VORPAL (XBLIG): "Bullet Hell At It's Finest"

Vorpal is probably the most unique bullet hell shmup I have ever played. The game mechanics, and unique art design make Red Wolf one of the most impressive shmup developers out there. The game features a story mode in which you get to know all 6 characters, and their background stories. It also features a versus mode for 1-on-1 sessions with an A.I. opponent. Vorpal offers a challenge that will take most hardcore shmup players by surprise. It even gave me rough time, and I'm an experienced shmup player ...

SOUL(XBLIG): "A Creepy Journey to Heaven, or Hell"

SOUL is a creepy, and somewhat disturbing puzzle/maze game that was developed by KYDOS Studios. I sought out a review for this XBLIG title, because it was a video game with a horror twist. Aside from gaming I also love scary movies, and SOUL brings both forms of media together to make a terrifying yet satisfying experience. As a human soul you must make your way through several different mazes in order to reach heaven. Reaching that destination can become quite difficult at times. The challenging mazes in SOUL are brought to life with stunning visuals, and ambient sounds. You'll find that there's also a scary surprise that looms in the darkness of the game waiting for you ...

Tourist Trap (XBLIG): "Point & Click Adventure Madness"

From the creator that brought you 'The Mind's Eye of Jupiter' (Travis Rogers/Domain of the Infinite) comes a new twisted tale of an intergalactic museum haunted by a Jackalope. This point and click adventure takes you into a literal tourist trap called the 'Tower of Mystery'. Once you step inside, and accept your ticket you are unwillingly caught in the middle of a giant puzzle. In order to get out you'll have to combine, and use items from the museum. It's up to you to escape the Jackalope's wrath.

Plague (XBLIG): "Retro Run 'N Gun 2D Platforming Shooter"

Contagious Games the developer behind this unique solo/multiplayer game was kind enough to allow me to do a review of it. From the attached message I got with the review code I could tell Matheryn (One of the 7 Developers) was a cool guy. Contagious Game's XBLIG title 'Plague' brings all the retro fun back in the form of video game parodies. The game consists of five different levels that each contain three stages, and a multiplayer Deathmatch mode (1-4 Players). There are epic boss battles to be fought, and a wide variety of weapons to pick up. As you play the campaign you will take on the evil virus that threatens to plunge the world into another dark age via the only working computer. In your quest to rid the world of this threat you will play as one of 4 unique AI bots, and can share the experience with a friend (1-4 Player co-op) ...