Cryptic Sea has started up a new development journal in which fans of Gish can keep themselves updated about the sequel's production progress (pictured above). Barely visible in the image is a 2008 release date. There's a video posted with Edmund himself attempting to call Nintendo's Reggie to secure a publishing deal on the Wii.

Edmund McMillen is also responsible for the character art in Braid, among other works.

Visit the development journal

The author of the Submachine series has announced a schedule for his upcoming projects on his development journal recently. All of the following games will be released before Christmas 2007, in this order:

Covert Front 2 (soonest)
two untitled platformers
DayMare Town 2
Submachine 5

Mateusz Skutnik's games page

StarPox is a new horizontal shooter by Lazrael, creator of Banana Nababa and Poyo. Work in progress. [Dick the Duck preview, Lazrael's past projects]

Space Phallus will have levels that are entirely different from each other.

It's a pretty simple affair, which uses 8-bit themed graphics and sound. The premise of the game is to save the galaxy from the marauding space penises that are threatening to destroy it. This one is coming along quite quickly (is that a pun?) so should see release in the coming months. I'll try to post some pics and maybe a video soon.

Cheers
Charlie (author of Bullet Candy)
Charlie's Games

Amanita Design (Samorost series) is currently working on a full-scale adventure game entitled Machinarium. The new project features hand-drawn art and backgrounds, but retains the point-and-click interface that fans of the series have grown accustomed to.

Adventure Gamers had also revealed that the world is populated by robots, and players can expect to interact with a small inventory during the course of the game.

Machinarium will be released sometime in the second half of 2008.

Ben Jordan Case 6: Scourge of the Sea People is the latest in a series of adventure games by Grundislav about a young man and his journey around the world in search of mystery and danger. Puzzles are much easier compared to it's predecessors though certain screen exits can be easily missed at first glance.

There's one scene with pixelated nudity, so approach with caution.

Name: Ben Jordan Case 6: Scourge of the Sea People
Developer: Grundislav
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 30MB

Swedish developer Bits & Pieces Interactive brings us an innovative new twist on the paltformer genre with Fret Nice. The game can only be played with a guitar controller, requiring either a USB-to-PS2 adapter or a USB Xbox 360 guitar controller. Naturally, this will limit how many of you will be able to try it. If you have the ability to play this, however, you will be pleasantly surprised. Fret Nice is a recipient of the Best Game Concept Award at Swedish Game Awards 2007. It's reviewer states that it is "a game with an innovative use of control, which impresses in many areas."

The game will find you jumping to perform "air combos" that allow you to defeat the various enemies, as well as climbing, swinging, and slinging your character onto and off of various objects in the levels. In all cases gameplay feels fresh and is a lot of fun, while the nontraditional control method makes Fret Nice an innovative newcomer to the indie scene.

Name: Fret Nice
Developer: Bits & Pieces Interactive
Category: Platformer/Unconventional
Type: Freeware
Size: 28MB

Raingraph's Ace Speeder 2 is a decent racing game with uninspiring textures and pretty standard gameplay, but simulates a speeding race track well enough to please casual fans of the genre.

Only two race tracks are accessible in this demo. Hold the space key to accelerate, and tap the same button quickly to use the boost. Swap camera view by pressing the C key. The V key can be used to turn the HUD on and off. Pause the game with the backspace or delete key.

Name: Ace Speeder 2
Developer: Raingraph
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 30MB
Direct download link: Click here

Joystiq previews Metanet Software's N+ (pictured above), due out for the Nintendo DS soon. Hot dual screen action!

"The view for the DS game provides a zoomed-in bottom screen and a zoomed-out view of the whole level on the top screen."

"The game will feature all new levels designed by original creators Metanet in both its Pure (based on the original Flash game) and Plus (new graphics and enemies) versions."

Also from Joystiq, an interview with the director of the 1GB noir adventure game Fate by Numbers.

Updates

Dicewars DS (a Nintendo DS port of GameDesign's popular dice strategy game, pictured above) updated to version 0.3.4.

Georg Rottensteiner's Joe Gunn gets a final update, recently reviewed in RGCD. [installation instructions]

Shooters

There's a couple of scans from Arcadia with information and screenshots about Cave's latest horizontal shooter Deathsmiles posted in the insomnia.ac forums. [AM show information]

From Arcadia again, information and a screenshot from G.rev's (Border Down, Under Defeat) upcoming vertical shooter Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta. Apparently the game is a collaborative effort with ex-Seibu Kaihatsu staff, the same people responsible for delivering the Raiden series. [official web site]

Soldner-X is available for preorder from Play-Asia.

Platformers

Ishi has resumed work on Tor de Force, a platformer originally developed for the four color competition held by Retro Remakes. [forum thread]

Ten new screenshots from Lexaloffle's upcoming platformer Jasper's Journeys (pictured below) were recently posted. [Swarm Racer]

Miscellaneous

GameTunnel's Monthly Round-up has been replaced with a new column entitled The 60-Minute Trial.

Chocolate Castle is the latest Manifesto Games' pick.

Being my first YouTube piano video, I only thought it would be appropriate to make it from Cave Story. This is of me, playing my own arrangement of selections from "Plantation" and "Moonsong." Sorry about the quality! - markarian.

- MP3 downloads and sheet music for several tunes from Pixel's Cave Story

There have been many changes to Bootansoft's horizontal shooter Arachnos since it's initial release. In the latest version (1.84), the author has included a difficulty setting and the option to increase the number of ships for each game.

Arguably the best freeware Gradius tribute available. [gameplay videos]

Name: Arachnos
Developer: Bootansoft
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

The third issue of RGCD, the freely downloadable retro discmag, is now available. Blast Arena for the GBA is its featured review this time around.

Amongst the 28 other games covered are Hurrican, Burn the Trash, Frazy and Zub for the PC, as well as Joe Gunn for the C64 and Blizzard's Rift for the Spectrum. This issue also has part one of an in-depth article about the history of the man behind Llamasoft, Jeff Minter.

