Xbox Live Arcade – Small Arms

Small Arms was released on Xbox Live arcade today priced at 800 Microsoft points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30). Thankfully the game is none of that retro tat which is best left in the past that Xbox Live Arcade seems to be full of recently.
The game, well think Super Smash Brothers with guns and nicer graphics.

Some features:

• 12 characters, each with their own weapon
• 8 unique levels
• 12 Achievements, including the innovative “Six Degrees of Small Arms” viral achievement
• Up to 4-player multiplayer offline and on Xbox Live
• Local Multiplayer / Xbox Live Swap – allows players to swap out a local friend with a friend over Live without leaving the game
• Three single player game modes (Story, Challenge, and Shooting Range)
• Colourful 3D graphics with classic side-scrolling run and gun action
• Expect premium downloadable content for this title in the future – providing new game play elements and unique challenges for Small Arms fans

I assume that “premium downloadable content” is going to cost you? Sounds like it will but we shall have to wait and see if it does.
Personally, I downloaded the demo and was bored after the 2nd level. Just not my thing. 1 dimensional game play coupled with pretty graphics does not a good game make. It’s you against the other guy (or girl or pig!). Start level, kill opponent. Opponent re-spawns. Kill opponent. Opponent re-spawns. Kill opponent. End of level. Yawn.

Oh, well at least it’s a new and shiny game, not an old and dusty one which is something. Check out the demo on Xbox Live Arcade and see what you think.

Screenshot:

Links:
Xbox Live Arcade