The previous two Humble Indie Bundles have been unprecedented successes, launching otherwise lesser-known independently developed games into the big leagues through a single almighty ‘pay what you want’ sale, and all while helping charity along the way, too. Today, the announcement went out of a ‘bonus’ bundle being organized by Wolfire, featuring three games by graphically adept studio Frozenbyte, one unfinished prototype game (with source-code) and one preorder, all for whatever price you’re willing to offer.

One-man Spanish indie powerhouse Locomalito (and much credit to his musical compatriot, Gryzor87) has come up trumps once more. Today marks the release of his fourth game, Viriax. Like his previous three titles, it is two things above all else: Brilliant and free.

“Genius” is the first word I thought of when watching the trailer for No Time to Explain, a title that looks to be an early contender for my own person “indie game of the year.” While the game’s humorous plot line is enough to have piqued my interest, it’s the actual platforming gameplay elements that really sets my anticipation meter high.

The game’s premise looks to be fairly simple, as simple as time-based gameplay can allow anyway. Essentially you play yourself when, all-of-a-sudden, you come flying into your own house, creating quite a disaster while you’re at it (still following? Good). No sooner than you exclaim: “there’s no time to explain!” than does a giant lobster claw swoop in and drag you away screaming. It’s up to you to pick up the futuristic weapon dropped by your future self and go after you.

Still on the same page? It’s always difficult to explain in the written word time based mechanics so I’ll allow the trailer (below) illustrate my previous paragraph.

Anyway, as I already mentioned, it’s the game’s unique platforming elements that excite me most. You see, the gun dropped by your future self acts more than just a gun, it’s a jet pack, of sorts, as well. One that allows you to fly over obstacles when you’re not just outright blowing the crap out of them.

All in all this looks to easily be one of the most unique platformers to come out this year. The style, plot, and gameplay all looks incredibly fun. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until this summer to actually get a chance to play it.

No Time To Explain will be release don PC and Mac this summer. If the game sells weel, the developers, Tiny Build Games, wants to port it to XBLA and Linux.

[Tiny Build Games]

Trailer

One of the weird and wonderful main bosses from La-Mulana Wii.

Things were looking up late last year for the Wiiware port of Nigoro‘s classic PC platform/adventure/puzzle/exploration game La-Mulana, but things fell apart at the 11th hour as issues were discovered, and Nintendo rejected the submitted version. It’s been a few months, but the developers seem confident that they’ve got the kinks worked out. In a recent development blog post, they proudly proclaim ‘We will finish soon!’.

Feeling the need for a unique, puzzle platformer that is both critically acclaimed and very atmospheric? Well I’ve got great news for you then! Nicalis’ first original game since Cave Story WiiWare was released has been officially released today via the developers website for a scant $10.

For those of you interested in what the game is about here’s a brief description from the developer’s own website:

NightSky is an action-puzzle game that offers an ambient gameplay experience unlike any other—cerebral challenges fill uniquely designed picturesque worlds. Each of these worlds is broken into different areas in which the player must maneuver a sphere by using realistic physics to advance. There are no enemies, no bosses and no violence in NightSky.

Our own Erik Johnson reviewed the game recently and came away very impressed with the overall mechanics of the game.

No word on a Steam or other digital distribution platform release just yet so if you want it you’ll have to head directly to the developer’s website. Enjoy!

[Nicalis, NightSky]

Nifflas has announced via .png file that its upcoming 2D platformer NightSky will arrive for PC and Mac on January 6. Mere days away from this very moment.

The game was originally scheduled to hit WiiWare first (stop me if you’ve heard this before) and while it’s still on schedule for the service and potentially other consoles, Nicalis twerps that the dev “can’t keep fans waiting. So PC/Mac first followed by everything else.”

They hope to see the Mac version on the new OSX App Store (set to debut the same day), while no digital retailers have been named for the PC version as of yet. No pricing details either, but we’ll find that out no later than Thursday.

Here’s a short trailer showing off the title’s physics-based gameplay, looks like some fun and familiar mechanics with great artwork – specifically the silhouette in front of ambient background look.

