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Indie Intermission – ‘Cart Life’ Another Day Another Dollar

alex wilkinson — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:00:54 +0000

After all the recent publicity Richard Hofmeier has been getting for his retail simulator Cart Life I thought it was only appropriate to give it a go myself. Cart Life is a very interesting RPG in which you play as a budding retail entrepreneur looking to start-up in numerous places across the states.

Each character has an object along with some positive and negative traits to make them feel a little bit more realistic and three-dimensional. Overall the story is very interesting and develops in a paced manner that slowly reveals more characteristics about your chosen character.

Not only is the gameplay rather great but so is the graphics style and music creating a very well made game that is just great on every level. Although billed as a retail simulator it does not feel a lot of the time that the retail side is the important part, with the character development making this game so much more.

Average play time – Over an hour

Cart Life is a very interesting game with a lot going for it, it has some rather interesting and in some cases odd minigames which do add to the game overall. Cart Life is largely fun if not frustrating from time to time but if you are a fan of RPG like games or if you are just looking for something a little different be sure to check this one out.

Cart Life can be downloaded from Richard Hofmeier’s official site for free although you can support him with the paid version also.

If you are a developer with A fun indie game that can be played over a coffee break, we want to hear from you! Private message us on twitter @IndieGameMag or shoot us an email at editors@indiegamemag.com with the subject “Indie Intermission” and you could be our indie intermission pick of the day!

GDC: Dungeon Dashers

Mike Gnade — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:26:49 +0000

GDC: Dungeon Dashers

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March 28th, 2013 | By Mike Gnade

Tagged in: dungeon dashers | gdc | GDC 2013 | jigxor | subsoap

Dungeon Dashers is a slick and instantly enjoyable dungeon crawler. It features 4 different characters (Assassin, Knight, Ranger, Wizard) all with their own abilities which can be used for some interesting puzzle solving for each level. The controls are really simple to grasp and as the name implies, the game moves really quickly. The game combines a lot of great things in a streamlined fashion. There is a turn-based combat system which is barely noticeable because of the speed of the turns. Turns actually vanish if you are not in combat so the game can feel like a puzzle game and a roguelike RPG depending on the level and circumstances. It’s quite awesome.

Dungeon Dashers promises traps, multiple styles of play, tons of replayability, additional challenges and objectives and online multiplayer. Honestly, the whole package sounds too good to be true. The graphics are really nostalgic without being too chunky and pixelated. This game is coming along great, be sure to checkout our preview in 2012 for even more impressions and information.

Dungeon Dashers is still in-development but can be purchased in it’s current state for $10 from the game’s official website. Be sure to follow the developer on twitter @JigxorAndy

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Indie Intermission – ‘Save’ How A Bat Must Feel

alex wilkinson — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:00:56 +0000

Deep in a dark room all you can hear is the puncturing sound of a heart melodically beat, over and over. Today I look at Save a game created for the Global Game Jam 2013 by TrueBlueCreature.

Save is a maze game in which you must navigate largely based on the sound of the heart. It’s an interesting idea and one I feel can work very well, however it did feel that Save had some issues with this method of navigation. The biggest problems came on the latter levels where the heart would beat you to the person but failed to take into consideration there where now teleporters.

The graphics choice being created in such a minimalistic manner is great and emphasises the character much more. Although the colour pallet does feel a little bit grey the overall idea was a good choice, even if the colour pallet was not ideal in my mind.

Average play time – 10 minutes

Save is quite the innovative little game that adds a whole other level to puzzle games by changing the focus from visual clues to audio ones. It’s a great idea and one that with added time can be fleshed out a bit more and with the addition of power-ups and more varied levels Save could become a very interesting little game, maybe for mobile.

Check out Save’s GGJ2013 page and give it a go.

Indie Intermission – ‘Toys’ Getting A New Perspective

alex wilkinson — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:00:46 +0000

Whilst traversing the internet I managed to stumble across a very interesting game that plays entirely with perspective. Toys is a game by Chrisoffer Hedborg and was developed in just seven days as an experimental project on the theme of zero buttons.

Although a couple of years old now, we all know good games don’t date and this is very true here. Toys is a very simple game that is all about solving puzzles by rotating the camera around to align all the blocks into their correct location in this perspective shifting puzzler.

It’s a very interesting and different puzzle game that plays with blocks and forces you to align them in ways that do not always feel possible. The graphics style is minimalistic but this just adds to the surreal gameplay and is the perfect fit for the game to prevent clutter.

Average play time – 15 minutes

Toys is a great puzzler that is very different to the norm and will test your puzzle solving nous. With 12 different shapes to solve there is a fair deal of variety and as you play you begin to see the difficultly shift from the casual to the much more intense.

Play Toys on Chrisoffer Hedborg’s site now and start solving these mind bending puzzles.

‘Guncraft’ Preview – Win The War One Block At A Time

Mark OBeirne — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:25:22 +0000

Sun Tzu once wrote, “All warfare is based on deception.” He also wrote, “Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.” Sun Tzu was certainly wise and an impressive general, but can his tactics be applied to videogames? Traditionally, it is difficult to deceive in videogames; the battlegrounds are established, the boundaries are known and it is often suicide to feign weakness. However, what if you could alter the battleground at will? That is the central principle behind Guncraft that goes beyond destructible environments, although they do feature. In Guncraft, it is possible to build structures, defences and immovable objects that alter the battlefield, how players will play and how battles will play out.

