GameTunnel's April Indie Game Round-Up

[cyrus_zuo]

Really was a pleasure to play the games this month, there were some real gems, and it was hard to put most of them down so that I could move onto the next game.

Read it here: http://www.gametunnel.com/articles.php?id=689

Some REALLY good stuff that you should definitely check out if you haven't already.

Also...before anyone starts asking for the panel, I am thinking of putting it together again...and paying a nominal ammount. My guess is that we would start for June...if we start at all, which is far from certain! However, if anyone is interested, have 20 hours of freetime to play 10 games, some of which may be absolutely horrible, and live in the US (tax reasons) PM me or drop me an email at webmaster at my site.

[Jack Norton]

Wow some really good games last month. Going to check some out :)

[Grey Alien]

Great roundup thanks. I'll tell you what though, Avernum 5 needs seriously more than a weekend. I've played that game for HOURS late at night over weeks. It's a huge game, packed full of depth despite the slightly crappy graphics and sound (which totally doesn't bother me). Also Jasper is great (lovely and retro) but it gets way too hard later on which kinda spoiled the fun a bit, and the fact that you can't save at the start of a level (only mid level) is a bit of a flaw.

I heard a rumour that you got a copy of Fairway Solitaire to review, but I've not seen it yet. Do you think it might still happen? :-)

[cyrus_zuo]

Great roundup thanks. I'll tell you what though, Avernum 5 needs seriously more than a weekend. I've played that game for HOURS late at night over weeks. It's a huge game, packed full of depth despite the slightly crappy graphics and sound (which totally doesn't bother me). Also Jasper is great (lovely and retro) but it gets way too hard later on which kinda spoiled the fun a bit, and the fact that you can't save at the start of a level (only mid level) is a bit of a flaw.

I heard a rumour that you got a copy of Fairway Solitaire to review, but I've not seen it yet. Do you think it might still happen? :-)

I really want to do a Fairway Solitaire review...unfortunately, most of my reviewers think it is too casual and have declined reviewing it :(. BTW...I'm still waiting for BFG to get back to me with a working Mac build, the one we had worked, but not with our DRM...have they contacted you about that? I've asked more than a few times...

Totally agree with your other thoughts. Jasper is wonderful, I do wish it were easier though. My days of enjoying slogging through the same thing over and over as I die multiple times are probably long past me. I think it is avoidable in the game though...if you make sure to save before final encounters and then redo those until you pass with lots of life!

[lakibuk]

Harvest Encounter is great. Been playing the demo a lot. Probably the demo gives away too much.

[Midnight Synergy]

Great list, as always - thanks for continuing to do this!

One game on the list, Snoogles, kinda upset me when it first came out. It is basically a carbon-copy of the original Wonderland (in fact, I came across it because Wonderland players started e-mailing me about it). It's fairly obvious that the programmer(s) followed what we did pretty closely - same general mechanics, same controls, same viewpoint, almost all of the puzzle elements are the same, down to even similar animations, and some individual level puzzles. This was my first experience in being "cloned". I ended up e-mailing the developers to let them know that, while I was not exactly happy, I would like them to consider having some sort of distribution through our site (given that we have several thousand players who would be an obvious target audience for it). Never heard back, even after repeated e-mails, so I'm posting again here in case they read this.

[Grey Alien]

I really want to do a Fairway Solitaire review...unfortunately, most of my reviewers think it is too casual and have declined reviewing it . BTW...I'm still waiting for BFG to get back to me with a working Mac build, the one we had worked, but not with our DRM...have they contacted you about that? I've asked more than a few times...Shame they think it's too casual. We've had hardcore gamers saying they love it and sports fans saying they love it etc. Regarding the Reflexive DRM issue, I resolved that last week and sent them off another build (to Colin, so maybe you need to email him again).

My days of enjoying slogging through the same thing over and over as I die multiple times are probably long past me.Absolutely. I'm just too busy. This is where the casual game rules in terms of accessibility. I'm playing Devil May Cry 3 on PS2 at the moment and I SOOO wish it had a "Skip Boss" button as once I've tried about 5 times I really just don't care any more - call me a lightweight, but I've been there and done hardcore games for EONS ;-)

[Polycount Productions]

I really want to do a Fairway Solitaire review...unfortunately, most of my reviewers think it is too casual and have declined reviewing it :(. BTW...I'm still waiting for BFG to get back to me with a working Mac build, the one we had worked, but not with our DRM...have they contacted you about that? I've asked more than a few times...


I would really suggest re-consider reviewing Fairway Solitaire. I play more hardcore games and casual games aren't my favourites.... but something in Fairway Solitaire kept me playing it.