As always, all content is thoroughly checked for viruses and is 100% spyware free.

Nifflas has released Knytt Stories a couple of days ahead of his original August 30th release date.

Knytt Stories doesn't have a specific plot. Instead, each level is its own little adventure. A level called 'The Machine' is included with the game, where you have to stop a machine that draws the life out of the planet. An official expansion pack is also featured at the website with four original levels.

Knytt Stories is a 2D platform game that runs on Windows 2000, XP, and later.

Name: Knytt Stories
Developer: Nifflas
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 33.9MB
Download: From the download page.

In Lonely House-Moving, the reluctance of the story's protagonist to let his young partner relocate to greener pastures has caused him to chase after a moving truck carrying the love of his life and her belongings in it. Your task is to avoid the falling objects by jumping over them for maximum points whenever possible.

Bonus points are awarded for jumps which are further to the right. Execute Mario stomps on moles and crows for a score boost. Collect corns or rice balls to restore health. Approaching bicycles can be anticipated by listening closely for their ringing bells.

Use the arrow keys to move, and hold the space key to jump. Avoid catching her undies to earn extra points at the end of the game.

Name: Lonely House-Moving
Developer: Nigoro
Category: Action
Type: Browser

Guardian Popon is a simple arcade game in which the player has to protect his or her fort from invading forces with only a single cannon equipped on your ship as the defensive measure.

Hold the left mouse button to set the cannonball flight distance, but restock regularly as your ship is able to carry a maximum of ten cannonballs at any time.

Name: Guardian Popon
Developer: GamePure
Category: Action
Type: Browser

In Biniax-2, the players controls a box with an element inside. Pairs of elements can be removed if the element controlled is the same as one of the pair. When a pair of element is removed, your box will take on the form of the other element in the pair. Press the space key to remove an entire column. This special move is limited and the number of uses allowed is indicated on the right side of the screen.

A new tactical mode, improved graphics and multiplayer option is included in this updated sequel.

Name: Biniax-2
Developer: Jordan Tuzsuzov
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Expect to see a gameplay video from World of Goo (pictured above) posted sometime this week.

MarkUp issue 6 (the official GM magazine) is now available for download. The tutorials could be of some help but the reviews are incredibly poor as usual.

Metablog updated; Lost Garden gets a new entry.

Shooters

Soldner-X will be released sometime around the end of 2007 or early 2008. [thanks to Timerever!]

The full version of Honeyblaster will be released during the final week of September. [web site]

Nintendo DS

An updated DS version of Motocross Challenge is currently in development. [GBA version]

PDRoms has an extensive list of homebrew releases for most of the portable consoles available today. Reaxion GBA and cdogsPSP (Cdogs port) are two familiar names gathered from a quick glance of the list.

Information about the DS port of Invalid Tangram can be found at Josh's site. [PC version]

Updates

Autumn Moon's upcoming adventure game A Vampyre Story gets a new web site. The title is scheduled to be released sometime in late 2007.

An updated version for Empyreal Nocturne (with joystick and XBox 360 controller support) is now available. [download page]

More custom map packs added to Ninjah's web site.

Miscellaneous

Moonpod is working on a new game.

GamePure has announced Combat Heaven Next, a sequel to their popular arcade game Combat Heaven. Twelve new screenshots were added to the information page as well.

Details about the upcoming 1st person action adventure game (pictured below) based on the Lone Wolf series were recently revealed. [Ksatria's web site]

Much like Tetris Plus, Crash Block is a variation of the classic game with a protagonist which you have to protect from the falling tetrominoes. The heroine of the story can jump, climb and direct pieces with a press of the Enter key. Use the backspace key to drop a piece once it is properly positioned over the desired placement area.

The left and right cursor keys can be used to control the main character. Press the up or down arrow key to rotate a piece. Hold the space key to jump, and tap the B key to place a bomb. A piece will fall automatically if not placed after being introduced to the play area for some time. Avoid standing under a falling piece.

Use the delete key to restart a level in the event that your character is trapped with no visible exit.

Name: Crashblock
Developer: Cerebral Bicycle
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 30MB
Direct download link: Click here

Dungeon Looter is one of the few notable entries from the recent Pascal Game Development. You assume the role of an explorer spelunking in a dangerous cave, with a torch in hand the only source of illumination and protection against unseen danger.

The W, A, S and D keys can be used to control the main character. A glowing exclamation mark designates the point at which treasures are sold and items can be purchased. Stock up on torches, and view your inventory using the I key. The game can be saved at any time.

This competition entry is playable though many of the extra features mentioned in the included text file has not been implemented yet.

Name: Dungeon Looter
Developer: Mirage
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Direct download link: Click here

Honeyblaster is the latest release from the low key game development team LowFuel, though they have been quite prolific in other areas such as the demo scene and design related work. This particular demo features three levels with a colored background option included for players who are not keen on playing the game in it's original black and white format.

Each stage has it's own setting and offers a variety of enemies to blast at, but undeniably the Doom tribute level was designed to impress the most.

Name: Honeyblaster
Developer: LowFuel
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

Jigsaw Battle is a new puzzler from SKT, famed for their popular Moai series together with several other quirky Flash game releases to date. The game pits you against the CPU in a jigsaw completion duel, and the winner chosen from whichever side completes a set of three puzzles the quickest.

There is also a game featuring an odd mascot among three of their recent releases in the past few weeks.

Name: Jigsaw Battle
Developer: SKT
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser

Scallywag: In the Lair of the Medusa is a single player RPG with a combat system not unlike the one used by Blizzard's Diablo series. Taking the role of Rapius, players fight their way through eighty levels of randomly generated dungeons, braving dozens of enemies and adding a myriad of items to their loot collection.

Careful use of Rapius' lantern will allow players to strike from afar, or for tough encounters, sneak by silently in the dark. The game also comes with a level editor.

