have been quite in this predicament yet.  I want to Hit it, I just don't want to pay that much.  I'm not sure how that rates.  I guess I'd Hit it, with reservations, but I wouldn't pay for it...? hm.  At least I can just play the demo again!

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Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Doublesix -- Publisher: Square Enix

First impression:

I'm interested to see that Square Enix is tied to this.  Just as publisher, but still a decent sign, since they wouldn't want to publish garbage.  No video on this one, but the screens suggest a co-op run around and shoot things kind of game.  I'm wondering if it will give me CPU allies, or if I will just be on my own.  Looks like upgrades, and weapons and zombies.  Maybe even kind of like Zombie Driver, except more "friendly" looking.. and not in a car.

The music on the title screen is pretty darn awesome though. Funky spooky with a little rock guitar in there.. Maybe a good sign for the feeling of the rest of the game.  Sounds like a TV show theme..

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Fooled around for:  ~15 minutes

It was indeed somewhat similar to Zombie Driver and to my guesses in general.  It doesn't fill in AI allies, but that's fine.  The setting is definitely a lot more humor oriented than ZD.  ZD was super serious and swearing and realism.  This game reminds me of Grabbed by the Ghoulies.  I don't think I played much of it, but it's a similar art style. 

It also has twin-stick elements.  You move with LS, aim with RS and just take out zombies.  The best part right off the bat is just punching the zombies to death.  Especially when four of them are just right in front of you want you are wailing on them.  Looks pretty hilarious, but also very satisfying.  

Then you talk to the robot gate, they tell you to find a shotgun and kill a bunch of zombies.  Then it will let you through.  Shotgun is, of course, awesome.  I'm guessing there will be a bunch of weapons, a bunch of zombie types, and a bunch of humor throughout the rest of the game.  Considering this could be the end of the world, or at least of just you, the game is somehow still lighthearted about it.

My biggest problem was that in the second stage, I don't know if it was a glitch, or my RB not working (it seems to be on the fritz), but I just couldn't get my shotgun back out.  It was supposed to be the Switch Weapon button, but it just wouldn't trigger.  I will have to check my button in another game, but I'm pretty sure it still works, I just have to press it harder.  I tried that several times and it still didn't do anything.  This caused me to get run over by zombies and I was sad.

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Hit it or Quit it? (800 MSP)

For the same $10 I could have spent on Zombie Driver, I would much rather get this.  This one will actually end up on my To-Buy list.  I am super interested in the rest of the humor this game presents, and also to just mow down zombies with a bunch of weapons.  I enjoy twin-stick shooting way more than car-shooting.  Hit it, while I make Zombie Driver watch.

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Final Note:

So, that's my Halloween Extravaganza!  It definitely started more Halloween-y than it finished, but whatever.  Zombies are close enough.  Also, I could have used these games to help fill out the rest of the week, but oh well.  There are plenty of games to play, it's just trying to find the time to fit them in!  I wonder if there will be any Thanksgiving games to do for that next holiday...

The Fall of Gods (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2011 -- Developer: Geex -- Publisher:  XBLIG

First impression:

Looks like an SNES-era action RPG.  Sprites are a little small on the screen and it makes the whole screen feel a little crowded and distracting, but maybe it won't feel like that in the game.  I have a feeling that 7 minutes of this isn't going to get me anywhere, but we'll see what comes of it.

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Fooled around for:  14 minutes (Two cycles of demo limit)

This is the first time I have actually ran the demo limit twice.  I expect to do this generally for RPGs when it allows you to save, so I can get a better feel for the game.  The first run, most of the time limit was taken by just watching the story intro.

Speaking of, the story was actually pretty interesting.  Kind of a creationist, how the world started, thing, but with magic and the corruption of man leading to the Fall of the Gods (see what they did with the title?).  

My feeling was pretty much right with the graphics though.  The sprites are too small, and the movement isn't grid based.  This isn't always bad, but considering it looks retro, I would rather walk on a grid than free-form and not be able to get around a tree because my hit box is catching too much.  This also leads for some tricky sword swinging.. am I close enough? am I lined up? etc..

