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Outpost Kaloki X

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Developer: NinjaBee
Publisher: NinjaBee
Genre: Simulation > General
Released: Dec 14, 2005
Players: 1

You just got your managers license and are going into the business. That�€™s where the simulation begins. In Outpost Kaloki, developed and published by Ninjabee, you must make different space stations profitable while keeping different limitations and/or goals in mind. You basically have one big island in space with at least 6 slots to build expansions. This simulation was fun, but frustrating.

Lets get right down to how the game handles. Outpost Kaloki on the Xbox 360 has great controls, from moving between slots to build items, or seeing how you are doing on your current mission. It is easy and it all flows seamlessly. Pressing X allows you to select your options, mission status, goals, and pause the game. Pressing Y allows you to see what spaceships around your current outpost are doing and what comments they have for you. Basic controls for this type of simulation, select a slot with the left control stick and move the camera with the right control stick. Pressing the A button selects the various menus and slots to build on. The controls allow you to access your mission status quickly and easily . The controls are easy to learn and after one round of play you will feel like a seasoned veteran.

When first downloaded, the graphics for this game were surprising, especially being an Indie game. With no graphical glitches or flaws in the game it is very nice to look at. No matter how many ships are flying around your station or how many expansions you have built the beautiful graphics will hold up even if your expansions are blowing up around you.

The sound for this game was good but there is nothing special about it. The music was fun and appropriate for this kind of game. The sound effects give the game that little extra boost.

Unfortunately, after getting past the beautiful graphics and simple controls, the game becomes extremely frustrating. One of the biggest problems with this game was the options or lack there of. The options menu hold little except the ability to move the music and sound effects volume. You�€™re also allowed to turn on or off the vibrations on your controller. Besides that, nothing. No difficulty settings which really drags the game down because some levels are aggravating. Also, the help application doesn�€˜t exactly help. The solitary help statement is �€œBuild expansions for your station. You can build one expansions per port,�€? which doesn�€™t exactly help you beat the level. With such a great overall game the expectations were more than just being able to turn the music own and turn on or off my vibration on my controller, but Ninjabee did not stand up to its expectations.

Although, the graphics and controls for this game are great the Gameplay suffers. With difficult time limits and near impossible goals to be met during each level this game is already hard enough. Customers give you comments that are supposed to help you with your business but comments range from the helpful �€œThere is nowhere for me to do my scientific experiments�€œ to the totally useless �€œlets see�€� carry the 1�€? its hit or miss and there is no in between. Also, when it�€™s the same three or four comments said over and over it can get annoying, especially when you aren�€˜t doing well and need some help. The player is forced into a trial and error process. After trying a level more than 10 times without figuring which expansions to build it can become one of those controller throwing moments.

As far as modes for this game go there is a story mode and tons of extra scenarios to download to your Xbox 360. But, not all of these downloads are free so depending on how much you like the game I am not sure if I warrant the extra Microsoft credits. The extra scenarios although cost you more they are very entertaining. For example, in one mission you build big guns on your station to protect it from other ships trying to attack you. In other extra missions you have to build the best station you can with only 6-8 slots really testing your balance between power and �€œmoney making�€? expansions. These extra modes help a lot with lasting appeal if you beat the campaign mode and want more.

Overall, a game that was good but could have been great with a little tweaking in difficulty and Gameplay mechanics it could have been better. With the options lacking, as well as the help section not helping people who haven�€™t played many simulations may get frustrated very quickly. But, people who are either familiar with simulations or are patient will definitely enjoy this game.

Graphics �€œ+�€?
No visible graphical glitches the game looks gorgeous and never has any problems from the graphical standpoint.

Sound �€œ+�€?
The sound effects are good ,but the background music is nothing special.

Gameplay �€œ=�€œ
Although the game plays great, the difficulty and lack of help from customers makes this trial and error simulation tiresome at points.

Controls �€œ+�€?
The controls are perfect with the controller and are easy to learn. No problems are to be had maneuvering around your space station.

Options �€œ-�€œ
Sound effect and music volume have volume sliders for you to manipulate. You can also turn on or off the vibration with your remote control. With no difficulty setting to help first timers it could turn off some people to this game when they get stuck on one of the levels.

Overall �€œTry It�€?
Outpost Kaloki X is a good game with some simple options and gameplay issues holding it back from greatness. Make sure you try your free downloadable demo from either version before you buy it.

The Difference between the PC and Xbox Live Arcade Versions
Being almost identical it�€™s hard to pick a better of the two. On the PC it is easier to control the camera and the overall game, but the Xbox 360 version allows you to get achievements and purchase extra scenarios. Also, the Xbox 360 has themes and game pictures you can purchase with your Microsoft credits. The Xbox 360 version being cheaper is my main reason for selecting it as the better of the two.

By: Seth Wilson
Posted: Thursday April 06, 2006