XBLA Today: Roogoo and Aces of the Galaxy

Welcome to this weeks twofer edition of XBLA Today as we decide, simple yet addicting puzzler, space shooter, or both?

First up is Roogoo, the simple yet addicting puzzler. At first glance, it looks almost too simple, like there isn’t going to be enough of a challenge to make it worth while, but this changes quickly. In Roogoo you line up multiple platforms on different levels to allow shaped blocks to pass through. Once you get enough of each kind, you complete the level. Yes, it is what it sounds like, square peg in the square hole, round peg in the round hole. But as different shapes are added, and Meemoos get in the way, it becomes a lot more hectic and challenging of a puzzler.

The game has 45 levels, 2 player competitive multiplayer, and 4 player local party play where you work as a team to get the best score. This game may also look a bit cute at first for some, but this simple look helps it play easier. If there was stuff all over the place, and things going on everywhere, you would be distracted.

Next up on the docket here is Aces of the Galaxy. Another space shooter, with some old school tendencies, this game does end up playing quite well. With a chain gun, torpedoes, and lock-on missles, (all upgradeable) you romp through the Skurgian Empire. You also have a “temporal shift” to slow down time momentarily if you get in over your head.

This game is fairly fast paced, and I only had two issues with it. First, to use the chain gun, you have to button mash “A”. Why can’t I just hold it down to repeatedly fire? Secondly, the game seems like it’s going to get a little bit monotonous as there doesn’t seem to be any end of level bosses or anything of the sort. Not to say that this is a bad game, especially for fans of the genre. Aces has co-op multiplayer both locally and over Xbox Live.

So again, we have a puzzler with a fairly simple mechanic, and a fairly solid space shooter, both fairly fun and well done. Depending on your type of game, getting either of these games this week wouldn’t be a bad choice. As usual, check out the demos yourself to be sure, and see if it works for you. Tune in next week to find out, do I meet an old friend (classic arcade), a new enemy, or my soul mate I never met. See you then!