The script boasts that there a several dungeons and maps, and lots of puzzles.  This is fine and actually sounds pretty good, except you need to be a super good puzzle designer for so many puzzle to not feel crammed in.  The "puzzles" so far seem that way.  It leads to to exactly what you need to do, except then there is one small piece that is so vague, it's just confusing.  Not because the "puzzle" is tricky, but because the pieces just weren't designed well.

So.. Graphics are okay, controls aren't that tight, and the puzzles have been more annoying than clever.  So much for that interesting story :(

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)

Considering how many retro RPGs I see pop up here and there on XBLIG, I'm guessing some of those are probably tighter than this is.  They may not be action-RPGs, but a tighter turn-based RPG would be more appealing.  I might come back to this someday, but I have a feeling there are plenty of hours of RPGs out there to play before I need to come back to this.  So quit for now, but maybe not forever.

O.C.D. (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: PouncingKitten Games -- Publisher: XBLIG

First Impression:

So, on the back of yesterday's Obsessive Collecting Disorder, here is a game with a similar title.  This one is officially just "O.C.D." but I believe it stands for the same thing.  My XBOX isn't even giving me screenshots on this one though, so I can't say how it's different at all.  I'm assuming it's not just the same game.  The title icons are different, showing a grid of a bunch of swords or something.  Guess I will just jump in and see what happens.

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Fooled around for: 7 minutes (XBLIG Demo Limit)

Ahhhh!  Just when I was starting to get into it, the 7 minutes cut me off.  It's definitely not the same as the last game.  OCD actually stands for Optimal Character Development in this.  Basically, it's an RPG boiled down to some very core mechanics.  There's no story, no wandering around, no maps.  Pretty much just grinding and looting.  And to actually do the grinding and looting, you just play a simple version of something similar to Bejeweled.  As you loot, your loot is based on the types you match.  So you loot a bunch "weapon" and then you get enough to trade in for an actual weapon.  You grind for "level" or "skill" points that you can trade for stats.  As you get more money, items, etc, you can mix recipes, and just keep leveling, building your character, etc.  All without that pesky script to get in the way!

The music is fitting, and just sits in the background.  Might even be better to run your own soundtrack though, since you are just sitting on the same few screens doing the same thing over and over.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)

This game is perfect for me.  Instant gratification towards leveling an RPG character, grinding, looting, etc, is all I really like in my games these days anyways.  I don't have time to watch a 40 hour movie, so to boil the progress down to the basics is great.  I would totally hit it again.  Definitely worth the 1 dollar, probably even more.  I have the points, I'm almost about to just to buy this right now and keep playing... 7 minutes with no save on the demo just isn't enough to really get into this.

Obsessive Collecting Disorder (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Super Smith Bros -- Publisher: XBLIG

First impression:
This will be the last time I mention it for XBLIG games, until something changes and I do get a description, but this has no description after already being downloaded.  Maybe as I download the demos, I will make note of the their description or something.  Or just keep playing blind with some screenshots as my only source of impression.

Otherwise, the title sounds interesting to me.  I feel like sometimes I have this Obsessive Collecting Disorder.  In most games, I am the one who will make sure to clear out the whole map and get everything I can before I move on.  I hate feeling like I forgot something that might be important later.  The screenshots make this game look more like the "collecting" is just grabbing all of the coins in this crazy deathtrap platforming levels. You are a stickman, which is nice and simple.  The graphics in general are pretty simple, but it looks like some pretty intense obstacles.  Hopefully the controls actually hold up and make this fun.

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Fooled around for:  6 minutes (Demo levels ran out before the 7 minute XBLIG limit)
This was definitely a clever little game so far. Unfortunately, there aren't too many levels to play in the demo, but what is there is pretty fun.  The start screen scrolls a mock-up of the first Super Mario Bros. level, as the stickman reaches the castle, it is labeled Craperture Science, a reference to Portal.  The game is kind of set up like Portal as well, in that you are in a testing facility as they test the effects of Obsessive Collecting Disorder.  As you collect the final coin in each stage, it turns into a Portal and takes you to the next stage.

