Looks like the leak was accurate. Hot on the heels of the thunderously successful Humble Voxatron Debut pack, the bargain-generating, part-charity titan that is the Humble Bundle return, this time offering every single game by prolific and generally excellent indie studio Introversion, all for whatever you want to pay, along with a couple of tech prototypes to play around with. Go over the average, and you get Bit-Blot’s amazing aquatic Metroidvania title Aquaria, as well as Petri Purho’s Crayon Physics Deluxe thrown in to sweeten the deal. What are you waiting for?  Go grab you some indie joy.

As revealed back in September, Alec Holowka and Derek Yu’s beautiful underwater metroidvania has just received an iPad release. It’s available on the App Store for $4.99 right now.

Great news for fans of Metroidvania-type games as one of the very best indie offerings is coming soon to Apple’s iPad and iPad 2 (and presumably 3, 4, 5… etc.). While I don’t have an iPad myself (I have an Android tablet though!) I can still see myself getting excited for this release and I think you’ll join me once you’ve seen the video…

As you can see the game is taking quite a bit of a development turn with the help of a newcomer to the collaboration effort. All in all it looks pretty damn good and the controls seem very fluid (pun!).

Regardless of the final outcome, the game will certainly be one of the largest (in terms of playing length) iOS games ever released. I played through Aquaria on the PC and can attest that this is a 15+ hour long romp, longer if you decide to explore everything. So for those iPad gamers who have been wanting something a little meatier this should work out just fine.

The game doesn’t currently have a solid release date, instead just a vapid “Fall 2011” window and there is no word on price.

Of course, interested gamers can always just buy the PC version now for $19.99.

[Aquaria]

UPDATE: Unknown to me at the time of this writing, it appears that the Humble Indie Bundle guys merely set to requirement to activate the first bundle to whatever the overall average is. As of now it costs $7.43, but expect that to rise incrementally over the remainder of the bundle’s life.

Well this is certainly and interesting turn. In an attempt to get their average price per bundle up the Humble Indie Bundle guys are now offering the first Bundle for free to anybody who pays more than $7.37 (the current average) for the second Humble Indie Bundle. Basically, this ups your haul from 5 games to 11 (World of Goo, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD, Penumbra Overture, Samorost 2).

I gotta say, I’m impressed with the way these guys handle this bundle. I mean, above and beyond a normal level of “impressed.” They move fast and they’re constantly thinking about their next move to increase awareness of the bundle.

Anyway, so there you have it, pay more than  $7.37 and get 11 games instead of 5. That’s a great deal.

[Humble Indie Bundle]

Bit Blot has made good on their Humble Indie Bundle promise, releasing the source code for Aquaria, available to download now via Wolfire’s blog.

Co-creator Alec Holowka describes in a blog post how difficult it was to release it mentally, describing  the code as “more like a weird tangled evolution of the game, rather than a clean, factory-built design. (there’s even stuff in there from back when the game was an RPG, for example,)” concluding “In any case, hopefully some people will find the code useful, and hopefully some will manage to improve it.”

With the release of the game’s source, the HIB promise is complete with Lugaru, Penumbra Overture and Gish already having released their respective codes.

Sometime between when The Humble Indie Bundle was revealed over a week ago and when the initial purchases poured into the middle $100k range, four of the five developers participating promised if sales hit the million mark they would release their game’s source code for free. Well, there’s news today that the bundle sales have topped the goal, and as promised source code for Lugaru HD has been released, with ASAP releases in the works for Aquaria, Gish and Penumbra Overture.

The real-time stats on the page indicate that they’ve sold 121,439 bundles (so far, the sale is still on at time of this writing!) earning a total of $1,107,718–a $9.12 average contribution. Linux users were the most generous, paying an average of just under $15, while Mac users hovered around $10, with PC’ers parting with only 10% of the suggested price at $8.01 on average. Though perhaps the fabled $500 purchase came from a Linux owner which, combined with windows more than doubling the OS, would raise the average quite a bit.

Regardless, the only real losers in all of this are the ones contributing to the shockingly high 25% piracy rate, that’s about as blindly ignorant as it comes. I can’t (and won’t) leave you with bad news however, remember the charity element? Contributors chose to section off 31% of the earnings to donate towards Child’s Play and EFF, a total thus far of $342,942. Not bad for a week-long indie bundle promotion.

There are a lot of great indie games and there are a lot of great charities. A group of indie developers have gotten together to put together a “Pay What You Want” charity event.