The best way to describe Guncraft is Call of Duty meets Minecraft, and it’s a description you will likely see a lot. The team is well aware of the Minecraft comparison as you can see from the beta launch trailer. As in Minecraft, players can tunnel their way through objects, build using a variety of materials and create magnificent structures. For the pacifist, there is the Free Build mode, which can also be played in multiplayer. This gives players access to all building materials and as much of everything as their little pixelated heart desires. Unfortunately, unlike the creative mode in Minecraft, players are unable to fly so some thought and forward planning is required for certain projects.

As the name implies, Guncraft adds guns from assault rifles to sniper rifles, along with grenades and melee weapons. The main game modes are Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, which are pretty straightforward. The main difference to a more traditional deathmatch game is that players can leave their own mark on the environment. To restrain players from popping up a never ending stream of blocks, there is an in-game currency used to purchase blocks and ammo. Don’t get too attached to anything you build in the competitive environment though; absolutely everything can be destroyed and levels are reset to their default state after each round. However, you can use the environment to your advantage by destroying blocks to launch sneak attacks or construct on-the-fly traps.

The default levels are diverse and interesting. Players can currently choose to wage war around the CraftTower and nearby supermarket, on the Star Wars themed EmpireStrikesCraft, in the house from Home Alone, in New Haven, on the Egyptian themed TempleOfBlock, in Winterfell, or on a blank canvas. It’s the little touches that really complete these maps and show the care that has been taken with them. The supermarket in CraftTower is stocked for whenever the war is won and the victors need refreshments, while EmpireStrikesCraft features AT-AT Walkers, turrets and laser shots in flight.

The game has that familiar cube-based Minecraft look in terms of graphics and it works well. Everything is distinctive and easily identified. Stairs do cause some issues however and it is a little unusual to have to leap up them. Hopefully the sound will be tweaked in future versions. Currently, each block is placed with a metallic clang, which is a little disconcerting when you’ve just planted a flower. It’s a small gripe and will certainly be altered for final release.

More updates are planned with a Capture the Flag mode to be released in the next version. The team has also promised unique never-before-seen game modes, extensive leaderboards, clan support, chat rooms and more. Anticipation is building for the full release of Guncraft; a mix of a first person shooter and Minecraft should be a great title. It is certainly shaping up well so far and it will be interesting to see the developments that are in store.

Exato Game Studios has successfully financed the project via Kickstarter. The PC beta is currently ongoing and there are some tweaks and additions expected for the final version. A launch for the full release has been pencilled in for some time in June. The team also hopes to bring the title to the Xbox Live Indie Game marketplace, but a release date has not been set yet. The team can be followed on Facebook and Twitter for further developments.

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Kill All The Bunnies: ‘Secrets Of Grindea’ GGC/SGA Trailer

Chris Priestman — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:27:28 +0000

Dear 20+ year olds, we’ve found out where all those years have disappeared to and managed to bring back a relic for you to check it out. It’s a game called Secrets of Grindea which is like many of those SNES RPG’s you used to play, but borders on parody, looks much slicker and comes with 4 player online co-op.

We’re not sure whether it was the soundtrack, the animations or the graphics, but immediately upon watching this new trailer for Secrets of Grindea we felt a surge of energy and a lust for the game. No it’s not unique but it certainly looks very polished and every little chime and character makes our eyes glisten even more. Nonetheless, this is a pre-alpha trailer somehow, which was put together to supplement the game’s entry in the Swedish Game Awards and the Gotland Game Conference.

The type of game this is should be pretty obvious to everyone – you run around green fields and dungeons killing increasingly bigger (and cuter) enemies for items and experience that increase your abilities. There’s character customization and even the typical “something evil is afoot” storyline. You’ll actually be playing as an upcoming hero who aims to be the most famed Collector by grabbing lots of rare and valuable items. Then things take a turn for the worse and, well, you know the rest.

Check out the trailer below and get pumped, though you will have to wait until late 2012 or even 2013 for the game’s release on PC.

More information on Secrets of Grindea can be found over on the game’s official website.

Shooting For The Stars: ‘CSiS’ Aims To Revive Space Action Genre

Richard Glenn — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:46:04 +0000

It’s always a sobering moment of piteous self-degradation for every young upstart when they realise that their long-held dreams of space travel fade into non-existence alongside their hopes of running for President, securing a respectable career and engaging in a symbiotic member of the opposite sex before withering away unloved and unnoticed until the day they meet their unheralded demise.

Thankfully, there’s always the reassuring sense of escapism afforded to us by video games. The mouse, keyboard or control pad now serve as magical conduits from hands to screen, allowing us to realise our late-dormant longing for space conquest within a virtual medium, which is probably why we’ve been inundated with so many space combat games over the years. And after a while, repetition breeds stagnation, and stagnation breeds disinterest.

