Top rated XBLCG at XBLAratings.com

Updated 24/04/09

Why not head over to http://www.xblaratings.com/xna-ratings and rate the games yourself

Details Ratings Miner Dig Deep XNA Games » Action & Adventure Dig and expand your mine to find greater treasures from the depths. Build the deepest mine so you can make your fortune in rare gems and metals from the earth… Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (11) CarneyVale: Showtime XNA Games » Platformer CarneyVale: Showtime is a vertical ragdoll platform game. In the game, you play as Slinky, a circus acrobat trying to rise up the ranks by performing acrobatic tricks and death-defying… Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (9) Classicard XNA Games » Card & Board Enjoy a game of euchre, hearts, oh hell, spades, knockout whist or romanian whist solo or with your friends. It’s a classic card game for up to four players over… Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (7) Bullet Trap XNA Games » Shooter Movement is restricted but weaponry is not. Bounce bullets off walls and use your shield to deflect incoming projectiles, but be warned, every bullet that you fire could bounce around… Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (1) Jackpot Stadium XNA Games » Sports & Recreation Hit the ball as hard as you can to increase the jackpot, slam it on your opponent’s wall and grab the accumulated score! Test your skills playing with a friend… Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (1) Brain Deluxe XNA Games » Puzzle & Trivia Brain Deluxe is an addictive game for all the family. Push your brain to the limit by completing all the puzzles of each level to advance through the game. With… Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (1) Ultratron XNA Games » Action & Adventure Your mission is to avenge the human race, and destroy the four bots of the Apocalypse – Ieiunitas, Bellum, Lues and Letum! Read more Read reviews Write review   9.0 (1) bricks4ever XNA Games » Classics A classic bricks breaker under a whole new light. 2 Coop modes, 50 levels, a neverending mode and a relaxing Zen mode for hours of fun. Read more Read reviews Write review   8.8 (5) Blow XNA Games » Other Use wind to guide your bubbles safely to the exit. Journey though the magical canopy of the ‘Great Tree’ collecting ‘Flames’ with help from the Faeries. Experience 70 handcrafted levels… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.8 (9) Biology Battle XNA Games » Action & Adventure Biology Battle is a modern, fast-paced take on the action arcade genre. Fight for topscore in our online challenge, or battle your friends through 12 unique ‘party game’ modes. Features:… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.8 (12) CaveIn – Miner Rescue Team XNA Games » Action & Adventure There is a collapse at the San Marino Mines! Join the Miner Rescue Team to save the trapped miners before it is too late. Explore 80 dangerous puzzle-filled levels in… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.8 (4) Solar XNA Games » Action & Adventure Solar, a space simulation/action game where you play as the sun itself. You can complete a myriad of challenges or simply mess around in an infinite, sandbox universe. Read more Read reviews Write review   8.7 (7) Johnny Platform’s Biscuit Romp XNA Games » Platformer Play as Johnny Platform himself in this retro-styled platformer! Do death-defying double-jumps and solve puzzles in your quest to defeat the evil robot army… and don’t forget to drink plenty… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.7 (6) Zoomaroom XNA Games » Platformer Zoomaroom is a physics based platformer that is sure to test your skills. Compete with your friends to get the best time in 70 built-in rooms. Create & share your… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.6 (9) Groov XNA Games » Shooter Groov is a frenetic dual-stick shooter that makes you the conductor of an intergalactic jazz fusion orchestra. Every action in Groov has a musical reaction, and with three unique modes,… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.4 (7) Weapon of Choice XNA Games » Action & Adventure INSANE ACTION and HUMONGOUS ALIENS tied together by a TWISTED STORY.Branching levels, 4 unique endings, 7 characters each with a Weapon of Choice. Reap revenge with the Vengeance Missile. Cheat… Read more Read reviews Write review   8.3 (6)

XBLAratings.com now has user ratings for XBLCG

You wait 6 months for Microsoft to do something about user ratings on Xbox Live Community Games then 2 great independent sites step up to the plate and deliver what MS have been unwilling to.

Earlier this week http://xblcg.info/ added user ratings. It’s a site that lists all Xbox Live Community Games and has all the information you could wish to find about the games, including links to reviews, forums and the marketplace it even list when a game has had an update.

Voting at http://xblcg.info/ has got off to a flying start, it uses a simple would you recommend this game to a friend, Yes or No system. So it’s easy to see what game demos to try.

The second site has been around a lot longer http://www.xblaratings.com/xna-ratings is a very comprehensive site, with screen shots and game videos, but up to now you could only rate a game if you wrote a review. Under the new system you still need to sign up to the site, but you can rate games without writing a review.