Name: Scallywag: In the Lair of the Medusa
Developer: Chronic Reality
Category: RPG
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here (demo)

Cyclops is a new arena shooter from the author of Warning Forever, in which the player has to protect a turret from destruction by eliminating enemy ships or bullets with the help of a mounted laser beam weapon.

Your primary weapon requires a short recharge period after each use, and at times the turret doesn't turn quick enough to combat the arriving enemy waves. Reflection panels can be used to your advantage in this situation, as your beam bounces off them at a certain angle when they're shot at. Asteroids cannot be destroyed, but green enemy ships will attempt to collide with the turret to inflict a damage of five percent.

The number of enemies to eliminate in each round is shown at the bottom left of the screen, and a ten percent damage restoration bonus is awarded before the start of a new level. Shields are unlimited and protect against nearly all danger except for collision with a certain green object twice the size of your turret.

The cyclops.ini text file can be edited to enable full screen mode. Sound will be implemented in future releases.

Name: Cyclops
Developer: Hikware
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Least Best Room is a new Flash game by Kenta Cho which attempts to simulate gravity and physics in a tight space. This experimental project involves moving your avatar forward and trying to avoid mines, all the while squeezing through inflatable red balls or collecting green energy items.

Use the cursor keys to move your character around, and hold the Z key to shoot. Your personal best distance is shown at the title screen but never saved when the browser window is refreshed or closed.

Name: Least Best Room
Developer: Kenta Cho
Category: Shooter
Type: Browser

In xWUNG, you play by moving the mouse to swing a ball. The ball's attached to a wire, and both of them kill enemies on contact. Be careful of the debris as it's deadly. There are bosses that appear with regular intervals. Make large combos to get good scores. [source: the2bears]

Online high score table

Name: xWUNG
Developer: cactus
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Details about Nigoro's upcoming release (pictured above) posted. [rough translation]

Eyezmaze's Tontie gets a new unlimited mode.

Minion's Phoenix remake updated.

Cave Story gets an XBox port.

A new issue of GameShark's The Indies posted.

The review archives was recently updated, though half of the new addition consists of crummy games as usual.

From Andrew's site:

"If you are working in flash and have a desire to learn things like gravity, 3-d rotation etc. you'll find a goldmine of information here."

If your name is Jeff, look away now:

Space Giraffe (Electorubbish)

'Space Giraffe is NOT Tempest!' screams the instructions in Jeff's 360 music visualizer, Minter's latest interactive audiovisual orgy. Okay, but Space Giraffe does take nearly all its cues from Atari's classic coin-op (which Minter has reworked before).

As in Tempest, you're an abstract creature on the edge of an electric grid floating in space, relentlessly basting the geometric creatures that shimmy up its lanes. Giraffe enhances that letting you jump over enemies, steer your shots, and ram baddies off the playfield, but user-friendliness has been thrown out in the name of psychedelic presentation.

You'll frequently die because you couldn't pick out the pulsing assassin from the wrapped playfield floating over the throbbing LSD nightmare that is the background, which makes this game uniquely aggravating.

With incredibly poor visibility (apparently by design) and a thumping electronic soundtrack peppered with sophomoric sound effects, Space Giraffe offers a generous 100 levels of damn-near-unplayable technoslop.

- Dan Amrich (Senior editor, Official Xbox Magazine)

+ Unlike anything you've ever seen (except Tempest).

- Too visually noisy to figure out what going on.
- Actually made us angry when we played it.

? Is this a failed game or a failed art experiment?

The Verdict 2.0 - BROKEN
Just really bad. Lacks a single redeeming quality, or it's busted to varying degrees in its own design, quality or basic functionality. No gamer of any stripe should bother.

For a more favorable review, click here. New screenshots and gameplay videos can be found over at the Llamasoft Blog. [thanks to Caff of Retro Remakes]

Lazrael (Poyo, Boss Arena) is working on a new platformer. [pictured above, gameplay video]

Mind Control's (Oasis) Arrrrr now has a playable demo with no time limit. [direct download link]

The final TOJam games have been posted. Highlights include XIQ, Noodle and Emergency Response Team. Two by Two and Super Defender Robo are playable right in your browser.

New screenshot added to Honeyblaster's web site.

8 Kingdoms was recently updated to version 1.1.0.

There's a couple of freeware game recommendations (with screenshots) posted in the Distractionware forums.

Here's an experiment carried out by Andy Brice to examine the five star award phenomenon that most software companies are misusing to promote their products. [thanks to Oddbob of Retro Remakes]

New screenshots from Kairos' upcoming vertical shooter Varia have been posted on his 64 Digits user page. [Kairuga]

Two new screenshots from Nepia World's upcoming Comiket release (pictured below) posted. [source: Danmaku Gata, Mimizu Panzer]

The Desolate Room is one of those releases where the introductory sequence makes little sense, and still screenshots doesn't portray the game in motion too favorably. The author has also included a tiring fetch quest during the first fifteen minutes of the player's adventure, but things do look up after the team encounters it's first boss battle.

A game in progress is saved automatically whenever the player leaves and exits a battle or the console. Each of your party members has to charge up before allowed to access their individual skills and attacks. Left click to shoot enemies in the console or make menu selections. Double click on a skill or attack in the upgrade screen shown after a battle to increase it's level and efficiency.

Name: The Desolate Room
Developer: Scottgames
Category: RPG
Type: Freeware
Size: 60MB
Direct download link: Click here

Punishment 2 - The Punishing is a sequel to the similarly titled platformer by Messhof, made in response to the encouragement and praises offered by the community for it's predecessor. The author has decided to reward his loyal fans with a new game that is an improvement in certain areas while introducing extremely difficult challenges and a needless gameplay element to appal rather than appeal anyone who attempts to scale the tower all the way to the top.

