Are original XBLA titles always aces?

It is always exciting when we catch word of original content making its way to Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Yet, sadly enough, the end result isn't always the best of experiences. This is the case with Capcom's latest release. Normally gamers would see Capcom and think, "quality", but Rocketmen: Axis of Evil isn't one of the best examples of a "good" original XBLA game.

At first I was deceived by the bright and impressive visuals. At first glance the visuals are very impressive for a $10 downloadable title. They carry a great cell-shaded and comic book design. But soon after starting up the game I realized that is where the train of happiness stops with Rocketmen.

The game's plot is told through comic panels. This would be fine if they didn't look twice as ugly as the game, and the voice acting wasn't harmful to the ears. Honestly, I may prefer plain text over the voice over that makes the original Resident Evil an Oscar nominee.

Rocketmen plays like a hybrid of Super Smash TV and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. You and up to three other friends (the co-op works very well at least) can blast your way through tons of levels that feel all too similar from a three-quarters view, picking up special weapons, earning experience, and upgrade tokens. At the end of each round you can upgrade your armor, guns, and personal stats. This RPG element to the game is perhaps the only endearing quality that may keep you playing to the finish. While blasting through wave, after wave, of alien enemies can be fun, about half-way through the game you get that, "been there" feeling. And it is because of this that Rocketmen's fairly large amount of levels works against it.

A certain lack of polish is also apparent in the game's numerous levels, and locales. The camera is an enemy. Constantly moving ahead of you when you still had items to get, or stuff to explore, and you can't go back and retread once the camera has moved on. Enemies' shots, at times, seem to follow you around the map, even if they aren't supposed to. I also found my ferocious villains walking face first into walls and corners periodically, perhaps sent there for agreeing to do this game.

Now if I appear to be sounding harsh, like there is much wrong with the game that is because there is. But even so, there is a modicum of fun to be had with Rocketmen, especially with friends. But it is short-lived and many will be turned off by the rigid animations and sub-par sound and music.