First of all, here are the games you’ll be getting: World of Goo, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD and Penumbra Overture. You get to pick exactly how much you want to pay for the five games, and you get to check who the money goes to, be it 50/50 Charity and Developers, All Charity, All Developers or even a custom split of your own choosing. The charities are Child’s Play and EFF.

You can be the jerk that pays a single penny (not to editorialize) or pay what one of the game’s would normally cost and split it between several sources. No matter what, everybody wins (except when you donate a penny).

Support some charities, support some developers, the Humble Indie Bundle is this week only. Head on over to its host page at Wolfire Games.

Josh Whelchel, who did music for Bonesaw and Spirit Engine 2, has been collaborating with other indie game musicians to raise money for cancer for a while now. For the past few years, he’s been putting together a CD to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Indie Music Cancer Drive has raised more than $6,000 in past years. The goal for 2010 is to top $10,000, and the project is almost 20 percent of the way there.

This year’s double CD features new or exclusive music from Alec Holowka (Aquaria), David Saulesco (Eternal Daughter), Stemage (Metroid Metal), Select Start and many, many others — more than 30 tracks over two discs.

If you donate before the release date, March 1, $10 gets you the digital download and $25 gets you the physical disc. After that date, the download price rises to $12, and the physical copy remains at $25, but you have to pay for shipping.

And remember, you can download last year’s album for a donation of any size.

Songs for the Cure ’10 from Josh Whelchel on Vimeo.

[via TIGSource]

What constitutes a Metroidvania? The genre — sub-genre, really –  was created by both the Metroid and Castlevania games during the early 90′s and late 80′s, but that doesn’t really explain what they are. For us here at DIY, a Metroidvania game is simply a game that consists of an non-linear map, where by the player must gather or accrue items in order to get beyond certain obstacles in the game. Sounds pretty simple, right?

Unfortunately, while the genre is actually fairly well liked by the mainstream gamer — see Shadow Complex — there’s never been too much development in the area. Even amongst the indie scene, development has still been less than we’d like it to be. That said, however, the ones that are out there are pretty damn good. Which is why we’ve decided to put together this handy little list of our very favorite indie Metroidvanias:

10. Hasslevania

Hasslevania is an enigma of game design. On one hand, the game has it’s fair share of flaws, but on the other the game does so many things “right” with respects to the Castlevania franchise that it’s almost impossible not to love it.

While the game is a pretty great parody, it suffers from some poor design decisions and bad collision detection. Also it has some of the worst voice overs I’ve ever heard. But if you can make it beyond these off-putting “features” what you’ll find underneath is a fairly funny take on the Castlevania franchise, wherein our hero, Rovert Bellmunt, moves in next to Dracula only to find that Dracula likes to party all night and keep Rovert awake. Thus begins the “hassle” of hunting down Dracula in the appropriately titled Hasslevania.

It really is a neat game that any classic Castlevania fan can appreciate. Plus it’s free!

[download via TIGsource]

9. Iji

“Iji is an action-packed strategic platform shooter with a detailed story, large levels with multiple paths, powerful bosses and lots of secrets. There are alternate gameplay events, dialogues and scenes depending on what you do, a wealth of extras and bonus features, and seven stats to upgrade through a leveling system. Iji herself has superhuman strength and abilities, and can crack Nanotechnology, use her enemies’ most devastating weapons against them, and be a pacifist or a killer – the story adapts to how you play.”  – via the game’s website.

I know it seems lazy, but I really wouldn’t have been able to word it any other way. I’ll just add the justification for the game being on this list.

In a lot of ways Iji reminds me of Shadow Complex. Both have characters stuck in huge, sprawling complexes and both play host to a multitude of weapons and enemies large and small. The only difference with Iji being that you can actually level up specific parts of your character (strength, health, nano technology, etc.). While the game is, technically, broken up into sectors (or levels) the levels are still fairly open for exploration and the game does play host to a multitude of weapons and items that make the game very Metroid-like.

[download via Remar]

8. Ikachan

Featured on one of our Weekend Freeplay’s a little while ago, Ikachan is a fantastic Metroidvania that was developed by the same guy who created the oft-loved Cave Story. While the game is not nearly as robust in story or gameplay as Cave Story it also came out quite a few years prior and even still, the game is certainly very unique and fun.

