XBLA Reviews of Blazing Birds, Gel: Set & Match

Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays May 20 2009 Releases, XBLA May Reviews

May 21, 2009

This week in XBLA (May 20 2009), Blazing Birds, a robotic game of badminton for 400, and Gel: Set & Match, a unique puzzle-action game for 800. Read the reviews inside.

Every week on Wednesday, Xbox Live Marketplace releases at least one new Xbox 360 Live Arcade (XBLA) game. May 20, 2009 two new XBLA titles released - a robotic video game adaptation of badminton for 400 MS Points called Blazing Birds - and a unique puzzle game with offline and online multiplayer modes called Gel: Set & Match for 800 MS Points.

Read below for the Blazing Birds review, and the Gel: Set & Match review to see if either are worth the 400/800 MS points.

XBLA May 20, 2009 - Blazing Birds Review

Robotic badminton. For all those intrigued by the mere possibility of a video game adaptation of robotic badminton, this game might just be for them.

Developed by Vector2Games, Blazing Birds is the winner of the 2007 Dream Build Play competition for XNA. Similar to the Dishwasher Dead Samurai, winning an award has bumped Blazing Birds into the Xbox Live Arcade library.

Blazing Birds is a 2D badminton game with robots serving the shuttlecock across the net with a lightsaber, of sorts. Already it has quite a bit going for it.

Though, at first, Blazing Birds seems all too elementary - simply hitting the birdie back and forth with a few powerups like teleportation, meteor, and firecracker just to keep things interesting. But like most Tennis-based video games, the real challenge and gameplay involves manually placing shots with perfect timing to throw off the other player.

The result is something similar to Rockstar's Tabble Tennis or Top Spin, except the game is 2D and far more fast-paced. Similar to those titles the gameplay is rather repetitive, but still frantic and fun.

Similar to the gameplay, the graphics and visual flair in Blazing Birds is simple, yet effective. Special effects for powerups adds just the right amount of kick without too much distraction.

The lightsaber will light up different colors depending on which button is pressed, which can help predict where the shuttlecock will fly. And whenever a robot holds a powerup it glows a specific color, allowing the other player to know which powerup will come next.

Crisp, clean visuals add to the appeal of this title, but more importantly, the visuals add more depth, allowing players to predict what's coming next.

Blazing Birds Conclusion

With only 2-player (local, no online modes) multiplayer and a few varying difficulties, Blazing Birds feels a bit cut-and-dry. Try the Blazing Birds demo to make sure the gameplay isn't too repetitive, if it's a good fit, then buy. Very few 400 MS point titles offer this level of intense action and fun.

XBLA May 20 2009 - Gel: Set & Match Review

Gel: Set & Match is yet another match 4 same-colored blocks to create combos, chains, etc. But this is no falling block game, and not another Bejewled or Hexic rip-off, Gel: Set & Match bears more resemblance to the quirky Wario Woods title on SNES.

Developed by Gastronaut Studios, independent game studio and creators of the XBLA hit Small Arms, Gel: Set & Match offers a deep, match-the-colors puzzler with numerous single player game modes, and multiplayer co-op and competitive modes both local and online.

In Gel: Set & Match, players take control of a character, which is used to push and pickup blocks, setting them in place or throwing them in a straight line. By matching four of the same color, the blocks begin to melt. Any same-colored block touching the melting block will also melt. By using melting blocks to make other blocks melt, players can create combos to clear the board faster and gain more points.

The gameplay is well thought-out and highly addictive, but unfortunately the controls didn't receive the same care of attention. The blocks are stuck on a grid, but the player's character is not. Frequently, the player's character will be in-between multiple squares, so placing or dropping the block in the wrong place is a frequent frustration. If the player's movements were more snapped to the grid (similar to Bomberman), this annoyance could have been avoided.

Due in large part to the slippery controls, Gel: Set & Match has a steep learning curve, but Gel's depth will reward players patient enough to stick around.

The characters of Gel: Set & Match - cartoon version of anteaters - offer just enough cuteness to attract a younger audience without turning away older gamers.

Gel: Set & Match offers the colorful cuteness expected from a good puzzle game. And, through acquired "star" tokens, players can customize the anteater characters with various costume pieces similar to Bomberman Live!

Gel: Set & Match Conclusion

With numerous modes spanning single-player, local multiplayer, and online multiplayer, Gel: Set & Match offers an in-depth puzzle color-matcher on XBLA.

The gameplay is both familiar and a breath of fresh air, and the strong challenge offered in this title should give casual and hardcore gamers alike a good value for their money. The only downside - the controls - can be worked out through patience. At 800 MS points, this unique, original Xbox Live Arcade game holds a ton of value.

Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays Releases May 20 2009 - Conclusion

As a rare, welcome change of pace, both Xbox Live Arcade games offered this Wednesday are worth a serious look.

Even though the repeditive gameplay and lack of extra modes may deter some gamers, hopefully through its unique, intense badminton-based gameplay, Blazing Birds will find the audience it deserves for the low, low price of 400 MS points.

And while the controls may frustrate some, Gel: Set & Match's unique puzzle gameplay, with numerous modes both online and offline, will give puzzle game fans a huge value for 800 MS Points.

The copyright of the article XBLA Reviews of Blazing Birds, Gel: Set & Match in Video & Online Games is owned by Bradley Kairis. Permission to republish XBLA Reviews of Blazing Birds, Gel: Set & Match in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.