Xbox Live Arcade: Mutant Storm Reloaded

Due to the overwhelming success of XBLA games like Geometry Wars, some very fun games are forgotten. The most notable of these games is Mutant Storm Reloaded. Despite it's somewhat cliché name, MSR offers a unique experience while staying true to all the aspects of its genre fans have come to expect.

At first glance MSR is easy to dismiss as just another Geometry Wars knock off. The style of play is a top-down 2 dimensional shooter like the arcade classics of old, and the aforementioned Geometry wars. Early levels are extremely easy and may turn off some who crave instant gratification. The difficulty soon ramps up however and its here that MSR really shows its true colors.

Graphically the game is really a matter of personal taste. Objectively it is easy to see that the game is rather beautiful and resembles something of an acid trip. Waves of magnificent colors surround each area and colored particles disperse from destroyed enemies. However if that's not your brand of mustard, the visuals can get annoying and distracting quite easily.

MSR's biggest strength comes in the gameplay. All other aspects of the game can be dismissed based solely on the perfection of the controls and difficulty curve. Ever so slowly is the player ushered forth from level to level with the challenge rising in each level just enough to make it very tough to beat on the first try, and requiring diligence and perseverance to get through the game. Old School.

Unlike most games today that want to make their game accessible to everyone of every age and ability, developer Pom Pom decided instead to slap the used in the face with challenge, telling the weak to go home and offering those strong enough with a place in Elysium and a throne in Valhalla (Roman and Norse heaven-like places awarded to soldiers who die gloriously in battle.)

Another plus of the gameplay is a complete lack of frustration. Many shooters of this style will frustrate the player, leaving them feeling like their death was the result of a glitch that is out of their control. Quite the contrary here as the player feels fully in control at all times. The ship controls like a dram cruise and allows perfectly for precision movement in and out of tiny gaps in the enemy offensive.

Add to this mix co-op gameplay that works flawlessly and allows you to hook-up with your friends to enjoy the game and you've got one solid package.

All of the goodness MSR has to offer comes at a price though, and a somewhat hefty one at that. Weighing in at 800 Marketplace Points, it will cost you about ten dollars to get your meaty claws on Mutant Storm Reloaded. A small price to pay for all the fun you're likely to have with it though. If you have an Xbox 360 and Xbox live, there's no excuse for not picking up MSR, as almost everyone will find something to like in this game.