Indie Games 2014 [March] Now Voting - Post 651!
- Thread starter Toma
- Start date
Interesting, though I'd hardly call the matches of Mortal Kombat and Injustice online super unfair for example despite fighting moves being rather picky about timing. Racing games need some very precise steering around corners too, etc. Fifa online is pretty good as well, and a tackle at the right time in the penalty box means bad things, I rarely see a mistake as an error of the game or netcode. Its not like this is impossible to pull off.
Not to mention that you can learn to adjust for the lag in some games if its in the ms area, so I dont think this is as clear cut as he makes it out to be. (I had some decent online matches of Nidhogg that were fun as well btw, not like this is always a deal breaker.)
Still, I didnt know it was that much of a hassle to set it up, though for an Indie title. Guess that makes it not worth the time and money investment then that he'd get back from such a rather small game.
More_Badass
Member
Wasn't planning on doing another game post today, but I just discovered this and I'm really enjoying it. It's actually one of the early games from the developer of Skytorn (the dev has quite the library of games, all look really fun to play). But I'm particularly enjoying this one
Broken Robot Love - Free (Browser)
Reminds me of Out There Somewhere, has a really nice puzzle mechanic and the pixel graphics are great
Broken Robot Love - Free (Browser)
http://games.adultswim.com/broken-robot-love-puzzle-online-game.html
One brave robot is determined to return to his ungrateful human owner. Scale lava pits, leap across cliffs, and manipulate lasers in this heartfelt robotic journey
Reminds me of Out There Somewhere, has a really nice puzzle mechanic and the pixel graphics are great
OP impressions, Cubrick:
I know its just an early alpha concept, but its simply not a very engaging game so far. The basic idea is to navigate a level and using certain abilities, to construct or deconstruct a path to the goal. Now the problem here is that without any sort of exposition, its hard to tell what you are actually supposed or allowed to do, since you have 10+ abilities at your disposal that allows everything from creating/deleting blocks to creating a goal right below you. Don't get me wrong, this concept might also work as a puzzle game, Starseed PIlgrim style, but it just feels more like cheating here, which makes this game version feel a bit aim- and pointless once the level layouts starts moving on its own and you just create pathways yourself.
I assume the game will eventually only offer selective abilities (or none at all) and the difficulty will be more about traversal. As a concept, its interesting enough to keep it in mind, but as a game it kinda falls way too flat for the moment, even though the presentation is very nice.
1. Card City Nights
2. Cubesis
3. Black Ice
4. Cosmochoria
5. Banished
6. Blue Saga
7. Action Painting Pro
8. Clockefeller
9. Bosses Forever
10. Astrovoid
11. Cubrick
12. Cloudbase Prime
I know its just an early alpha concept, but its simply not a very engaging game so far. The basic idea is to navigate a level and using certain abilities, to construct or deconstruct a path to the goal. Now the problem here is that without any sort of exposition, its hard to tell what you are actually supposed or allowed to do, since you have 10+ abilities at your disposal that allows everything from creating/deleting blocks to creating a goal right below you. Don't get me wrong, this concept might also work as a puzzle game, Starseed PIlgrim style, but it just feels more like cheating here, which makes this game version feel a bit aim- and pointless once the level layouts starts moving on its own and you just create pathways yourself.
I assume the game will eventually only offer selective abilities (or none at all) and the difficulty will be more about traversal. As a concept, its interesting enough to keep it in mind, but as a game it kinda falls way too flat for the moment, even though the presentation is very nice.
1. Card City Nights
2. Cubesis
3. Black Ice
4. Cosmochoria
5. Banished
6. Blue Saga
7. Action Painting Pro
8. Clockefeller
9. Bosses Forever
10. Astrovoid
11. Cubrick
12. Cloudbase Prime
I thought it was still intriguing in a weird way, but yeah, playing it for longer stretches, I would imagine going 'that's enough for now' pretty quickly if I'm not making any actual progress, surmising that there is none to be made.
You seemed to have figured out more than me, though. I was just left with a bunch of questions.
