More_Badass
Member
I've been pretty active in the Indie Game threads for over a year now, and I never cease to be amazed and impressed by the diverse and interesting games that developers create. But while many are aware of big indie releases and even lesser known ones through Steam, Desura, Humble, or through various bundles, it can be easy to overlook the vast and endless array of free games that are available to play. Sheer volume is one reason, another being less attention on those games compared to paid games. Or perhaps the negative opinion some have towards flash games, or maybe the mindset that a free game can't have the depth or be as engaging as a larger full release.
Which is a shame, because so many free games are out there and so many are just really good games that a large majority of people will never play. From developers with large portfolios of freeware games, to free alphas and betas, to the hundreds and hundreds of entries for game jams such as Seven Day Roguelike, Seven Day FPS, Ludum Dare, and others, to the talented work of Digipen students, there's just an astounding amount of quality free games to play and enjoy.
I'm making this thread to shed some light on those games, and share some sites that highlight freeware games.
Sites
- Warpdoor
- DigiPen Student Games
- Rock Paper Shotgun's Freeware Garden
- Indie Games Weblog
- Jay Is Games
- Indie Impressions
As for games to play, here's a selection of titles from several recent game jams including 7DFPS 2014 and Ludum Dare 31, as well as classic freeware games like Dwarf Fortress. More games to come!
- More Games #1 (One Chance, Facade, Indie Action...)
- More Games #2 (ATUM, Naya's Quest, Red Rogue...)
- More Games #3 (Toribash, Warning Forever, Ending...)
- More Games #4 (Souvenir, Visibility Zero, Recollection...)
- More Games #5 (Lost Constellation, Farg, Until I Have You...)
- More Games #6 (Precipice, Petrichor, Nested..)
- More Games #7 (Naut, Condor, Rubicon...)
- More Games #8 (Opoid, Sanctuary, Conquest...)
- More Games #9 (Deadbolt, Chronoclysm, Mussel...)
- More Games #10 (Synthesizer, ROLLGUE, Hellion...)
- More Games #11 (Wizard of Legend, The Stranger, Fabric...)
- More Games #12 (A Knife Made Of Whispers, Out Of Mind, Udom Nebdon...)
- More Games #13 (Badass Inc, Copycat, Grimstorm...)
- More Games #14 (Maquisard, Code 7, Camp 1...)
- More Games #15 (Dolly, Dérive, Dirty Hands...)
- More Games #16 (AniMa, Vernacular, Bog...)
Nitronic Rush - PC
Wings of Saint Nazaire - PC, Mac, Linux
Perspective - PC
Trilby: The Art of Theft - PC
N - PC, Mac, Linux, Browser
Dwarf Fortress - PC
MTB Freeride - PC
Westerado - Browser
Outer Wilds - PC, Mac, Linux
SHIFT - PC
Frail Shells - PC, Mac, Linux
Photobomb - PC, Mac, Linux
Roguelight - PC
Absolute Drift - PC, Mac, Linux
Iji - PC
birdsong - PC
Javel-ein - PC, Browser
HopSlide - PC
Law Breaker - Browser
Corrypt - PC, Mac
Space Docking Sim 2014 - Browser
Zineth - PC, Mac
First of Many - PC, Mac, Browser
Blockade Runner - PC
SuperHOT - Browser
Beyond Perception - PC, Mac, Linux
DotHop - PC, Browser
GhostRing - PC, Mac, Linux, Browser
hets - PC, Linux
Epic Flail - Browser
Sentinel - Browser
Swords and Hammers - Browser
ROCKROCKET - PC
Wide Opened Eyes - PC, Mac, Browser
flop - Browser
Faster Than Alien - PC, Linux
Microphyla - Browser
Error: 562 - PC
Cat-ana - Browser
Ragtown - PC, Browser
Where They Once Were - PC
Deep Breath - PC
Path of Thorns - PC, Mac, Linux, Browser
Shootmephrenia - PC
Strange Gravity - PC
Pain the Town Red - PC
Attack of the Oculoids - PC, Mac, Browser
Which is a shame, because so many free games are out there and so many are just really good games that a large majority of people will never play. From developers with large portfolios of freeware games, to free alphas and betas, to the hundreds and hundreds of entries for game jams such as Seven Day Roguelike, Seven Day FPS, Ludum Dare, and others, to the talented work of Digipen students, there's just an astounding amount of quality free games to play and enjoy.
