This week for Gaming Irresponsibly’s Indie Game of the Week, we are going to take a trip in the ‘wayback’ machine a couple of years to 2009. Back in ’09, Ska Studios’ James Silva developed an indie smash hit that received tons of praise, I Made a Game With Zombies In It (or as the official title puts it, I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1). The game debuted on Xbox Live’s Indie Game market and featured a hilarious soundtrack, smooth gameplay, and you guessed it, zombies! Ska Studious also developed hit arcade games such as The Dishwasher series, which were met with critic acclaim. The game won a slew of awards in 2009, and after playing through it one time, it is easy to see why. The experience of playing I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1 is like nothing you will ever find on the Xbox Live Indie Game Market and you can get if for a buck.
The game mechanics are simple: one stuck moves your character directionally while the other stick fires the weapon you currently have equipped. Lots of games use this technique, but you would be hard pressed to find one as entertaining. As you make your way through hordes of zombies, green blobs and even some diamond shaped foes, you are treated to a musical composition that is nothing short of glorious. The beat and tempo shifts between periods of lighter and heavier mob waves and the lyrics during the chorus are hysterical. Tons of power-ups litter the screen as you grab speed boosts, protective shields and more health. There is also a vast array of weapon variants such as flamethrowers, machine guns, rocket launchers and more. The game also features a local multiplayer mode that features up to four players on one console. For those players that love high scores and proving your worth in the world, there is also a leader board available so you can gloat to your friends just how much better you are than them at killing waves of oncoming zombies.
As far as indie games go, James Silva makes some of the best around. Ska Studios develops some top notch products that fans of gaming can (and should) appreciate. The wonderful mix of an entertaining soundtrack, beautiful creativity and the always welcome zombie horde have pushed this game into a must play. The only downfall of this indie gem is that there isn’t more of it to go around. An online multiplayer would have been nice, and the game could benefit for more modes, and customization options. The game is available in the Xbox Live Indie Game marketplace and you can score it right now for a measly 80 Microsoft Points (or about $1.00). It is definitely a must buy for fans of zombie games or those that love indie titles. You can’t go wrong with I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1, the game is just too much fun for such a small price. This quite possibly has to be the best bang for your buck when it comes to gaming experience and price. You most certainly will get your moneys worth ten fold. This is why I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1 Is Gaming Irresponsibly’s Indie Game of the Week.
Every week, Indie Game of the Week will feature a popular, and entertaining Indie Game and share it with our community. Do you have a suggestion for next weeks game? Have you played an indie game lately that knocked your socks off and want to help tell the world? Then follow Ryan Hillis on Twitter @rchillis. You can also like us on Facebook, and leave us feedback on what titles you would like to see featured.