This is what I mean:
...and I didnt yet show the one ability that makes you multiply yourself.
Edit: Wait, got it:
Nice to play around with, but just not interesting enough as a "game" yet.
Yeah, I'm an idiot. I only read half the instructions for some reason, don't know how that happened.
After trying some of that stuff out, I'm quite frankly left with a sour taste in my mouth. I much preferred the simplistic, "elegant" version of Cubrick (yes, this is my new makeshift Cubrick impressions post now) I experienced in my ignorance. Now it just seems mostly unfinished to me, you can mess around with the mechanics, but creating an intuitive experience around those will be a very hard thing to achieve, and by intuitive I mean: 1. Player quickly gets a handle on all the mechanics and how to switch between them 2. Player develops some sense of direction. Even though I'm not a big fan of playing it, I respect Starseed Pilgrim for tackling both those challenges more or less successfully.
More_Badass
Member
The Amnesia Fortnight 2014 prototypes are finished, available to play
Messofanego
Banned
Ugh, this is going to ruin my day if I don't find it.
There was a quite critical and angry article about videogames right now being too congratulated for being good at looking in themselves in terms of storytelling i.e. self referential rather than looking out and Stanley Parable and Bioshock were metioned as being overrated. This was written last year, I'm not sure if it was related to games of the year. I thought that was an interesting perspective.
There was a quite critical and angry article about videogames right now being too congratulated for being good at looking in themselves in terms of storytelling i.e. self referential rather than looking out and Stanley Parable and Bioshock were metioned as being overrated. This was written last year, I'm not sure if it was related to games of the year. I thought that was an interesting perspective.
More_Badass
Member
Grab it if you havent yet, guys. Really fantastic puzzle platformer with metroidvania style level progression in a single "world" and mindbending portalesque abilities.
More_Badass
Member
Hope you find it. Sounds interesting. Personally I find the interactivity of games such a crucial part in making the medium stand out from other forms of art and entertainment. Self-reference to tropes and player expectations and the player's control over gameplay is the same as movies that play with structure and other aspects of film (Memento), books like House of Leaves, etc.
I think developers being able to do that and explore the medium in new ways and make the player think about video games differently should definitely be applauded, not something to be negatively critical of
PandaPedinte
Member
Hmm I already own the game but never played it. I'll move it up in my llist of games that I needa to play.
Outer Wilds is aaaaaaawesome. Good thing I didnt really know what I was missing out on 
I am still trying to figure out the secret of that twin sand planet.
Oh well.
I am still trying to figure out the secret of that twin sand planet.
I wanted to wait until the other planet stops having a sand storm so I can explore it, but whoops, universum exploded. On planet A, I tried finding the rumored cave entrance underground, but just got stuck in a tunnel until sand filled that cave and squashed me.
Oh well.
More_Badass
Member
Skytorn - PC, Mac, Linux
Orbit - PC, Mobile
Krafters - Free alpha (PC)
Solarix - PC, Mac
Boarding Action
Under the Forest - PC, Mac, Linux
http://skytorngame.com/
It’s a procedurally generated exploration platformer, taking place across floating islands in a high-tech, crumbling, fantasy world. The game is focused on player mechanics and movesets, putting an emphasis on how the player directly interacts with the world
Orbit - PC, Mobile
Krafters - Free alpha (PC)
http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=39285
God game + Strategy
Guide tiny vikings to grow their village into a prosperous town
http://forja.co/krafters/krafters.jar (Move the camera with WASD or Arrows. Left click/drag on tiles to order them to dig. Left click/drag on a villager to drag him).
Solarix - PC, Mac
http://www.solarixgame.com/
Solarix is a first-person survival-horror game set in a beautifully dilapidated science fiction setting. The game follows the story of an electrical engineer on an orbital research station, desperately fighting for his life after an infection wipes out his isolated community. It’s set in a future where technological reliance and distrust are at constant odds, often with horrific results.
