XboxInsider

Community Trash – Fireworks Spectacular

By Tamizander - December 1, 2009 - 16:50 UTC

Each week, staff member Tamizander takes a look at one of the lowest-selling and lowest-rated XLB Indie games. This combination should produce a game that belongs in the ‘Community Trash’, but it also may unearth a gem that needs to be salvaged and recycled. The views expressed in the ‘Community Trash’ articles are solely those of the writer and do not collectively express the views of Xbox|Insider.

I’m back again this week with another dip into the trash pile to find some Community Trash for you, my loyal readers. Yes, I know I’ve only done one column already, but if you’re already back, I’m going to call you loyal. Yes, twice means loyal in my book. Two dates equals marriage. Hell, I think that people should share cars after one date. I digress… This week, I’m reviewing XBL Indie game Fireworks Spectacular. This game was developed by XNA developer GoVids and was released at the start of September. I’m not usually easy to please, but the fact that ‘spectacular’ was in the name got my fingers twitching for some amazing fireworks action.

Yeah…no.

I feel like I was punched in the face right after loading the game. I think it’s just habit, but I always download a trial version of a game, and then purchase the full game. I think this goes back to the days when Xbox 360 would automatically download trials every Wednesday. I would play the trial then purchase the full arcade game. With Fireworks Spectacular the trial is, well, the menu. I admit, it got me excited, but it was all you get in the trial. It has four button choices (play, stop, pause, and exit) and the name of the game and some amazing visuals. That is the most amazing game trial in the world. The trial sold me completely and I put down the 80 points for the full game. I mean, a menu! I haven’t seen those before! Let me at ‘em!

A purchase made just from a menu – that’s something I haven’t seen before. I’ve never done it and I will never again. I wonder if larger companies are going to adopt something similar. Why waste money on advertising if you can just send out a trial menu. I’ve heard that EA is going to stop all advertising and sell games just by using the name of the game.

They kinda do that now (ha Madden joke).

It’s time for the meat of this review. Fireworks Spectacular is nothing more than a screensaver game, similar to Fireplace. I’ve seen better screensavers. The space screensaver that used to come standard on all Windows 95 machines is much better than this one. Do you remember the screensaver with the flying toaster with wings? Better than this one. What you get is real video (the only plus) of fireworks that loops after every 15 seconds. Simple. The fireworks are all white light, there is no option to change the color palette or even the sound effects. There are no options. It’s very boring.

To add insult to injury, the screen isn’t even clear of fireworks when it does loop, which makes it completely noticeable that you aren’t watching a live fireworks show. Only buy this game if you have your grandparents over…who have cataracts…and bifocals…and memory problems. Maybe they won’t notice the looping issues.

Tying up the Bag
I’m pissed. This was a very lazily made game (basically looping video inside of a game) that seems to intentionally trick the buyer into purchasing something without trying it. Honestly, I don’t see how this was approved without an actual trial of the game. Well, when the game is only 15 second long, I suspect the trial of the menu possibly passed certification.

GoVids, I want my damn 80 MS Points back.
Dispose or Recycle: DISPOSE

Fireworks Spectacular is available of the XBL Indie Games marketplace for 80 MS Points.