A.I.R Play

What a pitty. Really. A game that is more or less original, with a graphical representation more or less compeling, and that could be funny, is something like an horror.

This is due to the control system. The game consists in something more or less like the classical air hockey, but now you can move two players, one is the goalkeeper, and other the field player.

The problem is that is very extrange to control the match. It is not easy to find the way to see exactly when the player can use a special shot, or to collect the rings that are in the playground.

Developer: Trigamma
Score: 5


<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-GB&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:76288610-e72a-4e39-bfed-859c10badd6c&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="A.I.R. Play - Guide">Video: A.I.R. Play - Guide</a>

Fitba

Possibly, the best game of Community Games, and the game it need for being something popular among the people that has a 360 plugged to the web.

Fitba is a soccer game developed by a scotish videogame veteran based in the same idea than Sensible Soccer, but adapted to the platform (360) and to the times (2009), and is a bit related to scotish league (take it as you want).

The game basically is played using one stick for moving, and the other for kicking the ball. Appart, the players can tackle and being selected by the user. All very simple and well developed.

The game is not perfect. I have not found the chance to changing the time of the matches, and there are minor glitches like being near scoring, and then the match ends.

Indeed, very good game.

Developer: Triple B Games
Score: 9.5

Altar of Gems

A Columns clone, but at least it introduces one diferential element: To attack or to defend yourself depending on your mana.

Yes, in this game you have to match 3 or more pieces of the same colour, and then it gives you some amount of mana. This mana could be used for raising the floor of the enemies, or for lowering yours.

Is funny, graphically simple, but effective


Developer: Willy K Games
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:9b43ed72-5ce0-4034-b7cd-e826bd56d671&showPlaylist=true&from=shared" target="_new" title="Altar of Gems - Trailer">Video: Altar of Gems - Trailer</a>

Groov

Another Geometry Wars clone, this time it attemps to do something related to music (the best part of the game), but when it cames to speak about gameplay, is a bit too much simple.


Developer: Barryman
Score: 5

World Revolution

A nice game remembering Missile Command, but in 3d and very polished, very well developed, and very interesting in general. Yes, the core gameplay is the same than always, but the game is constructed in a way the player enjoys and feels good.

Developer: xPox
Score: 7

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:058b989d-719f-4343-a35b-0816eb25c9b7&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="World Revolution">Video: World Revolution</a>

Machiavelli's Ascent

This game is the classical flash game where the player shoots something to the air, and then has to get some points for hovering enough for being shooted another time, and this until the game ends.

The case is that the game is well developed, is relaxing, and could be considered more or less like "Flow for Community Games". But nothing more.

Developer: Naturally Formed Studios.
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:c04ee585-0f6f-4144-baa9-89e7c5bde69b&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Machiavelli&#39;s Ascent">Video: Machiavelli&#39;s Ascent</a>

Happy Face

Happy Face is a match-em-up game in which the player gets a grid with a lof of Happy Faces, and the player has to make any move to a place on the board without being obstructed by other faces.

At the beginning there are only a few faces, but with every move, there appear more faces randomly. The player has to align 5 or more faces to make them dissapear.

The game has bad and very simple graphics, and the gameplay is dull. So... it fails.

Developer: DSRush
Score: 3

RPaints

RPaints is not a game. Is like the paint, but with 360's pad. You know, one of the funniest things in the world.

Developer: Remyremrem
Score: 0

No image, not sir

Air Legends

One of these games that suffers the "Community Syndrome". That means, games with a solid core gameplay, or core mechanism, but that only have that.

In this case we are speaking about a game around dog fighting in 2d, well developed, well realized, but with nothing more than that. There is no a interesting story mode, not nothing appart from dogfighting. That is not so much bad, but for me is not enough.

Developer: Sharky
Score: 6

World Molder

A interesting platform game with a original premise: The player can change the shape of the world by moving several points inside the blocks that form it. Doing this, the player can get to arrive to several points that in other way won't arrive.

Appart from this original premise, the game is a bit dull, having small interest in completing it.

Developer: Laguna/Krazy
Score: 6

Exisled

Another shooter, but this time the player has the chance to move in the entire map with no scroll limits. The problem is that the game is a bit chaotic, but is enjoyable and well developed.

