Welcome to the third and final part of our look at the some best Xbox Indie Games of 2010 covering the releases between September and December. If you missed the first two parts you can read them here and here.
The competition was hot in the later part of 2010 with some great releases, particularly in December thanks to the Indie Games Winter Uprising. I was dreading having to decide to pick my top two games for this month, I knew what the first was but the second game I struggled on! It was partly the reason asking people for their favourite games and two games in particular were regularly mentioned.
I would like to say thanks firstly to all the developers of Xbox Indie Games, there are some real gems of games being made and it allows people to take risks with new innovative games and twists on classics. I would also like to thank everyone that supports the indie games by following the releases and purchasing them. Indie Games are often overlooked, but this year has shown that quality games can be made so please do continue to spread the word!
Finally, thanks to everyone that posted their favourite XBLIG in our post last week. As promised, we have two codes to give away and the winners picked at random are skaipio who wins Aphelion Episode 2 and Sandy R who wins Crossfire 2. Please check your email or DM for your codes shortly.
Don’t forget, if you are in need of Microsoft Points to buy all these great games then please visit Game Points who sell cheaper Microsoft Points as well as Xbox Live Gold subscriptions and loads more. Game Points are our only sponsors and without them we would not be able to keep the site up and running so please keep them in mind and spread the word!
September
radiangames Inferno
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radiangames Inferno is another great game by radiangames. Straying from their previous shooter style games, radiangames experimented with an action game that requires you to find the exit while collecting the gold on the levels and avoid or shoot the enemies. An upgrade system is included which allows you upgrade your ship capabilities. The graphics and sound are up to the expected standard and at only 80 :MSPoints: this is another must have. You can find more information here.
By brandonandsue – It’s a combination of Gauntlet and Geometry Wars. It’s a fun single player experience, but also a lot of fun playing with your kids, as only one of you have to make it through a stage to move on (and then both respawn). Different upgrades to choose from, boss battles, a second “plus” mode with tougher enemies and no health items. Unbelievable experience for only $1.
Josh Tills – There have been many many indie games that have looked good, I just never purchased them though because I didn’t have microsoft points. I did win Inferno though, that game is AMAZING… kind of makes u feel like a stealthy metal gear solid snake, well kind of haha
Hypership Out of Control
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Hypership Out of Control is a retro themed vertical scrolling shooter. Your Hypership has no breaks and the accelerator is stuck at full throttle. You start of at a snails pace and as you shoot and dodge your way through the levels full of asteroids, space structures and mine fields trying to stay in one piece, your ship increases in speed. This is a great pick up and play game that will keep you coming back for more and it recently received an update which adds a new reversal mode to give even better value. Hypership Out of Control costs 80 :MSPoints: and comes highly recommended by myself! You can find more information here and our full review here.
Other titles you should check out are Abaddon: Retribution, Figment (Review), Treasure Treasure: FFEE (Review) and Didgery (Review).
By Brandon Santisteban – Abaddon: Retribution has to be my favorite even though there were so many great releases. I’ve put at least 18 hours into this RPG/Strategy shooter.
October
Explosionade
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Explosionade is an action game with a challenge style gameplay. You work your way through a number of rooms to infiltrate a base which is chock full of bipedal aliens and their mind-blasting hellions. To complete the level you must destroy them all to unlock the exit. The graphics and sounds are very good quality and there is also two player co-op support. This a action packed game which plays very well and was a regular mentioned game by quite a few people in our feedback. Explosionade costs 80 :MSPoints: and you can find more information here.
By E.M.C. – It’s a great 2d sidescrolling shooter. I like the art direction and it was quite fun. For a $1 it was well worth it.
radiangames Fluid
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radiangames Fluid reminds me of Pac Man, you must navigate a maze like level to collect all the dots and avoid the swarms of killer jellyfish. The aim is to complete the levels as fast as possible so replaying levels is essential to take advantage of powerpills, speed pads and teleporters to improve them. Once again radiangames got the playability just right and once again it will keep you coming back for more and more. radiangames Fluid costs 80 :MSPoints: and you can find more information here.
Other titles you should check out are Blazin’ Balls Xtreme Edition and Steam Heroes (Review).
