Do you guys remember back in 2009 when a little known developer won the IGF China award and skyrocketed towards popularity? That developer, Farbs, has kept his promise of delivering new content in the saga of Captain Forever–this time releasing the third episode titled Captain Impostor. Captain Impostor continues the tradition of adding fresh and new gameplay elements to Farbs’ now-classic template established by Captain Forever and later improved and beefed up in Captain Successor.

However, Captain Impostor changes some gameplay elements radically. Farbs outlines most changes and additions in his blog post below. One thing is for sure before you even start reading, though: if you’ve never played even Captain Forever (which is free to the general public) now is the time to try it out. A subscription to Farbs is a one time fee of $20 and will earn you access to Captain Successor and Captain Impostor (as well as whatever future titles Farbs will be releasing).

“What’s like Captain Successor but faster, shootier, and in every way pew-pewier? It’s Captain Impostor!

This new episode in the Captain Forever series wraps up the Captain Successor story arc and experiments with an alternate construction mechanic. Forget the drudgery of module-by-module construction – now with a tap of the SHIFT key you can steal a nearby vessel’s entire configuration! Has your ship become damaged or uninteresting? Tap SHIFT again to discard it, then find something better to copy.

DISCLAIMER: The level of cloned modules is determined by Clone Power (CPW). Clone power is reclaimed from nearby command module destruction accidents and consumed through activation of the clone drive. It is recommended that the clone drive be used sparingly to maximize CPW.

So that’s it for Captain Forever, right? Of course not! I’m already planning the next episode. I expect to bring back construction and to add some larger game systems that span multiple playthroughs.

Supporters can play Captain Impostor RIGHT NOW, and non-supporters can consider it another reason to register.

<3 Farbs”

From the time that I’ve spent with Captain Impostor, its main mechanics are what separate it from its predecessors. Overall, however, it still has that great Captain Forever vibe of obscurity and is a ton of fun to play. I encourage everyone to check it out!

Each Thursday Browser’s Best profiles a trio of web-based/flash indie games, selecting one of the three to spotlight as the week’s must play.

Join me for our inaugural Browser’s Best piece, where I try my hand at playing these little chunks of joy and subsequently recommend any I find with merit to you. Exciting! Well, perhaps not as exciting as the games themselves, but ultimately you can be the judge of that as each title mentioned below is linked to its proper game page.

This week’s picks include a simple platformer, a record scratching interactive maze with a soundtrack and a Zelda-type love story on an island as mysterious as it is dangerous. We’ve mentioned two of them before, but they are well worth another shout out.

One Button Bob – A classic bite-sized 2D platform title, where you take on the character Bob and his trademark one button dynamic to attack, jump and run deep into a treasure filled dungeon.

With 15 levels, some of which are just more difficult iterations of previous ones, there isn’t a ton of replay value but look no further if you’re looking for a fun, simple time killer. (Pictured: Bottom Left)

Record Tripping – This unique DJ maze game requires a mouse wheel which acts as a record scratcher of sorts. You start with a record player tutorial to learn how to use the controls and then you apply it on some very interesting levels. (The birds, the birds!) Each chapter contains an easy, medium and hard version that you’ll have to try and pass, and you’ll quickly realize what can be seen doesn’t necessarily tell the whole picture.

The negative that is a bit of a load time is quickly dismissed when you realize what the title really has to offer in terms of depth of design. The game looks really good and implements some nice, recognizable music over a British woman saying stuff–both of which can be slowed and scratched. Its a blast to play whether you have an hour or just a minute.  (Pictured: Bottom Right)

[Must Play] Where We Remain - The game is simply an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Alright, maybe not that insane but it is a very interesting experience that you don’t necessarily get from your typical free web game. You play as the hero trying to rescue the girl but familiarity with what exactly is going on ends there.

Imprisoned on an island by an unknown source, you must find a way off through exploring the region, reading the love letters and collecting the flowers you pass by. The island contains many dangers; you can’t dilly-dally too long outside, but the caves don’t serve refuge either as they pose their own threats. Truly, the most enjoyable part of the game is the fact that you never feel safe, a great element for any game to have.

In the end, three different conclusions can be reached depending on how you played through and what choices were made. The creator thoughtfully included a guide to prevent too much confusion over what exactly pick-ups do. No matter how bewildering it may be, TwoFold Secret’s creation is a must play. (Pictured: Top Center)

If you’re looking for a nice little escape from the early week funk check out Jake Elliot’s browser based platformer Beluah & The Hundred Birds. Just you, some arrow keys and the birds. Use your big bird to gather all the little ones, find keys, unlock doors, all the good stuff you’ve been looking for.

The title was designed as an entry in the 100 Things friendly game competition organized by the Experimental Gameplay Project. The full source code for the game along with its music can can be had from bitbucket, in case you wish to express more interest than just a play-through.

A nice relaxing web game instead of whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing on Monday morning? Don’t mind if you do.

