Now before I start this I should probably confess that I am nothing shy of a downloadable game addict. To me nothing quite beats jumping on Xbox live, parting with my Microsoft points, going off to make a sandwich and returning to find my console ready and waiting with a new game. Downloadables offer the convenience of not having to travel to the shops, deal with retail assistants and then having to wait half an hour before being able to get back home and load up a new experience. Additionally by purchasing with Microsoft points an illusion is created whereby you're not really parting with real money. Mostly however I love downloadable games because most of them offer distinctly different experience to the AAA norms and typically focus on executing one concept particularly well. Now I realise that PC players have had this convenience since time began at this point, but its really been this generation of consoles that this has really brought downloadable games into the living room. Moreover it’s only in the last couple of years that these games have really started to compete at the top end of all games released. Now I'm not saying that there haven't been great downloadable games before but I'd wager 2009's Shadow Complex made the top 5 of most 360 owner’s best games of the year lists. 2010 Raised the bar yet again with stellar releases throughout the year with many of the games topping the best of the year lists. So without much more hesitation here is my year in downloadables.

Super Meat Boy

Welcome to my favourite game of the year. Not only did super meat boy return us to the golden age of platforming through a combination of air tight controls and inspired level design but it did so with unflinchingly sadistic difficulty and ferocity that it managed to keep me coming back for more punishment more times than any other game in history. Any other game that was as punishing as this I may have given up on but the bare knuckle speed and precision the levels require kept me hooked.

ZP2KX

The sequel to one of my guilty pleasures of 2009 proved to be more than I could have hoped for. James Silva's excellent support of the indie games channel has only succeeded to keep fans eagerly awaiting the next instalment of The Dishwasher series. And of those games released Zp2kx s by far the most accomplished. Taking the online deathmatch 2d twin stick shooter concept of the original and implementing a COD4 style levelling system has ensured a thriving online community is still playing well beyond a month of the release (something most fully fledged XBLA games can't even manage) is nothing short of astounding. Oh and did I mention its $1 (80ms points). I've played it for 6 hours now have hit level 51 and have no intention of stopping yet. If you haven't checked this one out you really should, what do you have to lose?

VVVVVV

Ah yes another finger bleedingly difficult platformer. Some would say a pattern is emerging. However Terry Cavanah's retro space epic could more suitably be described as an exploration adventure. After a small tutorial area the world map is pretty much opened up to you as you dodge adversaries and search for your lost companions room by room. It’s in the areas, close to your crew mates, that the game introduces different concepts that start off simple and end nail bitingly difficult. These include everything from conveyer belts to gravity switching bars and, in a similar way to braids different world’s, encourage you to adapt your play style to get through. However unlike Braid these different areas require you to hone your playing skill as opposed to your mental capacities.

Limbo

One I think will be at the top of a lot of people’s lists as greatest game of the year. Limbo is a strange game; it’s one that has to be played in a certain way, in the dark, alone, preferably middle of the night, with no other noises around. This isn’t because it’s particularly terrifying (well it can be but that’s beside the point) but the game’s atmosphere deserves to be enhanced by the environment in which it’s played in. It’s that good. Many words were used to describe Limbo, stark, beautiful, gruesome, but it’s not something that can be expressed in a review. You need to experience Limbo, like a great film, no one can tell you how good it is. I have a lot more to say about Limbo so watch this space for an in depth analysis coming... sometime.

Cthulhu Saves the World

A late entry into this list. Part of the Indie Games Winter Uprising (along with ZP2KX) Cthulhu saves the world take the traditional JRPG and puts a satirical twist on the formula. Whilst the Final Fantasy’s and Phatasy Star’s of old were/are obsessed with creating three dimensional heroes on epic quests to save the world ZeBoyd Games has Cthulhu and his bands of merry miscreants parody the genre and the ridiculous nature of JRPG stories whilst building a very robust and tactical battle system. Cthuhlu himself is a reluctant, sarcastic hero who is genuinely displeased with the whole situation he’s been thrust into, cue fourth wall breaking, moronic sidekick, taking space cats and everything in between. It’s bizarre, brilliant and positively the most fun you’ll have in an RPG for 240 ms points.

Until next time guys

Josh