After weeks of trying to find a theme for this column, I feel like I have succeeded. Granted, it happened accidentally, but I’ll take it.
The three indie games I’m spotlighting this week are games that have successfully navigated Steam Greenlight. With so many deserving games vying for attention in Greenlight, it’s great to see games like these getting enough votes to make it through. In these cases, the votes came in fast and furious, enough to see them Greenlit in mere days. The Greenlight community can be very brutal to inferior products, but they show their love when the games deserve it. I believe these games truly did deserve it.
If there are any indie games that you feel merit attention, please let me know via Twitter. I’m getting better at using the site; hell, I even know how to DM now! I love being apprised of new indie projects and want to give them the attention they deserve.
Xydonia
[youtube id=”5k5-_H-1hr0″ autoplay=”no”]
Developer: Breaking Bytes
Platform: PC
Release Date: TBD
Available via: Kickstarter Page
This game…I mean…my GOD, this game! This game takes my love for shoot ’em ups and amps it up to 11!
Everything I love about the genre is on display with Xydonia, a game that nods to old-school shooters like R-Type and Gradius. The visual style and presentation gives players a nostalgic trip back to coin-op arcade machines, right down to the credits counter and the Power-On Screen Test (POST) screen at the start. The soundtrack is perfect, sounding like high-energy 90s synth rock and really pumping up the gameplay. Speaking of gameplay, it looks buttery-smooth and slick, and the fast-paced flying and shooting absolutely sings to me. I love everything about this game.
There is a story…and it’s almost ancillary! It’s the year 30XX and technology something-something and you need to find the planet Xydonia whatever-whatever and HOLY SHIT, LET ME PLAY THIS GAME ALREADY!!! This is not an indictment of the story; I just want to play this game so bad, the story could be about stale Cheetos and a shoe and I wouldn’t care!
Xydonia has sailed through Steam Greenlight and is on Kickstarter looking for extra funding. I don’t know about you, but I keep throwing money at the screen to make this happen. This game is shaping up to be absolutely incredible.
Greedy Guns
[youtube id=”YVySydBFzuo” autoplay=”no”]
Developer: Tio Atum
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
Release Date: TBD
Available via: Itch.io
Wait wait wait…this is a side-scrolling BULLET HELL run-n-gun shoot ‘em up? The smile on my face is actually beginning to hurt my cheeks!
I’m a bit late to the party on this one, and I’m actually sad about it. Greedy Guns is equal parts Metal Slug and Metroid, with a bit of DoDonPachi thrown in just to keep you on your toes. The trailer above does not do this game enough justice. The video on their Kickstarter is longer and shows off the frenetic pace and unbelievably large amount of enemies you face. The game is a pure adrenaline rush!
Unlike typical run-n-gun side-scrollers like Contra or Metal Slug, you have a full world to explore as you wish. You can do so alone or via 2-player co-op. You are capable of full 360º shooting and have unlimited ammo. And trust me, you WILL need unlimited ammo! The sheer number of baddies may seem overwhelming at times, and the screen occasionally fills up with bullets. Danmaku fans like me will love trying to navigate through all the shots while returning fire.
This game has already been successfully Greenlit and Kickstarted. They are currently working on stretch goals to get the game on consoles and to add Twitch integration. A demo of the game is available via their itch.io page for you to try. For fans of run-n-gun shooters, this game is a must!
Warlock’s Tower
[youtube id=”viix1YiNSQw” autoplay=”no”]
Developer: Midipixel
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
Release Date: 2016
Available via: Website
I figured that I would unwind from all the pew-pew goodness this week by playing an old-fashioned puzzle game. Although Warlock’s Tower is a wonderful old-school puzzle game, it is only relaxing if you like torturing your brain.
The premise of the game is as simple as can be. You play either as Tim the Mailman or Jess. Your goal is to deliver a peace offering to the Evil Warlock, the mean dude on the block, by navigating through his tower. Simple enough, except every step you take through his tower drains part of your life. In order to make it through his tower, you must find magical gems that restore health. These gems are placed strategically so as to test your cognitive skills. Once you get the hang of maneuvering around to get the gems and reach the next room, the game throws zombies and traps your way. Trust me, this game will tax your mental abilities.
The best thing about this game is its presentation. Warlock’s Tower is a loving aural and visual tribute to the Nintendo Game Boy. Everything has the two-tone color, chiptune, 8-bit look and feel of a classic Game Boy game. It is a welcome nostalgic touch for people like me who spent hours upon hours playing puzzle games like Adventures of Lolo and Boulder Dash on Nintendo’s venerable handheld.
After a successful Greenlight campaign, Warlock’s Tower is set to be released sometime in 2016. As much as I love the twitch gaming of Xydonia and Greedy Guns, having a tough puzzle game like Warlock’s Tower to change gears is great. I want this game!