At http://www.xblaratings.com/xna-ratings you score a game out of ten, so readers can see how good users think a game is.

Both sites are doing a sterling job a increasing public awareness of XBLCG so we urge you all to go to them and rate the games you have played.

http://xblcg.info now has user ratings

One of Xbox Live Community Games star, Nick Gravelyn has updated http://xblcg.info/ to include user ratings. All you have to do is to sign in with your live account ,then when you choose any game you get a chance to rate it.

The system Nick has chosen is a simple choose between, I like it +(plus), or I don’t like it – (minus).

The site then adds up the scores and gives the game a %. This is so simple yets works very well.

So, what are you waiting for get over to http://xblcg.info/ and let the world know which games they should or should not be trying. Don’t be shy to give negative scores as this whole project will not work if you don’t.

Interview with David Webb creator of Xbox Live game Hexothermic

You can read our exclusive interview with Stephen Bennett, creator of Poker Squares and Find Teddy here;

https://xboxhornet.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/intereview-with-stephen-bennet-creator-of-xbox-live-game-poker-squares/

Hexothermic is a puzzle game that will blow you away! With 4 different game modes, awards and highscores, Hexothermic is fun for all the family! And it is only 200 MS points. This week we at XboxHornet were lucky enough to have a chance to ask David Webb, the developer, a few question about himself and his Xbox Live Community Game(XBLCG).

Hi David, thanks for talking to us. First off how did you get into making games?

I took A levels in maths and physics, and found out about games programming degrees at Huddersfield university. I have had a passion for gaming since a kid, so I decided to take a shot at it, and have been making games ever since.

 

Do you play games and what was the last game you played?

I’ve just been playing Dead space. Anyone wanting an example of creating a brilliant atmosphere, this is the game – I get so drawn in by the audio, lighting and set pieces. For fear, forget Resi 5 – this is what you want.

Why did you choose XBLCG to release your game on?

I created it for the dream build play competition and decided to polish it up and release it. It’s a really good place to get your work as a graduate noticed.

Have you made any other games?

No published games, but I’m close to completing my first XBLA title, Yo-Ho Kablammo. (Here is the link to it’s website);

www.canalsidestudios.co.uk

Thanks for the heads up, it’s looking like a really promising game, I’ll look forward to trying it.

Hexothermic has been well received by the community, it has been called original, beautiful and amazing. How does that feel?

This feels great – there are a few titles out there that have really impressed me, and to be counted in one of the good games on the platform is brilliant.

Do you have any plans for Hexothermic in the future?

I am working on my final year at Huddersfield University, and for my dissertation I am working on Hexothermic for the Xbox and the next project I am currently working on – Hexothermic for the IPhone. The game has just been re-approved, with an updated version. The new version has a couple of new graphics, and bugs that have been found have been addressed.

That’s interesting as a few XBLCG developers are making games for both IPhone and Xbox. These platforms seem to be the new homes for independent games makers.

(If you already own the game, don’t forget to download the new updated version)

 

 

 

 

 

Are you working on any other Xbox projects? And can you share any details with us yet?

As I said earlier, Im working on an XBLA title, Yo-Ho Kablammo. This won a contract through the first dream build play competition. I can’t tell you too many details, but keep on the lookout for more information soon!

 

Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to make an XBLCG?

Don’t over stretch yourself, and realise that the best games are the polished games – The game is usually only 25% of the development, the rest is polish. Good UI and consideration of players navigation. Localisation is also a great way of opening up your game, and is fairly easy to do, there are lots of community people to help you out with these things! Use the best practises on the Creators site and follow as many as possible. And playtest a lot – feedback is so valuable.

Do you think that developers can make money out of Xbox Live Community Games?

We shall see come March! I hope so, because the wealth of talent deserves something for the work they put into some of these titles.

Finally has it been worth the effort making Hexothermic?

Yes, it is a great way to experience everything involved in making a complete game – a feat many developers don’t ever follow through with.Indeed it must be satisfying, most developers only get to program a small part of a game.

Thanks for answering some questions for XboxHornet readers, good luck with your games and keep us updated with what you are doing.

 

You can see user reviews and rate Hexothermic here;

http://xblaratings.com/component/content/article/63-puzzle-a-trivia/421-Hexothermic–

You can download a demo of the game straight to your 360 from here;

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550149/

 

 

 

 

If Carlsberg made games they would have probably made Miner Dig Deep (review)

Please click on the Digg button if you like this article, thanks.

 

Miner Dig Deep, probably the best £1.70 game in the world.