Developer: Gamer Outfit
Score: 7

Cave In

A interesting adventure - match 3 game. In this game the player controls a character that more or less moves the pieces of a puzzle with its own hands. Is funny and interesting, and a bit original.

Developer: Johnny Death
Score: 8

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:e0673f79-975f-422a-b618-2e90a03bc0b0&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="CaveIn GamePlay">Video: CaveIn GamePlay</a>

Ultratron

Remember Robotron 2084?. Now in Community Games you can play something more or less like the fashion modern adaptation to this game. It always has been a very funny game, and this adaptation is very interesting.

Developer: Pumpkin Games
Score: 7

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:23f3575a-5d73-4ebe-9690-ed756199c60e&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Ultratron 1.0">Video: Ultratron 1.0</a>

Solicheck

A nice puzzle game, this time based in the classical board game Checkers, but with the premise that the user has to acomplish a puzzle using checkers moves.

Very well developed, and very funny, appart from a bit too sober.

Developer: Envy Games
Score: 7

Petank Party

A very great game, from a bit boring real game usually played by people that has a big age.

But in this case, is one of the better looking games, and improves the original game by adding some items that you can use for getting advantage durint the match.

Well developed, well done!

Developer: Ufo Games
Score: 8

Joint Strike Future

This is another vertical scrolling shooter, but in this game the game tries to innovate by introducing a colour mechanic, something like an update of the Ikaruga Black / White system, but in this case the player has to press the button of the same colour than the enemy

The problem is that the game is not balanced, and tecnically is poor.

Developer: Skunk Face 42

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:aad0aab2-75a4-463d-a0f8-79e9c5eb5498&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Joint Strike Future - Trailer">Video: Joint Strike Future - Trailer</a>

Quarx

A simple puzzle game, in the same league than puyo puyo. Funny, well developed, but a little too humble for being worth of the money it cost.

Developer: BP
Score: 6

The Collector

One simple but more or less original game. The player controls a trolley and has to collect several color balls. He can only have one ball at the trolley, so for getting more has to go to the color place, and push the controller button that has the same color than the ball.

Appart, the player has to dodge the stones. The game has several interesant options, like a multiplayer mode and ... achievements!.

Developer: Aztec Games.
Score: 5

Indirian Solitaire

Another Card game. And we have...

This time is the classical solitaire, with 25 variations ( for example Canfield, Klondike, Spider, Stonewall and Yukon). This is nice for solitaire fans, but the game is ugly and has bad controls. So it is not a good idea to purchase it.

Developer: Indirian Software.
Score: 4

Smashell

A good game, very solid, original and well developed.

In this game the player controls a ball that can jump, can collect items, can perform several moves. More or less, like a complex game like Super Mario 64, with their differences. And very well done.

Developer: Antab
Score: 9

Shoot the rock

Another asteroids clone.

Developer: Tackemon.
Score: 3

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:c2ccf911-3970-4134-9266-91651e578920&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Shoot the Rocks game">Video: Shoot the Rocks game</a>

Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp

A good game that doesn't make the most of all the ability of Xbox 360 for it our benefit. Uses a very little resolution (could be due to his DS origin) and a frame for showing it.

But it has a good artistic direction, and is a funny retro platform.


Developer: IshiSoft
Score: 7

Shed

The typical card game (very similar to UNO), in a very simplistic way in the graphical aspect, but funny, well developed, and funny. All this things made this game interesting, appart from being another card game for Community Games.

Developer: richayrich
Score: 6

Abstacked

Another puzzle game. This type, is something similar to columns, but a bit different. Exactly, this time to clear lines of stars by placing two of the same tiles at the each end of the line.

Is a bit strange to play, and is not a nice game, but, could be funny.

Developer: Phil Lutas.
Score:5

Max the Frog

Interesting puzzle game based in the same idea than zuma, but with it's own touch. Well developed and funny, but a bit simple, making playing more than five minutes something strange. At least, the screen is eye catching.

Give it a try, it's worth of it.

Developer: Mind Studios
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:640f17ed-fb8a-477d-baf4-989accf17f11&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Max the Frog">Video: Max the Frog</a>

Carneyvale Showtime

One of the best games of all the community, and this is not something i have said, it was the winner of Dream Build Play 2008.