All switches are turned off when the player enters a new level, meaning that previous floors have to be attempted again if further progress is to be made. Playing this game for prolonged periods may burn after images onto your retina as well, so be warned. Nine levels only.

Name: Punishment 2 - The Punishing
Developer: Messhof
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

Remakes

Hurrican updated to version 1.0.0.4. A level editor has been included with this release.

The Wizball remake is nearly done.

Shooters

danmakugata.com is now up and running.

More screenshots added to Soldner-X's web site.

Entries for the IntroComp 2007 competition are now available for download. This annual contest involves the submission of unfinished interactive fiction works with winners chosen by the public, based on their interest in playing a completed build of each game.

Stranded II is a 3D adventure game by Unreal Software, chronicling the adventures of a man who lost his ship in a storm and must learn how to survive on a deserted island using a variety of objects acquired from the land.

Press the X key to bring up the character sheet, use the C key to view your current inventory, and tap the V key to access your diary. The Y key can be used to rest and recuperate. Insects, animals, plants and other items do respawn, but only at the start of each day.

Expect to do a lot of building, foraging and hunting in this game to get anywhere. Hints can be found in this forum thread, including a map of the first island which includes important locations marked for the convenience of other players.

Name: Stranded II
Developer: Unreal Software
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Download page: Click here

Links:
Retro Remakes Thread
DevlSoft

As the title hints, Generic Slash: Dismal Depths is a simple action-RPG with a battle system much like the one found in Square's Mana series. Hack at enemies to make them yield riches, then grab it to barter for more HP when standing on tiles with a yellow swirling symbol.

Name: Generic Slash: Dismal Depths
Developer: Alex May
Category: RPG
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Direct download link: Click here

Timetravel Bloboid is a platformer with a rewind time feature that is pretty much the fad these days. Use the cursor keys to move your character, jump or activate switches. Hold the space key to turn back the clock, though this action will drain your energy at an alarming rate. Collect vials of green liquid to restore your energy meter.

The exit is only accessible once all coins in each level has been acquired. A level editor is included.

Name: Timetravel Bloboid
Developer: Axel
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

One More Time is a new platformer by Chris Nimmo developed in roughly six hours for The Daily Click's Time competition.

Essentially a single-screen platformer which involves the act of coin collecting, your character starts out at a different location after each pass of the level. Subsequent runs are made much more difficult as you're required not to overlap any of the attempts you've made.

Name: One More Time
Developer: Chris Nimmo
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here

More screenshots added to Honeyblaster's web site. The development team has confirmed that the game will be released next weekend.

Krobon Station's web site has been updated with the release information for Super Mogura Tennis (October 2007) and Mogura 3 (2008). [Mogura 2 review]

Caravel Games' development team is currently working on a new project.

3Punge results announced.

GamePure has released Very Bear Brother, an average BreakOut clone.

A playable demo for Raptor 2 is now available.

Xander has pointed out a tool with the purpose of Vista users in getting GM games to run on their machines. [thanks!]

Winners of the Dream-Build-Play contest announced. [download links]

Jph's Black Bullet Hell is a game with a simple control scheme and minimal use of colors. Hold the left control key to shoot and press the left shift key to aim. Collect glowing white orbs to increase your shot range and ship's health.

Acquire 512 orbs to win the game, or use the escape key to quit.

Name: Black Bullet Hell
Developer: Jph
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

DNA is an arena shooter with some resemblance to Jenova Chen's flOw. Shoot at enemies to generate planktons, which can be collected and used to barter for a variety of upgrades.

Use the left and right cursor key to turn, and hold the up arrow key to move forward. Press the enter key to select an upgrade, or tap the F4 function key to switch between full screen and windowed mode.

Name: DNA
Developer: Jan Willem Nijman
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Download page: Click here

ad2 is a minimalistic 3D arena shooter with RPG elements, though the game is too short with very little depth to sustain interest of players after completing a mission for the first time.

The map shows available paths and enemy encounters for a player to gather invasion points, which can then be used to evolve the ship in several ways. Hold the Z key to shoot, and press the X key to launch a bomb.

Name: ad2
Developer: KMC
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

R-Theta 2 is a game based in polar coordinates. Every point in the game is assigned a radius and theta value, denoting the distance of the point from the centre, as well as the angle it makes with the x-axis.

The player is in control of a triangular shooter, built into a constantly rotating radar-scope which must be protected from collision with other enemies. Use the up and down arrow keys to decrease or increase the ship's radius from the centre. Hold the X key for rapid fire, tap the Z key to shoot and use the C key to launch a destructive missile.

Name: R-Theta 2
Developer: Theta Games
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

In an attempt to provide an alternative to what may be considered a typical game review, I am providing an artist's perspective on Nifflas' upcoming release Knytt Stories. Here's a snippet from the article:

Kaipuu is a new platformer by Virtanen which is heavily inspired by Seiklus and an extension to their earlier release entitled Painajainen. Power-ups can be collected for new abilities such as double jumps and pushing blocks, though instructions are still in a foreign language and will only be translated by Erkka once his schedule allows for it.

Placed first in the recent Suomipelit game development competition. To save a game, simply press the down arrow key when standing right in front of the stone located at the starting point. Load your saved progress by choosing the second option from the main menu. Use the enter key to access a world map.

Name: Kaipuu
Developer: Virtanen Games
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Previous works: Painajainen
Direct download link: Click here

Ishi's Doctor Who Platformer and Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp (for Nintendo DS, pictured) are now available for download. [source: Retro Remakes]

Jonathan Mak has compiled a list of previews of Everyday Shooter and posted it in the Queasy Games forums.

Blackwell Unbound is now available for pre-order.

On his BBS, Pixel hints that development work for the new RPG has begun.

Variant Interactive (Cave Story PSP port) seems to have disappeared from the face of the Earth.