I say probably, because there are bound to be some great downloadable games on the PC that are just as good, but not many I’m sure, because Miner Dig Deep is the rarest of gems in this day and age of online and multiplayer gaming. It is a simple single player game that will suck you in and keep you playing till the end.

The official description of the game is as follows – Dig and expand your mine to find greater treasures from the depths. Build the deepest mine so you can make your fortune in rare gems and metals from the earth below. It doesn’t really make you want to play the game does it?

So let’s expand on that a little. Your little miner dude has to make his fortune digging for precious ore. You start the game outside a shop in the open air with a pleasant guitar track playing as back ground music. You can go in and buy new items to help you with the mining. The problem being you can’t afford much apart from the oil to keep your lamp burning. But the items available in the shop (ladders, lifts etc.) hint at the task ahead.

On the way to the mine entrance you pass a tent in which you can save your game as often as you come to the surface. Once in the mine the music changes to a slightly more oppressive tune that fits well with being under ground. One of the first things you come across is a piece of a Blueprint, you will need to collect all of these so that new equipment becomes available in the shop. Digging is easy, just hold the x button, but don’t get too carried away with the mining, because if you don’t have a ladder or can’t get back up you’ll have to be rescued and you will lose all the ore you have mined.

The other way you lose the ore you have been toiling for, is if a rock falls on you. Don’t panic you won’t die, but it is a real bummer to waist all that hard work, so make sure you have plenty of oil in your lamp so you can see what you are doing. Tip; digging blind is very dangerous.

When you start to get deeper into the mine you soon find that you need a better lamp that will last longer, it sees further too. Also as you descend you’ll find new more valuable ore, the little cheer from your miner every time you find something new is quite gratifying. When looking for ore be careful not to dig out the mine too extensively though as you may cause a cave in.

You soon discover that your bag doesn’t hold very much, so you’ll have to save up for a better one. This is the basic mechanic of the game, the deeper you go, the more rewards you get. With bigger and better equipment available and more valuable gems and ore to find. These rewards a timed to perfection, just as you start to think that the game may get boring you find something new, a drill, a barrier to break though or a teleporter for example.

The mine goes down a long way, but the pace of the game is just right. It keeps you wanting to look just a little further. After all, there is something in all of us that wants to know what is round the corner and the makers of this game have tapped into that human trait perfectly.

I found the guitar music soundtrack to be a breath of fresh air and the game play a joy. If this doesn’t become one of the best selling Xbox Live Community Games, there is no justice in the world.

Keep digging, there is a reward.

See nickthedudes video review of the game here;

https://xboxhornet.wordpress.com/category/community-games-video-reviews/

Down load the demo striaght to your 360 from here;

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550182/

See the user reviews here;

http://www.xblaratings.com/component/content/article/54-action-a-adventure/523-Miner-Dig-Deep

 

 

 

 

Xbox Live game Scrambled Egzz first look

 

 Challenge your family and friends in a test of your vocabulary and problem solving skills. Unscramble the biggest word, use strategy and wits to outwit your opponent and the clock and be the winner. Four game modes including fun filled two player challenges.

 

Scrambled Egzz is a simple word game, think Countdown’s Conundrum, that is pretty much what this game is. It has two single player modes-Timed Pass, which has no time limit so it’s good for practising. Timed, where you have to complete as many conundrums as possible in a time limit.

What I like about the game play is that all the conundrums have seven words, but you can score points with smaller words. This means you can hold those letters while looking for bigger words.

The two player modes interested me more (I play Word Soup a lot and my only complaint with that game is the lack of a two player option). The first is Timed, where you take turns to make the largest word possible in the time limit.

The second two player mode is Outbid, this version is the most similar to Countdown’s Conundrum. You bid how many letters you are going to use in your word, the highest bid gets to answer. If both bids are the same it is the player that bids first that gets to answer. Be careful when bidding though, if you get your answer wrong you’ll lose points.

Overall Scrambled Egzz is worth the 200 points, Word Soup fans should give it a try, although not as polished, the two player option makes it worth a punt. My only criticism would be that the music doesn’t really fit the game and there is no option to turn it off.

Visit XBLA ratings to see user reviews and have your say;

http://www.xblaratings.com/xna-ratings

Download Scrambled Egzz straight to you Xbox here;

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855018a/

 

 

 

Xbox Live games that deserve your attention.