Ikachan takes place after a devastating earthquake traps Ikachan and a bunch of other sea critters into a labyrinth of underground caves. Ikachan — that’s you — must then find a way to escape the caves, while at the same time fighting against and avoiding Ironhead, a large fish that has begun to capitalize on the situation by spreading fear and paranoia to the rest of the creatures in the sea.

Despite it’s primitive graphics and living in the shadow of Cave Story, Ikachan is well-deserved addition to this list and a fantastic Metroidvania.

[download via TinSanity]

7. Lyle in Cube Sector

What would you do if some dastardly bastard sneaked over to your hourse at night and stole, straight up kidnapped, your cat? Well, that’s the exact predicament that Lyle is in in his very own game: Lyle in Cube Sector.

Lyle in Cube Sector is a unique Metroidvania. The game is entirely based around the idea of picking up and using various types of cubes to accomplish different tasks. Some cubes can be used to stand on, some cubes are used as weapons, and other still provide varying degrees of help that could only possibly exist in a place deftly termed “Cube Sector”.

Beyond it’s oddball gameplay methods, however, Lyle in Cube Sector is a pretty fun Metroidvania. The game is completely non-linear with an open map that’s blocked only by what items/cubes you have access to, in traditional Metroidvania style. Anybody looking for a new, if not unique, Metroidvania need not look any farther than Lyle in Cube Sector.

[download via sitesled]

6. La Mulana

Where to begin with La Mulana? Well, suffice it to say, it is, in fact, a Metroidvania title. It does have an open mapped world to explore, and it has plenty of items to gather and upgrade to accomplish differing obstacles. And that’s about it! You can download the game from…

What you want more? Are you sure? I’m not sure if you can handle it…

… Alright. I tried to keep it from you, but you insisted.

La Mulana is all of the above things, but layered on top of all those features is one of the hardest, most challenging, most bastardly difficult games I’ve ever played. And I’ve played some doozies before. La Mulana, while a great Metroidvania, is difficult enough to send even the most battle-hardened gamers into a ravenous fury of hatred. However, if you an get over the difficulty — no small feat I assure you — the rewards for the game pay off ten fold.

Set in a Indiana Jones styled temple with an Indiana Jones styled protagonist the game sets you loose without any direction or narrative. You just go out and play the game. While this may be a little “too open” for some people, others will find the lack of direction as an amazing set piece for the game. To top it all off the game is available as a free download… but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

[download via Aeon Genesis]

5. Rocketbirds

Rocketbirds is a game I’ve, personally, pined over for the last few months. While I still feel it was an under appreciated gem in the hectic game-craze that was 2009, it is also a surprisingly well created Metroidvania.

Based in Albatropolis, the game shares many similarities with both Shadow Complex — in game setting and play — and cheesy 80′s action flicks. Now, I say that it’s similar to Shadow Complex because the overall design setting of the game is very reminiscent. Your in a sprawling complex with multiple armed security guards and it’s your job to bring down the evil “dictator”. However, the story itself is a bit more like Rambo. The protagonist, the Cock of War, looks and acts the part of an 80′s action hero, quiet/subdued and yet oh so violently badass,  and the story behind the game fits the part as well.

Of course, one of the really cool things about this game, beyond the fact that it’s a Metroidvania, is the fact that it’s actually a browser game. Don’t let this turn you off from the game, however, as this is actually a really good thing. The graphics and gameplay are still top notch and you can play your save game from any computer so long as you sign into your account at the Rocketbirds website. Definitely a neat feature, especially if your a particularly mobile gamer.

[Buy/Try from Rocketbirds]

4. Within a Deep Forest

You had to have known at least one of Nifflas’ games was going to be included in this list — in fact there are two — but did you think that we’d have included Within a Deep Forest? Arguably Nifflas’ lesser known and lesser played Metroidvania?

Within a Deep Forest shares only one thing with it’s cousin, Knytt Stories, the fact that it’s a Metroidvania. Aside from that the games are fairly different. In Within a Deep Forest you play as a bouncy ball, the result of an accidental experiment from Dr. Cliche’ whose on a mission to freeze the entire planet. As a newly formed lifeform you, the protagonist, must now set out to stop Dr. Cliche from succeeding where he failed with you. To do this you must explore the world and acquire upgrades that changes what your made of to allow for different abilities like higher jumping and stickiness.

Within a Deep Forest is a classicly great Nifflas title and one that fully deserves to be played. Also, like with other Nifflas titles the game is free, as well as awesome, so go get it!

