Mt.

Mt. is a free indie simplistic mountain climbing game. It is procedurally generated from the name you give it for the mountain. One interesting thing to notice is that the entire mountain it generated, not just the left side which you climb; And you can skip the end point and go to the right side if you want.

Your goal is to reach the flag on top of the mountain. you do this by jumping and use of a bungee cord. The environment is only a few very different shads of grey, minimalist to the extreme, but I still find I am interested to see what is around the next corner. It is very simple but it is quite fun.

You can stand stationary on any surface, as long as your legs are pointed towards the ground.


Controls:

• Jump - Left mouth button to jump towards the mouse cursor, the farther away it it the stronger the jump.
• Drift - When in the air the wasd keys will allow you to drift in any of those directions, note up almost cancels out gravity, but not quite.
• Bungee - Hold down the right mouse button either below your man and you will go int bungee mode. Now you can use drift to build up enough momentum to get you where you want. To exit release right mouse button.

The game can be played in a browser or downloaded here.

Note: Some of the generated worlds are more "fun" then others. The most interesting world I have seen so far is named "fun", but unfortunately it is only the right side mountain that is interesting.

Mirage

Mirage is new indie game that while it might not be technically feature complete, it could be considered a full game. It is an action exploration game, with emphasis on the exploration. Never since Knytt have I felt such joy from just exploring the game world, and Mirage is far more beautiful in my opinion.

The environment is not quite dark but more grey and alien. And it is very detailed and beautiful for a indie title. You play as a swarm of shards of glass and you fly around this environment exploring and fighting monsters.

It does suffer from some technical issues, apparently the graphics is tied in with the physics so if you set the graphics too high you might not even notice anything except that the game becomes unstable. Fortunately, it is hardly noticeable, graphically, when the setting is lowered.

Action 52

Action 52 was a cartridge containing a collection of 52 games released for the NES and Sega Genesis. It is also almost certainly the most expensive game ever released for the system. At "less then $4 a game" the cartridge totals to $199. Unfortunately, every single one of those 52 games are good examples of the worse games either system has; And that is not even considering all the bugs and similarities the games all share. In fact it is quite notorious for it poor quality and rarity, and is even sought after by game collectors because of this. For a more in depth guide into the Action 52 I would recommend the Angry Video Game Nerd's review of Action 52 (1, 2).

Currently, their is a Action 52 game remake competition and a few games have already been released. I think it was a great game collection to set a game dev competition around, it has a wide range of genres and themes to choose from and all of the games are so bland that it really leaves everything up to the developer. Quite a few of the released games are quite good and since the competition has hardly even started, I for one am eagerly awaiting the other games completions. Most prominent in the collection of currently finished remakes are the games Jigsaw and Illuminator.


Jigsaw is a action platformer themed around construction. The enemies are construction tools and the player combats then using his trusty nail gun. In addition to combat the nail gun is also useful in the platforming; Up to 3 nails can be can be in play at a time and then they hit collidables they stick into them, making a small platforms and triggering the switch if applicable. This platform making and switch triggering can create some complex logic puzzles latter in the game.


Illuminator is quite unique, and does not fit well into any genre, but I would say it is a strategy action game. The game is divided into a series of houses filled with progressively harder and harder enemies; The enemies being varied demons, poltergeists, and other monsters. But the real enemy in this game is the dark. The houses all start out almost completely dark, the only light coming from windows and electronic devices. This light does not illuminate the house at all but does allow you to see any monsters passing by. To light up the house you can use your flashlight and collect numerous light making devices and plug them into electrical outlets around the house. Your flashlight's battery empties when in use and recharges when off, and has two levels of charge that when reached and activated will release progressively bigger beams of light. In addition to illuminating your enemies, light is also your weapon against them. In general, if a enemy is touched by light strong enough it will die, but some enemies take multiple strong flashes to kill, and the glowing red and blue orb enemies are rather unique. These glowing enemies are easy to see, even in the dark, but present a unique challenge. The blue ones need to have light directed at them for an extended continuous period of time to kill, while the red ones are impossible to kill and are attracted to light. To complete a house enough enemies must be killed to open up the portal to the next level.


Download links (Jigsaw, Illuminator)

Kings Quest: The Silver Lining

The Silver Lining is a free unofficial continuation to the Kings Quest series. The Kings Quest series, made by Sierra Entertainment, were classical point and click adventure games until the last instalment Mask of Eternity which was very combat heavy. The Silver Lining goes back to its roots bringing us another classical adventure.

The road that lead to the release of The Silver Lining was a rocky one, and until recently it looked like it would never be released at all. It has received two separate cease and desist notices; The first cease and desist was from Vivendi and the, after they merged, from Activision.