Carneyvale showtime is a game around the possibility to move a clown using several mechanism that are in the screen. It is funny, nice, original, and very well developed. The art of the game attracts you, the controls are easy, it has good tutorials, achievements... is a very complete game.

Developers: Gambit University
Score: 9

Easy Golf

One of the best games in the Community. A complete and funny golf game, that includes the possibility to do your own courses. Is developed by a professional person , and you can see the results.

Funny, well developed, very nice looking, really, a must in Xna.

Developer: Barkers Crest
Score: 9

Star Field

A very humble shoot em up, a bit reminiscent of the classics like Space Invaders or Galaga, or Phoenix.

Not a bad game, but is boring, is simple, and has a lot of competence.

Developer: iworkedatsubway
Score: 5

Falldown

Falldown is a curious game from a curious company. They make games for big conventions, focused in several multiplayer gameplays.

In this gase, is something like a platform game, where sharpened blades came from above and the player has to escape from them.

Is funny and well done, but is too much simple for playing more than 5 minutes.

Developer: Projector Games
Score: 6

Monaco 360

Let's see... A remake of the Sega original game, more or less exactly as the original, but without licence.

For me, this should be illegal. Appart from that, I dislike the game. I could accept that some nostalgic people will like it, but for me is too arid. But is not a bad game.

Developer: Cognatus Systems
Score: 5

Writer's Block

It's interesting to see a graphical adventure developed for 360. But it is a pitty to see that is developed thinking in the classical mouse oriented interface.

But as I have said, it is interesting this type of game due to the chance to see a interesting plot in a console game. An indie console game.

So, it's not perfect, but is a good game.

Developer: Aless Studios.
Score: 7

Graphspacer

An horror. Not only is a clone of a game (Geometry Wars) but also is very poorly produced, bud designed, ...

Yes, is an horrible game. But well, you can play it if you want.

Developer: Profesor Quack
Score: 3

Word Soup

Another casual game, based in a very well known game, but well developed. The colours are very well chosen, the gameplay is easy, definitively, if you like the "scrabble" type games, is a good chance for you.

Developer: Big Fizz
Score: 6

Tower Revolution

Another not original game for Community games. In this case, we are talking about a "Tower Defense" clone, and is more or less well done (this game could be done in flash, and nothing will change... apart from the control system).

The people which like this type of game loves them, because they are very addictive, so... enjoy it if you like the tower defense system.

Developer: Super Mawl
Score: 5

Sea Blast

Another "sea ships shooter", in the same league that Steal, Loot and Destroy, but without Stealing and looting.

This is a good game, well developed, with single player levels and multiplayer modes, but is a bit short of interest. After finishing several levels, the player will think that all the rest is similar, and will be right.

But in general, is a good game, with details like fluids and phisics.

Developer: group.x743
Score: 6

Bomber Boing

Well, another multiplayer only game... And the same I said about Steal Loot'n Destroy, is really a pitty to find games that you can't play if you are alone.

At least is a more or less original game. Is a mix among worms and smash brawl. The player can move and shoot bombs in several directions, with the bombs he has to hit the opponent, and at the end the goal is to send the opponent out of the bounds.

Not a bad idea, but very simple, with few resources, and multiplayer only...

Developer: Nivel 21 (I think)
Score: 4

Tail Gun Charlie

A strange mix between galaga and Space Harrier... The player controls Charles “Charlie” Chatsworth, who is the pride of the Great British Galactic Diplomatic Corp. Is not bad programmed, but its design is a bit flawled, making the game uninteresting and difficult to play.

Developer: Duckocide
Score: 5

Loot, Steal 'n Destroy

A game a bit similar to the xbox pirates multiplayer mode. It's very well developed but... is only for multiplayer!. Not bots, not ia... terrible.

It is a game where every player carries a pirate ship, and has to Loot, Steal (other places) and Destroy (other ships). Well developed in every aspect, is a pitty not having a single player mode.

Developer: Ludosity
Score: 6

Cosmos

A too much simple game for Xbox Live Community Games. The player has to grab things for launching them to the enemies. Is something more or less like a shoot em up, but too much simple graphically and mechanically.

