Rating:

CarneyVale Showtime is a little indie gem from the Singapore-MIT Gambit Game Labs. Made primarily by students, it won Microsoft\'s Dream Build Play Competition in 2008 and emerged a finalist in the IGF. This is definitely one Xbox 360 game you can\'t miss.

Full Review

CarneyVale Showtime is an unusual cross between a platformer and a pinball machine available on the Xbox 360 as a download-able indie game. You step into the shoes of Slinky, a puppet with dreams of becoming a famous acrobat, and perform shows in the CarneyVale circus to garner the approval of critics and audiences.

The controls of the game are unusual but remain easy to pick up. Players press a button on the Xbox controller to command clamp-like contraptions nearby to grab Slinky and swing him around in a circle continuously. By timing the release of the button, these contraptions can fling Slinky towards the players\' desired direction. While Slinky remains in the air, the directional buttons on the Xbox controller can nudge the falling trajectory of Slinky towards the left or right slightly.

The goal of each level is to throw Slinky through a ring of fire at the end of the level. Along the way, Slinky can get thrown into balloons to pop them and earn additional bonuses. Each level also has a hidden star that players can look for and throw Slinky into. All the points are then totaled up at the end of the level and players will receive the critical reception of their performance.

The art of this game is very unique and stylistic, coupled with its peculiar circus theme, results in a refreshing visual style that should appeal to many casual gamers. The large quantities of effects generated from popping balloons and achieving bonuses add to the festive mood of the game positively.

If you are looking for some indie fun on the Xbox 360 for a reasonable price, CarneyVale Showtime is definitely one you won\'t regret.