Eets: Chowdown (Xbox Live Arcade) Review
Posted by David Redkey on 07.09.2007
Eets comes to save the players day from the tedium of normalcy. Heck, even The Merch makes a cameo! I would avoid the Flesh Reaper at all costs.
Its so much fun to play the puppet master.
You sit back and control what is going on in your little world. Every person would like that type of control when it comes to their day to day life. However, reality sets in and a person must realize that they are being controlled by order, rule, and regulation.
Eets: Chowdown rectifies that aspect in a person’s life.
The player doesn’t have free control over the character; but, they have control over the things that affect such a tiny white collection of pixels and animations. This game is truly a way for an individual to live out their dream of being a puppet master. Klei Entertainment saw the need for such a gift to the populace and that’s why Eets: Chowdown saves the day.
Graphics
The graphics for Eets: Chowdown are very well animated and show off a wide variety of different areas for the character and the player to explore. However, if you are looking for a game to dazzle the senses, you’ll need to find a more rewarding experience. This game appears on the X-box Live Arcade and a person needs to keep that in mind at all times.
Here’s a simple question. Do you play games to have an memorable experience or would you rather be mesmerized by pretty colors? A person needs to realize what category they fall into and decide if a game like this will actually appeal to them.
An individual will not experience cutting edge visuals with this game. For a cheap price, its more about the game play than the graphics. A person must decide which is more important to them. If they find superior graphics to be their main purchasing point, then they should just keep on looking. They will not find that type of adventure here.
For those individuals that decide game play is the chief reason to purchase such a game, they’ll find that the graphics are well animated and very pleasing to the eyes. Its pleasing but nothing to lose sleep over.
Gameplay
Word of warning:
“Eets must buy Merch Merch in order to satisfy The Merch's hunger.”
As a person that’s grown attached to the torso that was given to me, I wouldn’t want The Merch to turn into a Flesh Reaper and collect mine. Truth be told, its hilarious that a Penny Arcade creation made it into the game. Its that infusion of pop culture that sets this little game above the rest. The character doesn’t appear everywhere; however, its nice to see a cameo of such a wonderful character.
In all seriousness, Eets: Chowdown has two modes of play to entertain the individual that owns the game. The first mode of play is very similar to Lemmings. The player doesn’t control Eets. However, the player can place certain types of items to navigate Eets to the goal. Eets will collect a puzzle piece. When Eets captures the puzzle piece, that is the goal for that level. Through the course of the game, each level grows considerably more difficult.
Another challenge arise from using items to navigate Eets to the goal. There are Achievements that can be unlocked by capturing the puzzle piece with the fewest items possible.
The whole list of Achievements that a player can unlock:
-Double Marshoburger (20) Get a score of above 1,000,000 in Marsho Madness.
-Ginseng Hollow (20) Collect 47 Puzzle Pieces.
-Ginseng Shooter (5) Smack Eets with Ginseng 20 times.
-Kaboom Desert (15) Collect 28 Puzzle Pieces.
-Marsho Madness (5) Play a game of Marsho Madness!
-Marshoburger (10) Get a score of above 100,000 in Marsho Madness.
-Puzzle Collector (30) Collect every Puzzle Piece!
-Smoreland (10) Collect 9 Puzzle Pieces.
-Speed Demon (30) Complete every puzzle within Par Time.
-Ten Puzzle Commandos (15) Solve 10 Puzzles with at least 2 items left in the Item Box.
-Twenty Ninja Skillz (30) Solve 20 Puzzles with 3 or more items left in the Item Box.
-Young Grasshopper (10) Solve a Puzzle with at least 1 item left in the Item Box.
A person can talk about Eets: Chowdown; but , not fail to mention Marsho Madness. Marsho Madness happens to be the other mode of play. The idea is very simple to get across. Eets lies at the center of the screen and the player must enter the correct button sequence to destroy enemies that are hell bent on ending Eets’ little life.
Both game modes can be very addicting, and the fact that there are over 100 levels to play in the main game, the player won’t finish this game quickly. This game requires patience and planning to finally beat all 100 levels and do reasonably well in Marsho Madness. Someone that decides to purchase this game, they will have to realize that this isn’t Halo, Too Human, or any of those action titles that exercise the visceral part of the human psyche. This game appeals to the more cerebral crowd that don’t like to be mesmerized by pretty colors and loud noises.
Sound
The sound effects for this game are light hearted. They have this type of whimsical air that should bring a smile to the face of the hardest of hearts. The vibe the effects produce should bring rest to the most tumultuous of roars that arise from within.
The music is cheery and sets a fantastic mood that combines well with the game. Eets: Chowdown is a game of exploration. The goal is to reach the end of the level as quickly as possible. The music and sound effects add to the air of light heartedness that prevails through out every second of Eets: Chowdown.
Lasting Appeal
The two modes of play should provide ample opportunity for an individual to find enjoyment from this game. There are 100 puzzles to play in the main game. When a player gets tired of the main game, they can always try their hand at Marsho Madness. This is a smoking deal! The $10 price tag seals it. What type of game could a person buy for $10? Its almost illegal to have this much fun and only spending a little money.
Fun Factor
Well, it has been stated before that this title is quite enjoyable. A person that doesn’t find some enjoyment from Eets: Chowdown must have serious psychological problems. Save the $10. A person like that should spend there money on counseling. That person may be the next Ted Bundy.
Seriously, this game provides joy by the truckloads. Any normal (keyword here) individual shall find that this title provides enjoyment in spades. A person would be hard pressed to not find a smidgeon of enjoyment while playing Eets: Chowdown.
The 411
Klei Entertainment decided that Eets: Chowdown would be a nice escape from the toil of normal life. If a person wants to explore the darker avenues of their own psyche, they’ll have to elsewhere. Some people may complain about the overall sweet nature of the game. One can argue that it could cause a diabetic coma if played too much. That would be a bit extreme. This type of game revels in the more enjoyable aspects of the human condition. One would be very surprised to see this game on the 360 and not the Nintendo Wii. This type of game would find a proper home with that crowd.
Graphics
6.2
Colorful and very well animated. However, the sense of playing a flash game comes to mind.
Gameplay
8.5
The creators give the player two modes of play to keep them entertained.
Sound
7.0
Light hearted and carefree. Tthe creators decided upon a minimalistic approach. They could have added more; but, what is here is golden.
Lasting Appeal
8.0
This doesn't provide the enjoyment of a full fledge game; however, for amount of enjoyment does not equal the $10 price tag.
Fun Factor
8.5
The attitude of this title is infectious. It won't take long for a person to start smiling while playing it.