Developer: Gasslergames
Score: 4

Plasma Spheres 360

Plasma Spheres is an interesting platform - puzzle game where players navigate a bouncing sphere through several levels. In the campaign, players must carefully navigate dangerous obstacles in each level to rescue the helpless pulselings. It has also a funny battle mode. Uses a simple physics engine with tractor beams, gravity bombs, and particle effects.

Its a fun and interesting game, but a bit without personality, and not very exciting. At least doesn't seem the clone of something.

Developer: Abnormal Software.
Score: 6

Weapons of Choice

Surely... the game with more resources (the developers are veterans of the development), and one of the best of all the Xbox Live Community Games Catalogue.

Is something like a Contra type game, but with its own original features, like the chance to "extend" the weapon. Very well done, very spectacular, and a bit scatologic, is one of these game that guide the other in their way of what should be the Xbox Live Community Games.

Developer: Mommy Best Games
Score: 9

Classicard

A typical game based on several card games, but very well developed. You can play euchre, hearts, oh hell, spades, knockout whist or romanian whist solo or with your friends. Graphically is well done, and it plays perfectly. So, despite is completely unoriginal, is a good game based in card games.

Developer: Flair Games
Score: 7

Funky punch XL

A good looking fighting game in the same league that classical Street Fighter, but also a game that lacks the polishment that makes playing a good fighting game something funny.

It has good ideas, good characters, and is not bad developed, but is far from being a professional fighting game.

Developer: Solus Games
Score: 6

Couples Sudoku

I hate sudoku games, i hate to see the power of 360 being not used by a game like that, but I have to recognice that this game is well developed, and is nice looking.

If you like sudoku, enjoy it.

Developer: JPDCreations
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:06647399-bef9-48ed-b7e5-6b19a56b016c&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Couples Sudoku Release Version">Video: Couples Sudoku Release Version</a>

Retro One

This game, more than a game, reminds me the tipical "demo" that developers do when they begin to test the possibilities of a platform.

The case is that this game has been published, and here it is. Is a horizontal shoot em up (not the tipical vertical or "geometry wars" clone) with simple enemies, simple background, and several types of bullets.

Is not bad, not boring, but is too simple, and it lacks polishment in every aspect.

Developer: Cryosis.
Score: 4

Adventure Pets HD

You should think that this game is something like pokemon without license, but not!. It is a "homage" of the classical platform games based in one screen without (or near without) scroll, like Bubble Bobble, Snow Bros, and so on.

And is not a bad idea, and is not bad developed, but the game lacks a bit of charisma, is not a funny game, and this game suffers in that way.

Developer: Arrogancy Games.
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:a7b3596f-e95c-4a20-a916-c1a710bcaf4d&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Adventurer Pets Trailer">Video: Adventurer Pets Trailer</a>

Torino X

Imagine a mix among Tower Defense, and... X Wing. Something like that is Torino X. A very difficult game to imagine, to produce, and to do it correctly.

The game doesn't have good graphics, nor good control schema, nor near nothing. But has a lot of possibilities, and the player can do, more or less, what he wants.

It's not bad done, but, it's very big for the game developer.

Developer: Justin Le Clair
Score: 5

Zombie Smashers X 4 Guitarpocalypse

Could be you know the Zombie Smashers X Series. It's a funny group of games around fighting zombies.

The first Community Game appearence of this series is something like a "Smash Brawl" clone. So, is not a completely original game, but is more priseworthy to make a clone of something recent that make a clone of a old game.

And for my surprise, is well developed!. It's not perfect, but is funny, it has good controls, and some gameplay. It not too much polished graphically, but it's not too ugly.

So, I recommend it.

Developer: Ska Studios.
Score: 8

Snake 360

Yes, the typical snake game, but wery well developed. It has good designed menus, good music, good extras, so, otherwise the game is not a original game, it's funny and well developed.

Developer: Aaron Teplitsky
Score: 7

Crystal Crush

Another puzzle game, but in this case is not done by amateur people. Is a more or less professional studio, and you can see it easily.

The game uses a typical Match-3 focus, but in this case you do not move the pieces, you move the screen, and you have to make the pieces join in groups of the same colour.

Well done, but a bit bored.

Developer: Running Pixels
Score: 7

Hive

Could be, the simplest rts I have seen in my life. You select where your "characters" will move, and what is their duty (harvest, attack or defend), and then they are autonomous. If you have more resources, you can rise more "bugs".