Danmaku Gata will be relocated to a new URL due to contents from the old site being deleted by their hosting provider with little notice. The administrators have indicated that a new web site will be created before Comiket 72 (August 17th). [post translated]

There Are People In The Blocks is an action game which involves clicking on blocks rapidly to save the people who are trapped inside them before time runs out. Clicking on blocks with smiling faces will incur a time penalty. Sixty stages in total.

Name: There Are People In The Blocks
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

Dungeon Maker is a role playing game creation engine inspired by maze exploration games like Bloodwych, Dungeon Master and Eye of the Beholder. The original idea behind it's development was to remake these games in 3D while maintaining the classic gameplay they offered. An editor will be included in the final version when it is released.

There are a few maps already implemented including the classic Dungeon Master game.

Name: Dungeon Maker
Developer: Wishbone
Category: RPG
Type: Freeware
Size: 80MB

Have you got nothing to do for the next 72 hours? Then why not enter this competition and boast about your game making skills by making a small game during this period (which has already started by the way). There aren't any rewards for the winner as of yet. But finishing a game is in itself a reward, especially if you make it good.

Buster is working on a new game after completing development on the upcoming Iwanaga. [download page, review]



A complete map for Joe Gunn can be found in this wiki entry. Walkthrough available. [full size image]

Some 'behind the scenes' look at the production set of Fate by Numbers.

Events

The last six games developed during the recent Toronto Indie GameJam meet are now available. [source: Jim]

Finalists for Intel Game Demo Contest have been announced.

Shooters

More screenshots from x.x's upcoming vertical shooter (pictured below) were posted in his development journal. [rough translation, download page]

According to a post on G.rev's web site (Border Down, Under Defeat), a new game from the company will be announced at the end of August. [rough translation]

A Tale of Two Kingdoms is an epic tale in the style of the famous Sierra and LucasArts graphical adventure games. This ambitious project features five different endings, sidequests, alternate solutions, quality music and even a director's commentary.

The ancient kingdom of Theylinn is beset by enemies, and within the castle walls nobles vie for the old King's favor. Meanwhile, danger approaches in the form of an invading army, a hostile giant, and a mercenary troop who are ancient enemies of the Theylann king.

I had problems getting the graphics to look decent, so I made a small setup tutorial for anyone who requires it. Note that games saved when playing in one resolution setting do not work when loaded in another.

Name: A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Developer: Crystal Shard
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 100MB
Walkthrough: Click here

cactus' upcoming Protoganda (pictured above), now in color. Gameplay video available. [Cactus Soft games]

Pixel has uploaded a development log for Guxt, complete with dates, information and screenshots for each stage of development. [translated]

The full version for Lazrael's Banana Nababa (previously titled Boss Arena) is out. Six stages only. [final boss video]

A Nintendo DS port of the latest ScummVM version is now available. [list of playable games]

More screenshots from Everyday Shooter can be found in this Kotaku post.

The Jonathan Blow interview is up.

Warning: Strong language.

"Fate by Numbers is a sci-fi noir FMV adventure game. You assume the role of Alice Sanger, female private eye. She is assigned to get a briefcase, but quickly finds herself immersed in a web of corruption and shadowy motives.

What follows is a mysterious journey through the layers of a future metropolis with 50's noir influences."

Read the comments for reviews. (thanks guys!)

Name: Fate by Numbers
Developer: Revival
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 1.2GB

MTV's Stephen Totilo recently did an e-mail interview with Jonathan Blow. In the article, the author of Braid mentions that the game will be released for the PC platform sometime between November 2007 and February 2008. A console port was hinted as well.

The latest edition of GameShark's The Indies is up. Copycats welcomed?

A new Hammerfall version (0.21) is now available. [direct download link, original thread]

Both GamePure and GameDesign have released new flash games, though Sliding Block Puzzle is perhaps a little more fun than the other.

Texas updated with an online high score table.

Punishment: The Punishing is a new sequel to Messhof's popular platformer, currently in development. [source: Jared]

A new gameplay video from Everyday Shooter can be found over at Gametrailers.com.

Pinocchio is a simple 3D animation program which seeks to assist children and amateur animators create professional animation in a matter of minutes. The method is called character rigging, and does away with expensive motion capture employed by many large commercial outfits.

The program itself is available for download, but requires a little knowledge about operating command prompts. This student project was developed by Ilya Baran and Jovan Popovic. [thanks to bob of Retro Remakes]

The best of list (2006/2007 edition) to end all best of lists! Thanks to everyone who contributed. Coming up next - the top 10 list of the best of lists about the best games of whenever. [permalink]

In nonsensical order:

Top 20 Top Whatever List

1. Remakes 100
2. Edge Magazine's The 100 Best Videogames Ever
3. 2007 IGF Winners
4. Edge Magazine's The Best Indie Games of 2007
5. Game Tunnel's Top 100 Indie Games
6. Game Tunnel's 2006 Game of the Year Awards
7. 50 Really Good Indie Games
8. Top 10 Doujin Shmups
9. 1UP's 101 Best Free Games 2007
10. Best of Casual Gameplay 2006
11. Paul Eres' Favorite 20 Indie Game Picks
12. Echo's Favorite Indie Games
13. The 10 Worst Games of All Time
14. Wired's Best Indie Games 2007
15. Art Games: Best Indy Titles
16. The Top 1 Greatest List of Lists in the World Ever
17. NeoTeo.com's Top 10 Freeware Adventure Games
18. IGN's Top 10 Adventure Games
19. Top 10 Adventure Games IGN Missed Out in Their Top 10 Adventure Games List
20. Top 21 Linux Games of 2007


Remakes 100 (1)
Top 100 games as voted for by various members of the community.

Edge Magazine's The 100 Best Videogames Ever (2)
A poll of Edge magazine readers and industry experts to find the top 100 games of all time.

2007 IGF Winners (3)
Main Competition finalists and winners of the 2007 Independent Games Festival, selected from a field of 141 entries.

