Kinda came to my attention after the last game update that maybe I shouldtry to get more detailed with my posts, so I guess I will make an xbox live arcade-specific topic. So to celebrate my new job, I went ahead and bought some of the XBLA games I was looking at last week. There are still a couple more I want to buy, but I think I should wait a bit until after my tv payment comes. I analyzed and re-analyzed a lot of games Iwas considering, and eventually decided to trim the fat where needed. Here are the games I decided tobuy, and why I decided to buy them.

1. Commanders - March of the Genos: "Wait a second, didn't you just say in your last entry that you weren't getting it?" Well, I decided to play all three of the demo missions this time instead of just the one, and discovered that deep down this game does have some meat on its bones. If nothing else, it was the unique War of the Worlds/World War-inspired setting that seemed different. The game clearly isn't and never will be as good as Advance Wars, but it's got its own thing going, and now I have a wars-ish game on the console.

2. Bionic Commando - ReArmed: The more I play this game, the more I am glad I bought it. This really is one of the most refreshing platforming games I've played in a while. Platforming games don't necessarily have to follow the structure we have grown so accustomed to in order to be good, they can strip jumping and aiming attacks away, throw in a bionic arm, and bring us something every bit as good as those other great platformers, except more original.

3. Wik - Fable of Souls: Again, another great example of a different way we can do a platforming game. I don't even know if you call it platforming for certain, but whatever it is I like it. You control yourself by aiming in the direction and distance you want to go, and jump to move. Then you can latch onto surfaces with your tongue, kind of like the bionic arm in BCR, and swing about to reach distant platforms and objects. To top it all off you can inhale objects and spit them out all kirby-style, and use this ability to gather larva to feed a strange armadillo-like creature down below. Collecting coins and floating gems while trying to shoo away pesky flies trying to steal your larva, all in time trying to slow the armadillo with honey so he doesn't leave the stage, makes for fun multi-tasking meyhem.

4. Worms 2 - Armageddon: I felt the need to own a Worms game, because it seems like it would be fun for multiplayer, and kinda different from what I am used to. While the game is still confusing and difficult for me to figure out, I am happy with the purchase and hope I can improve my skill at playing it.

5. Outpost Kaloki X: It's a fun,yet slightly challenging space tycoon game that requires you to manage your money while at the same time giving your customers what they want. OKX really has to be experienced to be understood, and delivers a pretty different game experience. I have fun deciding whether to buy that new space generator I gained access to building, or else build a new business in order to attract more customers. I would like to see Ninjabee do more with this game world, it's a pretty funny place.

I would like to get the Penny Arcade games and Shadow Complex next, but for now there's no rush- I have work to do on these games.

~ Ovi