There are a few other references to other games such as a text reference to GTA4 and shooting the pigeons, but also level design references such as timed "disappearing" platforms ala Megaman.  With so many more levels in the full game, I'm betting there are all sorts of references sprinkled throughout the game.

The controls weren't too bad, considering I was worried about them.  They are almost a littttle too tight, causing some overshooting when trying to make fine adjustments.  Thought not perfect, I wouldn't say they are a game-breaker.  The levels are definitely bound to get insanely hard though.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)
Considering I have some OCD myself, I'm not sure this is quite the kind of "collecting" I feel the need to "obsess" about.  This is just collecting for the purpose of finding the right path through level and collecting the coins along the way more as checkpoints that you are playing correctly.  Not really scouring to find them all so you haven't missed something.  That said, it is pretty fun, though a little tricky.  I am really interested in seeing what other references come about in the game though, so I would hit it.  If it caught me at the right time, I might even spend a couple bucks, rather than just the one.

Vidiot Game (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: GZ Games -- Publisher: XBLIG

First Impression:
The name definitely makes a first impression.  Vidiot?  Isn't that an 80s term for someone who watches too much TV or something?  The "icon" picture looks 8-bit and 80s-ish.. and creepy.  Past that, the XBOX is still not really loading any info.  I swear it's supposed to.  Some of the other icon images aren't even loading on the game selection screen. I think something is wrong, but whatever.  As long as the game plays, I guess I don't need a first impression.  Still a little odd/frustrating though...

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Fooled around for: 7 minutes (XBLIG Time Limit)
....wtf.  I'm not even entirely sure what I just played was a game.. or a completed game, at least.  Considering the title, and the game icon, I'm guessing this is just the way it's supposed to be, but it was.. odd.  The whole game is ugly as hell, by design (presumably).  There are built-in graphical glitches, and the colors are nasty and mismatched.  The music is 8-bit and annoying.

Overall, the whole game just doesn't make sense.  It's almost trying to be a mini-game game.. except from one screen to the next, you are left with "What the hell was that..and what the hell is this..!?".  You start by building a character that may or may not matter.  You pick a few basic details that I'm not sure end up actually affecting the "game" because the game consists of things like scratching a lottery ticket that you do or don't win, coming across a foe that you just choose one of three choices, and seem to end up with a random answer, and all kinds of crazy garbage.  What you do doesn't seem to matter, but maybe it does. Maybe there is a way to "win" but if there is, you only know it because you have played it enough to get it wrong and remember what you did.  Past that, it just feels like the ROM got corrupted and the game doesn't even know what it's doing.

Imagine this, except the text is wobbling and you can barely read it.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)
Since I believe this game was built to cause that "wtf" effect, it certainly accomplished that.  The problem is, I can tell if it did that instead of having a real "game" in there.  It's actually kind of a relief to find an XBLIG game that I will quit, just so I know my dollar isn't worthless, but at the same time, it is "only a buck".. and maybe there is something to this game that I just don't "get" yet.  I'm going to err on the side of "no" though, and quit.  I'd really just rather play something that makes more sense.  Or any sense, for that matter.

This.

Sushi Castle (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Milkstone Studios -- Publisher: XBLIG

First impression:
Like Slick, for some reason there is no information given about the game.  I'm pretty sure when you download these things, there is information, so I'm not sure why it's not there now.  Maybe something with the new dashboard, I don't know.  So instead, all I know is the name, and a few screenshots again.  I'm not really sure what to make of this so far.  The graphics are nice and bright and hand-drawn looking.  It looks like I will be travelling from room to room doing something.  Probably just fighting all of these enemies?  I see some items in the HUD, but that's really about it.  It also looks like you are sometimes carrying a panda.. let's see how this turns out..!

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Fooled around for: 7 Minutes (XBLIG Time Limit)
In a small twist of surprise, it actually plays more like a twin-stick shooter than the zelda-clone action button masher I was expecting.  Your starting weapon is a dragon cannon that spits out balls.  They don't seem that strong, and enemies can take quite a lot of balls before they are defeated.  Rooms/Level maps are random each game, which adds to variety, but also to the difficulty.  Sometimes the rooms that are spawned are just plain hard, even if it's the second room.  There are items dropped, but not many, and they are used quickly, though the variety of attack is appreciated.