Edge Magazine's The Best Indie Games of 2007 (4)
Edge Magazine's list of finalists in the IGF Student Competition.

Game Tunnel's Top 100 Indie Games (5)
Game Tunnel's Top 100 indie games, based on 458 panel reviews from the last 3 years.

Game Tunnel's 2006 Game of the Year Awards (6)
Top Independent Games of 2006, based on game submissions to Game Tunnel.

50 Really Good Indie Games (7)
A list of games compiled by TIGSource forum members.

Top 10 Doujin Shmups (8)
Top 10 doujin shmups as selected by Postman (of Shoot the Core).

1UP's 101 Best Free Games 2007 (9)
An annual list of 101 free games considered the absolute best, by the editors of Games For Windows.

Best of Casual Gameplay 2006 (10)

Paul Eres' Favorite 20 Indie Game Picks (11)
A list consisting twenty of Paul's favorite games.

Echo's Favorite Indie Games (12)
A list consisting twelve of Echo's favorite games.

The 10 Worst Games of All Time (13)
The ten worst games of all time, as selected by Mr. Emru Townsend.

Wired's Best Indie Games 2007 (14)
A list of the best five games from 2007, as selected by Clive Thompson.

Art Games: Best Indy Titles (15)
A list of twenty-seven art games, as compiled by Mentisworks.

The Top 1 Greatest List of Lists in the World Ever (16)
A list of lists considered by Oddbob as the greatest ever.

NeoTeo.com's Top 10 Freeware Adventure Games (17)
NeoTeo.com's article about ten of the best freeware adventure games, in Spanish. (translated)

IGN's Top 10 Adventure Games (18)
Ten of the greatest graphic adventure games of all-time, as chosen by IGN.

Top 10 Adventure Games IGN Missed Out in Their Top 10 Adventure Games List (19)

Top 21 Linux Games of 2007 (20)
Or Worst 21 Linux Games of 2007.

see also:
- Freeware Indie Games for Linux
- cly5m's favorite games
- SourceForge.net 2007 Community Choice Awards
- Adrenaline Vault's Top Casual Games of 2006
- Top Ten 8 and 16-bit Games That Deserve Next-Gen Remakes
- A Guide to the World of Indy Adventure Games

Exit Fate is a new RPG game from Origami, creator of the well-received RPGMaker effort entitled Last Scenario.

Note that it isn't the full game but a partial demo, hence most players can expect to complete it in an hour or so. Press the alternate and Enter key to switch between full screen and windowed mode.

The game not only features standard 2D encounters but boasts a tactical strategy mode as well, in which the player must assume control over legions of troops, issue commands and lead their armies to a crushing victory. Bonus items are awarded for good results, especially if the battle ends quickly with minimal losses to your side.

A new addition is the bribe system, allowing players to avoid potentially dangerous encounters by using the local currency as a bargaining device. Use the C key to confirm your selections, or press the X key to cancel your choices.

The magic system is also a slight departure from most common RPGs. You earn mana points as the battle progresses, meaning that most spells can only be cast after several turns. The number of times a spell can be used in each battle is limited, but unused healing spells are cast automatically to restore the health of party members after battle.

Name: Exit Fate
Developer: SCF
Category: RPG
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB
Direct download link: Click here

Here is a brand, spanking new interview with Pixeljam. Read, relax, enjoy. Or don't.

Another Room is another escape game by Mofuya, one of many in a crowded genre of puzzlers.

Walkthrough under comments.

Name: Another Room
Developer: Mofuya
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser

New screenshot of Wolverine's Hero.

Joe Gunn is a superb new original C64 platformer by Georg Rottensteiner. It sorta plays like a cross between Dizzy and Rick Dangerous; though I'm sure there's a better comparison out there than that. LaMulana wouldn't be a million miles off.

The game has you skillfully avoiding enemies and solving item based puzzles. It's really rather simple, but I'm enjoying it quite a lot. Probably because I've got a soft spot for Commodore 64 games.

The controls are a little awkward at first, so here's a quick run down:
Left/Right: Walk Left or Right
Up/Down: Climb up and down ladders
Fire + Down: Examine
Fire + Up: Use an Item
Fire + Left or Right: Jump

Some advice to get started: Climb down the ladder and press Fire + Down to examine the skeleton - then press Fire + Right to jump the spikes. Walk over to the entrance and press Fire + Up to use the Scarab and open the door.

Unless you're lucky enough to have some way to transfer this onto a C64 disk, you'll need a C64 emulator to run it. I highly recommend WinVice.

Name: Joe Gunn
Developer: Endurion (Georg Rottensteiner)
Category: Platform Adventure
Type: Freeware, C64
Size: A minuscule 22kb
Download: On the Retro Remakes forums, or directly.

[source: Retro Remakes]

Articles

TIGSource's top 50 list of indie games is out.

The Indies is a bi-weekly feature written by James Fudge which focuses on a collection of complete (and incomplete) Sourceforge projects, casual games, shareware and the occasional free stuff.

He has also interviewed several luminaries from the scene, for example Mr. Greg Costikyan (of Manifesto Games) and the infamous (?) Mat Dickie of MDickie.com.

Miscellaneous

Music from Return to Sector 9 (all twelve tracks) are now available to download from Pug Fugly Games.

cly5m's favorite games are listed on this page.

GBAX Coding Competition results announced.

Release Dates

Hurdler 2 will be released in Winter 2007.

Blackwell Unbound is nearly done, and would be made available for purchase from Wadjet Eye Games' web site very soon. Should be out around the same time as Erin Robinson's Nanobots.

Nigoro has confirmed that they are not only working on a new shooter for their next release, but also on a second game (pictured below) as well which involves vehicular chases. Expect both games to be released in the coming weeks.

Seiklus and Knytt are both serene platformers with more focus on ambiance and atmosphere than challenges. I'm sure that if both of them were thrown into a real cage match they'd make friends with one another instead of fight.

