After playing through the Call of Duty: Black Ops campaign this week and being really disappointed I moved on to playing a bunch of downloadable titles. I’m glad I just rented COD:BLOPS because I’m not really into the multiplayer style and the campaign was not great.  The actual story was pretty interesting this time around but the game play was really annoying.  Too many times I would shoot enemies only to have nothing happen.  Plus,all of the enemies seemed to be able to kill me with just one or two bullets.  Shouldn’t I be able to do the same to them?

Fortunately, X-Men Arcade released on Xbox Live Arcade this week to distract me.  I’ve got a quick review of it up here, but basically it is as fun as I remember. The 6 player co-op over Xbox Live is great when it is not lagging or kicking people out of the room. Still, overall if you enjoyed the arcade game I think this version is worth getting to play with some friends.

Radiangames Crossfire 2 is quickly becoming one of my favorite Xbox Live Indie Games. Radiangames has not made a title I’ve not enjoyed yet, but Crossfire 2 night be their best one.  It takes a Space Invaders fixed cabinet view and adds a full upgrade system.  Plus there is a score based mode with online leaderboards for when the campaign has been completed.  I’ve got a full review on XBLA & XBLIG Ratings here.

I’ve also started Soulcaster II. The way it mixes tower defense and action RPG is really nicely done. The first game was great and the sequel only improves on it. I’ll be getting a review together later this week over here.

I’ve been playing a lot of downloadable titles this week with a mix of Rock Band 3. I’m working on getting better playing keyboard, but that gets mixed in with my normal gaming most of the time anyway.  This week has been heavy on Xbox Live Arcade and Indie Game titles.  Harms Way release on Xbox Live Arcade for free this week so I checked it out a little.  I played some of the single player mode and I’d like to try the multiplayer but every time I try it tells me there are no rooms available.  I tried hosting my own room but after 15 minutes no one had joined and I gave up.  I’ll try it again over the weekend and hopefully can find some people to play with because it seems like it would be fun against actual people.

Costume Quest for a DLC pack titles Grubbings on Ice. It release Wednesday for $5 and I finished that night.  It was only about 3 hours but I had a lot of fun playing it.  The new costumes were fun and the story was a nice addition.  I really hope they release more DLC like this for it. I’ve got a review on XBLA Ratings: here.

I also have been playing Commander – World 1, Epic Dungeon, Decimation X3 and Score Rush on Xbox Live Indie Games.  All are $1 each and well worth checking out.  Hit any of the links for my review of the game on XBLIG Ratings. The Xbox Live Indie Game devs have been really stepping it up with great $1 games recently and I’m taking full advantage.

Having finished Fallout: New Vegas I spent the last couple days playing Rock Band 3 (review coming at some point), Radiangames Fireball and Faery: Legends of Avalon.  Fireball is similar to passivism mode in Geometry Wars but expanded to a full game.  At just $1 it is my value game for the week because I’ve easily put 4 or 5 hours into it already.  It is a blast to play and with online leaderboards it keeps me coming back to try new tactics.  My review for Fireball is up on XBLA & XBLIG Ratings here. The challenges modes are my current addiction.  At just 3 minutes they don’t take very long but are a lot of fun.

Faery: Legends of Avalon hit Xbox Live Arcade this week and with my saved game at 8 and a half hours I’ve finished it already. It is fun, if linear, RPG that explores the world of Avalon as you try to save magic from extinction.  The combat is turn based and with 6 or 7 companions to choose from on your quests there is a wide range of attacks and spells to use.  I had fun going back to a fairly classic RPG what was not overly complicated or fast.  My full review is up here.

Inferno is not the first Radiangame’s title that I’ve mentioned here.  It was not that long ago I was playing Crossfire.  Inferno is their third Xbox Live Indie Game and like the first two it is a blast.  At only $1 I would highly recommend checking it out.  It is a twin-stick shooter but with a level mechanic and power-ups that really make the game more than just another shooter.  I’ve got a full review on XBLA Ratings, but you should save yourself the time and just go grab the demo for yourself.

There have been quite a few fun Xbox Live Indie Games released in the last two weeks.  I find myself continuing to go back to Radiangames Crossfire.  I’m stuck on level 49 for the last couple days.  If I was just more patient I could probably get past it, but so far no luck.  I have a lot of fun playing it with Shorty since he can just hold the trigger down and then move around.  I also am working my way through Lumi and Jurassic.  Both are really fun games.  I’ve got a breakdown of all three in a little more detail here.   Also, if you’re into vertical shooters I’ve got a post on EvilAvatar about some fun one on the Xbox Live Indie Game channel here.

Rock Band 3 Hands On Impressions

Xbox Live Arcade Hands On Recap

F1 2010 Hands On Impressions (Video)

Power Gig Rise of the Six String – Hands On Impressions & Developer Interview

Star Wars The Old Republic Hands On Impressions (Video)

Bodycount Hands On Impressions

Brink Hands On Impressions

Here are the Xbox Live Arcade games individually that I got time with.

DeathSpank

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2

Hard Corps: Uprising

Hydro Thunder Hurricane

Evil Avatar’s Indie Garage – Tower Defense

Link: Evil Avatar’s Indie Garage – Platformers

Let me know what you think and if there is a specific Indie Game I should be sure to mention.

Top New Retro Xbox Live Indie Games

Retrofit:Overload hit Xbox Live Indie Games last week and I love it.  I posted a review over on XBLA Ratings (link). I would highly recommend checking it out because it is really well made and it just will set you back $1.