If browser-based tower defense happens to be what you’re buying right now, I’ve got the goods. Defend Your Honor has you in control of one also-ran to prove that you actually have a little bravery and courage, which you’ll be able to show obviously by locating the Golden Statue for the Walrus King.

Like any good game in the tower defense genre, DYH builds in difficulty as you progress through it and once your army starts to get up there in numbers, you’ll be hard pressed to see what individually is going on.

The title is available to play on Armor Games.

Zero Point has announced the release of a browser-based minigame to show off ahead of their AAA indie Interstellar Marines.

The web game, Bullseye, is similar to a simple FPS tutorial stage, having players shoot targets, but there’s more to the idea than that, as the dev tries to give you a feel for their upcoming shooter.

Both Interstellar Marines and Bullseye were created using Unity. The minigame has players going for points and earning unlocks by shooting as many targets, as fast and as accurately as they possibly can. Though the gameplay is simple, the look and feel are solid and definitely leave me wanting more, which is certainly what the dev appears to be going for.

Amanita Design’s highly acclaimed Machinarium is one of those rare success stories of a game that truly goes above and beyond its expectations. The simple mechanic of point-and-click is beautifully orchestrated in the hand-drawn graphics of this robotic adventure. Although gamers from the states have been able to enjoy Machinarium, the UK audience has yet to have a try (in regards to retail, otherwise it’s up on Steam!). In light of this, Mamba Games has decided to publish the game throughout the UK and Europe on PC sometime in March 2010.

With over 20 gaming and design awards, Machinarium is a force to be reckoned with. It even won the Excellence Award for Visual Art at the Independent Games Festival the past year. Expect a release in the UK/Europe on March 5th, 2010. Although the game will be available online, the retail version will include some exceptional bonuses such as an additional soundtrack CD, a booklet with never-before-seen concept art, a poster, as well as a walkthrough. Wow! That all sounds freakin’ fantastic, just the reason I love retail releases.

Pre-orders are available at this location. That’s some delightful news for today!

[Via GamesPress]

If you’re finding that originally great ‘four day weekend’ feeling melting into a puddle of confusion on what to do with the extra 48 hours, may I suggest a little flash gaming? I was directed to the browser-based puzzler Red Remover from a Reddit post I came across yesterday, though I’ve been informed from a couple friends that the game has been out for a little while now, so if you’ve played before consider this a classic callback.

In Red Remover the goal is to get rid of the red while keeping the green shapes on screen. As you make your way through, new obstacles and challenges are introduced,  and while there’s a par score for amount of clicks it takes to solve the puzzle there appears to be multiple options to solve at least some of the levels. It holds the standard of an enjoyable puzzle game as when you complete a level your left with a sense of satisfaction, and when you fail a few times in a row you’ll want to head butt your monitor.

The game really isn’t too difficult, but its challenging enough with its simple, yet progressive gameplay. Definitely a great way to eat up a portion of that long-winded weekend. Have a go-round with it here.

You read right! Australian developer Farbs, with whom I conducted an interview not too long ago, has finished the follow-up title to Captain Forever. You can find Captain Successor, another Flash based title, on the website today. As a matter of fact–just as he promised–to celebrate the release of Captain Successor he has made Captain Forever available for free. Aren’t indie developers just the best?

If you would like to become a supporter of Farbs (and I encourage each and every single one of you to do so) please take into account that you may do so on the website. In order to gain access to Captain Successor, you must become a supporter. If you’re in any way skeptical, play Captain Forever, the winner of last year’s IGF China, and set your worries aside.

Congratulations to Farbs and his release, we are ecstatic for him and wish him the best of luck! Cheers to him sticking to his word, what a man!

Ninjadoodle’s handcrafted puzzle title ClickPLAY 2 is a very enjoyable (eventually frustrating) game that stands on the use of a simple gameplay goal: locate and hit the play button in as few clicks possible.

The developer has done an excellent job of making a variety of different creative puzzles to solve in which you piece together what needs to happen on screen to make the play button accessible to press.

Like most puzzle games, you’ll feel untested early, clever in the middle and ‘I’ve hit a wall’ angry late. Use the video walkthrough in the main menu if you find yourself stuck on a stage, clicking into the high hundreds.

You can play the game here.

New Zealand-based indie developers Rock Solid Arcade have released the fourth installment in their top-down action/RPG shooter series, Robokill Titan Prime. You must cleanse the giant space station, Titan Prime, of the evil robots that have taken it over. Unlike most other top-down shooters, Robokill boils down to how well you can customize, create, and utilize your own robot. The aspects of RPG and action are wholly present throughout the title; no mystery exists as to why this game is so addictive and popular.

“We wanted to give players even better value for money, and answer the huge demand from our own fans for more Robokill. As a result we are confident Robokill is now even stronger, Episode 4 makes the game approximately 50 percent longer, with three new missions to complete for a total of 14 missions, four new enemies, and two new weapons.”
- Michael Reitzenstein, head of Rock Solid Arcade

The first four levels of this excellently hand-crafted game can be found here. Cheers!