The Xbox 360’s Xbox Live is considered by many as the best online experience for any console gamer. It may not be free as Sony’s counterpart Playstation Network, but many say that the added premium of a monthly membership shows in how easy it is to navigate through it and how easy it is to go from store to game and back. One of the best ways to experience Xbox Live is by buying and playing games in its Xbox Live Arcade marketplace. A number of really good games can be purchased there and easily downloaded and played in your Xbox 360. Below are just some of the games that you should definitely check out.
1. Braid
Braid created quite a stir when it first appeared in Xbox Live Arcade. It was such a success that many even voted it as the best platforming game of the year, beating very established titles that even offered next generation graphics. So what made this very simple-looking game such a success? It’s the introduction of a unique gameplay element where one has to go back a few seconds in time in order to solve many puzzles and obstacles. Tim uses this unique gameplay element to navigate through the unique world he has found himself in. It may have cartoony graphics but the themes are very grown-up and there’s even a twist to the story that will surprise many gamers.
2. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
The Geometry Wars game was one of the first games to really make in impact in the Xbox live Arcade. The gameplay may be simple – shoot as many enemies as you possibly can in order to gain the most number of points. But this is done within a package that is visually appealing and is just plain, unadulterated fun. It’s the shooter that doesn’t stray far from its purpose and delivers fun in spades.
3. Peggle
Puzzle games are a very popular genre and when it comes to the Xbox 360, Peggle is one of the titles you should definitely play. Peggle may have been associated as a children’s game, but it’s an unfair distinction because the challenges the game poses can be so complicated that it will present a lot of challenges even for adults who are experts in puzzle games. Try it and be surprised.
4. Galaga Legions
Who hasn’t heard about Galaga. Any gamer worth his reputation knows the popular 80s hit shooter where you pilot a ship while shooting weird looking extra terrestrial insectoids. The classic game has gotten a great makeover in the Xbox 360 with Galaga Legions. The graphics has been given the next-gen shine but it still offers the same frenetic gameplay that we have come to expect from a Galaga title. This game should be part of any decent game library.
5. Shadow Complex
Shadow Complex is one of the most engaging games in Xbox Live Arcade. It can be described as a mix of both Metal Gear Solid and Super Metroid. There’s a lot of things to do in this game that you’ll definitely find something that will be to your liking. And unlike most games in Xbox Live Arcade, this games uses the Unreal Engine so it looks very pretty.