#IDARB (It Draws A Red Box): Video Game
Okay guys, I promise I’ll do a commercial game soon, but there are just so many really good indie games out there. This is another games that was free on Xbox Live Gold that is worth paying regular price for. At first glance the graphics don’t really draw attention, but by now we should know graphics can be deceiving. Look at games like “Shovel Knight,” “Spelunky” or “Fez,” all very good games that will eventually get reviews here. An immersive gaming experience is more than visual. Keep that in mind as you go into “#IDARB.”
I don’t really care for sports games, I have actually pledged not to do those kinds of reviews here, but this isn’t a real sport so it’s okay. The funny part is the fact that if I knew it was this kind of game, I would’ve never turned it on. I tried to play a local match to discover that with only one person, you’re pretty much just practicing mechanics. Fortunately, practicing is more than enough to goad you into going online to find a match. That’s where the fun starts.
Matches proceed at a breakneck pace and your efforts are rewarded thoroughly. The better your maneuvering or the farther away you are from the goal, the more points you get. That is only the beginning. The more the merrier is very much the truth in this game. 1v1 is cool, 2v2 is much better, 4v4 is freaking insane!
Things move almost too fast to follow. Strategy performed by your team is not only rewarded in the game, but feels almost euphoric emotionally. This is truly a game of skill that requires a ton of practice to perfect and it’s worth it if you choose to dedicate the time.
Not only that, but the customization options are fantastic. Just go and look at ready made custom sprites and you’ll see just how much you can do. Superheroes, TV characters and characters from other games are just the tip of the iceberg. The music tool is also impressive. One could take hours just playing around with them.
The biggest problem with the game is the online matchmaking. If you’re at home by yourself, you can only play 1v1. The game will not find a team for you. Only the size of the team in your house is what you get. It makes the online play wear thin pretty quickly without teammates.
When you do get the team though… WHEW! It’s such a fun experience. If you have roommates or a close knight circle of friends and family then this game is a necessity. Just remember practice makes perfect!
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