I'm making this thread to shed some light on those games, and share some sites that highlight freeware games.
Sites
- Warpdoor
- DigiPen Student Games
- Rock Paper Shotgun's Freeware Garden
- Indie Games Weblog
- Jay Is Games
- Indie Impressions
As for games to play, here's a selection of titles from several recent game jams including 7DFPS 2014 and Ludum Dare 31, as well as classic freeware games like Dwarf Fortress. More games to come!
- More Games #1 (One Chance, Facade, Indie Action...)
- More Games #2 (ATUM, Naya's Quest, Red Rogue...)
- More Games #3 (Toribash, Warning Forever, Ending...)
- More Games #4 (Souvenir, Visibility Zero, Recollection...)
- More Games #5 (Lost Constellation, Farg, Until I Have You...)
- More Games #6 (Precipice, Petrichor, Nested..)
- More Games #7 (Naut, Condor, Rubicon...)
- More Games #8 (Opoid, Sanctuary, Conquest...)
- More Games #9 (Deadbolt, Chronoclysm, Mussel...)
- More Games #10 (Synthesizer, ROLLGUE, Hellion...)
- More Games #11 (Wizard of Legend, The Stranger, Fabric...)
- More Games #12 (A Knife Made Of Whispers, Out Of Mind, Udom Nebdon...)
- More Games #13 (Badass Inc, Copycat, Grimstorm...)
- More Games #14 (Maquisard, Code 7, Camp 1...)
- More Games #15 (Dolly, Dérive, Dirty Hands...)
- More Games #16 (AniMa, Vernacular, Bog...)
Nitronic Rush - PC
Wings of Saint Nazaire - PC, Mac, Linux
http://www.wingsofstnazaire.com/
Wings of Saint Nazaire is an action-orientated space simulation game reminiscent of titles such as Wing Commander™ and the X-Wing™ series
Perspective - PC
http://www.seewithperspective.com/
In Perspective, the player has two modes of control: a first person camera moving in 3D space, and an avatar that is constrained to the 2D world. In order to get the 2D avatar to the goal at the end of the level, the 3D player needs to move around in 3D space to create paths for the 2D avatar.
Unlike other puzzle games that make use of 2D/3D such as Crush or Fez, Perspective allows the player to move around in 3D space freely. This opens up a lot of new ways to use perception as a puzzle mechanic to create new paths in 2D.
Trilby: The Art of Theft - PC
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/content/games/yahtzee/artoftheft]
The Art of Theft is a mission-based stealth platformer, with an emphasis on gameplay over story. Your goal is to infiltrate a variety of buildings in Chapow City, steal loot, achieve objectives and get out again with the subtlety of a flickering shadow in a ninja outfit.
N - PC, Mac, Linux, Browser
http://www.thewayoftheninja.org/n.html
N is an award-winning 2D action/puzzle platformer reminiscent of lode runner: you're a tiny stick figure running around in a puzzle-y world inhabited by enemies. But in N, there's a twist: the ninja is driven not only by thirst for gold, but also by sweet physics simulation.
Dwarf Fortress - PC
http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/index.html
Dwarf Fortress is a single-player fantasy game. You can control a dwarven outpost or an adventurer in a randomly generated, persistent world.
MTB Freeride - PC
http://mtbfreeride.wordpress.com/
MTB Freeride is a challenging downhill cycling game. You’ll need great skill and quick reflexes to race and perform outrageous tricks in varied downhill environments and over natural and manmade barriers.
Westerado - Browser
http://games.adultswim.com/westerado-action-online-game.html
When a dastardly bandit kills your family, you saddle up with your six-guns to bring the murderer to justice. There’s a new mystery to solve every time you play.
Outer Wilds - PC, Mac, Linux
http://outerwilds.com/
Outer Wilds is a space exploration game that invites you to embark on a cosmic expedition into a turbulent world driven by forces beyond your control. Let curiosity be your guide as you fly into the heart of a gas giant, meet fellow travelers on quantum moons, and roast marshmallows beneath alien skies.
The game is a seamless first-person experience that gives you just 20 minutes to freely explore a miniature solar system as it dynamically evolves over time. After those 20 minutes are up, the Sun goes supernova and the entire Universe ends. Fortunately, the Solar System is stuck in a time loop, and only by exploring over the course of multiple playthroughs will you come to understand the forces and secrets that drive the Universe.
SHIFT - PC
http://shawnbecktp.itch.io/shift
SHIFT is a lightning-paced, dodge-crazy FPS featuring cute, chunky robots hell-bent on spazzing you out with their lazerz.