Vote for your favorite! (To enable easy vote-counting, please mention your vote as the first word of the comment.)

Vote count: Seiklus 16 - 25 Knytt




Previous results:
Warning Forever [27] - [29] Fraxy
Dwarf Fortress [73] - [21] The Kingdom of Loathing
Sumotori Dreams [8] - [44] Toribash

Incursion is a freeware roguelike game based on the mechanics of the d20 system made available under the Open Game License by Wizards of the Coast - the same rules system used by the popular tabletop roleplaying game, Dungeons and Dragons.

Much like ADOM and Dungeon Crawl, it was designed by one person over the course of a couple of years. The number of options presented to the player from the very start of the game can be staggering, bewildering even. This is not a roguelike for the weak of heart.

Once a character has been created, your avatar is sent to the first level of the Goblin Caves with only a flight of stairs deeper into the dungeon as the only exit. Expect to encounter mobs, traps, monsters, spellcasters, undead, dragons, and many other deadly adversaries during your long journey before reaching the tenth and final level of the labyrinth to face the Goblin King himself.

A Linux version is currently in production. More information about the game itself can be found in this forum thread and a recently published article, if details on the web site do little to satiate your needs.

Name: Incursion
Developer: Julian Mensch
Category: Roguelike
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

Hammerfall is a violent action game which mainly involves swinging a heavy object on a chain in a looping or sideways motion. Damage is then calculated when your weapon connects with a foe, enemy or adversary.

Just about everything is controlled using the mouse, save for accessing several menu options and the like. Mouse sensitivity can be changed by editing a configuration file in the game folder. The download link is available from Fun-Motion.com.

Name: Hammerfall
Developer: GKosh
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

The Ruins of the Lost Kingdom is a freeware action RPG created by a group of veteran Japanese developers, featuring decent 3D graphics and a complicated gameplay system that is guaranteed to please any fans of the genre with an understanding of the Japanese language.

Your avatar can perform standard melee attacks in battle, cast spells, execute combos, rolls, and even embark on adventures alone or with a party of three other heroes in the multiplayer mode.

Understanding the menus can be a daunting task, so here's an easy tutorial for folks who aren't familiar with the language.

Download the game here. [direct download link]

Unzip the file, then double-click on rol.exe. A config menu will appear, just choose next for default options. Once the configuration menu closes, double click on rol.exe again to start the game.

main menu
user selection screen
create a profile
select a profile
select a profile 2
mode select
mission select
save room
game screen
combat screen

Name: The Ruins of the Lost Kingdom
Developer: Tomoshibi
Category: Action RPG
Type: Freeware
Size: 80MB
Screenshots page: Click here

Proximity HD is a simplified strategy game for up to four players. You have five tiles in your hand at any given time, each tile with a number on it from 1 to 20, representing the strength of that tile.

Each turn, you can place a tile on any empty space on the hex-based board. Once that tile is placed, it affects any tiles surrounding it. Tiles that belong to the same team are reinforced by 2 points, enemy tiles with a smaller number than the tile placed are captured, and enemy tiles with the same or higher numbers than the placed tile have their strength reduced by two points.

After the board is filled, the scores on all the tiles are added up and the team with the highest score is considered the winner. There are plenty of tweaks and settings to tinker with, for example computer AI, winning conditions, map and even gameplay types.

Name: Proximity HD
Developer: Brian Cable
Category: Strategy
Type: Browser

Two new trailers for the upcoming XBox Live Arcade game, Mutant Storm Empire by PomPom Games. [source: Shoot the Core]

Click here to watch

Finalists for the Dream-Build-Play competition (a Microsoft XNA Game Studio contest) were recently announced, with the winners to be revealed on August 13th. A publishing contract with XBox Live Arcade is up for grabs.

The selected twenty finalists are as follows:

Big Sky
Blazing Birds
Burning Angels (pic. right, video)
Chaos *
Gravitron Ultra
Gunstyle
Hasta la muerte *
Hippocrate's Dilemma (video)
HurricaneX PC
Little Gamers (video)
Magic Crystals
Proximity HD *
Ragu (video)
Rocketball (video)
Samurai Soul Hunters
Shuggy *
Sprockets of Strife
The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (video 1, video 2, video 3)
Viduce
YoHo Kablammo

* - playable

The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is developed by Ska Software (creator of the Zombie Smashers X series).

- download links for warm-up entries
- links to web sites, videos and installers for most of the entries submitted
- Ziggyware version of Advice from the Swamp
- Dream-Build-Play web site

Tatan is a simple vertical shooter by HIZ with minimal movement controls, but still manages to offer a couple minutes' worth of action. Use the space key to switch sides, and aim your shots by moving the target around with the mouse.

One short level only.

Name: Tatan
Developer: HIZ
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Sonic Ironstorm is the latest vertical shooter by DHC, developer of Demolition Gunner and the commercial project Vulkaiser. Much like their recent releases, four difficulty levels are included for the convenience of beginners and to offer a decent challenge for veterans as well.

Use the Z key to shoot, and press the X key to launch a missile. Collectibles marked S increases your shield count, while collecting items marked P upgrades your firepower in small increments. Three stages only.

Name: Sonic Ironstorm
Developer: DHC
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 3MB
Direct download link: Click here

When I think of art that has influenced me most, it is generally work done by individuals. I can't recall the last time a corporation created a brilliant painting. I find that this also tends to be true in the emerging area of art games. Individuals are not generally driven to create purely for profit, and have more leeway to experiment and create according to their own artistic vision.

I thought it was time to compile a "best of" list for art games, because there has only been one other such list that I recall online. I'm sure someone will correct me on that point if there has been in fact another well drafted list somewhere out there. The first list can be found in an article on Artifical.dk, titled Art Games - Artificial's List [...]. I thought that Kristine Ploug had done a great job with her articles, though the list did leave out a number of titles which I thought should have been included.

