Space Bat (XBLIG): "Retro-Style Brick Breaking Fun!"

I've probably mentioned this more than once, but I have played many different types of games throughout my gaming career. Among those games I've played various types of brick breaking games. If you're a PC gamer you probably have as well. Dont Press X, the developer of 'Space Bat' has redefined that genre of games with a game that pays total homage to a few retro classics. This take on the brick breaking (arkanoid/breakout) features an invaders/galaxian theme, with pac-man as the ball. Space Bat even takes the sound effects from those classic titles, and incorporates them into the gameplay. This is truly one of the best brick breaking titles out there, and the retro elements really make this game stand out.

invAIders (XBLIG): "Puts the AI in Invaders"

I was recently contacted by Martian Face Games about doing a review on their new XBLIG title 'invAIders'. I had actually passed up asking for a review code on this game, because I didn't know what it was really about. I'm definitely glad that Martian Face Games contacted me. After playing a couple of hours worth of the game I was truly impressed. This game really sports the 'AI (Artificial Intelligence)' game mechanics that the game's title suggests. As you play you'll find that the enemy ships adapt in very intelligent ways in order to defeat you in the easiest possible way. There are to modes of gameplay in this shmup, as well as an AI reset in case you wish to start over from scratch.

Astro Cluster XBLIG Code Contest 2!!!

I'm a huge fighting game fanatic as most of you know by now, so I thought I'd incorporate that interest of mine into today's contest. Like I mentioned before, this will be different from the trivia based contest of yesterday. The contest will also last until 8pm EST tonight. All you have to do to win the Astro Cluster Code is name the most fighting games. These can be from any console, arcade, or even imports. Only 1 comment per person will be allowed. In the event of a tie, I will decide on a tie-breaker to decide the winner. I wish all my readers the best of luck! Let The Game Begin!!! ...

*NOTE* Leave your Twitter username in the comment so I have a way to contact you if you win. The winner can join @Skoddle, myself, and some fellow reviewers/gamers for an Astro Cluster game night this coming Saturday at 8pm EST/EDT. Contact @Skoddle through Twitter to find out details on the game night, and to let him know you would like to join in. If you buy the game you can also join in, just let us know that you want to. The more players we have the better!

Lucky Game (XBLIG): "Golf + Slot Machines = Lots Of Luck"

In my years as a gamer I have played about every type of video game you could imagine. I've even enjoyed the occassional solitaire card game on my PC. Once in my life I even played the digital slot machines at a casino. Lucky Soft the developers of 'Lucky Game' brought this simple, and legal pleasure of gambling to the Xbox 360 console. This XBLIG game features a new twist on the already random slot machine style of gaming. If your into the casino scene then this type of game might be for you.

Raventhorne (XBLIG): "Norse Mythology For The New Age"

Milkstone Studios, a very well known XBLIG developer recently released 'Raventhorne' on the Xbox Live Marketplace. This very unique, and beautifully rendered game is based on the Norse mythology surrounding the event called Ragnarok. For those of you who have never read or heard of Ragnarok, it is basically an end of the world scenario where all the Norse Gods will die in a battle against some mythological dieties/creatures. It's an all out war to until the very end. If you ever get a chance to visit the library I definitely suggest checking out some literature on the subject. It makes for some very fun reading. Milkstone's version of the event isn't a direct literature to game translation, but I found this to only enhance the quality of the game. Copying an old myth would only make things dull. Milkstone brings this Norse tale to life in an epic way that's worthy of the mythology it's based on.

Motorbike Stunt Agent Julie (www.xblaratings.com)

Very rarely do I get so involved in playing a low budget game that I can't stop playing through it. Motorbike Stunt Agent Julie will most likely be one of those diamonds in the rough that gamers will pass up, but I'm here to tell you this game is hot!!! While it looks simple in the screenshots, and gameplay videos this game has so much more to it. I know by this point I'm probably sounding like I'm trying to sell the game for the developer, but I promise you this is not the case. When I first layed eyes on this game I thought to myself this might be mediocre, but I was way wrong.