Space Station Tycoon

One thing is becoming clear regarding Xbox Live® Arcade. Its offerings are as diverse as a higher-production console game, though none provide a unique experience quite like Outpost Kaloki X. From developer NinjaBee, it's a strategy game that combines intuitive tactical design with some truly out-of-this-world presentation.

Mechanics Explained
Before delving into game-modes and options, you must first understand just how the mechanics work. You begin each section with a bare "outpost" floating in space, just as the name of game suggests. Jutting out of each outpost are a finite number of junctions that you can build from.

Usually, your goal is fairly simple—build a set number of a certain kind of structure to pass on to the next mission. However, it's getting to the point where you can build those structures that holds the strategy.

Your very own outpost.

Essentially, Outpost Kaloki X is a resource micromanagement game in the same vein as games like Sim City, Civilization, or Alpha Centari, though on a more local, immediately accessible scale. You need to constantly juggle different sets of priorities in order to reach your goals.

For example, you need money to build everything, and you can earn it by placing items like Newspaper Stands to generate income. You also need to generate enough energy on your station to power each different structure, and then most of the structures you need to finish a mission require sub-structures before you can create them. Plus, the different visitors to your outpost have different wants and needs, so attend to them as best you can in order to generate revenue more efficiently.

Stories
The campaign or main single-player experience takes place in the Story modes. Initially, there are two separate stories, Adventure and War. The game mechanics remain the same, but the story and goals are quite different. The strategy can alter along with the goals, so they represent two distinct experiences.

Scenarios
The scenarios offer a more open-ended structure, giving you the outpost and the environment and letting you take it from there. Some offer just different looking environments, while others offer a specific challenge (such as dangerous asteroids or attacking ships).

Yep, they get pretty complicated.

Extra Features
Like any other Xbox Live Arcade game, there is more to it than initially meets the eye. Outpost Kaloki X supports all the same standards you find in every other Xbox Live Arcade game:

• Widescreen and HD: Utilizing true 16x9 and high-definition support, Xbox Live Arcade games operate under the same standards as normal Xbox 360 games.
• Leaderboards: Also like every other console game, Xbox Live Arcade supports leaderboards, and in Outpost Kaloki X's case, there are leaderboards for each chapter and mission.
• Achievements: Outpost Kaloki X supports 12 individual achievements, adding up to the Xbox Live Arcade standard of 200 points.
• Download content: There are already several extra scenario to download from Xbox Live Marketplace. Some are free, while others will cost you a few Microsoft Points.

Better figure out what that guy wants.

Outpost Kaloki X is a unique strategy game that can appeal to the more casual fan, but still offer (especially in its open-ended scenarios) enough depth to tempt the hardcore strategy crowd. Add a bit of mind-bending tactical challenge to your gaming by checking out Outpost Kaloki X. If you're a little unsure, download the free demo and give it a try before purchase.

Article By Alex McLain

• Xbox Live Arcade games.
• Outpost Kaloki X site.
• NinjaBee site.