Games with Gold: November 2013

Well, this is an odd month for Microsoft's Games with Gold promotion: I've never heard of either of these game titles. But Xbox Live Gold subscribers can now grab "A World of Keflings" for free and then, starting November 16, they can pick up their free copy of "Iron Brigade."

As you may recall, Microsoft promised at this year’s E3 conference that it would be giving Xbox Live Gold subscribers two free Xbox 360 games each month. But it was originally supposed to be an offering that ended after the launch of Xbox One this month. Microsoft recently decided, however, to make it an ongoing offering.

As a reminder, each Games with Gold giveaway is a time-limited download. So you can download the first of this month's offerings from now through November 15. And then the next from November 16 through November 30.

So what are this month’s games?

Now: A World of Keflings

Normally costing $9.99, A World of Keflings is now available. Since I'm unfamiliar with this one, I'll let Microsoft take it away:

"Embark on a giant kingdom-building adventure in 'A World of Keflings!' Journey to exotic lands and help your new, tiny Kefling friends along the way. Play as your Xbox Live Avatar and help Keflings harvest resources to create and customize beautiful cities filled with fountains, workshops, castles and more! Complete quests, compose music, build a robot, rescue the princess, make friends with a dragon and help a creepy witch get even creepier in this exciting, friendly, city-building adventure."

The game is pretty highly rated to be fair: IGN says that "World of Keflings is a refreshing antidote" for those tired of "racing supercars or making the bad guy blow up real good." Personally, I'll be skipping this one.

Download your free copy of A World of Keflings

November 16: Iron Brigade

Available from mid-month on is Iron Brigade, also normally $9.99. According to Microsoft, Iron Brigade is a tower defense shooter that lets you protect humanity from the evil Monovision menace.

"Use a combination of mobile firepower and stationary defenses to turn the tide of war in your favor. Customize your trench with thousands of possible loadouts. March side by side with allies from around the world as you fight your way through Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. Join The Mobile Trench Brigade!"

This game is very highly rated by IGN (9 out 10), where it also goes by the name Trenched: "Its skillful blend of witty writing, fun shooting, and tactical tower defense makes for hours of replayable gameplay. Take into account the loot grind that [Iron Brigade] inspires, and the online coop, and Double Fine's created a title I hope turns into a franchise."

Learn more about Iron Brigade (and come back November 16 to get your free copy)