Vampire Rain

Also known as: N/A

Developer: Artoon

I really, really wanted to like Vampire Rain. It's so cheesy and stupid that it seemed like it would be only natural for me to enjoy it…despite the fact that all signs were pointing towards it being a poorly-made game. I won't lie…part of me still does enjoy how awful it is - the game really invites you to mock everything about it as you play, which can be fun if you've got friends around. Unfortunately, though, there's just so much bad here that it never really becomes a so-bad-it's-good game…it just stays a bad game. Basically, Vampire Rain is divided into chapters, with each chapter being like a stealth-based puzzle to get your objective done without being harassed by the vampires that can pretty much kill you with ease. I spent a few hours with Vampire Rain in hopes to grit my teeth and see it through to the end…and I just couldn't. I wound up popping another game in so I could avoid losing my mind from boredom, and I never made it back. Maybe I'll return at some point and give Vampire Rain another chance, but for right now, this is a poor game with poor controls, poor graphics, poor gameplay mechanics, and when you play it, you tend to think to yourself, "Poor me."

Review added: 10/12/2024

Viva Pinata

Also known as: Atsumare! Pinata (Japan)

Developer: Rare Ltd.

Viva Pinata may be a very simple strategy game, but I enjoyed my time with it a lot. Not only does each pinata look absolutely beautiful, but each pinata is also loaded with personality. It was a great game to show off the graphical power of Microsoft’s then-new console. The simplistic nature of the game might be better suited for an iPhone game with touch controls and it may be focused more towards a casual audience, but I honestly think that Rare did a pretty good job with this title. If you like non-stop action, then this game may not be your cup of tea, but if you want a nice, relaxing, strategy game to play, this is a nice one to pop into your Xbox 360 to enjoy. Revisiting it again for this website, I found myself losing a few hours to this relaxing game all over again.

Review added: 01/05/2021