The Silver Lining is episodic, with What is Decreed Must Be being the only one released so far and with five episodes planned in total:

1. What is Decreed Must Be
2. Two Households
3. My Only Love Sprung From My Only Hate
4. Tis In My Memory Locked. And You Yourself Shall Hold The Key Of It
5. A Thousand Times Goodnight.

It has quite high production qualities for a indie game. The graphics are in 3D, and are quite good. The voice acting is better then some commercial games and at the lease not distracting from the overall experience. Also when wandering around looking at items/places their is always a huge amount of information/backstory that the narrator can give you if you want to sit through it all.

In general it has a atmosphere of classical adventure overhanging everything, but with more modern production values. And I think it will be a great addition to the series, and hopefully inspire more fan made additions to old, but not forgotten, IP.

Rein

Rein is a very short 2D point and click puzzle adventure game. Made by Darius Poyer using the AGS engine. When I first saw it I liked the arts style. Latter during play, it struck me with its realism.

You play how you would act in real life more then in any other game I have played. Solutions are logical, and if you already know the solution you can go right to it instead of being required to tread a narrow path dictated to you by the game.

Their is one part of Rein that in many games would be considered a bad design choice, but I think it works well in this game, and that is "random" death. Their are a few locations in the game that unless have already played the game you are pretty much guarantied to die, Luckily you always restart only a few seconds back. To me this really seemed to make the statement that in real life you are not always given fair challenges.

Teppoman 2

Teppoman 2 is a 2D stealth action platformer. It is in some Asian language, but it is OK as the plot is pretty sparse. I assume, you control a skilled commando out to kill some evil guy and find as many bananas as possible on the way. It is moderately short, but very challenging, so you will be playing it over and over again before anyone could expect to beat it. But this repetition of levels does not get boring since even level you have beat before can be challenging but still go by very fast.

The controls are the most unique aspect of the game. The player can do many complicated acrobatics, and needs to, to progress through the levels. All of them are done with combinations of the movement keys (left, right) and the jump button. But interestingly, the more complicated acrobatics can be quite hard to pull off with the simple controls. Somehow though, it is not frustrating, it is just one more skill that is fun to learn.

When encountering a level for the first time you will likely spend most of your time just studying the screen coming up with strategies and likely exclaiming, this is impossible, their is no way I can get past that; But then you do. The result is a satisfying, challenging, and very addicting game.

So if you are interested download it.

Controls:

• Arrow Keys - move
• Down Arrow Key - open chest, pick up weapon/item
• Shift - jump (start lvl)
  
• Control - shoot, stealth kill
• A - drop weapon
• F2 - reset game
• J - suicide

Moves:

• Dash - quickly tap left or right twice
• Glide - jump immediately after dashing
• Skid - press the opposite directional key after dashing
• Reverse Jump - execute skid, then press the jump key quickly
• Body Surf - execute a glide from high ground, then hold the jump button to body surf on any body of water (muddy and clear)
• Wall Jump - pressed up again wall in the air, press jump
  

Notes:

• It is possible to skid almost off a platform to get over enough for walls that go right to the edge
• It is possible to use a bombs blast to send you flying to otherwise unreachable areas, but is only needed to get one banana
• Two bananas are available on every normal level, one on boss levels
  
• You must collect enough bananas to continue playing past the two (middle of game) boss battles. Five by end of level 5, and 15 by the end of level 10
• Bullets can activate levers
• Hidden passages become gradually more visible the closer you get to them (2-3 tiles max sight distance)
• Will not grip ladder if shift is held (don't forget this when jumping up or over to one)

Coming up with the strategy is half the fun, so do not watch too much of the provided video.

Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a unique and engrossing indie game by Bay 12 Games. In fact it is the only game, bar World of Warcraft, that I have heard of people avoiding because they do not want to get addicted to it.

The mechanics are so diverse and involved that pretty much anything can be done in the game; Game maps can be made into computers, stories are created from gameplay sessions, and all the characters have individual personalities and relationships.

An example of possible future graphics

At its core it is a fantasy city simulation. You control a band of dwarfs embarking on a grand adventure, the creation of a dwarven fortress. Basically you designate tasks and control what dwarfs are able to do what tasks. All dwarfs can do anything, but at varying degree; Over time they acquire more skills and can do faster and better work. These tasks range from planting seeds and engraving walls all the way to patrolling caravan routes and attacking enemies, all of these tasks containing an insane amount of details.

The Ascii graphics of Dwarf Fortress

You start with seven dwarfs and over time more are born and migrate into your fortress. Your job is to manage and direct them, which is made easier with nobles. You can elect certain dwarfs to fill noble positions, these will will do a myriad of management jobs from cataloguing your inventory to issuing production orders for you.

