Small Arms is an amazing game, and probably one of the best Xbox Live Arcade games available for quite a while.
None the less, then the delivers everything imagined. A fast-paced gameplay, funny-looking characters and a lot of guns.
While it may seem very similar to the Super Smash Brothers series, then it differs from it in many ways - Small Arms focuses a lot more on Ranged weapons, despite a Ninja Sword and being able to punch your enemy, then you'll most likely be shooting them instead.
There's quite a few modes to go through in the game, but they're all about the same thing: Shooting and kickin' butt.
The casual players, who wish to learn about the game first before throwing themselves into the action, can try the very nice Training mode.. After that, you'll most likely want some action, which you can get from all the other modes.
You'll have eight characters available at start, but this can be expanded to twelve. To do that, you must succeed in completing the Mission Mode. It may sound easy, but it's actually quite a challenge. Once you've selected a character, then you'll get right to the first battle. There are ten battles, so prepare yourself for kicking some butt, while trying to unlock the additional characters, but be prepared for getting your own butt kicked as well, as the difficulty and number of enemies increases for each match you complete.
Sadly, you'll only have to complete the Mission Mode once to unlock the four additional characters; And the Bonus Mode - Shooting Range, which you'll play twice in the Mission Mode. Basicly, targets fly above your head from left to right and you need to hit them - The better you hit them, and the more difficult targets you hit, the more points you gain! It's actually not as easy as it may sound.
There's also the Challenge Mode, and it does what it says!
You'll choose one of the characters, and then prepare for some insane battles! Enemies will keep popping out, every time you defeat one, and with occasional pauses, so that you can replenish some of your health, by eating food that drops down from the sky. (I have yet to find out who drops them..)
Of course, these are not the only modes. The Battle Modes will be the ones you'll play the most. Here you can fight against the AI, a friend of yours next to you, or someone online!
Once you've started a local game, then you won't even have to leave it, if you want one of your Xbox Live friends to join. Send them an invite, and you'll be ready to play.
The graphics are simply amazing, and this is said while I'm playing on a 32" normal TV. (No HD here, sadly.) None the less, it still looks amazing. The detail on the characters, the weapons, the levels, the items.. I'd almost say, that this game, graphically, can be compared to a retail game. Sound is not a disappointment either; The explosions. Wow! Every weapon sounds very realistic: The flamethrower, the missiles, the ninja-sword slashes, the shotgun, the sniper.. Every weapon sounds great, though some of the voices of the characters may sound a bit funny or annoying, then you won't have to listen to it often - Actually, they only "Say" something when you select them, or if they're hit.
The game costs 800 points; That's about $8-10.. And, I can ensure you that it's money well spent, if you enjoy these sorts of games. You'll have nonstop action, funny characters, amazing graphics considering it's an arcade game, great modes, and awesome online possibilities.
Overall, this game is outstanding, and I now understand why I've been anticipating this title, as it may be one of the greatest Xbox Live Arcade titles available for the quite a while, and it should definitely keep you coming back again and again.. And again.