Below is my list of games on Xbox Live Community Games the I think deserve your attention. The list is in alphabetical order. You can see user reviews here;

http://www.xblaratings.com/xna-ratings/menu/limit:25/order:rating

Don’t forget you can download demos of the games straight to your 360 here;

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/catalog.aspx?d=7&r=-1&g=-1&sb=0&ot=0&mt=32&rl=0&p=2

 

Biology Battle

 

Biology Battle is a modern, fast-paced take on the action arcade genre. Fight for topscore in our online challenge, or battle your friends through 12 unique ‘party game’ modes. Features: VERSUS and CO-OP Mulitiplayer, Single player Action, Global Topscore Lists (Gold Members), Awesome Party Games, High Replay Value, High Production Quality

Biology Battle is getting a lot of press and the user reviews are excellent, it may be expensive at 800 points but if you are a Geometry Wars fan and are looking for a new shoot em up fix, take a look. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

 

 

Bloc

Bloc is a new twist on the top-down shooter. Destroy blocks by firing like-coloured orbs while dodging a swarm of enemies.

The graphics may be simplistic, but the game is far from it. Destroying the blocs by firing the like coloured buttons is quite challenging, the local multiplayer works well too.

 

 

Blow

Use wind to guide your bubbles safely to the exit. Journey though the magical canopy of the ‘Great Tree’ collecting ‘Flames’ with help from the Fairies. Experience 70 handcrafted levels and infinite procedurally generated levels for endless variety.

Blow is a pleasure to play, easy on the eyes and the ears. The tutorial leads you in at a steady pace and the puzzles get progressively harder, but with the soothing sound track the game has, it doesn’t get too frustrating. it just keeps you coming back for more. At 400 points you are going to get many hours play out of Blow

 

 

CarneyVale: Showtime

CarneyVale: Showtime is a vertical ragdoll platform game. In the game, you play as Slinky, a circus acrobat trying to rise up the ranks by performing acrobatic tricks and death-defying stunts through increasingly complex arenas.

Carney Vale: Showtime was winner of the 2008 Dream-Build-Play competition and as such I expected to see it turn up on XBLA for 800 points. But I was very pleasantly surprised to see it come to XBLCG for just 400 points, it is a very polished game and exudes class in every aspect of it’s design. It challenges the best of XBLA games at a fraction of the price.

 

 

CaveIn – Miner Rescue Team

There is a collapse at the San Marino Mines! Join the Miner Rescue Team to save the trapped miners before it is too late. Explore 80 dangerous puzzle-filled levels in this addictive 3D adventure.

CaveIn is a fantastic puzzle game using cell shaded 3d graphics, it is one of the games that has set the bar for all other XNA programmers, there are a few getting there. Again a bargain for 400 points with hours for game play this is one puzzle game you would be mad to miss.

 

 

Classicard

Enjoy a game of euchre, hearts, oh hell, spades, knockout whist or romanian, whist solo or with your friends. It’s a classic card game for up to four players over live or system link. Invite your friends and let them join while you play.

If you are a fan of card games go out and get this. It has more games than any other card game on the Xbox at 400 points. It has had one update already and another one is in the pipeline at the time of writing, so it is a well supported game. Anyone who has play UNO will feel at home with game play so why are you waiting

 

 

Easy Golf

Create golf courses and share them with friends online through Xbox Live. The incredible course editor allows you to easily create fun and playable golf course holes in minutes. Play against your friends online and watch their golf balls fly around on your created course in real time. Laugh, smile, and enjoy an amazingly fun experience playing Easy Golf. Easy Golf is for people of all ages.

The beauty of Easy Golf is found in the course architect, it’s simple you use, yet with practice you can create the most amazing courses. Not only that, but it’s had an update that will let you share courses online. Once you have downloaded them they are yours to play whenever you like. What a brilliant feature, it will give you almost endless playtime. So don’t be put off by the 800 points price, there is a good community following this game so you will probably make some more Xbox buddies too.

 

 

Find Teddy

A puzzle game for young children. Find the Teddy that matches the clues and then make your own Teddy.

Find Teddy is made for young children, but what it does, it does very well. So if you have them and are worried about finding a game they can play, give this a go.

 

 

Groov

Groov is a frenetic dual-stick shooter that makes you the conductor of an intergalactic jazz fusion orchestra. Every action in Groov has a musical reaction, and with three unique modes, randomised music, and powerups that slow down the song (and your enemies), no two playthroughs are ever alike!

You could be mistaken for thinking that Groov is just another Geometry Wars clone with poorer graphics, but play it for any length of time and you’ll find yourself enthralled with the music reaction that every bullet makes on contact with the enemy. Dual Stick shooters are two a penny these days, so save yourself time looking for a good one, get Groov for only 200 points.

 

 

Hexothermic

Hexothermic is a puzzle game that will blow you away! With 4 different game modes, awards and highscores, Hexothermic is fun for all the family!

