So, you’ve downloaded all the free games Xbox Live has to offer, but you still feel you’re missing something. You have gotten a small taste of the Xbox Live Arcade, and now you’re ready to dive right in. Well get your Microsoft points and rev that engine because here are five Xbox Live Arcade games you absolutely must own:
1. Bastion
Do I really even need to explain this one? Bastion follows the kid’s journey through a twisted world after what’s known as “the calamity” hits. You unravel the twisted tale and even make a few friends along the way. Bastion’s one of the – if not the absolute – most beautifully crafted game on the entire Xbox Live Arcade. Everything from its brilliant soundtrack to its story all the way up to the narrator leaves an amazing test in your mouth. This game was even my 2011 Game of the Year! If you’ve got 1200 Microsoft points go buy this game right now! And if you don’t have 1200 points, go get them!
2. Hydro Thunder Hurricane
It surprised me how much I ended up loving Hydro Thunder Hurricane after its initial Summer of Arcade 2010 release. Hurricane is the reboot of the classing Hydro Thunder boat racing series, (which I did in fact play on N64, a fact I didn’t know until recently.) and while I hadn’t remembered playing any of the series in the past, I immediately fell in love with Hurricane. With over 20 courses and a large handful of boats to race with the game has given me well over a hundred hours of enjoyment, and factoring in the amazing online and local multiplayer, it’s certainly worth the investment.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane – Xbox.com
3.Trenches Iron Brigade
Tim Shafer’s development studio Double Fine certainly knows how to make a game and Iron Brigade – formerly known as Trenched – proves this. Iron Brigade is a game all about Trench Warfare. And by trench warfare I mean giant robotic mechs outfitted with high tech turrets and cannons. It’s a 4 player all multiplayer experience that blends third person shooting with tower defense. Certainly one game you must own.
4. Limbo
Another game from the 2010 Summer of Arcade, Limbo is one of the most unique games in the Xbox Live Arcade scene. In Limbo you’ll follow a young boy who is on the search for his sister in a very odd land. Everything is black and white and the perspective is of a side scroller. You’ll solve puzzles, kill humongous spiders, and have the urge to throw your controller against many walls. Check it out, it’s worth it.
5. Toy Soldiers: Cold War
Toy Soldiers is one of those Xbox Live games that almost everyone owns. It’s a combination of third person shooter, real time strategy, tower defense, and yeah-bro-action. In Toy Soldiers, your “tower” is a child’s toy box, and your men are all different army men. There’s a handful of levels that work in all 3 game modes – online, campaign, and survival – as well as a gaggle of multiplayer game modes. I’ve spent hours on it, so should you!
Toy Soldiers: Cold War – Xbox.com
So that’s it. My top five Xbox Live Arcade games. Try those out, and get back to us. Do you like them? Hate them? Are you arranging a marriage to them? Let us know in the comments, and if you have anything you feel should be added to the list, let us know!
Some of my friends love Iron Brigade, I have to try it.
It’s one of the best Xbox Arcade games out there, especially with the new DLC out.
What about Castle Crashers, Shadow Complex, BF 1943, Torchlight, Super Meat Boy, Beyond Good & Evil HD, Plants vs. Zombies, (Ms.) Splosion Man, Trine 2?!
Lol….. :P
Most of those were contenders, but ultimately I never got into them as much as I did the ones I named. Another post will be coming soon, though.
I think you want a top 20 list :P
Hehe, I love me some XBLA games! :P
:P
Braid is better than all of those
Never could get into Braid unfortunately. Played on both PC and Xbox and never felt it was that great a game. But, to each his own.