Boarding Action
https://twitter.com/Boarding_Action
BOARDING ACTION is a game about boarding enemy ships sneakily or forcefully and making your way to the bridge to take it over. It's played in a 2D overhead view, is hugely inspired by greats like Hotline Miami, Deux Ex, and Monaco, and will feature action roguelike-like gameplay.
Under the Forest - PC, Mac, Linux
http://www.indiedb.com/games/under-the-forest
Under the Forest is a first-person adventure game, which focuses on puzzles, exploration and immersion. The player is thrown into an unknown world that he must learn to control and use.
Outer Wilds is aaaaaaawesome. Good thing I didnt really know what I was missing out on
I am still trying to figure out the secret of that twin sand planet.
I wanted to wait until the other planet stops having a sand storm so I can explore it, but whoops, universum exploded. On planet A, I tried finding the rumored cave entrance underground, but just got stuck in a tunnel until sand filled that cave and squashed me.
Oh well.
One of us! One of us!
Also what's your Steam ID - I need indie gaf friends!
More_Badass
Member
Freaking Meatbags - ????
Amber Throne - ????
Kara - ????
Previously Mentioned
Proven Lands
The Tank Game
http://www.wildfactor.net/
Freaking Meatbags is a mix between a Shoot'em up and a tower Defense in a sci-fi universe developed for PC. Your task, and you have no choice but to accept it since that's what you were built for, is to help humans colonize different planets. At night you have to defend the humans and your base against the wild robots drawn to its energy. But it's worse during the day: you have to deal with your humans. They're undisciplined, stupid, lazy meatbags. But nothing says you can't modify them a little...
Amber Throne - ????
http://imgur.com/a/O9aFY
Amber Throne is a turn-based RPG with a painted theme, taking place in a desert-world with an ancient castle looming far above.
Kara - ????
http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=37442.0
An Isaaclike platformer.
The game's story is pretty simple in its execution. There is a mining company that is employed to dig up valuable artifacts. One day they dig into an ancient booby-trap filled temple and find an artifact that causes all the robots to malfunction. The player takes on the role of a one man clean-up/demolition
Previously Mentioned
Proven Lands
Kickstarter tomorrow
The Tank Game
russian box
Member
Hey Hey Hey, I'd like to say that Goofball Goals is Quite fun. The game by GravitySensation
http://www.gravitysensation.com/goofball/
Me and lisa played through it for our Youtube channel, she loved Sumotori Dreams so much it used to make her cry. Something to do with years of falling over.
You can see her playing it here:
-lloyd
http://www.gravitysensation.com/goofball/
Me and lisa played through it for our Youtube channel, she loved Sumotori Dreams so much it used to make her cry. Something to do with years of falling over.
You can see her playing it here:
-lloyd
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
The Tank Game
I really wish The Tank Game could get Greenlit. It's far better than the name suggests.
More_Badass
Member
Yeah, It's really good. But it really needs a better name. It's so generic that I'm betting many just read the name and overlook the game. And it doesn't help the developer hasn't updated the Desura page or Greenlight with new info since sometime last year
I actually started a thread last year for people to post name suggestions:
http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/92934405/846962627003724860/
I said I would play some March games I missed from last year, so I did.
I played Melodisle and was delighted throughout. It is basically Fez, but instead of perspective it's about music. And when I say Fez, I'm not only referring to the art style, but to the gameplay as well. It's all about non-explicit puzzles, wall writings and jotting down notes, on a way smaller scale, of course, but just as pleasant to listen to. Didn't take me more than thirty minutes to finish it, but I managed to figure out everything by myself except the bird puzzle.The dev was one of the three guys behind Titan Souls btw, which.. makes sense. Talented guy.
Also tried Off which seemed interesting from the description, but didn't grab me at all. The game is going for a weird, surreal atmosphere, but the writing failed to sustain (or create, for that matter) said atmosphere. Quite possibly the fault of the translation, but it didn't really sell me on its plain RPG-ness, either. There's quite a following for this one, and I fully expect them to go after me with a baseball bat now.
