You just got to love the trend with all the retro-style games on Xbox Live Indie Games this year. Then again it's better than the trend of massage apps that plagued the platform last year. The release of Retrofit:Overload from Wam! Games brings back the love of a game that I enjoyed in the arcades during the 1980s. Not only that, but the game features a graphical style that is reminiscent of one of the most popular games on Xbox Live Arcade today.

Retrofit: Overload's gameplay should look very familiar to many retro junkies out there. That's right fans...it's Galaga. Better yet...it's Galaga on steroids! Right from the get go you'll realize the familar enemy patterns and formation attacks. This is your standard shmup where your taking out waves of enemies as well as dodging enemy fire in the process. It's destroy or be destroyed. That's all there is to it. Retrofit: Overload is meant to be a rather simplistic game, and this concept is pulled off brilliantly.

The game does have a few differences compared to it's retro counterpart in Galaga. One of those differences is that the action is nonstop so don't expect a break between waves. Another difference is the fact that your not cemented to the bottom of the screen with only left and right movements. Your fighter can move all over the screen in free flowing combat. Having trouble avoiding enemy fire? Is an enemy ship moving into a kamikaze death dive? Well your fighter is also equipped with a shield to help absorb shots. You can also use it to ram into enemies as well. While this shield can be a lifesaver, it's power is rather limited as well so make sure you use it when you really need it or else you'll be space dust.

Along with all the fast and frantic gameplay, Retrofit: Overload also contains power-ups for you to acquire. There's the shield power up which restores your shield energy which is really helpful when your using it quite frequently in the upper stages. There's also a star power up that will make Galaga fans happy. This power up will bring up memories of the dual fighter ability except in this game you can gain multiple shots along with a wider fighter. Sadly, the wider fighter leaves you more open to getting hit from enemy shots so make sure you use that shield of yours, or else your big moment of extra shot happiness will be short lived.

Retrofit: Overload as an Xbox Live Indie Game is not an experience that will be short lived. Just like Galaga, there's lots of replay value to be had here as you play again and again to rank up on the global leaderboard. The game also features unlimited continues to keep you in the intense action. Let's also not forget about the fun challenging stages, boss battles, two-player co-op play, and even the Geometry Wars style graphics. In a way, you can retitile Retrofit: Overload as Galaga: Championship Edition! Better yet, this is what Galaga Legions should have been. If you love retro games like Galaga or even shooters in general then Retrofit: Overload is an 80 Microsoft Point purchase well worth it.