[download via Nifflas]

3. Aquaria

Thus far we’ve only seen some crude, albeit pretty awesome, Metroidvanias. When I say crude I’m speaking in terms of graphics. For some reason this sub-genre just has a knack for looking like old SNES games. Well that’s one area where Aquaria really shines. Aside from being just a great Metroidvania, the game is also beautiful.

Taking place underwater, like Ikachan, Aquaria is more abstract. The game starts out with a great narration and then just kind of sets you loose onto the world to find out what exactly happened and why your the only creature of your kind.

While the story may seem a little light, the gameplay is actually great and very intuitive. First, the movement of the game is fast and reacts as quickly and as similarly as the Diablo games. Just point and go. Additionally the game employs a unique song system whereby you can cast spells and  interact with the environment using a unique 6 button song interface.

Needless to say Aquaria is definitely one of the prettiest, and most unique, Metroidvanias we’ve ever played… unfortunately it’s not free.

[Buy from Steam]

2. Knytt Stories

Good ol’ Nifflas. Truly Knytt Stories stands heads and tails above the rest of these games. While the game is, loosely, based on his original Knytt game, it goes above and beyond in offering one of the best Metroidvania experiences ever. In fact, I’d go so far as to say Knytt Stories is as good as the very best of the Metroid and Castlevania games out there now.

While the original story and subsequent expansion packs are basically everything we love about the Metroidvania genre (large world exploration, multiple item pick ups, etc.) it’s actually a small toolset that is included with the game that makes it so amazingly awesome. Nifflas, in all his brilliant wisdom, has included with the game a very easy-to-use map editor so that anybody (you, me, maybe even Dubya!) can make our own Knytt Stories and share them with the world. This, essentially, means that the game never has to end.

Truly, Knytt Stories is an amazing game and it would be our number one title were it not for…

[download via Nifflas]

1. Cave Story

How do you wrap up one of the most uniquely great stories into a solid Metroidvania experience? I don’t know exactly but it sure does seem like Pixel (developer of Cave Story and Ikachan) has it down to a science. Cave Story is, simply put, one of the best indie games ever created. More than even that, though, it is the best Metroidvania. Sure, this all lies in opinion, but the game was so perfectly crafted and so amazingly fun that we have a hard time of seeing anything else, even the amazing Knytt Stories, as being better than Cave Story.

I’d try to appropriately sum up the story but I know I’d leave something out so here’s a brief excerpt from the game’s Wikipedia page:

The main character awakens in an underground cavern with no memory of how he came to be there. He finds a village populated by rabbit-like creatures called Mimigas, who are being persecuted by the Doctor. Two of the Doctor’s servants, Misery and Balrog, are looking for a Mimiga named Sue, but mistakenly abduct a Mimiga named Toroko. The player’s main quest is to rescue Sue, save the Mimigas from the Doctor, and escape the floating island on which the game is set. There are three different endings: a good ending (naturally the hardest to get, involving a very difficult final stage and two extra bosses, including a multi-phase final boss), a normal ending, and a bad ending (which occurs about halfway through the game and requires little effort to get). The endings are based on the player finding various secret items.

If you haven’t played Cave Story, a rare occurrence if you follow the indie game scene, then you must play it now. I don’t care if Mass Effect 2 just came out, or if they are announcing the Apple iSomething today. Stop what you are doing and play this game cause it’s really that good… unless you don’t like Metroidvanias, in which case you probably won’t enjoy it as much.

[download via Cave Story]

Did we miss one of your favorite Metroidvania titles? Hey it happens, we aren’t perfect. We’re subject only to the knowledge of what we’ve already played. If you feel like one should have been here then feel free to let us know in the comments!

Diverse over at Destructoid just received a copy of the Aquaria OST. The package included typical extras like business cards and a signed poster, but it also included an art card that hints at something more. The card suggests, via poem, that Alec Holowka and Edmund McMillen are working together on a new game titled Oh My Word, to be released when the two busy game makers find time to finish it.

If those names don’t ring a bell, here’s some context. Holowka co-founded Bit Blot where he worked on Aquaria with Derek Yu, then he co-founded Infinite Ammo where he’s working on Marian. McMillen created Gish, worked on Time Fcuk and is one of the guys bringing Super Meat Boy to life. Both have had a hand in creating IGF award winners, so the pairing has me pretty excited, even though all we have is an art card with a poem, which happens to be located after the jump.