As a video game journalist it`s entirely too easy to simply pigeonhole a game into a simple genre. When I say that something is a Tetris clone or resembles Grand Theft Auto it`s usually easy to understand and gets the point across, even if it is completely unfair to the people that spent months (and even years) making the game what it is. I`m certainly guilty of this practice; I can`t even begin to count the times that I have unfairly compared a game to some bigger, more popular title in the same franchise.

When it comes to Eets: Chowdown, the first Xbox Live Arcade game from Klei Entertainment, I have a hard time pushing it into some easy to understand genre. While others may want to compare the game to Lemmings, The Incredible Machine and other similar classic puzzle games, Eets stands out as a truly original idea that is not only executed well but also adorable in every way possible. This is a puzzle game unlike anything else on the Xbox Live Arcade, which is one of the many reasons why Eets: Chowdown is such an attractive console game.

This Xbox Live Arcade game is actually a beefier version of the Eets computer game released last year, a game that I thoroughly enjoyed and practically begged people to go out and buy. While the core game play remains the same, Eets: Chowdown brings more levels to the table and even features a fun (albeit short lived) mini-game that you can play with up to four people. Eets isn`t a perfect translation to the console, but considering that there`s nothing like it on the Xbox 360 (or any other console for that matter) it is definitely worth the 800 Microsoft Points (or $10).

In Eets you guide a cute little animal-like character through a 2D maze in order to pick up a puzzle piece. It`s that easy. Well, actually, it`s not that easy. In fact, there`s a whole lot more to Eets than what meets the eyes. What sets Eets apart from most other 2D puzzle/platformers is that you don`t directly control the character, instead you put down special items that will manipulate Eets` mood, catapult him into the air, and so much more. This is not like Lemmings where you can simply add and subtract items during game play; instead you have to plan out the path Eets will take before you start each level (which can make the game extremely challenging at times).

All this would be boring if it weren`t for the amazing assortment of different items that are at your disposal. At first you`ll just be feeding berries to Eets - such as an angry berry that makes him jump farther, a scared berry that makes him tip toe around at a snail`s pace, etc. It won`t take long before you realize that Eets has a mind of his own (and a death wish), if you don`t want him to simply jump off a ledge to his death then you will have to feed him a scared berry, that way he`ll be too afraid to make that leap. It`s important to understand the effects these berries have on the adorable Eets creature, these moods come into play on practically every one of the more than 120 different levels in Eets: Chowdown.

But there`s more to Eets than just feeding him berries, you will also have to set down floating whales that will suck him in and spit him into the air. You will also have mine carts to place throughout the levels (allowing Eets to get around quicker). And don`t forget about clouds that shoot chocolate chips at poor old Eets. These items are just the start of the madness, as you progress through...