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The
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A quick look at all the newest Independent Games. |
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Docket for August 2007: |
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Case #
1: Arcadia
Remix |
Arcadia Remix
($19.99)
by GameLab
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Arcadia
Remix has players reliving the golden days of the arcade. The
twist is that players are playing multiple games at the same time.
Quickly moving back and forth between all the games, players must time
things in order to make sure they hit the ball, jump over the pit,
blast the asteroid and fish out the pearl in quick succession.
Playing 4 games at a time is an innovative challenge and the game
definitely gets style points for cool retro graphics, music and
sounds, the later of which create retrotastic melodies as you quickly
switch between the games.
The
Verdict:
 The
first 10 minutes are pure joy NOT to be missed, but it all goes
downhill pretty quickly. The different game types aren't
unlocked quickly enough. You end up playing the same game types
far too long before replacing it with a new and different game, which makes the game soon feel tedious.
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Case #
2: Arrr! |
Arrrr!
($9.99)
by Mind Control Software
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Mind Control =
2005 Indie game of the Year Oasis. Arrr! is the most recent
of their little innovative games. In this game you use your
cursor as the wind to blow your ship where you want to go. The
goals are varied takes on racing, plundering and looting, but most of
the levels revolve around just one type of game play. Move
quickly and destroy merchant ships. 4 people can plug in a mouse to
play simultaneously and most of the game modes are built multiple
players.
The
Verdict:
Though
Arrr! is built to be a multiplayer game, it is REALLY hard to play
in groups (or even solo!) due to the "innovative" control scheme
that requires far too long to master for the game to be a fun party
game. That leaves just the single-player mode to enjoy, but
unfortunately, it is short and not very
satisfying.
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Case #
3: Barnstorming |
Barnstorming
($19.99)
by Defacto Games
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Barnstorming isn't your average side-scrolling shooter. Ok,
well, it probably is, but it's much campier than the average
side-scrolling shooter! The buildings and back grounds have a
very distinct look, which is distinctly different from the rendered
aircraft. Lots of dialogue precedes each level and the game has
options for co-operative play.
The
Verdict:
I'm
not sure what to make of Barnstorming. It crashed a lot, but
after several builds I was able to play a little bit. It was
really interesting for the first few minutes as the game's style is
certainly entertaining, but after getting over the initial coolness of
the games visuals, there wasn't a lot to keep me wanting to play.
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Case #
4: Chromadrome
2 |
Chromadrome 2
($19.99)
by Alpha 72 Games
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Controlling
a golden sphere, players accelerate ever faster down the track,
blasting enemies and staring at the wondrous scenery. Trippy
psychedelic visuals
is probably a best way to put it, and unless you have played one of
Richard Evans' games, you just don't understand what that means.
Chromadrome 2 picks up where the
last
game left off with more challenging challenges, more fun 2-mouse
multiplayer and plenty of visual action that only lacks Jimi Hendrix's
Purple Haze to complete the picture.
The
Verdict:
 More
challenging than the original, which makes the first few minutes a
little rough. The visual presentation smacks of both programmer
art and artistic vision with the later being most prevalent. The
visualizations moving in rhythm to the music (including your own mp3
catalogue) makes the game something of a rhythm racer.
If you only play one new indie game this month, I'd strongly recommend
this one.
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Case #
5: Donuts in
Danger |
Donuts in Danger
($19.99)
by Addictive 247
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Donuts in Danger is a space invaders type space shooter with a
retro-modern take on the graphics and some fun humor built in.
The game, in effect, is reminiscent of
Titan
Attacks, though the comparison quickly leaves DiD feeling a bit
underwhelming. Control is limited to keyboard or joystick. The
shop sells your typical assortment of weapon upgrades along with saves (you
only have one slot and buying the power-up just saves over the old
saved game).
The
Verdict:
 It's
hard to recommend this game when Titan Attacks is simply better in
every regard. (except humor...but for that there is
Chicken Invaders!)
Not a bad space invaders game, but there are better games of this type
available.
