14 DAY TRIAL // If you are the type of person that would like to play poker games but is just too lazy or light hearted for a real game, Xbox Live Arcade recently announced release might prove to be a life saver. Poker Smash, a game developed by Void Star Creations, is an action packed puzzle title with a poker twist. The game will be available for download starting tomorrow and it will cost you 800 MS Points.
The game is aimed towards the less hardcore Xbox 360 owners (read: casual) and it comes with some really neat graphics and a fast paced style of play. Being a match-3 puzzle game, Poker Smash will let you clear rows of cards by arranging them into poker hands. However, you shouldn't be too scared if you don't know poker terms such as "flush, royal flush or two pairs" since, by checking the screenshots, it seems that you will only be able to match the same colors or card types. But, probably, the developers thought that "poker hands" sound much better than "the classic, old, you-got-bored-of-already type of play".
The game also comes with over 30 minutes of original soundtrack, which means, in real songs, 5 or 6 pieces, which further means that you'll get bored by the music in about 2 hours. Unless it is indeed something outstanding, which I doubt. But, again, you will never play puzzle games for the great soundtrack they have. Instead, you will play for success in one of the seven unique game modes (action, timed, puzzle, practice, custom playlist, split screen head-to-head and multiplayer tournaments) as well as for 200 achievement points, divided among 12 different achievements.
So, as long as I can compete against my friends during the lunch break and smash them with my puzzle-poker skills, I'll be happy. If you have the same opinion, check the marketplace tomorrow and get ready to spend 800 MS points.