Game Tunnel

2005 Independent Game Mid-Terms (Part 2)

RPG

Sports

Simulation

Strategy

Conclusion...?

2005 Mid-Term Report Card
Action..............................	A-
Adventure/Quest............	B
Arkanoid..........................	C+
Puzzle/Casual.................	A-
RPG..................................	C-
Sports..............................	C-
Simulation.......................	B
Strategy...........................	A
Overall:	B

Welcome to part 2 of the Mid-Term Article. Part 2 picks up with RPG, Sports, Simulation and Strategy.

While Game Tunnel in the past hasn't covered Web Games, this year we are starting to increase our coverage to these games. With that in mind we wanted to mention two games that didn't make the mid-term article, but are well worth your time. Each is freeware, so the investment is small, and both are worth a good minute of your time. Check out The Black Knight and Heli Attack 3 and just try to prove us wrong.

In the indie world RPG games tend to be the ones that EVERYONE starts and that really no-one seems to finish. This year is really is more of the same on that theme with only a new title in the Geneforge series to showcase the RPG category. Due to the lack of titles, and not the lack of quality of the one real title that was completed, the score here is pretty low. However, hope always springs eternal, and we'll hope for the completion of a couple more games we have our eyes on by the end of the year. Overall grade: C-.

Geneforge 3
	Those who are seeing the Geneforge series for the first time here are likely to quickly decide that the graphics are not up to par with what they expect out of a game and to dismiss the game entirely. Again this is a case of "it's your loss." The Geneforge series has been going on for some time, with game after game coming from the heralded Jeff Vogel to a rabid fan base. Why are they rabid? For those who go past the graphics you'll quickly see why.

	Website


What we're looking forward to: Mount & Blade
Mount & Blade's screenshot certainly contrasts with Geneforge in the graphic department. Looking at the screenshots it is sure to illicit thoughts of the horseback riding scenes from the upcoming Zelda: Twilight Princess. This one actually was entered into the IGF last year as Warrider. The game focuses on many RPG aspects, including journeying from town to town to carry out quests, but the real highlight is the horseback battles. We're hoping to see it finished by the end of the year, and it really does look plausible, which should be a good thing for gamers.

So what is it about Tennis? Strangely, there have been 4 Indie Tennis games released in the last 2 years. What is odd about that is that it is nearly 1/3 of all the Independent sport games that has been released. Sport games in the independent world continue to elude developers, and the slow marketplace for independently created sport games probably won't score any big winners in the near future. Overall grade: C-.

Future Pool
	Future Pool actually plays a bit more like a game of marbles than a pool game, not that that is a bad thing. In fact Future Pool is really an entertaining little game that takes the game of pool, and puts it into a different arena...a round arena. The whole game is done with a minimalist theme that keeps the focus on the game play. Adding multiple players makes it a pretty enjoyable game. Future Pool is different and Indie sport games could do with a few more titles like this one.

	Website	Review


Also Consider: Dream Match Tennis	Download	Website


What we're looking forward to: Universal Soccer Manager 2
Unfortunately there isn't much info on this one, but what we do have is a track record that is really quite solid. Winter Wolves has become the indie developer of sport games releasing 2 last year Universal Boxing Manager and The Goalkeeper to go along with Universal Soccer Manager which was released the year before. They have a definite flair for understanding the SIM side of sports while mixing it with action as the opportunity presents itself. So while little is known about USM2, it's a very safe bet that you will more than get your money's worth out of it.

Getting two games here was a bit of a stretch. Depending on how you define simulation one of these games may not even be a sim in your book. It's been an interesting year for sim games. Unlike last year which saw some of the top games available come through the sim category (with the presidential elections in the US) this year has one very strong, very obvious sim game; other than that pickings are slim . Overall grade: B.


Also Consider: Tots 'n' Togs	Review


What we're looking forward to: Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa
The game that we are looking forward to most here is Wild Earth, however, with that game picking up a worldwide publisher, the indie status of the game is now in question, so we'll talk about another wildlife-based game that also happens to be set for release this year. Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa sends you to Africa to solve puzzles and lets you see the world through the eyes of any of the animals. The game has no people in it, so the entire focus is on the animals. Those playing on Mac/Linux will see the game before the Windows crowd for a change, hopefully within the next couple of months.

Strategy games this year have been absolutely amazing. Darwinia generated a lot of press with good reason, but it certainly isn't the only great indie title out there. Beyond the three we mention there are two other great games you can't go wrong with: Supremacy and Tribal Trouble. These in addition to the games featured below are not only among the best strategy games, but among the best games released this year, mainstream or indie. It is easy to see why this category received such high marks. Overall grade: A.

Darwinia
	Darwinia is a unique game. It's a mix of different genres and is presented in a graphic and game play style that is so distinctive that it is hard to classify it. It's moddable, it's beautiful, it's intuitive. Darwinia is a masterpiece of gaming and a tribute to how innovative indie game developers can be. If you are looking for a game that will give you an experience that is totally unlike anything else available, and is top-of-the-line in terms of quality Darwinia is your game.

	Website	Review

Oasis
	Oasis is actually a game we thought was going to be released last year after it won the Game of the Year award at the IGF. Despite the long wait the game hasn't been tarnished at all and it doesn't take long to see how remarkable it is. It plays like a game of Civilization in 3 minutes flat without sacrificing very much in terms of depth. A simply amazing game that, like Darwinia, is among the best games (not just indie games) available so far this year.

	Download	Review


Also Consider: Battalion	Website	Review


What we're looking forward to: Trash
The game that people have been waiting and drooling over for years is now nearly complete! With the game in Open Beta, many people have been able to check out this RTS and all are coming away with glowing feedback. With solid graphics and maps that scale to the number of players...to a maximum number of 24, Trash is a great game. The real treat comes in the game play that has been tweaked and improved for the last couple of years and presents a game that is sure to find its way to many LAN parties once it is released...and the time is soon at hand! Read our preview for a deeper look.

Anime Bowling Babes

Focusing on graphics before game play Anime Bowling Babes certainly looks well above average for an indie game. Combining that with the Tokamak physics engine anticipation was running high for this title. Unfortunately the game comes out a bit stilted and will likely leave players wanting for something a bit more entertaining. The focus on the 'babe' aspect of the games is a bit overdone while the focus on the game has been a bit underdone.

This year has been a little different for Indie games. In our Monthly Round-Up there hasn't yet been an Editor's choice winner, and until we hit April we were starting to wonder what kind of year we were going to experience in Indie games. Thankfully April showed off a good number of quality indie titles, and the rest of the year looks to improve on that strong month with a number of sequels that we are excited about. Often the games that we don't hear about until they are released end up being the most amazing, so keep your eyes here for things to come.