The colors and graphics are definitely eye catching and fun to watch.  The music is appropriate and didn't get too irritating.  Enemies spew blood, which coats the ground, which is always fun!

Death is death and start a new map.  Seems a little intense, but I guess you -are- supposed to be a ninja.  I imagine the game ramps up in interesting items and things to do, but 7 minutes probably just isn't enough time to get to that.  Especially considering you are collecting coins, but I'm not sure what for (presumably item purchases, but where?).

The in-game menus mention future, free, DLC, which would make a purchase even more valuable.  It also tracks the weapons you have used, for the completionist in you.



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Hit it or Quit it?  (80 MSP)
Considering Indie Games are "only" a buck, and I could definitely do worse things with a buck than even play a bad Indie Game, I have a feeling many XBLIG titles are going to get "hit it" just because of "why the hell not?".  That doesn't mean this game is bad.  It's actually pretty interesting so far, it just might be a little too steep on the difficulty for me.  I would have to know I want to get good at this game to know I wanted to keep playing.  In passing, it's just a bit too tricky/hard.  Regardless, again, "for a buck" yes, I would hit this again.  Even if I stopped caring about getting past the hard stuff, it would have been fun in the meantime.

Also worth noting again is that these are demos I already had downloaded before I started this blog, so it looked good in the first place.  As I finish these pre-downloads and eventually move on to fresh "any" downloads, I'm sure I will run across games that aren't even worth a buck.  I'm a little worried to see what those might be though.

Washington's Wig (XBLIG)

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Team2Bit -- Publisher: XBLIG

This should be an interesting experience.  It's kind of like Sloppy Seconds, but it's not because I've seen it played.  It's most like it's because I've seen it be created.  Washington's Wig was actually on an IGN webseries called The Next Game Boss.  The show was based on 6 teams of indie game developers trying to get through a bunch of challenges and ultimately win a bunch of money, as usual for these types of shows.  The challenges were designed around bumping your original concept up to the next level each week and see if it/you could keep up.  It wasn't the greatest thing I've ever seen, but it was interesting.  So anyways, this game/team was the winners, and then I saw the game pop up on Indie Games a few weeks later.  Pretty cool!

First Impression:
I've seen the game quite a bit, so I pretty much know what to expect.  This is probably most like getting with that "celebrity" you've been watching for years.  You've seen it, but it doesn't mean you don't want to be involved.  I imagine this type of game has to have a genre by now, but it's a forced-run platform type game.  You just scroll from left to right and get as far as you can, and as many points as you can.  Then you just compare it to yourself or some leaderboards and keep going.  In this game, you play a dog who is trying to catch up to George Washington to return his wig.  WTF, right?  Looked pretty fun, if not just a little crazy.  You are jumping across ice floats and dodging crocodiles and such.  At least as far as I remember.  Let's see how it actually plays!

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Fooled around for:  7 minutes (XBLIG Demo Time Limit)
7 minutes always flies by so fast..  Was thinking about taking another 7 at it, but I have enough info to review, so I will just get it done.  As seen on the show, the game design premise is to just be controlled with one button, and it holds true to that.  All you can do is jump, and then double jump.  As you progress levels by gaining enough speed throughout the level to catch up to Washington's boat, he has a bunch of excuses why that isn't the right wig and you start over, but harder.

The graphics are nice and 8-bit retro. I'm always surprised by how much detail artists can get into so few pixels and colors, but it looks pretty good in HD.  The sounds are a little basic. I'm not sure how much work they put into this after the show.  Probably just more levels, but the sounds are probably the most lacking.  The music is a catchy song, but it's just one song.  As the levels go up, you encounter different varieties of dogs as your "enemies".  Each is the same as itself, so you just get used to how to dodge them, and do it quickly.  I think the levels are not randomized, so you could really just get used to each level and get further and further.  I have no idea how far that game goes though.