CSiS, the product of the creative endeavours of Felix Caffier, Micha Pfeiffer and Wolfgang Reichardt, aims to reinvigorate the world (or should I say universe?) of space shooter frolicking by letting players loose in a variety of multiplayer game modes set in the vast reaches of outer space. Running on the A7 3D Game Studio Engine, the game boasts five separate game modes, including traditional deathmatches and co-operative missions, in which admirable performances are rewarded with the in-game cash required to access upgrades and equipment bonuses.

As the feature reel above demonstrates, CSiS will employ a fast pace and a heavy focus on bombastic weaponry. Oh, and you’ll probably have noticed a cacophonous explosion or two, which never goes amiss in a game of this ilk, especially when the graphics are as solid as CSiS’ (try saying that three times) are shaping up to be.

More information on CSiS, available “when it’s done” for Windows PC, can be located at its official site, where you’ll also find details regarding the game’s estimated system requirements.

Gushing: ‘Aqualibrium’ Trailer

Chris Priestman — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:52:28 +0000

Gushing: ‘Aqualibrium’ Trailer

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May 10th, 2012 | By Chris Priestman

Archifishal Software, developer of Inferno, has announced their next game intended for release on XBLIG – Aqualibrium looks to be a madcap platformer with plenty going on to test your wits.

Call the graphics retro or whatever you prefer, Aqualibrium isn’t going to blow you away visually but the water trickling effects are quite pleasant to look at. Anyway, we’re here to inspect gameplay here and with 40 levels, two levels of difficulty and (hopefully) online highscores/best times for each level; there should be plenty going on during your time spent with the game.

The idea of Aqualibrium is that you must make your way around your ship which has submerged under an alien ocean after an unavoidable crash landing. The pressure is starting to build up so you’ll frantically need to rush around and rid the water trapped in each section. While doing this sounds hectic enough, you’ll have to also worry about the number of exotic aliens which have found their way into the ship – just hope your guns don’t malfunction at the wrong time.

There’s no release date for Aqualibrium as it is still under development but it should be soon and it will definitely be on XBLIG. Check out the game’s trailer below:

More information on Aqualibirum can be found on the developer’s official website.

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‘Renegade Sector Episode 12: Castle of the Insect King’ Released

Richard Glenn — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:53:19 +0000

The third episode of Alec Stamos’ action-action Flash series, Tales of the Renegade Sector, has been released on Stamos’ official site and on Newgrounds, where it’s quickly made its way to the front page of the ‘Games’ section.

The latest development in the Renegade Sector storyline is entitled Castle of the Insect King, and it follows Space Captain McAllery’s escapades in an alien swamp. This time round, he’s searching for a piece of the antagonistic Laserbeard’s treasure in the dungeon of a dilapidated castle, which used to be helmed by the ancient Insect King. And thus begins a journey involving insect battles, shooting and a leap of faith or two.

It’s evident that a considerable amount of hard work has gone into polishing up the Renegade Sector experience in recent months, and Castle of the Insect King is a testament to just how far this series has come since its inception. The controls in this most recent incarnation of the story are the smoothest, most fluidly executed yet, while the shooting mechanics remain as simplistic and satisfying as ever before. Of course, the graphics have clearly come on a treat since the earliest episodes, as you might well gather from comparing the screenshot above with the following image from its formative days.

Castle of the Insect King can be played for free on the official Renegade Sector website. If you’d like to try out the preceding episodes, check out the site’s Archive section.

PAX: ‘AirMech’ Preview – More Action Please!

Mike Gnade — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:50:50 +0000

Transforming robots are just cool. AirMech is an action-RTS game that puts you in the cockpit of a transforming robot (think Robotech) in a mix of twin-stick shooter action and real time strategy gameplay.

The game is currently in “alpha” but the game seemed more like a beta to me. The controls for your robot are really tight and the graphics look fantastic for a browser game. AirMech already features unlockable mechs, skins, DLC, virtual currency and has fully featured multiplayer. The game clearly stood out as one of the most polished and richly featured games at PAX.

Personally, I found AirMech‘s RTS elements incredibly annoying. The action in AirMech is, for lack of a more fitting word, awesome. I loved trying out different mechs and transforming on the fly from helicopter/jet/UFO to hulking robot. Blowing things up is always fun. What’s not fun is having to pick up and drop off every unit that you build. In this game, it seems that your airmech makes a much bigger difference in battle by chaffeuring units around the battlefield rather than actually attacking the enemy. It’s a huge design mistake to require the player to pick up every unit that they build.

The RTS and building mechanics could have easily supplemented the core action within the game, yet I didn’t feel that was the case. You can queue up units to be built, but sadly units cannot walk out the front door of your base; they must be picked up by your mech. For me this mechanic felt like a huge chore and I am a fan of the RTS genre in general – if just felt out of place here.

The good news is that Carbon Games seem very dedicated to continually refining the game and listening to fan feedback. The action is hectic and is already loads of fun so hopefully they can streamline and improve on the building and RTS elements to really make the multiplayer mayhem shine.

AirMech is free to play from the Chrome Webstore – so give it a try for yourself or learn more about the game at Carbon Games’ official website.

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