Curious, but too simple.

Developer: Handkor
Score: 6

Melvin's Meltdown

Another puzzle game, another match 3 game. At least is a bit original, and has some graphical boost. The player has to shoot using the same colour than the match 3 he can see in the screen.

But it lacks some polishment, some work, or something like that.

Developer: Think Tank
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:4964b68d-54cd-4f02-9a69-1dacc325bfcf&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Melvin&#39;s Meltdown Gameplay Footage">Video: Melvin&#39;s Meltdown Gameplay Footage</a>

A Kitchen Sink War

A terrific game, something like the classical Space War, but in such a way that is not very playable.

The game represents a war among the different parts of the kitchen, with the sink atracting the several parts that are in the screen. The player can shoot and move, but is as big that is difficult to make nothing.

A bad video will try to show you something.

Developer: Archor Games.
Score: 2

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:82188c86-47bb-40aa-b2b1-07088836eb54&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="A Kitchen Sink War _360">Video: A Kitchen Sink War _360</a>

Arriba!

Arriba is a "serious game" for learning spanish. It's a good idea, but you need to know spanish, because this game relys on you aknowledge of this language for being able of advancing.

It's not a bad idea, but performed in a too simple way.

Developer: Jagglestein
Score:6

Oh Snap

Oh Snap is a bug surprise for me. The game reminds a lot Lumines, but without the "rythm line" that makes posible to collect the bonus. In this case the player has to made groups of 4 or more blocks of the same colour, and then they dissapear. After getting a lot of points, the screen gets a OH SNAP an then... the game changes!. A lot!.

For me it has been very funny, and interesting. It is very difficult to explain it without any video, so take a couple of images.

Developer: The unallied
Score: 8

Pastry Wars

A simple shooter, in the same league that galaga, with beautiful graphics. It's a pitty that a beautiful game remains as simple as it is. Could be still too amateur.

Developer: Shmoppy
Score: 4

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:4922e05b-6a8d-4cb1-bc95-83314c3c987e&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Pastry Wars">Video: Pastry Wars</a>

Aaron Ping Pong.

Oh, it's a Pong clone. Nothing more.

Score: 1.

Memo Stomp

A funny familiar game based in the classical memory game, but with a interesting component of digital agility. The player can choose to control it with the dance pad or with the typical Xbox 360 controller.

Is a funny game, simple but well developed. It lacks deep, but is a good idea.

Developer: Knick Storm
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:61ccf18d-5950-4d2f-a7ce-94a68e9d6ae6&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="MemoStomp">Video: MemoStomp</a>

Star Pilot

Another remake of a classic. In this case, Star Pilot reminds a lot the classical Tron, but evolved. In not a bad way, because it evolves not only graphically, but also in mechanics and chances, like the use of Xbox Live.

But the original is very old, so is more a curiosity than a videogame that you want to pay for play. At least, if you don't want to use the draw mode, one of the most refreshing ideas of this game.

Developer: Mars People
Score: 6

Snowmans Dilemma

A funny platform game, not very acomplished tecnically, but original. It reminds Solomon's Key, but in a more funny way. The player controls Frost, a snowman that can create and remove ice blocks for finishing each level as fast as possible.

It has been one of the best sold games of the Community Games, while is not one of the best games, is not a bad one. Only a bit limited.

Developer: Paineert
Score:6

Satellites

This is something like a "puzzle strategic game". In each level you play versus the computer or another player. The player has to place destroy the opposite sattelites by deflecting the beams and placing satellites. Each turn the player can make a move..

Satellites is a basic game, which makes easy to get into, but after several matches the player could be a bit bored. The game is not very acomplished in the tecnical way but is not bad too.

A passable game, that could be interesting for puzzle solvers.

Developer: Omni Toast Studios
Score: 6

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:44ea130c-063e-48aa-bdf2-23216bb6be23&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Satellites - The Game - Trailer">Video: Satellites - The Game - Trailer</a>

Sin (surfing)

Sin is a very simple videogame which is more or less like a mix among Vib Ribbon and Tony Hawk, reduced to the minimum.

You control the character in a very easy way (more or less like Excite Bike), and you have to achieve certain amount of points by performing several moves in procedural scenarios.

A simple, but enjoyable game.


Developer: Raph
Score: 7