The Xbox Live Arcade has a library that's bursting at the
seams with game offerings, so much so that you might find it overwhelming at
times.
If you haven't yet been tempted to buy an Xbox One, don't
despair. There's plenty of life in the Xbox 360 yet, especially if you've yet
to properly explore the titles available from the Xbox Live Arcade.
We've picked what we feel are the best of the lot, with
release dates all the way up to 2013.
If you think we've missed any titles that you put in your
top ten, feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon may be related in title to its
sibling Far Cry 3, but is vastly different in terms of game content. Blood
Dragon is a cyber shooter that is like walking into an 80s version of the
future.
It’s rammed full of comic clichés, is gratuitously violent
and pretty foul-mouthed. We sometimes think the joke wears a bit thin, but it's
definitely worth your time.
Price: £9.99
Platform: Xbox 360
Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition
Although the Xbox 360 Edition of Minecraft is a little
leaner than the original PC version, the world is still only limited by your
own mind and imagination.
Of course, Minecraft is a game that doesn’t need much of an
introduction, but for those not familiar with the game, it’s a game that
requires you to build your own blocky, virtual world. There are challenges to
be achieved and points to strive for, but really it is just about enjoying the
creation process.
You will have to protect your little world against the night
monster though, so beware.
Price: £13.49
Platform: Xbox 360
Trials Evolution
If you played Trials HD, Trials Evolution is its successor
and offers 50 single-player career levels that are terrific fun. This
physics-based motocross title also has a multiplayer mode that is very
accessible. You won’t need pro skills to have fun with Trials Evolution, which
makes it even more enjoyable.
If you fancy trying your hand at building your own track,
there is a course creator included that will allow you to share your creations
with players around the world.
The crisp graphics and slick controls only add to the appeal
of this motocross title.
Price: £9.99
Platform: Xbox 360
Battlefield 1943
If you’ve ever
bought a Battlefield title for the storyline,
Battlefield 1943 will sorely disappoint. There’s no single-player campaign to
speak of as this Xbox Live arcade game is strictly multiplayer only.
However, the game offers thoroughly addictive gameplay,
dynamic maps, and a hugely diverse vehicle arsenal. Depth and a strategic edge
are added through the complex, if a little outdated, maps and the variety of
vehicles at your disposal.
Plus, there’s a rather stringent set of victory criteria to
battle against.
Price: £9.99
Platform: Xbox 360
Super Meat Boy
Basically, you play as a rancid bit of meat in Super Meat
Boy, which should be enough to entice you in initially. Old-school game
mechanics and a staggering number of 2D levels will be the things that keep you
playing.
Super Meat Boy uses simple controls to let you run and jump
your way through the various levels. There are various obstacles to overcome
that will both infuriate and intoxicate you in a way that makes Super Meat Boy
insanely addictive.
The animations are pixelated beauty, the soundtrack is sheer
brilliance and the cut-scenes crudely hilarious.
Price: £9.99
Platform: Xbox 360
Limbo
Limbo is one of the most eerily beautiful, yet sombre and
cerebral games you may ever play. You take control of a young boy as he
traverses a monochrome dreamscape and overcomes rather morbid trials.
There’s actually no semblance of a storyline or context with
Limbo, but thats actually part of its appeal. You’ll challenge yourself throughout
its three-hour duration with the various clever puzzles and hurdles you stumble
across. We found ourselves stumped on many, many occasions.
You’ll want to play it through a second time straight away,
and it’ll always leave you wanting a little bit more.
Price: £9.99
Platform: Xbox 360
Toy Soldiers
You’ll have to direct your tiny toy army through epic
battles in Toy Soldiers, a title that is all tower defence strategy at its
core. In a market that is saturated with tower defence games, Toy Soldiers is
one of the better on offer, and will have you hankering for the days spent with
toys strewn across the bedroom floor.
Far from a real war simulator, Toy Soldiers exaggerates the
toy elements of the game and even features giant table lamps hovering over the
battlefield. The goal is to defend your toy box against waves of oncoming
enemies, and you’ll be laughing as you do.
Price: £6.75
Platform: Xbox 360
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is the first video game from
Swedish film director, Josef Fares, and oh boy is it a great one. A
gut-wrenching narrative, beautiful graphics and a unique control system combine
to create a very memorable title.
Although Brothers is a single-player title, you’ll have to
control both siblings simultaneously. Each joystick and corresponding trigger
button set controls a different brother. It’s pretty tricky to begin with, but it
definitely gets easier with practice.
You’ll need to be pretty competent with the controls to
solve the various puzzles and challenges the game presents though, so be
prepared for a little frustration at first. Persevere though, the end-game is
worth the struggle
Price: £3.29
Platform: Xbox 360
The Bridge
Prepare to be completely stumped by The Bridge. It’s a game
that will force you to manipulate gravity as you manoeuvre your way through
various architectural conundrums.
This 2D logic puzzler plays with physics and perspective as
each level is inspired by the artwork of MC Esher. There are six worlds, each
divided into six exquisitely hand-drawn levels that will ask you to avoid heavy
rollers, deathly drops and other perilous traps as you manipulate the world.
Many of them will seem impossible at first, as you survey
the monochrome structures, but with a bit of logic, crafty wiggling and a good
dollop of luck, you’ll get through. And you’ll love it.
Price: £6.75 or £3.37 with an Xbox Live Gold subscription
Platform: Xbox 360
The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 - Faith
From the creators of the video game series The Walking Dead
comes The Wolf Among Us. This is the first episode of five, entitled Faith, and
makes a bold start to what could be one of the best games of 2013 and 2014.
Set in a rather magical version of New York City, populated
by various fairytale characters, you’ll be required to make choices and deal
with their consequences, as with The Walking Dead. Faith is a two-hour long
adventure and launches you deep into the strange and dangerous magical world.
The action scenes are fantastic and interactive and the
entire world is a brash, violent and entertaining place. There’s a touch of
noir in the presentation of this murder mystery, and the humour and stylishness
of its presentation leaves it on par with its sibling, The Walking Dead.
Price: Free or £9.99 for the complete season pass
Platform: Xbox 360
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