Hexothermic is another game that uses music in the most unusual way. When you first play it you’ll probably find yourself thinking “what the hell is going on”, but the hypnotic use of music will mean you won’t care. Stick with it and the puzzle solving becomes clearer, you’ll be getting plenty of relaxing game play for your 200 points.

 

 

Johnny Platform’s Biscuit Romp

Play as Johnny Platform himself in this retro-styled platformer! Do death-defying double-jumps and solve puzzles in your quest to defeat the evil robot army… and don’t forget to drink plenty of coffee along the way.

Old fashioned platforming has been bought back to us by this game. It has been on the top sellers list since it’s release. And it’s another game for only 200 points.

 

 

Ladybird Galaxy

Steer your rocketship in the galaxy and boost your way through the stars. Pick up the gems and build up your combo multiplier for the highscore, but watch out for the evil ladybirds trying to destroy you. Play single player and co-op arcade or battle your friends in this fast-paced action game.

Ladybird Galaxy is best played against your friends and is one of the many Community Games to be bringing local multiplayer back to our living rooms and for that I think you should give it a go.

 

 

Poker Squares

Place 25 cards in a 5 by 5 grid to make the 10 best poker hands. The better the poker hands the bigger score. Three modes of play: Solo, against the A.I. and against another Local Player. Each of these can also be played as a Speed Game. A number of top 10 high score tables are kept. Both USA and UK scoring systems are supported. Watch out! The A.I. is very hard to beat!

Poker Squares is one of my favourite games, so I was very pleased to be able to interview it’s creator Stephen Bennett a little while back. You can read the interview on the links to the right of this article. The game has such a simple concept and you don’t need to be a poker expert to play it. Playing against a friend locally is fantastic and with four player local and maybe 32 player online on the way(fingers crossed) this game has a big future. 200 points that you will be very pleased you spent.

 

 

Snake360

Fast-paced arcade-style Snake game with over 200 levels, co-op play, battle modes for up to 4 players, Internet Ranking, full 3D graphics and a pumping soundtrack!

It may only be Snake but with 4 player local play and a plethora of modes and levels, Snake fans should give this a go.

 

 

Weapon of Choice

INSANE ACTION and HUMONGOUS ALIENS tied together by a TWISTED STORY. Branching levels, 4 unique endings, 7 characters each with a Weapon of Choice. Reap revenge with the Vengeance Missile. Cheat death with Deathbrushing! Scale walls with the Spiderpack. Rock out to original, blistering metal guitar tracks. Enough gameplay to rot your teeth! Third Place Winner of Microsoft’s Dream Build Play 2008.

I must admit, I haven’t played Weapon of Choice, but it’s getting very good user reviews and a lot of hype is surrounding this game, so give the demo a go. I will be soon.

 

 

Word Soup

This word game is easy to play and maddeningly addictive. Join the blocks to make words of three or more letters. Blocks can be joined horizontally, vertically and diagonally.When a word is made, the blocks used disappear and the blocks above collapse. Every move creates new combinations.

Now it may be last on the list, but only because it is in alphabetical order and I couldn’t possible have a list of games that need your attention without Word Soup on it. It has had more gaming time in my house than any other since December. It is such a simple game and anyone who has played a word search magazine will feel straight at home. Do yourself a favour, use the old grey matter a little.

Thanks for taking the time to read my list, let me know what games you think people should be trying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xbox Live game Find Teddy first look

Download the game straight to your 360 here;

There have been a couple of games on Xbox Live Community Games (XBLCG) that have targeted the kiddie audience, Dokee and the Dancing Rain being the favourite with the younger ones in my family. But Find Teddy by Stephen Bennett, creator of Poker Squares is the first to do it really well.

The graphics are appropriately candy like and cute to attract kids, but they are in no way garish. The background music consists of circus top style organ music that fits well with the game.

Now to the important part – the game play. Find Teddy is described as “A puzzle game for young children. Find the Teddy that matches the clues and then make your own Teddy.” And it is really that simple. It has 4 levels, in level 1 you get 2 clues and 4 teddies to choose from, in level four you get 16 teddies and 4 clues, so Find Teddy should have a difficulty level to suit  many young children.

Your reward for success is to unlock items that you can then use to customise your own teddy back on the main menu. This is a great little touch, because as every Xbox owner knows achievements will keep you coming back for more.

All in all, another fine game from Stephen and at 400 points, it’s very welcome addition to XBLCG that I am sure will be loved by the little ones.

Download a demo of the game straight to your Xbox here;

 

Read our exclusive Poker Squares interview with Stephen Bennett;

https://xboxhornet.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/intereview-with-stephen-bennet-creator-of-xbox-live-game-poker-squares/