Xiao Xiao series are short, immensely entertaining Flash snippets featuring stick figures who punch, shoot, and maim each other to the death in the true "organized chaos" style of Oriental films. Each subsequent Xiao Xiao release was longer than the last, featuring more elaborate fighting moves that are amazing to watch... especially considering that you are watching two-dimensional stick fighters. Xiao Xiao 4, the latest in the series, is no longer a passive Flash movie like Xiao Xiao 3 but a fun FPS in the style of SEGA's Virtua Cop in a Hong Kong gangster movie setting. Xiao Xiao 4 is essentially a "rail shooter" similar to SEGA's The House of the Dead. In short, you are armed with a revolver and shoot at stickmen baddies who appear along the way. Shoot, reload, and shoot again. You can't even dodge bullets or bombs: the only way to stay alive is to shoot the baddies before they shoot you. If you are quick enough, you can also shoot at non-bullet objects such as knives and bombs before they hit you. There are three different difficulty levels in the game, with the only difference being the number of continues you have before it's game over. What makes Xiao Xiao 4 a blast to play are the same reasons all previous Xiao Xiao movies are popular: the designer's uncanny cinematic sense, flawless animation and unmatched creativity when it comes to designing different ways to die ;) In addition to stickman baddies, Xiao Xiao 4 features excellent wireframe buildings and other objects. Anyone who remembers the cool reproduction of The Matrix' mid-air-kick scene in Xiao Xiao 3 will be in for another pleasant surprise in the final fight. Overall, a wonderful Flash timewaster that is sure to keep you hooked for the few minutes it will take to complete it – and for the many more times it will entice you to replay ;) Two thumbs up, way up! Reviewed by: Underdogs |