Here's a rarity. This third-person blaster for Xbox 360, with its "bargain" price of $40, goes for a song compared to its "shoot first, ask questions later" brethren. What's more, the game boasts a surprising level of self-ironic awareness about its low-budget production values and B-movie plot, clearly inspired by Starship Troopers and centered on giant insects invading our humble planet. In many respects, it's a throwback to the days of 8-/16-bit consoles like the NES and Sega Genesis, when splattering thousands of enemies with heavy ordnance was reason enough to hoist a controller. At the same time, audiences have come to expect deeper action, higher-quality audiovisuals and proper storylines from their trigger-happy diversions.

Battlefields bristling with dozens of massive ants, UFOs and arachnids await, each ready to burst apart in a shower of flames or spray of neon-colored gore. While storming generic-looking cities and flatlands, your object is simple: If it moves, blast it into gooey chunks using some 170 weapon readouts from flamethrowers to rocket launchers and assault rifles.

Unfortunately, about 20 minutes in, you realize you're simply slaying for rampant destruction's sake. Foes, background environments and even your character are all pretty drab. Throw in missions which are basically carbon copies of one another and frequent bouts of slowdown, and it quickly takes the edge off in-game excitement. That said, we had fun blasting evil insects to smithereens. Though brainless, it's a great way to blow off steam. It's just that a little more polish would've gone a long way.