Frail Shells - PC, Mac, Linux
http://fromsmiling.itch.io/frail-shells
Shells fall from the sky
Like rain on a day that's just a little too cold
Shells shatter like ice
Against a pan that's just a little hard to hold
Photobomb - PC, Mac, Linux
http://milkbaggames.itch.io/photobomb
Hello, Media Peace Officer #S1493. As you know by now, a bomb was detonated in the city square only minutes ago. Our algorithms have been scraping social media to collect photos leading up to the event. We have narrowed the list of suspects to 6 in the vicinity who weren't wearing their ID trackers.
Scour the social media timeline and place the photos in the scene to paint the suspects. Determine the location of the bomb and identify the guilty suspect. Time is of the essence, #S1493. The people want justice. You have 2 minutes.
Roguelight - PC
http://managore.itch.io/roguelight
The deeper you travel the darker it gets,
and you only have your arrows to light the way.
Absolute Drift - PC, Mac, Linux
http://www.indiedb.com/games/absolute-drift
Absolute Drift is a car drifting game. The core mechanic is drifting, which is the driving style of intentionally over-steering so that the car loses traction and starts sliding. The goal is to remain in this state as long as possible, but it takes skill and practice to become a master
Iji - PC
http://www.remar.se/daniel/iji.php
Iji is an action-packed strategic platform shooter with a detailed story, large levels with multiple paths, powerful bosses and lots of secrets.
birdsong - PC
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=3479
It's finally time to leave the nest.
The whole wide world sprawls out before you (conveniently squeezed into just one screen), waiting to be explored. Can you learn to fly?
Javel-ein - PC, Browser
http://managore.wordpress.com/games/javel-ein/
In Javel-ein, you only get one javelin. Using it together with your magnificent wit and skill, you must defeat all the creatures in each level before proceeding through the door. Javel-ein contains 60 levels split into four chapters. Each chapter introduces new mechanics, greater difficulty and a unique and terrible boss.
HopSlide - PC
http://managore.itch.io/hopslide
HopSlide consists of two games.
In Hop you can explore a large, blue world. There are some platforms to jump on, springs to launch you into the air, a mysterious map room to investigate and two doors (but they don't seem to go anywhere).
In Slide you can slide some colored blocks around. There are some markings on the blocks (but who cares what those are for). Slide doesn't come with any music so maybe you should leave Hop running in the background.
Hop and Slide are definitely not connected in any way.
Law Breaker - Browser
http://deepnight.net/games/law-breaker/
Get a car, rob banks and go rampage through the city. That's the story of life.
Law Breaker is a GTA 1 tribute that fits on a single screen. On each mission you have to rob banks and to stay away from the cops. All the good'ol friends are here: cars, helicopters, tanks and GOURANGA!
Corrypt - PC, Mac
http://mightyvision.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/corrypt.html
Corrypt is an intricate and mysterious puzzle game. Explore a strange world, meet the weird creatures who live there, and solve the fiendish problems that trouble them.
Space Docking Sim 2014 - Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=11344
Use the rockets to align your ship with the space station docking port then gently bring your ship in and make a connection. There is a green marker on the gimbal, bring this to the top to align your ship's axis with the axis of the station.
There are four difficulty levels (Baby, Standard, 2001, Interstellar)
Zineth - PC, Mac
http://zinethgame.tumblr.com/
Zineth is a student game made over a few months meant to celebrate speed, movement, and twitter.
First of Many - PC, Mac, Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=46696
City/Settlement building simulation/exploration hybrid. Goal is to eventually create a self sustaining settlement that survives without exploiting the scarce resources.
Blockade Runner - PC
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=47032
You are one of a few surviving humans in a robot-infested world. Each robot emits light in one of the primary colors (Red, Green, or Blue) which must combine with the color of the floor and/or the colors of light emitted by other robots to create white light. The robots can only see you, the player, if you're standing in white light, and will chase after you as soon as they see you. If they catch you, you're dead. Your goal is to retrieve the Pink Package. Can you successfully dodge those dastardly ambling squares?
SuperHOT - Browser
Beyond Perception - PC, Mac, Linux
http://www.indiedb.com/games/beyond-perception
Look in 2D think in 3D. Beyond Perception is an experimental puzzle game based upon observation and space understanding. Use your mind and imagination to escape from museum paintings.
DotHop - PC, Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=16615
Hop through space instantaneously to get Dots!