I played Melodisle and was delighted throughout. It is basically Fez, but instead of perspective it's about music. And when I say Fez, I'm not only referring to the art style, but to the gameplay as well. It's all about non-explicit puzzles, wall writings and jotting down notes, on a way smaller scale, of course, but just as pleasant to listen to. Didn't take me more than thirty minutes to finish it, but I managed to figure out everything by myself except the bird puzzle.The dev was one of the three guys behind Titan Souls btw, which.. makes sense. Talented guy.
Also tried Off which seemed interesting from the description, but didn't grab me at all. The game is going for a weird, surreal atmosphere, but the writing failed to sustain (or create, for that matter) said atmosphere. Quite possibly the fault of the translation, but it didn't really sell me on its plain RPG-ness, either. There's quite a following for this one, and I fully expect them to go after me with a baseball bat now.
More_Badass
Member
Aegis - PC, PS4, Xbox One
Striker - 2015
Elysian Shadows - PC, Mac, Linux, IOS
Winter's Coming - ????
Wander - ????
Previously Mentioned
Heart Forth, Alicia
Witchmarsh
Gods Will Be Watching
http://www.aegisthegame.com/
Aegis is a 2D platformer for PC, PS4, and Xbox One that combines the best of 16bit era adventure exploration titles like The Legend of Zelda with unique and innovative tower defense combat.
Striker - 2015
http://striker.coltgames.com/
STRIKER is a 3/4 top down action/adventure shooter game, similar to the classic top down adventure games from the 16 bit era video games. The classic gameplay elements are combined with modern ones, from game genres as Open World RPGs, Survival Horror's and First Person Shooters. The game is primarily a shooter game, with survival elements. Weapons, ammo, armor and other equipment are found by exploring the island.
Elysian Shadows - PC, Mac, Linux, IOS
http://elysianshadows.com/dev/
An indie 2D RPG fusing elements of oldschool classics with modern gameplay, lighting, and audio.
Winter's Coming - ????
http://nyphoon.com/games/winters-coming/about/#.UxteAfldXT8
Winters Coming is an upcoming physics platform game from Nyphoons Game. Minimalistic in style, the player will follow the journey of a snowball whos looking for adventure and survival in a cold, unwelcoming world.
Wander - ????
Previously Mentioned
Heart Forth, Alicia
Witchmarsh
Gods Will Be Watching
More_Badass
Member
Dark Maus - ????
Boat - Free browser demo
Away Team - ????
Previously Mentioned
Halfway
http://www.darkmaus.com/
DarkMaus is an indie action RPG inspired by the game Dark Souls. In DarkMaus, you play a lonely wanderer searching for whats left in a corrupted world. The odds are against you you will certainly perish.
Boat - Free browser demo
Beautiful, simple, addicting. Nothing between you and your freedom! But this ain't no ordinary boat. This boat can turn water into land, leap into the air, and fly!
Collect the "coins" scattered across the floor of the ocean to earn points. Avoid the trunks of "tower". The tops of "towers", however, are soft and safe to bounce on. Bounce on "towers" in order to reach the "planes" and "rings" above that will allow you to soar!
W,A,S,D - Movement, Space - Jump/Glide, Q - Switch modes, R - Restart, P- Pause
Away Team - ????
http://www.lostzombies.co.uk/at.html
Away Team is a squad based tactical RPG set in the outer reaches of space. The game sees the player controlling their team on various away missions like an alien planet or the remains of a stricken spacecraft dispatching the hostile forces found within while trying to make your way back home.
Previously Mentioned
Halfway
CheesecakeRecipe
Stormy Grey
That could be pretty badass. Now to dream about a full-on Redwall game.
Out there - $3.99 (iOS/Android/Kindle)
Didn't see it here, I just started it today and it feels pretty good.
Also, probably a must have if you love sci fi.
There's a bit of a story around the making of the game, it's in french unfortunately but it's a good piece for indie devs out there. Hopefully someone will translate it soon enough ;-)
http://www.outtheregame.com/
You are an astronaut awaking from cryonics not in the solar system, but... out there... in a far and unknown place of the galaxy. In Out There, you will have to survive, tinkering your ship with what you can gather drifting in the void, and spot garden planets to refill your oxygen supply.
