Daily Loaf

One of the more interesting trends in gaming these days is the rise of downloadable games for home consoles. While only a few have, so far, been really successful — like Geometry Wars and Castle Crashers — the ability for independent developers to make great, small-budget games and sell them directly to players through their consoles or online both expands the options for consumers and augurs what the future of gaming is likely to be: all download, all the time. And it really is the best way to buy a game – you download a demo and get to play the first level or so to see if you like it. Once it has you hooked, just a couple button presses and you’re out $10, but have a new game. If it sucks (and oh yes, some of them suck –- looking at you Interpol: The Trail Dr. Chaos) press those buttons in a different order and the pain is but a memory. A memory that is easily replaced by something good like, for instance, The Maw.

I totally fell for the marketing on this game. It was being pimped on the first screen of X-Box Live when I logged in, featuring a purple monster with a big mouth that reminded me of the classic board game from my youth, Awful Green Things From Outer Space. Having turned on my X-box with the sole intention of playing Far Cry 2, I instead found myself downloading the demo and being cast in the role of some cute little alien who befriends the gluttonous purple Maw after we both escaped evil-alien custody. The game is an inventive, fun, and funny action/puzzler. You have a force leash that you can use to either guide your Maw to food (here you go boy, eat those cute, pink Tribble-looking things), or drag and throw enemies and obstacles around. The more it eats, the bigger Maw gets, and when it’s big enough it can eat certain special creatures that give it bonus powers, like fire breath or the ability to electrify things. You have to find the right combination of feeding and smashing while dodging enemies and searching out hidden treats in order to make your way through each level.

I’m only part of the way through the game so far, but I’m really enjoying it. The cartoony aesthetic and bright, fun art style make me feel all warm and fuzzy while I play, and feeding pink fuzz balls to my pet monster makes me feel like a real tough guy, so the game’s working on all levels. Plus, you know, the game play’s all fun and stuff. So download the demo already.

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