No Pain No Brain (XBLIG): "16-Bit Zombie Bashing Goodness"

It is that time of year again (October) when game developers all start pitching in their latest horror genre releases. I'm actually a huge fan of the month of October, because all of the horror movies are shown on TV and the new horror survival games that are introduced. The indie scene is actually no different from the mainstream gaming scene in that they also add their contributions of horror into the mix. I have actually seen quite a few horror related XBLIG titles released this October, and I was lucky enough to get one for review. The game I speak of is titled 'No Pain No Brain'. It is a zombie brawler that pays homage to those classic 16-bit game titles that many of you have likely enjoyed growing up as a gamer. The game's hero is a tough talking truck driver named Jack Preston who is on a mission to rescue survivors. With his female assistant guiding him over his CB radio he drives to different locales in order to whoop some zombie arse, and save the citizens from flesh eating doom.

Four Winds Fantasy (XBLIG): "A Fantasy RPG That Defies Explanation"

I have reviewed some very "interesting" XBLIG titles in my short time as a reviewer, but none that comes even close in comparing to QuimDung Co., Ltd's (The Developer) debut RPG "Four Winds Fantasy". I'm not even sure I'm going to be able to properly describe what I witnessed when I played this game, but I'm going to give it my best shot ...

Avatar Panic! (XBLIG): "Classic Arcade Fun With Xbox Live Avatars"

When I first started my playthrough of 'Avatar Panic!'I had a feeling of dejavu. I was thinking to myself that I remember a game back in the NES days which was very similar to it. After doing a tiny bit of research I found the answer I was looking for, or rather the game I was looking for. If any of my readers recall a Nintendo game titled 'Buster Bros.' then you'll have a very good idea what this game is all about. Basically 'Avatar Panic!' is a bubble busting game (similar to 'Buster Bros.') that uses your avatar as a playable character, and has you trying to shoot down bubbles with a harpoon. The game is presented in a 2D style with 3D accents/backgrounds. The game features two modes of play (Arcade, Panic!) in which the objective is to pop all the bubbles while trying not to get hit. Milkstone studios, the developer behind this rendition of the arcade classic is well known for their online scoreboard based games. I was pleasantly surprised when I did my playthrough of 'Avatar Panic!', and found out that they included online leaderboards in this game.

Platform Hack (XBLIG): "A 2D Hack 'n Slash/RPG Platformer"

I have noticed what seems to be a slightly growing trend when it comes to XBLIG, and XBLA RPG releases. I recently did a review on 'Dungeon Defenders' which was an RPG/Tower Defense hybrid, and now 'Daydalus Studios' has released an XBLIG hybrid RPG of their own. The RPG I speak of is 'Platform Hack' which is a 2D hack 'n slash RPG platformer. It has it's own unique look with hand drawn artwork/features as wells as a some very involved gameplay mechanics. In the game you will earn points to further unlock your powers, and special abilities as you level up from experience which is gained from the enemies you slay. There are four different levels/worlds to conquer, as well as five different larger than life bosses to defeat in order to save your precious Sophie. Along the way you will also find 20 treasures that are well hidden throughout the maze-like levels. When, and if you are able to defeat the evil character that is behind Sophie's disappearance you will be faced with a final choice that will conclude the game in one of two ways ...

OtakuDante: "Tales of a Fighting Game Fanatic Vol.1"

After some thought, I decided I would go over my fighting game history for all of my readers here. I have been gaming for over 20 years now, and many of those years have been spent on playing fighting games. My beginnings were modest, and actually began when I got 'Street Fighter II: Championship Ed.' for my 13th birthday. In all honesty it wasn't easy convincing my mother to let me play the fighting games when I was young considering she came from a christian background, but she has been very supportive of my gaming habits over the years. Without the support of my family, and friends I probably wouldn't have pursued the fighting game genre as long as I have. My entire fighting game history spans over multiple gaming consoles, and even in time I spent at the arcades when they were still around in my area. Over the years I have gradually advanced in skill level, and can hold my own even against some of the higher online ranked gamers. Even so I still have a lot to learn, and continue to do so each time I put a fighting game into my console.