XBLA is just spiffy

This weekend I finally decided to stump up the cash for Crystal Defenders on the basis that the extra points left over would cover the purchase of Peggle. I’ve played the demo’s to both of these several times now, and after seeing a bit more of crystal defenders when Lostintransit brought it over i knew i wanted to have a proper go.

I seem to be the only gamer on the planet that hasn’t already played peggle in one form or another, so i apologise for being a bit behind the curve on this one, but it’s just the most fantastic experience in terms of what you put in for what you get out. It feels so good when you get that lucky bounce, or when you manage to aim a shot *just* right so that you get a free ball. And the way the overture plays when you clear the last peg just makes me smile sooooo much. I’ve not quite finished the Adventure yet, although i did watch anniedele Polish it off in two sittings!

As for Crystal defenders, again I’m probably off the pace, because i think it’s the first tower defence game I’ve actually sat down and played. I skipped ninja town on my DS, mainly because i just had too much else to play at the time, and on this basis i probably regret that, as I’m really enjoying myself. I Haven’t ventured into W2 and it’s crystals as of yet, mainly sticking to W1 to get the basics down.

First Impressions – GTA: Chinatown Wars

1) Tricky. Getting rid of the cops is really difficult so far. The ability to get rid of your rating by smashing up cop cars sounds like it’ll be fun in the long run, but at the moment it’s been hard to judge when you can smack them and it’s fast enough to actually take them out. More often than not, in a chase I’m left with a burning car that I can get out of, but as soon as I try to get into another the police pull me out and arrest me – mission failed

2) Technically incredible. It really does have a nice vibe, and it’s very impressive for a DS game. The scale is there, the layout seems very similar to the 360 version, to the point that I sort of know where I am at a given moment. The main tricky thing is that you can’t change the scale on the minimap, which would be handy for getting your bearings in a pinch.

3) Fun. I Spent 3 hours playing it last night, all of them with a grin on my face, even when things were getting frustrating with the first drugs bust!

Wheelman / Halowars Demos

I try to make a point of playing demo’s, because they’re free, and it makes sense to try a game i wouldn’t usually by playing it rather than reading reviews. This has led me to trying both of the above, and i have to say that wheelman looks like being nothing but Dumb fun, and I’m quite impressed by it. It’s definitely put itself on my radar, It looks like a perfect mission style game to pick up once I’m done with skate and GTA:TLATD.

Halo wars however, couldn’t sway me. It’s clearly a very polished game, but I just can’t find enjoyment in that sort of game, full stop. Sorry….