XBL Deals of the Week: "Critic's Choice" of XBLA titles

According to Major Nelson, it's the "Critic's Choice" this week, but everyone is a critic - including me - and I'm sure that should be "Critics' Choice". And that's not even criticism, but informed correction. Anyway.

So, about those critics' choices, then. First up, it's Defense Grid:

Defense Grid: The Awakening is the definitive Tower Defense Strategy game that’s easy to pick up, engrossing to play, and hard to set down. Strategically place your towers on the map to prevent alien enemies from stealing your power cores. Play just for fifteen minutes or several hours! This award winning game includes 10 hours of story play with 20 unique maps in the Awakening campaign, 4 bonus Borderlands maps, a wide variety of tower and enemy types, an interactive soundtrack, plus over 100 unlockable challenge modes adding dozens of hours of additional fun. Protect the Cores!

Was 800 MSP, now 400 MSP. So, like, protect those Cores (297 MB)!

Next, it's the bizarro Misadvenures of P.B. Winterbottom:

Swiping the mysterious Chronoberry Pie changed everything for our beloved Winterbottom... one bite made him more than an ordinary pie-grabbing humbug. That first taste changed him into something quite extraordinary, granting him the ability to break the rules of time. With these newfound time recording tricks up his cufflink, and with the help of his time clones, Winterbottom can now snatch pies with the greatest of ease. But on his journey to devour every pie, Winterbottom must mind the signs... the perils of being unstuck in time. Join Winterbottom on his award winning debut Misadventures as he chases pie through over 75 unique puzzles.

Was 800 MSP, now 400 MSP. Mmmmmmmmm, pie (282 MB).

Then it's Rocket Riot, a game with its own theme song. Which is obviously all kinds of awesome:

Insane, fast-paced, visceral bazooka-on-bazooka arcade action. Can you survive the madness with rockets flying past your head and the level exploding around you? Try your luck at 80 single player levels, multiplayer matches with up to 8 people, 4 different multiplayer modes and the Endurance mode. What are you waiting for? Get into the bazooka action today!

Was 800 MSP, now 400 MSP. Rocket Riot, Rocket Riot, Rocket Riot (77 MB).

There's Darwinia+, or "that game with the stick guys":

The world of the peaceful Darwinians has been decimated by an evil virus and without your help they have no hope of survival. Play the full campaign or take control of a Multiwinian army and challenge your friends to some digital carnage in this IGF award winning action-strategy classic from Introversion Software. It's a stick man slaughter where only the flattest survive.

Was 1200 MSP, now 800 MSP. More stick men than you can shake a stick at, oh ha ha ha (77 MB).

Or maybe Chime, where getting is giving:

Single player game seeks significant gamer for musical puzzle fun. Me: unique, compelling, creative and demanding. You: quick-witted and open-minded with sharp reactions and a deep love of music. Let’s get together and play something beautiful. Featuring music by Moby, Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Philip Glass, Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly) and Markus Schulz. No less than 60% of the purchase price of Chime will go to charity.

Was 400 MSP, now 240 MSP. Which also technically means you're actually giving less to charity, but whatever. Get it anyway (815 MB).

And coming in last place, it's Poker Smash:

Single Player, Xbox LIVE Multiplayer 2-4, Local Multiplayer 2, HD (High Definition). Unlock the full version of Poker Smash to experience seven unique game modes, eleven immersive environments, next-gen 3D graphics, original music, and innovative gameplay. Hone your skills, earn achievements, show off your prowess in LIVE multiplayer tournaments, compete with your friends, and see how you stack up in the Poker Smash community!

Was 800 MSP, now 400 MSP. Up the ante, or something like that (100 MB).