This was also about two years ago, and since then more art games have surfaced. In the meantime, some of the games are no longer accessible, which is the unfortunate reason for why I could not include or rate them here. The creations of Geoffrey Thomas (i.e. Left to My Own Devices) cannot be played anymore. Torrent Raiders is still available for download, but I had the game crash on me every time, which renders it unplayable. Last but not least, a collection of mods of games and engines used as art is still up at Selectparks.net, though most links are now dead.

As such, I am providing this list of 27 titles. Some of these are older, while others are quite new. Each game was rated based on mechanics, visual style, and auditory stimulus which then determined it's place in the list. Keep in mind that I used my background as an artist to judge the merit of each category. This means that each games place in the list is not based on whether it was simply "good" or "pretty." It's not a perfect system, but it should hopefully serve as a guide to the indy art game scene.

So, without further ado, I present to you the link... Art Games: Best Indy Titles [via Mentisworks].

Covert Front is a short puzzle-based adventure game made in flash. It uses the typical point and click mechanic to find obscure items and use them, and is set in an old house. The game ends on a cliffhanger, with a to be continued, so I assume it'll eventually be completed. A fun way to spend half an hour or so.

Name: Covert Front
Developer: Pastel Games
Category: Adventure
Type: Browser Game

Yeah, I'm sick of top x games lists too! But I came across this and I figure it's worth looking at for those who like Linux: Top 21 Linux Games of 2007.

Warning: May contain potentially provocative or offensive material.

Under Ground the Bowling is a reworked bowling simulator by Yamoto, in which the player has to knock other characters towards a queue of people waiting for the bus to pick them up. A score chart is displayed every few seconds to indicate your points haul, and the angle in which you hit another character determines their flight trajectory into the air and towards the other lane.

Use the cursor keys to move the muscular man around, and press the Z key to wave his hand. There are no special bonuses for perfect scores.

Name: Under Ground the Bowling
Developer: Yamoto
Category: Arcade
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here

Shooters

Several new screenshots of x.x's next vertical shooter (pictured right) were recently posted in his development journal. [Blue Wish Resurrection, web site]

A trial version for Gundemonium Recollection is available from the bottom of this page. [download mirror]

Articles/Updates

Plasma Pong was featured in the Washington Post. As mentioned near the end of the article, a multi-player version is in the works.

Screenshots from Blackwell Unbound (including a preview) can be found over at the Wadjet Eye Games' site.

New screenshots from PEKPOK's Penrock (Pengo remake) posted. [Push Push Penguin download page]

Read about Oddbob's thoughts on the entire 'Are Games Art' subject here.

Metablog updated.

Others

Games: Bolt Brain Teasers, Pictogames, Space Trader, Zenix3D
Contests: The Atari 2600 Retro Challenge, Ricochet Infinity competition by Binary Joy

Entries from the latest 3Punge (Three Minute Game) competition was recently made available for download, though most of the games require the installation of RPGMaker runtime package to work.

Switch Lanes (pictured right) and Sutasono (both entry no. 26 and 16) are a couple of playable ones which do not require the runtime package. Crostar did not participate in this edition with a new game.

3Punge download page

Party Pals is a flash game which features soothing music and a simple control scheme. Hover your mouse cursor over Coconut or Licorice to make them jump. One of them can only unwrap gifts, while the other collects them.

Rather fun but unlikely to hold interest for more than a couple of tries. [source: Retro Remakes]

Name: Party Pals
Developer: Unknown
Category: Arcade
Type: Browser

Shoot 'em is a 3D turret action game made completely out of ASCII characters. Your goal is to destroy the falling objects before they reach the ground and to survive for as long as possible. The longer you survive, the more points you will get. You will also get extra points for each object destroyed.

Use the mouse to aim and fire. Left click to activate the machine gun, or right click to launch a mine towards the distance. Health is reduced whenever an object reaches the bottom grid. Increase health by destroying a green diamond.

Shrapnels and particles from destroyed objects are harmless but can be distracting. These can be turned off or doubled by using the command line option 'c' or 'p'. A working online high score table is included for your amusement. [source: TIGS]

Name: Shoot 'em
Developer: Jan Ringos
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Hunted is a remake of an old ASCII DOS game by Markus Rosse. The player's objective is to destroy all the robots in the playfield by luring them towards the mines scattered around each level.

A robot will only move when the player does likewise. Use the numeric keypad to move your character, and tap space to restart the level. Press 5 to remain stationary for one turn.

Name: Hunted
Developer: Markus Rosse
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

This PS3 Fanboy interview reveals some juicy information about Queasy Games' upcoming Everyday Shooter, especially the comment about a demo being available. As confirmed by Jon himself, there is no such thing.

GameTunnel's July Monthly Round-Up was recently posted. Greg Costikyan (of Manifesto Games) and Derek Yu (of Bit-Blot and TIGSource) are guest reviewers.

Exactly two years after its first release, Sword of Jade has been updated to work in Windows XP.

Sword of Jade, by Fyrewulff and Charbile, is an NES/SNES style RPG. It's pretty difficult, especially at the start, but if you don't give up, you'll be rewarded with one of the best freeware RPGs.

Hints: save often, talk to everyone, and after you get Mi'la on your party go back to the town, search behind houses, and use the money you find on training (especially training your defense stat). And choose your enemies wisely (run when they're too powerful), and gain at least five levels before attempting the first dungeon.

It's about 25 hours long, and what the characters do (as well as how strong the monsters are) changes by the time of day. There's also a time limit -- the Jade countdown -- your hope and will power gradually decrease, and performing different side quests will raise the counter a little bit so that your party doesn't lose its determination and give up the quest forever.

CONTROLS: ctrl or enter to talk/use, alt to cancel, hold escape to escape from battles. To play the game in a window rather than full screen, use alt + enter.

Name: Sword of Jade
Developer: Charbile / Fyrewulff
Category: RPG
Type: Freeware
Size: 5.5MB