Space is an hostile place ; dangerous and mysterious adventures will mark each step of your travel. You will not only meet intelligent species that wont care about you, but also deal with ancient powers linked to your destiny and the fate of mankind itself.
Survival and understanding of what is really at stake in the galaxy is the core of what Out There has to offer.
Didn't see it here, I just started it today and it feels pretty good.
Also, probably a must have if you love sci fi.
There's a bit of a story around the making of the game, it's in french unfortunately but it's a good piece for indie devs out there. Hopefully someone will translate it soon enough ;-)
We only feature games that are also available on PC in these threads, that's why it's not in the OP. I was definitely interested the moment I heard about it, but I haven't gotten around to actually playing it, yet. The people in the iOS thread seemed to love it.
More_Badass
Member
Whoa, One Finger Death Punch is among the top 20 Top Sellers. Great to see it next to games like Starbound, Thief, Rogue Legacy, and Payday 2. The game deserves all the success, exposure, and attention it gets.
I think Total Biscuit said it best:
"Don't dismiss it because of its graphics style. Don't dismiss it because it looks like a web game. Play it because it is satisfying and visceral and responsive and skillful and fun to watch and just layered with cool level variety and all sorts of great enemy gimmicks and just pure kung fu experience.
Play it for those reasons."
I think Total Biscuit said it best:
"Don't dismiss it because of its graphics style. Don't dismiss it because it looks like a web game. Play it because it is satisfying and visceral and responsive and skillful and fun to watch and just layered with cool level variety and all sorts of great enemy gimmicks and just pure kung fu experience.
Play it for those reasons."
More_Badass
Member
Have you seen Overgrowth? I think that might be closest we get to a game form of Redwall. It has a realistic gritty feel to it, and the comic is a nice introduction to the intriguing world and culture of the game.
One Foul Note
Member
Good to hear. I am strangely taken with OFDP. Great game to pop in for a few minutes now and then. Makes a nice counterpoint to playing Dominions because it is to totally totally TOTALLY the opposite side of the gaming spectrum.
Also, mad respect for anyone namedropping Redwall, that series was like my childhood in book form.
More_Badass
Member
Really liking Oblitus' creature design
Quantum Entanglement - Free (Flash)
Quantum Entanglement
It gets very difficult very quickly, and required a lot of skill. You can build your own levels and try to get the best time in other people's levels.
After spending over a year on Heroes of a Broken Land I decided to make a quick 2-week game, Quantum Entanglement is the result.
Quantum Entanglement
Quantum Entanglement is a very simple game: two worlds, one button, two result.
It gets very difficult very quickly, and required a lot of skill. You can build your own levels and try to get the best time in other people's levels.
After spending over a year on Heroes of a Broken Land I decided to make a quick 2-week game, Quantum Entanglement is the result.
Future video OP impressions, Cosmic DJ. Since its currently in a bundle, I figured some of you guys might like a hand-on video of it:
http://youtu.be/U6mxDYdtx_4
Great presentation and feeling of the game. "Playing" the game also feels really good and gives you a chance to work on some nice tunes while relaxing/spacing out for a bit, but its by no means a game with a clear gamey "goal". I mean technically there is, but thats not what you might like about this game. Its more of a relaxing tool to play around with some tunes. You also shouldnt expect actual songs from this, and more consider it a "sound tool box", but if you have a thing for those kind of games, you will very likely enjoy this too.
More_Badass
Member
Any impressions of 10 Second Ninja?
More_Badass
Member
It's not the best quality, but I love this shot from the Proven Lands trailer
I love exploration in games, and seeing environments like that just get me really excited for what Proven Lands has to offer.
More_Badass
Member
Official confirmation on TIGForums
Damn, what a promising game. Unfortunate to see it just die like that
dat vagueness
Oh well, maybe it will resurface one day. Hard to imagine all those assets being let go to waste.
