Convict Minigames (XBLIG): "A 5 Title Minigame Compilation"

Convict Interactive recently released a compilation of 5 indie minigames. The game's title was appropriately called 'Convict Minigames' since it was Convict Interactive that developed them. The games featured in this set include 'Bop!', 'High Hopes', 'Jurassic Bar', 'Cave In', and 'Triangle Man (which made me think of that 80's song with Triangle Man lyrics ^.^). For the most part the games end really quickly, except for 'Triangle Man' which features more involved gameplay. All of the games can be played alone (single player), or with up to 4 players. Each game features an impressive soundtrack that accents the games rather nicely.

Bop It!

Bop it is a 1, or 2 player game in which the goal is to squash your opponent until they disappear. There are three character types to choose from. The first character is a 'Jellyfish' which has the ability to double jump, float, and slip. The next character in the roster is a  dinosaur with a mask called 'Mask'. It's abilities include stomping, teleporting, and making clones of itself. The final available character is a witch named 'Fabrica'. Her abilities include warping, disappearing, and confusion. Each character has their own individual attacks, but I found that the rounds don't last long enough for you to really use them properly. For the most part you will be trying to avoid the other player while trying to squash them at the same time. On average the matches just last a few seconds since the characters' movements are really quick.

High Hopes

High Hopes is the grapically superior game in this set of minigames. I features two girls who are trying to rescue their boyfriend from a giant who has taken him up a beanstalk. The two girls definitely won't settle for sharing, and each intend on claiming the boy as their own. As you make your way upward through the clouds you must slap and throw shoes at the other girl to keep her from making it to the boy first. When you get to higher elevations you will encounter lightning clouds that will slow down your progress. Aside from dodging slaps, shoes, and lightning clouds the game isn't that complicated. I did find that the game doesn't last long at all which was kind of a disappointment. If it would have lasted longer it would have definitely been my favorite.

Jurassic Bar

Jurassic Bar is just like it sounds. It's a prehistoric bar fight that puts dinosaurs up against the bar's patrons. You have four different dinosaurs who are really peeved at the cavemen (and women) who have been eating, and poking at them. To exact their revenge they waltz right into the bar and begin attacking. As the player you can choose from four dinosaur types (T.Rex, Raptor, an Armored Dinosaur, and a Brontosaurus). Each dinosaur has an 'ability' as well as a 'special ability' which are basically two different types of attacks. During my playthrough I found that the dinosaurs are unevenly matched in abilities. The Raptor is definitely the best while the Brontosaurus is the worst. This minigame can be played as a single player game but the multiplayer experience is definitely where it's at.

Cave In

Cave In is described as a "run & survive platformer" by the developer, and I can't find any better way to describe it. This minigame can be played with up to 2 players. You (the player) take on the role an Indiana Jones type of explorer as he runs for his life through a collapsing cavern full of traps, spikes, and spears. You can definitely expect to die a lot as you make your way to the treasure at the end. I ended up making to the end on single player, and met my demise (doom by ceiling ^.^) anyways. I wasn't sure if this was a humerous moment, or I missed something. I definitely tried to get the treasure that was spewing forth from the Mayan statue, but the ceiling crushed me anyways. I do imagine this would be best played with a friend.

Triangle Man

Triangle Man is a lot like one of those impossible indie games you have likely seen before on the XBLIG marketplace. You take on the role of a literally triangular shaped man as he tries to collect coins, and make it to an exit while avoiding almost certain death (Death By Spikes). The levels are layed out in such a manner that will have you dying mercilessly many times. The game even keeps track of how many times you die. Unlike most of the other impossible type games 'Triangle Man' will allow you to skip to the next level. There are 40 levels/puzzles to this game, so it is definitely the longest minigame out of the set. If you're up for a challenge then this game will definitely provide that.

In the end I found 'Convict Minigames' to be a somewhat lackluster experience. Out of the 5 minigames only one of them was really worthwhile (Triangle Man). The other games were just too short for my tastes. For 240 msp I think Convict Interactive could have added more content than they did, but maybe I'm wrong. I think the shining point to this set of minigames was the rather impressive music. Each game had it's own unique soundtrack that was quite nice to listen to. If only the game's experience would have lasted longer than it did. I can't honestly suggest buying this game. It had some potential, but the replay value is poor.