One of the more interesting parts of Dwarf Fortress are the mechanisms. The dwarfs can set up complicated machines including floodgates, retracting bridges, and traps. In addition to the normal traps, players can set up groups of mechanisms to trap and kill the invaders using water, magma, or other more exotic means.

By default the game comes with ASCII art graphics, that I found very hard to read, but luckily their are many great graphics packs and other useful utilities and mods. As well as a many useful tutorials [1, 2] to help you get into the complex world of Dwarf Fortress.

A currently available graphics set (Phoebus)

And now for some interesting Dwarf Fortress stories:

The tragic but inspiring tale of BronzeMurder (illustrated).

An harrowing tale from the Dubious Quality blog.

Find more stories of Dwarf Fortress by looking under the category Dwarf Fortress.

Pixel Art

Pixel art has always been a favourite of mine, particularly in games, and after watching a recently released short documentary about pixel art called Pixel - A pixel art documentary I decided to write about a few games and a video that I think show off some really amazing pixel art (with lots of pictures included, of course).
Note: The still images do not do any of these games justice and I encourage you to play then all.


INDEX:

1. Small Worlds
2. Canabalt
3. Cave Story
4. Hero Core
5. DAN the MAN
   

Small Worlds
Small Worlds was made by David Shute, and is a short atmospheric exploration game.
The game always shows all the uncovered map and therefore zooms out more and more as you play. The amazing art and music of Small Worlds inspire the player to explore the world. I found it very reminiscent of Knytt, and it is the only other game, I have played, capable of competing with Knytt in pure atmospheric exploration.
Images(click to enlarge):












Canabalt
Canabalt is a simple running/avoidance game. The main difference from a normal avoidance game is the number of different types of obstacles, some not even instant death if hit, and the beautiful graphics that almost seem to tell a story as you play, even with the procedurally generated environment.Images(click to enlarge):





Cave Story
Cave Story is an amazing 2D action platformer that has been ported to just about every platform. It has tons of upgradeable weapons and abilities, as well as many diverse enemies and bosses to fight. Cave Story, deservedly, has been called a perfect game. It has an amazing story, great gameplay, fantastic music, and terrific art work.
Images(click to enlarge):





Hero Core
I have already written about Hero Core is a previous blog, but I thought it had too unique of a art style to not write about it again. To reiterate Hero Core is a retro science fiction action adventure game, reminiscent of Metroid. Not only are the graphics done in pixel art style, but it is in black and white. Nonetheless, the games visuals do nothing but improve the overall enjoyment of the game.
Images(click to enlarge):





DAN the MAN
DAN the MAN is a video made to look like a video game. It has many stereotypical elements, but goes past the defeat of the final boss and rescue of the princess to the unexplored realms of living a normal life after being a hero. Dan the MAN was made by studioJOHO, who have a few other interesting videos already out.
Images(click to enlarge):

Eternally Us

Infinite Grace

Eternally Us is a very interesting new indie title by Ben304 and Leafshade.

It has the best voice acting and script writing I have ever heard in any game, let alone an indie developed one. Combine this with the superb stylish visuals and engaging emotional plot this makes one amazing game and a very moving experience.

Their really is not much to say, it is not a huge diverse game. Some might call it short and simplistic, but I say it is perfect at what it tries to be.

When first starting up the game the first thing that you notice is the music and how it perfectly compliments the visuals. A little latter and you start hearing the story unfold with the amazing voice acting. You gain control of your character (Amber) and start interacting with the environment and solving puzzles, not arbitrary puzzles but ones that advance the story. As you progress and travel to new locations the artist seems to undo themselves every time, but the art is not just great it is seamlessly integrated with the story and along with the other parts it takes you on an emotional journey. And that is what Eternally Us is, an emotional journey.

I want to say Eternally Us is the best game I have played is a long time, but that is meaningless and I say it too often. Eternally Us is ... a game were I would not change a single thing, if I had the power to do so. It is a game that I feel privileged to have played. But mostly, it is a game that in my honest opinion enriched mankind when it was created, for are we not the sum of our creations.

But don't buy into my hype too much, or you will certainly be disappointed, as nothing could live up to that last paragraph.

So if you like a good emotional story, check out Eternally Us.

Hero Core

I have just been playing Hero Core and I have to say it is pretty good.

Hero Core is a retro science fiction action adventure indie game, and while it is not much to look at it has some interesting game play that is very reminiscent of Metroid.

Some of the prominent gameplay elements:

• Lots of weapon and upgrades to find
• Backtracking when you finally get that new equipment allowing you to get though to a new area
• Unique, challenging, and fun bosses to fight

So if you enjoy retro gaming and action adventures check out Hero core.