UNEpic: This Will Be Yor New Favorite Indie Game.

Posted on December 16, 2011 by geelw

Here I was, all set on whipping out an article on the best games I’ve played this year when someone sends me a link to Francisco Téllez de Meneses’ amazing UNEpic, which managed to knock my socks off and keep me away from actual work for most of today. I’ll have a review up in a bit, but for now, I say drop everything and BUY this game. Or hell, at least try the demo out and see what I’m raving about. The cross between classic side-scrolling platformer and RPG elements plus an excellent (and really funny) script (thanks for keeping the language real and raw rather than go for the typical cleaned up dialog found in most games) makes this one of the best surprises in a huge year for indie games. I’d love to see Francisco get his game onto PSN or XBLA or at least wider recognition, as the game manages to feel nostalgic, yet fresh at the same time. Anyway, I’ll shut up here and let you check it out for yourselves.

Dear Esther: Mystery No More (And Let The Waiting Begin)…

Posted on December 13, 2011 by geelw

Sometimes, you see a game that makes you smile and nod knowingly, not for anything amusing, mind you, but because it’s a solid case where a developer gets things down perfectly and the project is coming together like a dream. Dear Esther is one of those games and with its February 14, 2012 release date coming up, here’s a quick look at two work in-progress trailers that show off quietly spectacular detailed visuals powered by Valve’s “ancient” Source Engine (which goes to show it’s not the years, it’s the mileage a great developer gets out of it). It’s hard to believe that this game started life as a Half-Life 2 mod back in 2008 before a major reworking, but that’s the wonder of inspiration for you, folks… Continue reading →

WAVES: Probably The Only Time Squid In A Box Isn’t A Bad Thing…

Posted on November 4, 2011 by geelw

Indie developer Squid In A Box (yes, they even have a nice logo with a squid in a box) has a really cool game called WAVES. Based on the trailer above, it looks amazing, has some great music (As the kids on American Bandstand used to say, “It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it”) and you play with a ball that blows stuff up a lot. The game is also a lot of fun (or else I’d never mention it). Get the demo here. I’m doing that as I type this. If, I’m not mistaken, the full version should drop around November 16. Nice.

Finally! A NEW Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers Trailer!

Posted on November 1, 2011 by geelw

Awesome. One of my favorite in-progress games gets a new video update. Nice, nice. NOW, if only this would come to consoles as well, even more people would see how cool it is. Anyway, go bug the upstanding guys over at Black Pants Game Studios about becoming a beta tester for this one, as it’s shaping up to be a real winner and a truly original, innovative new game.

Spiderweb Software Is Having An Eternal Sale. Get Some Great RPG’s Anytime You Like…

Posted on October 7, 2011 by geelw

Want to try out (and then buy) some of the deepest and most intricate RPGs out there for PC and Mac (and in at least one case, iPad)? Well, Spiderweb Software, which usually runs an October sale has lowered their prices even more permanently! While getting 20% (or more) off is awesome, buying one of their PC or Mac games this month will give you an EXTRA 10% off, making anything they have an even nicer deal. Hmmmm… at these prices, I may just have to take my own advice here for a change…

Random Game of the Week: FOTONICA

Posted on July 27, 2011 by geelw

Indie game development is all the rage these days to the point that it’s changed the way games are made and marketed (some would say for the worse in the long run, but I don’t agree and that’s another article for another time). I often play way too many of these when I should be doing more important things, but it’s always great to discover buried treasures before they get uncovered by the usual suspects and dragged out into the sunlight for all to play as some sort of next big thing.

Anyway, Santa Ragione’s spectacular FOTONICA was recommended by a friend and I’m glad I took his advice. It’s a simple, one button game with a stylized look and fast-paced, but easy to grasp gameplay you’ll want to experience for yourself. PC and Mac compatible the game is also a free download (but there’s a suggested ‘pay what you want’ donation I’d suggest you use just to support the developer). Anyway, enough blabbing from me. I’ve a busy day ahead – go play a game today!

5 for $5 Bundle Gets A Sixth Free

Posted on June 28, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/bcNAT_V1fmA?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Hey, cheapskate! Yes, you – you know that in this crappy economy there’s no shame in wanting to spend LESS for your games. Of course, indie games have been the way to go for ages and while I always think these games should sell for more, I can’t stop folks from tossing stellar deals into your laps from time to time when they want to. Here’s one more for you: The truly AWESOME 5 for $5 Bundle from Lunar Workshop that features some pretty darn cool games guaranteed to please while making your wallet happy. Of course, your wallet can’t play games, so maybe you’ll be twice as happy, hmmmm?

E3 2011: Afterfall InSanity Trailer – Horror Express, Indeed!

Posted on June 10, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/cgMS9BdvJ48?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Yikes. Polish developer Nicholas Entertainment Group has a superbly scary treat for PC gamers who like things nice and freaky. Turn out the lights and pull up a chair, but point it toward a door, because you’ll be running for the hills in a few seconds. Looks great and yes, I want to see this get moved to a console at some point so MORE people can play it.

E3 2011: Hawken: Mech -Stomping Indie Powerhouse

Posted on June 10, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/udEAEARD-Fo?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

WOW is pretty much my tired-ass response to seeing this phenomenal game in action. Armored Core meets Phantom Crash meets Mechwarrior = all kinds of spectacular. Yeah, yeah, it’s OLD footage, but heck, the game is being made by under ten people (six), so I’m cutting these chaps some slack for the moment. PC-only, but according to that G4 interview, console deals are indeed a possibility. Right now, the game is multiplayer only, but I’d love to see a well-done single player campaign added just so this awesome game engine isn’t wasted on the “pew-pew” drool cup crowd who just wants to clank around and shoot each other in the head while bragging about their tricked out PC configurations. You don’t need any psychic powers to predict Adhesive Games is going to be one of those developers on everyone’s lips once their “little” game is completed. WOW.

Tiny & Big in: Up That Mountain – Black Pants’ Instant (Even As A Work In Progress) Classic

Posted on January 14, 2011 by geelw

I absolutely love independent games and this year's crop of IGF 2011 entrants and finalists just may be the most creative to date. From the super-popular and amazingly successful Minecraft or Super Meat Boy, innovative gems such as Desktop Dungeons, Amnesia: The Dark Descent and more, there's something for every taste (as well as plenty of games a non-gamer would try). A few of the nicer surprises have been the as yet unfinished projects that show off some amazing innovation in visuals as well as gameplay.

For me, the best example of this is the beta demo of Tiny and Big in: Up That Mountain, developer Black Pants Game Studio's wonderfully fresh and funny episodic 3D adventure/platformer (for PC, Mac and Linux) that features stunning comic-styled visuals and excellently implemented game mechanics that are simple to understand while allowing for a number of ways to tackle environment navigation. The current demo build is a bit raw and definitely needs more work, but what's here will make you crack a smile that lasts for as long as you're playing.