XBLA Today: Dominos and Fat Fish Edition

Welcome to another weeks edition of XBLA Today, where this week we try our hand at a little bit of dominos, and see if Feeding Frenzy 2 has even more marine gluttony. Also, the other thing we see is if doing this things is actually worth having me stop playing Rock Band 2 to check out.

First off we are going to look at Domino Master. Most of us have all played dominos at one point and time in our lives, but I’m not so sure that many of us actually knew what we were doing besides matching up 4 dots with 4 dots (or just lining them up on edge and knocking the over). Now you can play 5 different variations of dominos, including: Mexican Train, All 3′s, All 5′s, Straight Dominos, or Bergen. You can also choose from 3 different sets of dominos. There is 3 different levels of difficulty for the A.I. and you can also play 4 player multiplayer, and player or ranked matches. Of course there are leaderboards which is normal. The game actually plays fairly well and looks good for what is is presenting. Nothing to show off the new hdtv with, but no complaints otherwise. The game has tutorials for those new to dominos, and it is surprisingly quite fun. If the game took off it could almost be another Uno type game, but it is 800 points, and may be to much for most people to pick up for just dominos. Without people playing online all the time, this can not be another Uno.

Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown is very, very similar to the original Feeding Frenzy. If you liked the first, and must have more, go get it, you’ll be happy. The same start as a little fish, eat the 1 type smaller than you, get bigger, eat bigger fish, and avoid the fish bigger than you gameplay still applies. This game is good for when you want to play a game a little more on the relaxing side. The graphics are slightly better than the first, and they have added new types of fish, new power-ups, and the ability to jump out of the water. The biggest additions to the game are the two kinds of multiplayer (only local for both). You can co-op the campaign with up to 4 players, or try a assortment of 4 player mini-games as well. The multiplayer works well for you and some family members to get together and play a simple yet fun type of game.

Both games this week are fairly good games, not top notch, but good, and both fairly casual as well. The dominos could be a hit, but I fear price point and that people already have had plenty of board type games to pick from, it will get washed out. Feeding Frenzy 2 is more of the same, with some good additions of course, but if you liked the first, you’ll like this, and vice versa. Be sure to check out the demos for both and let us know what you think! I’m sedington86, and I’ll catch you on the flip side!