It's darn addictive and fun. That's - in my books - is the thing that counts. Not if it *looks* "too casual". There's something indie in it ;)

Just my 3 cents.

[TeeGee]

I can't see how Fairway Solitaire is "too casual", while Spandex Force and Raindow Web 2 are not ;).

But anyway, it's great you've managed to keep the monthly round-up going and some nice games came this month indeed.

[cyrus_zuo]

I can't see how Fairway Solitaire is "too casual", while Spandex Force and Raindow Web 2 are not ;).
Welll, I think the sports theme also has something to do with it.

As far as the other two games you mention, they were reviewed b/c of the round-up...that's me reviewing. I'd happily include Fairway Solitaire in a round-up...it was probably missed when it came out due to not being submitted, but I think it is really great. Of course I like sport games and LOVE games that are approachable.

I hear the pain on the end bosses. I really have enjoyed the 10 hours I've played of Metroid 3. Well at least 6 of those 10 hours anyway. The big battles and boss fights that I have to do multiple times or that go on for 30-45 minutes are just drudgery to me. I'm happier destroying the occasional enemy...but mostly I really like exploring the landscape and figuring out how to get to spots I can't get to.

...which incidentally is sort of why I've been digging Endless Ocean. Lots of exploration and some cool moments of finding something new and interesting. :)

Hardcore games should take an accessibility class from what Casual does. The traditional industry has A LOT to learn. (in my opinion)

Back to this month's games...lots of good stuff! If you haven't given AtomHex a solid 45 minutes...go back and do it! It's one of those games that takes a few plays before you really start to love it.

[lennard]

Russell, I think that's just a difference between what people enjoy. I'm changing as I get older but I used to really like the competitive aspect of games and working really hard to get past a spot was part of it. I think there is room for both kinds of experiences.

[Grey Alien]

Hardcore games should take an accessibility class from what Casual does. The traditional industry has A LOT to learn. (in my opinion)I totally agree, but maybe lennard is also right and I'm just turning into an old fart! ;-)

I actually complete almost EVERY game that I buy out of some sort of fanatical completionist zeal - luckily I check out reviews and only buy good games. However, some of the games have begun to feel like a slog when I don't have 3 hours spare every evening to work out how to defeat bosses, and I'm considering ditching them now if they don't reward me well enough - like uh, normal non-obsessive people do! By comparison, Mario Galaxy has pretty easy bosses and every level is different - it's EXREMELY rewarding and so I keep on playing it, it's great.

I too prefer exploring and small skirmishes. Sometimes I see a shooter which is advertised as "one big boss battle after another", as if that's a good thing, and I simply don't bother to play it.

[U-Brothers]

Hello there,

I'd like to know - how can we get out game to that chart on GameTunnel? And reviewed as well, please? Is it possible?

Thanks.

[KNau]

I actually disagree, I don't think "hardcore" needs to casualize and I do agree that, yes, you are becoming old men :)

It's like saying motorcycles should add 2 more wheels so they can appeal better to car drivers.

[lakibuk]

I actually disagree, I don't think "hardcore" needs to casualize and I do agree that, yes, you are becoming old men :)

It's like saying motorcycles should add 2 more wheels so they can appeal better to car drivers.
Word!
I like the Metroid bosses, they are challenging. Since SNES there has been a trend to water down games' difficulty. This trend must be stopped!

[cyrus_zuo]

Difficulty and accessibility are 2 very different things in my mind. I'll let you all work that one out ;). I do tend to like things less difficult, and that comes down to different tastes for sure. I'm less believing that unaccessible game play is a good thing.

@ U-Brothers Bloom Brothers was in the March round-up: http://www.gametunnel.com/articles.php?id=682

[HairyTroll]

It's like saying motorcycles should add 2 more wheels so they can appeal better to car drivers.

If you have ever driven in Los Angeles over any weekend you will know that car drivers that want a motorcycle ride Harleys.

[Jack Norton]

Word!
I like the Metroid bosses, they are challenging. Since SNES there has been a trend to water down games' difficulty. This trend must be stopped!

Well there isn't the magic "Options" menu with difficulty level in those games? (Never played them).
It's the easiest solution to appeal both the skilled and the unskilled players.

[lakibuk]

Well there isn't the magic "Options" menu with difficulty level in those games? (Never played them).
It's the easiest solution to appeal both the skilled and the unskilled players.
That's how PC games do it,can't stand it. Halfway through the game you realize you should have played on "hard" cause it was too easy (Half-Life 2). There should be other mechanisms but this is getting off-topic.

[Jack Norton]

Well balancing a game is almost impossible, there are some people that will think is too easy, other that is too hard. Anyway, is quite OT, I agree :D