November
Panic Attack-Devil’s Favorite
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Panic Attack-Devil’s Favorite is an unofficial sequel to DeRail Games Jump ‘n Bounce released earlier in the year. It is a challenging arcade platform style game where you must get to the end of the level within the time limit. This game may appear simple in looks but the levels are craftily designed to push your joypad skills to the limit. Touching any objects such as spikes or flames will result in an instant death and it will return you to either the start of the level, or the mid level checkpoint. While the graphics are a little basic it gives the game a retro feel which is greatly enhanced with the excellent selection of music provided by 8 Bit Weapon and ComputeHer. If you enjoyed games such as Super Meat Boy you should definitely take a look at Panic Attack. Panic Attack costs 240 :MSPoints: and more information can be found here and our full review here.
The TEMPURA of the DEAD
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The TEMPURA of the DEAD is an action platform game with lovely looking retro graphics. You play using two interchangeable characters; Presedent Tompson and Samurai Sugimoto who must find and destroy the Germs of Calamity to restore peace. Along the way are zombies and various other enemies in your path so this is no easy task. This is a great oldschool action platformer done very well and is amongst my top platforms games released this year. The TEMPURA of the DEAD costs 240 :MSPoints: and you can find more information here.
Other titles you should check out are radiangames Fireball, The Deep Cave and Space Police on SuperHighway 9.
By Sandy R – The Deep Cave is quite appealing to people who enjoy super meat boy or have played VVVVVV for the pc.
By skaipio – A similar adrenaline rush can be experienced with radiangames’ Fireball. It’s an amazing experience to wind through the onslaught of icy enemies that keep pursuing the player’s fireball relentlessly. If maneuvering the fireball through tight spaces between the masses of enemies, chaining mine explosions and activating supernovas in the very last moment does not get your blood pumping, consider yourself a zombie.
December
Epic Dungeon
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Epic Dungeon is a top down view dungeon crawler. I guess you could say it is a mix between Gauntlet and a Rogue like game. The graphics are a chunky retro style sprite design with a more modern look to provide a nice mix of graphic styles which works very well. You start the game as one of a few character classes and must work your way down the dungeon levels (there are 50) to reach your goal. Along the way you will encounter many varieties of enemies, collect gold and equipment and level up your character. Everything works great and in my opinion it is one, if not the best, XBLIG releases this year! There is hours of play in this game with good re-playability and I have read the game is still being worked on for an update which will only make things even better. Here is the best thing, the game only costs 80 :MSPoints:, buy this game now you will not be disappointed! More information can be found here and our full review here.
By Triton – Epic Dungeon for sure. It’s addicting and fast-paced with nostalgia-inducing graphics, music and sound. At 80msp it’s a complete steal – I would pay 800msp for it if I could.
radiangames Crossfire 2
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radiangames Crossfire 2 is radiangames latest and possibly last Xbox Indie Game. The developer makes a living out of creating games and if sales do not meet his targets he may move on. So why should you buy Crossfire 2? Simple, it is great, as echoed by many other gamers in our XBLIG of 2010 comments page. Crossfire 2 takes all that was good in Crossfire, the innovative take on Space Invaders with being able to change between the top and bottom of the screen. There are also improvements in all the right places such as an additional Score Attack mode and the ability to upgrade many stats for your ship such as more health, bullets and power. You can read our full review here. If this is radiangames last game then they have gone out on a real high and losing them would be a big loss. So please at least download the trial version and check it out, the full game only costs 80 :MSPoints: a bargain! More information can be found here.
Other games you should check out are Break Limit, Ubergridder, SCORE RUSH, DECIMATION X3, Soulcaster 2, Aphelion Episode 2: Wings of Omega, ZP2KX: Zombies & Pterodactyls!, OSR Unhinged and Curse of the Crescent Isle.
Jake The Best – Soulcaster II is recommended if you are into Role Playing Games, if so, it’s for you. It has an old take on RPG’s, check out some of the screen shots to find out what I mean. The soundtrack in the game alone is very good. It’ll cost you 240 points, so make sure it’s the game for you before buying it. If you appreciate these kinds of games and LOVE retroness, it’s for you! soulcaster II game of the year
Cthulhu Saves the World was released yesterday and unfortunately I did not have a chance to fully play the game. It looks to be an amazing RPG and could have earned a spot in Decembers top games. So I wanted to at least mention the game here as I know many people have been waiting for it. We will have a review for the game in a few days so keep an eye out for it!
That wraps it up for our Xbox Indie Games of 2010. I hope you have enjoyed reading our articles and something has caught your eye. We can’t wait to see what 2011 brings!
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