I don't think I'm being shocking or controversial when I say this year's Summer of Arcade line-up -- usually the best and brightest that Xbox Live Arcade has to offer -- has been a bit of a bore. I found redeeming qualities in Tony Hawk and Deadlight, and genuinely liked Wreckateer for its playful party mechanics, but nothing was truly astounding. So it gives me faith in the game design process that Dust: An Elysian Tail, an indie title largely made by a single man, actually stands out as the best of the bunch. I appreciate a big budget as much as anyone, but Dust is an example of a game that uses smaller scale to its advantage.

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