As the day of the next Independent Games Festival draws nearer, the finalists prepare for an incredible experience at the Game  Developers Conference in March. On the other hand, we at DIYgamer are still sifting through the list. Last year, we began a countdown to the Independent Games Festival. The way this works is easy: we simply select games at random from the lengthy (301 total) list of IGF submissions and discuss what they’re about and how they play. For this week’s column, I played through an incredibly difficult masterpiece in Flywrench and for the second time chose a platformer, About a Blob, which I didn’t get to play but was attracted to its style.

Before starting this I want to emphasize that this is only meant to give you my impressions and perhaps that extra kick to try out some of the IGF submissions, whether they be these or any of the other 301. I assure you, you will discover that there is something unique about each and every game. And hey, if you’re lucky, some of them (like these) are even playable for free! All right, without further ado, here are this week’s picks.

Ha! You thought carpal tunnel was bad up until now?

Flywrench is difficult. Like, ridiculously fucking difficult and so damn awesome. I can’t get over the fact that this game is free in its entirety for download right here. Touché, messhof, I’m impressed and intrigued. I wasn’t expecting the product I received after obtaining that fateful .zip file. Let’s get one thing straight: this game is psychedelic. If you’re familiar with me, DIYgamers, you can be damn sure I love psychedelia. In this case, it’s as good as some of the best freeware titles around.

In order to describe to you how this game works, I can’t even begin to explain myself. Instead, I have to quote this:

“Flywrench is a tough game about avoiding colored lines. You move around by flapping and rolling. Each maneuver your ship can perform changes its color. Match a line’s color to pass through it. Try not to overthink things.

Flywrench has been featured at Indiecade 2008 and 2009, The New Museum, and several other game related exhibitions.”

Flywrench requires that you utilize the arrow keys and challenges you in a very abnormal manner. The game is truly worth a download and, at no cost, should be a very able price point for anyone willing to get involved. Get ready to be pissed and intrigued at the exact same time!

Retro Art Style FTW!

About a Blob comes from Canadian DrinkBox Studios, Inc. and has a distinct and beautiful art style. It’s like, the first thing you think about this game how that cute little blob will be shape-shifting throughout the experience. Come on, people, a 2D action platformer with about a blob? Who wouldn’t want to play this? (Those not willing to pay, but hey that’s how the system works!)

“Escaping from a secret lab below the surface of a dying Earth, an innocent space creature – The Blob – uses its powers of absorption to thwart the misguided humans and their out-of-control industrial technology.

Players will enjoy a colorful retro art style, humorous story-line and clever puzzles as they play the “monster from space” in this unique 2D platforming action game.”

I’ll keep you updated about this so I can tell you when it’s out or when to expect it. There’s really not too much media out on this title, so I can’t give you a better look but DrinkBox’s website is always worth a shot.

That concludes another week. We’re getting closer, all! Best of luck to every finalist out there.