So, 2 weekends ago, I downloaded the following demos from the Xbox Live Marketplace:
1.Blade storm: 100 years war
2.The Simpsons: Video Game!
3.Time Shift
4.Virtua Fighter 5
5.Conan



All great varieties of games, but yet very little appeal to me. So, here's some quick reviews and impressions of what to expect in the final versions:

1.Blade storm: 100 years war.


Well, here's the thing: Blade Storm is a great game, but overall it just didn't click with me. The graphics were impressive, AI wasn't too bad, but there's only one thing that I absolutely hated about this demo, which will lead to me never buying this game...
It was the fact that your hero had to wait until a bar filled up to attack the enemies. I hated that. Great concept, huge battles, and medieval stuff made this game have a big potential for greatness, but the waiting bar killed it. I don't know, maybe people will dig this type of thing, but it's not a button masher, but more of a strategy attack-with-your-troops together type of game.
Overall impressions:Rent if you are interested.
3 out of 5

2.The Simpsons Video Game (all platforms known to mankind! Except last gen consoles I think?)


The game play of this game reminded me of the good ol days of beat'em ups. The demo only offered 2 playable characters(Bart and Homer), but still a good selection of sample characters. The game is going to be very unique and a big step up from previous Simpsons games but it has great promise.
The engine of the game is very simple. GTA esque environments, colorful enemies and other NPCs, solid soundtrack, and voice acting is locked in place, meaning it doesn't suck. Definitely worth a rental when it releases later this fall.
Overall Impressions: Weekend Rental
3.5 out of 5


3.Time Shift(PC, 360, PS3)

Your typical FPS game, but one little catch: you are the master of time! Yah, simple concept and probably unoriginal? but it works. I test ran this demo and here's what I got from it:
1.Time is your best friend. And it can screw your enemies over.
2.The whole game revolves around using "time" to solve puzzles and other problems.
3.Why are you wasting time reading this short review?! Play the demo already!
Also, they made a live action commercial for it. It was cool, but somewhat cheesy.
Overall Impressions: Rent
4 out of 5-Definitely check this out when it comes out.



4. Virtua Fighter 5(PS3, 360)

Another FPS comes with another fighting game. Not Dead or Alive, but this time Viruta Fighter 5. Although the PS3 got this way earlier, they didn't leave 360 owners out in the cold. The fighing and countering system is different from DOA in terms of reaction time and execution, but other than that it's the same. Definitely for the hardcore fans of the series, but also for fans of a solid well recognized fighting game series. Pick this up if you're planning on wanting another current gen experience besides DOA 4

Overall Impressions: Buy for the hardcore or fans of series.
3.5 out of 5



5. Conan(PC,360,PS3)

The manliest game of the bunch? Maybe so. From what I have played in this demo, I'm impressed. The game play has some bugs to work out(why is it that enemies will kick the crap out of me if I don't land the right hit?!), graphics are impressive, and the soundtrack is enjoying. Also, there's the manliness of decapitating people and dual wielding. And recently half naked chicks? Yep. But only in the final version! Other places have given this a final rating of a 7, but I'd still rent this game. Not necessarily buy it.
Overall Impressions: Rent
4.5 out of 5