Although the Indie Games section of the Xbox LIVE Marketplace is a bit hidden underneath all the layers of Call of Duty map pack advertisements, there are some outstanding games aching to be played, at a fraction of the price of most retail titles. While you may be inclined to believe otherwise, between the trashy, generic, and shallow titles that populate the Indie section of the Marketplace, there are a few gems every gamer should try out. Here are five of the top indie games you can buy right this very second and support a starving developer, in no particular order.
5.) Undead Empire – Despite its dated appearance and rough graphics, Undead Empire offers up an enjoyable co-operative experience with simple, yet addictive gameplay. Utilizing a twin-stick control scheme akin to the one seen in Smash TV or Geometry Wars, Undead Empire offers up a relentless difficulty with progressive gameplay mechanics that make it hard to put down the controller. At only 80 Microsoft Points, Undead Empire is a steal, but be sure to play with buddies!
4.) The Impossible Game – One of the more popular Indie Game titles on the Marketplace, The Impossible Game may appear innocuous enough at first sight, but give the game a chance and you’ll quickly learn that the game’s title certainly isn’t misleading. Employing a simple, yet addicting one-button gameplay mechanic, The Impossible Game takes the platforming genre to an all-new level.
3.) Dead Pixels – A fairly traditional side-scroller with delightful 8-bit graphics and clean animation and sound, Dead Pixels delivers an enjoyable action RPG experience with tons of upgrades, weaponry, and items to keep the experience fresh for hours on end. Although the game lacks LIVE-enabled co-operative play, Dead Pixels features 2 player couch co-op that adds a brand new level of fun to the experience.
2.) ZP2KX Zombies and Pterodactyls 20XX – Ska Studios has become somewhat of a household name in the indie world, and for good reason. ZP2KX is a frenetic, high-octane side-scrolling shooter that features high-flying, jet-packing gameplay in both online and offline modes. When you aren’t frantically trying to take down your opponents, you’re dodging missiles, grenades, and pterodactyls, of all things. Grab a few friends and definitely give this one a shot.
1.) I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1 – If you haven’t already heard of Ska Studios’ magnum opus, I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1, you definitely need to give it a shot. The 80 Microsoft Point price tag is justified in and of itself by the insanely absurd theme song that will have you smiling ear-to-ear the first time you hear it (no guarantees for any subsequent playthroughs) and the twin-stick shooter gameplay will have Geometry Wars fanatics hooked in an instant. Give it a look!
Think I missed a killer indie game? Hate all of these? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
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