Verdict: Nice puzzler

In a Nutshell: Block pushing, timed puzzler.

(from the publisher’s website)

“Hunters have invaded the Arctic! Mr. Big, the CEO of Globoco, has decided to drill in the Arctic. Unfortunately, Polar and his family are in the way, and he’s hired hunters to clear them out by any means necessary.

Help Polar rescue his family by battling the hunters, and Mr. Big in frantic arcade play. Use iceblocks, dynamite crates, and anything else handy to drive Globoco out of your territory. Once the arctic is safe, master all 50 devious stages of Puzzle Mode.”

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Verdict: interesting

In a Nutshell: This is a first-person shooter/puzzle and was one of the 2009 PAX 10.

(from the game’s website)

“Tag: The Power of Paint, a first-person platformer created by seven RTIS and BFA students at DigiPen, was chosen from ten IGF Student Showcase Finalists as winner of the Best Student Game Award.”

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Verdict: Rich!

In a Nutshell: This is an update to the classic platform puzzler of racing to collect all the gold before the baddies catch you.

(from the game’s XBLA page)

“It’s an all-new Lode Runner gold mine — 3-D graphics, frenzied 2-D action, lodes of modes, 220 levels, multiplayer options, puzzles, a level editor and more! Run, climb, blast blocks, outsmart enemies and grab the gold on your own or with a partner. It’s classic action with “lodes” of new twists.”

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Verdict: not bad

In a Nutshell: This plays like a puzzling variation on pinball but with a rag doll and was one of the 2009 PAX 10.

(from the game’s website)

“CarneyVale: Showtime is a vertical ragdoll platform game for Xbox LIVE Community Games. In the game, you play as Slinky, a circus acrobat trying to rise up the ranks by performing acrobatic tricks and death-defying stunts through increasingly complex arenas.”

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Verdict: spooky

In a Nutshell: I can’t describe it any better than the website can.  The still-being-developed, second installment of Closure was one of the 2009 PAX 10.

(from the game’s website)

“A creepy puzzle about darkness and the unknown.”

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Verdict: not too bad, actually

In a Nutshell: This is a collection of slot machines.

(from the game’s website)

“Reel Deal Slots Blackbeard’s Revenge will blow you away with all of its new features! The 3D graphic technology makes stunning graphics pop on screen.  Dress and personalize your own virtual avatar, choose from millions of combinations. The all new prize vault takes you ashore to exotic locations to plunder your loot and bring home the booty. By popular demand we’ve added progressive slots to the round up, as well as 4×5 style slots with 40 Pay-lines. New video poker and slot machines have been specially crafted for Blackbeard’s Revenge; its concept and design will be sure to have you begging for more. Join Cap’n Blackbeard and crew for some swashbucklin fun!”

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Verdict: it’s a dud

In a Nutshell: A mediocre new take on a classic Windows puzzle game.

(from the game’s website)

“Minesweeper has come a long way since the days of the 9 X 9 grid! In Minesweeper Flags, you can choose to play the classic grid game if you like, but if you’re looking for real action, check out our Flags mode where you must secure the mines instead of avoiding them. Minesweeper Flags also delivers exciting multiplayer action for up to four players, deep stats to track your rankings, ratings and true skill score, fun new achievements and an all-new action packed single player campaign mode. This is Minesweeper Xbox 360 style!”

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Verdict: funkadelic!

In a Nutshell: This is a side-scrolling rhythm game full of cute and funk.

(from the game’s website)

“In the game, MEVO, the main character, has to reunite his band, the Grooveriders, bring ‘FUNK’ back to the universe and defeat the enemy SILENCE. To move MEVO through the game’s five beautifully crafted worlds (Ocean, Jungle, Desert, Space and Wormhole), players must tap 2 keys to the rhythm of the game’s music as it is played and displayed in the game with arrows. All tracks are original, produced in-house with live musicians, and feature a unique and playful retro-funky style that varies from organic to electronic tracks. “

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Verdict: how is this a game?

In a Nutshell: This application is a very slimmed down version of Dungeons & Dragons that is reminiscent of a choose-your-own-adventure story but without so many choices.

(from the game’s website)

“Welcome to Dungeons & Dragons: Tiny Adventures! Choose a hero to send on epic adventures. Be your hero’s guide through encounters with menacing monsters and dangerous traps. Equip your hero with magical weapons and armor. Get an RPG experience on Facebook without having to play for hours at a time!”

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Verdict: squintiful

In a Nutshell: Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos is a collection hidden object games tied together with an international dective/spy theme.

(from the game’s website)

“Track down the evil and destructive fugitive Dr. Chaos, as you hunt down clues in the exciting seek and find game Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos. As an elite agent for Interpol, it is your mission to eradicate his trail of corruption as it takes you around the world from one international city to the next. Use your investigative skills to quickly gather the evidence needed to bring him to justice.”

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