This week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week theme is 'Retro Shooters' - which is the official name for 'games what Sarah sucks at'. Generally they tend to involve moving two analogue sticks in different directions - something my brain can't seem to comprehend, as I run into a wall whilst looking up at the ceiling for the 47th time in a row. Or steer myself straight into one of those dastardly pink squares in Geometry Wars because I forget which stick moves and which one shoots. And they say women are good multi-taskers...
Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project
Was: 800 Microsoft Points (about £6.80)
Now: 400 Microsoft Points (about £3.40)
It's time to kick ass and chew bubblegum, in this side-scrolling shooter staring gaming's wise-cracking, woman-loving, steroid-fuelled hero, Duke Nukem. The aliens are at it again, taking over New York City, and it's up to you to de-worm the big apple, taking out the evil Mech Morphix as you make your way through the 24 explosive levels, from Chinatown to Space.
Space Invaders: Infinity Gene
Was: 800 Microsoft Points (about £6.80)
Now: 400 Microsoft Points (about £3.40)
A re-working of the original Space Invaders game sees the aliens evolving as you play, giving you the ability to move in all directions, along with new power-ups, more lives and many other additions. But be warned - it's very hard - our review will tell you more.
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
Was: 800 Microsoft Points (about £6.80)
Now: 400 Microsoft Points (about £3.40)
Did you hate geometry at school? Take out all your pent up anger on the brightly-coloured squares, circles and diamonds as they swarm around your ship. Geometry Wars 2 offers some new modes too - from one where you can only shoot if you're inside a circle, to one where you have three minutes to score as many points as you can with unlimited lives, and even one where you can't shoot and must destroy enemies by flying through gates, which will explode taking out the surrounding enemies.
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter
Was: 1200 Microsoft Points (about £10.20)
Now: 400 Microsoft Points (about £3.40)
A long time ago, the Earth was involved in a war between the Mental and a now extinct alien race called the Sirians - and now, in the 22nd century, the Mental have returned and are planing to wipe-out humanity. Sam 'Serious' Stone must use the 'Time Lock' to travel back in time and change the course of history - and he'll need your help in eradicating the alien forces to bring peace to the future world.
Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounte
rWas: 1200 Microsoft Points (about £10.20)
Now: 400 Microsoft Points (about £3.40)
Picking up where Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter left off, Sam's spaceship has crash-landed on the Earth's surface, in North America - only problem is, it's in the Mayan Age. All is not lost though, as the Sirians left a back-up ship somewhere on Earth - although it is in a different time period. In order to get home, Sam will need to find several Sirian Time Gates, whilst defending himself from the alien onslaught.
Galaga Legions
Was: 800 Microsoft Points (about £6.80)
Now: 400 Microsoft Points (about £3.40)
Jump in your spaceship and get ready to shoot down the waves of enemies as they fly towards you in this old school shooter. If you need a bit of extra help, you can deploy up to two 'satellites' - mini spaceships that will help you shoot down all the aliens. It's Galaga as you've never seen it before - and really rather good.
Microsoft's Deal of the Week is only for Xbox Live Gold subscribers - Silver members will not be able to take advantage of the discounted prices. Approximate value of Microsoft points in pounds is based on buying the points direct from Microsoft through the Xbox dashboard - equivalent price in pounds will vary depending on where you bought your points.
