BUZZKILLER'S DOMAIN

Indie developer and good friend, Nathan Fouts of Mommy’s Best Games, has entered his next game Grapple Buggy into Microsoft’s 2009 Dream Build Play Event. Nathan is no stranger to the Dream Build Play competition. His previous game, Weapon of Choice, took third place in last year’s event.

Grapple Buggy is a game all about exploration as an alliance between the humans of Earth and aliens from another world come together for a joint mission to explore an alien planet in a state of the art buggy with a grappling arm. The rest of the game involves espionage and some nasty aliens the team must avoid in order to survive. In a way, Grapple Buggy can also be called “Bionic Car-mando.” I had the opportunity to play Grapple Buggy at E3 2009 and I was extremely impressed with the game.

Good Luck Nathan in this year’s competition.

Infernal: Hell’s Vengeance (Playlogic, $39.99)

Ryan Lennox is a fallen angel recruited by the forces of the underworld to battle against the Etherlife, heavens secret agency. It’s a 3rd person shooter which also features some supernatural powers.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Marvel vs Capcom 2 (Capcom, 1200 Microsoft Points)

One of the greatest fighting games of all time is finally here. Capcom’s roster of video game characters teams up with Marvel’s superheroes and villains in the ultimate battle. Download this game now!

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Duality ZF has to be one of the most highly anticipated games coming to the Xbox Live Indie Games platform. Well I had a chance to catch up with Matthew Doucette, who is the developer of the game, to get some new info regarding Duality ZF. Matthew tells me that Duality ZF is getting “entered into the 2009 Dream Build Play Contest in the next 12 days, and then wait for the reuslts and other potential opportunities.” One of these possibilities could include an Xbox Live Arcade contract. Finally, Matthew says that they plan to “release it to xbox live indie games shortly after unless something better comes up!”

Well Matthew, I wish you the best of luck with the game in the Dream Build Play contest. We’ll keep you updated on all information regarding Duality ZF and it’s eventual release on Xbox Live Indie Games or maybe on Xbox Live Arcade.

‘Splosion Man (Twisted Pixel Games, 800 Microsoft Points)

An excellent platform game that rivals classics like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog featuring a character who literally explodes. I highly recommend playing this game.

CLICK HERE for the full review

It’s Official! According to Pop Cap Games, Plant’s vs Zombies is coming to Xbox Live Arcade. The game is a hit with PC fans and now Xbox 360 owners will get a chance to play the game and earn achievements as well. No word yet on a release date or any new features, but I’ll keep you posted on all the details.

Xbox Live Indie Games got a much needed restructuring this week as Microsoft announced the changing of the title of Xbox Live Community Games to Xbox Live Indie Games. Also changing is the prices of the games. Indie games now start at 80 Microsoft Points ($1.00) to 400 Microsoft Points ($5.00). That’s right everyone…no more 800 Microsoft Point indie games.Finally, Xbox Live Indie Games now also get automatic updates just like retail and XBLA titles.

ATTENTION INDIE DEVELOPERS: It’s also been learned that Microsoft has give indie developers 50 tokens to give out to fans of the game and to the press and for review purposes. Don’t forget that I review indie games…hint, hint.

So today I got myself a double shot of Madden entertainment. I had not one, but two Madden NFL 10 demos. One on the Xbox Live Marketplace and the other from the good folks at Gamestop. Unfortunately only one of the demos is worth playing (Gamestop). So based on the demos, is this year’s edition worth all the hype? The answer is…Yes.

So let’s take a look at each demo. The Xbox Live Marketplace demo features a winter game at Giants Stadium between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. The demo has four- one minute quarters…that sucks. The Gamestop demo, on the other hand, features a rematch between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals from Super Bowl XLIII. This demo features four-five minute quarters (default game). Obviously the Gamestop demo is worth the gameplay while the Marketplace demo suffers from a lack of time unless you can score fast.

This year’s Madden is clearly an upgrade featuring the new Pro-Tak system. This new feature is best used in the running game so that your running back can get that extra yard if he’s getting pushed back by bringing in an extra lineman to help block. This also works defensively to stop running backs by placing up to 9 players in the box. I used this in the demo and I must say that it works brilliantly and can be a real game changer in the fourth quarter. The Wildcat offense used by the Miami Dolphins is also here. I’ve also noticed a new fumble recovery system which is pretty much a button mashing sequence.

Graphically, the game looks great. In a way it’s almost starting to look like that Madden next gen commercial back in April of 2005 during the NFL Draft. As for presentation, they weren’t kidding when they said that everything you see on Sunday is in the game. I’ve noticed fan interaction, refs arguing over calls, players talking on the phone with coordinators and more. The weather elements for the winter game look amazing. Even snow sticks on the screen like your looking through a camera.

Currently there were some features left out of the demo including play-by-play commentary and the halftime show, but remember this is a demo and not the full game. Also there are some product placements from Sprint and Snickers which may draw some anger from some people, but it won’t detract too much from the game.

Overall, Madden NFL 10 is looking like a must buy game. If you haven’t pre-ordered the game, I suggest you do so. Plus if you go to Gamestop to get it you can get the exclusive Super Bowl demo. Now it’s time to get your practice time in and get your skills up to snuff because it’s almost time to “Fight For Every Yard” when Madden NFL 10 arrives on Friday, August 14.

In this latest developer diary for Madden NFL 10, the development crew at EA talk about making the game the most authentic NFL experience by showing you everything that goes on in a typical NFL game. This includes referees, injuries, quarterbacks on the phone talking to the coordinators in the booth, the kicker kicking into the net in a late game situation, and so much more. Remember it’s EA Sports and if it’s in the game, then “It’s in the game!”

Enjoy the video and get ready to “Fight For Every Yard” on August 14.

Vancouver, British Columbia independent game developer, Decapod Studios, has officially announced it’s first game for the Xbox Live Indie Games platform called Murphid. It’s a puzzle game featuring more than 60 levels and 3 modes of fun. Murphid is developed to cater to both the hardcore puzzle masters and casual gamers of all types. According to Decapod CXO, Dennis Brandis, “Murphid is both relaxed and addictive. There’s no doubt that gamers will have as much fun playing Murphid as we had developing it.”

Keep an eye out for Murphid as it makes it way to Xbox Live Indie Games in late summer of 2009.

Space Deadbeef (I.D.P.)

A FREE GAME that’s not a LITE demo on your iPhone or iPod Touch…believe it. Space Deadbeef is a 2D Shooter which has you in a fighter plane taking on wave after wave of enemies. It’s a really fun game and it’s addictive as well.

CLICK HERE for the full review