Schobeleth
Member
So many great games in this thread. I always keep coming back to it 
I also wanted to make a shout out to a fun reverse-bullet hell shooter I came across, found out an old classmate of mine worked on it, it's called Queen of Space. It has a space/rock opera kind of feel to it, I thought it was a unique take on the genre you know?
I also wanted to make a shout out to a fun reverse-bullet hell shooter I came across, found out an old classmate of mine worked on it, it's called Queen of Space. It has a space/rock opera kind of feel to it, I thought it was a unique take on the genre you know?
macfoshizzle
Member
so i played all of the early access of the beta for lifeless planet, and i must say, what a superb game. it's so immersive and kinda felt like i was reading a scifi book
So many great games in this thread. I always keep coming back to it
I also wanted to make a shout out to a fun reverse-bullet hell shooter I came across, found out an old classmate of mine worked on it, it's called Queen of Space. It has a space/rock opera kind of feel to it, I thought it was a unique take on the genre you know?
More detailed impressions would be great
What did you like about it? What was unique?
Man this is pretty shameless as far as ripoffs go. Might as well call it Kraft Arthur's Gold or something...
Did you play it? I didnt yet, but I mean similar games can still have different redeeming qualities.
Legend of Badminton - Free (IOS/Android)
[
www.legendofbadminton.com
Legend of Badminton is a funny "Point and tap" style graphic adventure, specially designed for mobile devices, with an acid humor sense that will not let you cold. A tribute to the adventures developed by the sadly dissapeared Lucas Arts.
No but the graphics style looks extremely similar. The background looks almost identical to the ones in KAG's maps, even.
I'd love something that's a bit more like a singleplayer oriented KAG but yeah...I just wish it didn't look so similar to it.
Schobeleth
Member
More detailed impressions would be great
What did you like about it? What was unique?
Well for one it's not just about bullets, you have to collect them instead while dodging the different colors. I just thought it was simple yet fun haha. Plus that soundtrack is awesome haha! The thing that really got me was the convoluted description though, had no idea what to expect.
More_Badass
Member
Here's a better description
Wouldn't really call it a ripoff
Has a playable version:
http://forja.co/krafters/krafters.jar
More_Badass
Member
I'll post impressions for these later, but so far all are pretty promising. I especially love Iubes' tubular world design
Iubes - Free alpha (PC)
Uncanny Valley - Free alpha, 2014 (PC, Mac, Linux)
Mini Metro - Free alpha, Mid 2014 (PC, Mac, Linux, Browser)
Iubes - Free alpha (PC)
http://www.iubes.com/
Basically, your goal is much like a classic RTS game: build your city, defend it, make a lot of soldiers, and ravage your enemy without mercy! But the way of doing this will be completely different than what you may be used to.
The concept here is to focus on interactions between your iubes, your city, and above all time! A well timed plan is the key to everything.
Uncanny Valley - Free alpha, 2014 (PC, Mac, Linux)
http://www.indiedb.com/games/uncanny-valley
Uncanny Valley is a survival horror indie game. You play as Tom, a newly recruited security guard at a remote, closed down facility. There are only two people there, him and another security guard, sharing the shifts between night and day. Soon, our main character starts exploring the abandoned facility only to discover some very interesting things.
Playable version
Mini Metro - Free alpha, Mid 2014 (PC, Mac, Linux, Browser)
http://dinopoloclub.com/minimetro/
Mini Metro is an upcoming minimalistic subway layout game. Your small city starts with only three unconnected stations. Your task is to draw routes between the stations to connect them with subway lines. Everything but the line layout is handled automatically; trains run along the lines as quickly as they can, and the commuters decide which trains to board and where to make transfers.
However the city is constantly growing, along with the transport needs of its population. How long can you keep the subway system running before it grinds to a halt?
This is seriously cool. It's a puzzle game with the added pressure of a management sim, a combination that works perfectly. If they fine-tune the hell out of it and think of a good way to structure the actual content, this could be fantastic.
Edit: My highscore after two games is 292.