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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)
If you have the patience for these "simple but hard" Scroller games, as I often do, this is a pretty good one.  It's got some humor, it's got some retro feel.  I am interested in seeing the other dogs more than I am seeing what score I can get to.  I don't know if the game just goes and goes or if you can beat it.

For a buck, I'd buy it and hit it for a while longer.  After I hit one awesome lucky run that would start to get hard to recreate, I'd probably drop out though, maybe load it up again to show a friend.  But for the time I'd get out of until then, definitely worth a buck.

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How do these end up getting longer, the shorter I play a game?  Gotta keep myself focused.  Too many games, too little time.  That's what started this whole thing.  It's nice to really dig into a game, but it's not like I'm playing things long enough for a real review.  The gut reaction is all I need.  I will try to keep that in mind.

Slick (XBLIG)

I feel like playing some some XBOX360 for a change, so it's time for another slightly new format!  XBOX Live Demos (Full Game/Arcade/Indie) will receive a rating based more specifically on whether it's worth paying to continue Hitting it or it needs to be kicked to the curb without even a tip.

In most cases, I can't watch demo/intro screens to get a feel for the game.  All I get is a text description and some screen shots, like I'm ordering a Russian Bride.  Also, for Indie games particularly, I'm limited to only 7 minutes before I need to decide whether it's worth paying for.  (If only that's how real call-girls worked, amirite???)  In Arcade/Full Demos, I can only play so much before the Demo runs out.  The price is higher, but the quality may be better, so that value will affect my decision.

This week, I will be playing Indie Game demos I already had downloaded on my system before I even started this blog, so they already have a leg up in that they seemed interesting enough to Demo.  In the future, I will just start downloading whatever I find so it will be more of a surprise whether I like it or not.  Lets get to it.  This may also mark the start of following some sort of Theme for the week, so I have an excuse to finally mix up the variety instead of just going alphabetically through the Super NES games.

Hit it or Quit it?

Year: 2012 -- Developer: Halcyon Software -- Publisher:  XBLIG

First impression:
The XBOX doesn't have any description for this game.  I don't know if it's a hiccup or it just doesn't.  All I can see are some screenshots.  The color scheme looks like it's being played on an old school Gameboy.  It's pretty much green-scale (versus grayscale).  It looks like one of the Mario Land games, just a standard platformer, jumping around, perhaps collecting coins.  I'm a little uncomfortable at the fact that it shows level 2-17.  17 levels in one world seems a little excessive.  Let's see what this is all about.

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Fooled around for: 7 minutes (Indie Game Demo Limit)
It was about what was expected, except sadly just a bit worse.  There aren't coins.  It turns out it's really just a platformer, or what I might call a Death Platformer or Respawner or something.  It's like Super Meat Boy where the level is only so big, you just need to get from Point A to Point B.  The catch is that the obstacles between those points get ridiculous.  If you die, there's no penalty, you just restart the level from the beginning, so they don't care if they get insanely hard, they just expect you to fight your way through it.

For what it is, it's okay, the problem is that it really does feel like a Gameboy game, sucky controls and all.  The hit boxes are too loose, so many times I died when I really should have been able to avoid the enemy in time.  The jump button repeatedly jumps when held, so a few times on short jumps, it caused me to jump again though I didn't want to. If it's this old-school "hard just because" feeling they were going for, great.  The music is 8-bit and old-school.  The enemies are pretty old-school looking.  If not, it just feels like it's their first game and the physics need just a little more polish.

As noted, there are definitely a lot of levels, which is good, since they run pretty short.  If they were longer, you'd be that much more angry when you died right at the end of it.  I bet it gets to that point though.



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Hit it or Quit it? (80 MSP)
For a buck, I would possibly hit it again.  I would at least think about it.  But I would probably first go try some other demos for games like this that I could buy for a buck in case I found something better first.  If I'm going to plan to spend time really getting into a game like this that gets so hard it takes practice, I want to make sure I'm totally into it.  I'm not sure that's this game.  It definitely wouldn't be if it cost any more than 80 MSP.

So.. Hit it, maybe, after another trip around the bar.