Click to hop, and Space to jump.
Interestingly enough, the game appears to take place within a mug of coffee...
GhostRing - PC, Mac, Linux, Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=8502
The road. 6 cars. Friendships.
One-button game where you have to hold your key to turn.
hets - PC, Linux
http://ditto.itch.io/hets
hets is a very fast, very difficult platformer about shooting monsters in dark randomized caves. After each cave you get rewarded with some well deserved rest and an upgrade that will help you fend off the ever increasing amount of beasts you encounter. What is actually the deal with those statues by the way?
Epic Flail - Browser
Sentinel - Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=46923
Wounded hero lies on a battle field near his mystic sword. Hordes of monsters are coming closer and only you can protect him!
Grab the sword by the handle and swing it as fast as you can, crushing through endless waves of monsters. Don't let them come close to the hero until he manages to stand up.
Swords and Hammers - Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=21669
A simple medieval RTS with hand-drawn art and procedurally generated maps. Refresh the page to play a new map!
ROCKROCKET - PC
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=46642
You wake up inside a cave. Find your way though the opening.
Wide Opened Eyes - PC, Mac, Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=29854
They are afraid of the light.
So your only weapon is a lantern.
Monsters don't move while you looking at them.
Find a way out.
flop - Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=18837
For this theme, I decided to create a platforming game which never scrolls. Instead, triggers mutate the level around the player.
Faster Than Alien - PC, Linux
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=510
The game could be best described as an alien survival game. The games draws inspiration from the first Alien movie, FTL and 90’ies game Space Hulk. You play as the alien spawn and try to breed (as that is what aliens aspire to do, right?).
Unfortunately for the spaceship crew, this involves taking captures and defending the nest and territory. There will be some casualties for the AI controlled humans, but that should not become as surprise to them – after all, all these dangers are listed in fine print on your contract with the megacorp, remember?
Microphyla - Browser
Error: 562 - PC
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=47119
Error: 562″ is a game where you control a ship and our goal is to successfully reach the hall of the screen, there for you to discover the “Entire Game on One Screen”
Cat-ana - Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=3211
It's an action-exploration games, in a japanese futurist world
We searched to mix 3D cell shadding characters and pixel art props.
Ragtown - PC, Browser
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=47505
Welcome to Ragtown.
In this city you will play as the sheriff who protects the city for 8 years. You must decide who gets in and who gets out in order to get a balanced amount of criminals, businessmen, goldminers or indians. If the town becomes overpopulated with one of the factions, they will take control of the town.
If you exclude someone from the city, they won't be pleased and will try to stop you by putting a bullet in your head. It is your duty to get their heads filled with lead if that's the case.
Where They Once Were - PC
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=491
WTOW is a weird survival thing about a woman finding a weird abandoned cottage while escaping pursuers. Can you find out the secret of the cottage?
Deep Breath - PC
http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-31/?action=preview&uid=34699
Necromancers are beings whose powers over the living and the dead hold almost no limits. In fact, the only real limit is that they can only cast one spell a day.
Meet Lilith. She found a loophole. She just casts very long spells after taking a very deep breath.
Inhale deeply, enthrall the populace, challenge authority, and find out if you're a bad enough dudette to kill the President.
Path of Thorns - PC, Mac, Linux, Browser
Shootmephrenia - PC
http://tocogames.itch.io/shootmephrenia
Shootmephrenica is a small experimental First Person Shooter game in which you have to shoot no one but yourself!
You will find yourself in a glitched out mysterious world where your companion the gun is the only consistence that can be trusted. Carefully shoot on reflective panels to make your bullet ultimately come back to you and hit you in your ragdoll first person face. Make perfect trickshots, figure out how to reflect the bullet over multiple panels and run and jump to catch your bullet!
Strange Gravity - PC
http://ianburnette.itch.io/strange-gravity
A FPS/RTS hybrid about miniature planetoids and fungal spores. It's kinda like that flash game Phage Wars, but in first person and huge.
Pain the Town Red - PC
http://mattcarr.itch.io/paint-the-town-red
Your cover has been blown and now the gang you infiltrated won't stop until you're in the ground.
Attack of the Oculoids - PC, Mac, Browser
http://mrleeperry.itch.io/attack-of-the-oculoids
The Oculoids are here! Get'em!
Oh... one thing... all those magic weapons you have? Yeah, Oculoids don't respond to magic like most things. So, you might need to experiment. You should be fine though