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Case #
6: Hacker
Evolution |
Hacker Evolution
($24.95)
by exosyphen studios
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In Hacker Evolution players assume the role of a computer hacker who
is investigating a series of computer network disruptions. To
track down the culprits and solve the puzzle, players hack into
different computers, get files and work their way across the network
without being traced by typing commands into a control panel.
The
Verdict:
Have
you played around in DOS a lot? If you have, AND you loved the
experience, you should definitely check out Hacker Evolution.
This game is very complex, simply because the interface is mostly
typing commands in a text box. I did tech support for Windows
years ago and this feels too much like work to me. Still, the
limited visual design definitely makes the experience feel a bit more
realistic than the superior Uplink.
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Case #
7: Hap Hazard |
Hap Hazard
($19.99)
by Raptisoft
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Hap
Hazard is a tribute to games of old, well really just one game,
Jumpman. On most levels players collect bombs by climbing chains
and ladders, sliding down ropes, and jumping gaps while avoiding darts
of various speed. The game has a count-down timer requiring
players to play through the entire game within that period of time, or
they get to start all over and try it again. It's retro with a
modern-day beauty and slick interface.
The
Verdict:
 Punishing
as it is, and it is very punishing, Hap Hazard beckons players to give
it another try. Not a game for today's masses, but for those
wanting to relive the past, or just wanting a decent challenge, it's a
worthy game.
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Case #
8: Out Of Your
Mind |
Out Of Your Mind
($19.99)
by GameLab
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A
strange game that is clearly out of place in the casual market.
Players clear bad brain goo (that's the technical term) by encircling
it with a line. However, lines must also be threaded through
Nega-ticks and the loop cannot contain any object or Nega-tick within
it. As well, the thread comes from different colored spools,
which must be matched to the correctly colored Nega-tick.
The
Verdict:
Out
of Your Mind is way too complex and unique for the casual crowd and is
probably even too strange for most of the Indie crowd.
The gameplay is deceptively simple, but after 20 minutes, the variety and complexity
of what you can do starts to shine through. Enjoyable in a strange way.
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Case #
9: ThreadSpace:
Hyperbol |
ThreadSpace: Hyperbol
($19.99)
by Iocaine Studios
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A long-time IGF game (Student Showcase 2004, IGF 2005), ThreadSpace:
Hyperbol has finally been released. This strategy-action hybrid
has players building up a base and a variety of structures while
quickly firing across the screen at other competitors. Each
player has a ship, that is the key to the action and building, which
has a wide range of projectiles that can be thrown (not fired) at
enemies. Online play, which is the best way to enjoy the
game...once you are good enough, occurs in a persistent world where 8
on 8 battles take place.
The
Verdict:
After
willing through the first 20 minutes of overwhelming confusion (that's
after the 30 minutes of tutorials) you'll be getting totally
demolished in your first real game! The first hour of this game
doesn't shine, but it gives you a taste of what can be, with beautiful
graphics and way too many options. For the action fan who wants
a bit more strategy, it's well worth a look.
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Case #
10: Triplane
Turmoil 2 |
Triplane Turmoil 2
($19.99)
by Draconus
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Bizarrely there are two plane games this month. This one is more
simulation than action, placing players in the middle of the first
world war piloting a Triplane as you attempt to lead your ground
forces to victory. Players need to destroy enemy troops and
clear out enemy strongholds so that the ground forces who run along
the bottom of the screen can do their thing. Oh...and there is
dog-fighting...lots of dog-fighting. TT2 has many modes from
career to single-mission to LAN and internet play along with 2-player
competitive mode. There are a wide variety of pilots and lots of
depth.
The
Verdict:
After
a 43 page manual and a horribly long tutorial you'll find yourself in
the heat of conflict, but not for very long. The planes blow-up
at the first sight of gunfire, taking you back to the lengthy launch
process. The menus are not accessible in-game, requiring you to
quit in order to change your control options, or to figure out your mission
objectives. The focus on being realistic further hampers the
game. Certain to be fun for those who are willing to put in the
two hours to get the hang of things. Unnecessary complications
and difficulty keep this one grounded for most of us.
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