[Nifflas]

Snaaaake! It's a Snaaaake! Oooh, it's a Snaaake!

After bashing away at it for quite some time, prolific remakes n’ updates studio Ovine have just released their latest freeware game. If you grew up during the early days of personal computers, you’ll feel right at home here. The cheekily entitled Rocky Memphis & The Temple of Ophuxoff is a simple-but-huge exploration platformer in the style of early C64 games. The art style and the music are perfectly in key with the style, although the pacing is a little faster and more palatable for modern gamers.

There is but a single word I can use to describe this game and that word happens to be the name of another game from the late 80s and early 90s: Contra. If you were at all like me and were raised on the NES during the late 80s and early 90s then this style of side-scrolling action platforming will bring back some fond memories. Hell, aside from Mario Bros. I can’t recall another NES game having a more profound impact on my young brain during that time.

8-Bit Commando looks to revive this type of gameplay and I absolutely can’t wait to play to myself.

Here’s the IGF description:

8-Bit Commando is a run and gun platformer with fast-paced action, a rocking soundtrack and explosions. The graphics will take you back to the classic age of gaming and the gameplay is bound to challenge even the most seasoned vets.

8-Bit Commando is currently still in a beta development form which happens to be free to download and play right now. So, if you’re interested there should be nothing holding you back from this delicious slice of retro pie.

[8-Bit Command]

Trailer

Found this interesting little puzzle platformer today. While the game looks a little rougha round the edges that’s never stopped a platformer from being great before.

Here’s a brief description of the game:

Strange World: Castaway is a puzzle platformer where the most important thing is vibe. In SW:C you are take control on an alien, which has some special skills. He can slide on the walls, he can double jump, etc. Your main task is to find way out from caves and collect all missing parts from your spaceship.

Anyway, the game hasn’t yet been released — although it’s promised to be coming soon — but there is a demo available from an earlier version of the game. Until then, enjoy the trailer.

[IndieDB, Pure Indie Games]

Trailer

We may joke continuously within our DIY circle, but it is true that most Xbox Live Indie Games involving avatars are a cheap cash-in and end up sucking massively. A few exceptions exist, of course, and we aspire to weed out the worthless for the worthwhile. But PlayItLoud’s Go Avatar Go has me slightly confused. You see…it’s not pure shit where all I’ll be doing for this next spotlight article is dissing the hell out of this game…but it’s also not exactly a masterpiece. Go Avatar Go is right in the middle, and its under 3-star rating is a good indicator of what to expect.

Go Avatar Go utilizes a Canabalt-like mechanic where the player’s character (in this case, their avatar) is running through the entire level, collecting stars along the way, and choosing when to jump and stop (Done by pressing A or holding A, respectively). With its 30+ maps, the game is actually challenging with its courses. Unfortunately, it also feels dull, slow-paced, and unresponsive. The main concern with any game should be that last one. Of all the games to feature unresponsive controls, Go Avatar Go seems to be the worst to do so. What could possibly piss me off more than running perfectly through an entire level and not being able to jump over that last obstacle?

I have to give Go Avatar Go its credit, however, as the locations and colors of the maps are not hideous. In fact, the overall concept of the game (although it may be extremely Canabalt-like) is generally a fun mechanic to play with. Plus, at only 80 MSP ($1), it’s not exactly as if the developer is looking to rip you off. They may be trying to use the avatar fad as a selling point, but that shouldn’t overshadow their legitimate effort to create a game — regardless of how good the game is.

In fact, if you’re a fan of these types of games, there’s really no reason not to buy Go AvatarGo; it’s only a dollar and you get to see your avatar in-game playing through a series of challenging levels.  Where the game falls short is when we come to the realization that there are plenty of more worthy 80 MSP titles on the Xbox Live Indie Games platform. Additionally, I think I have to make a note of how bad the music is. The auto-tuned soundtrack is neither gripping nor interesting, but just plain annoying. It plays from the beginning every single time you start a level up again. There’s really no way people can stand it for too long…unless you’re totally ignoring it and listening to your own music.

In conclusion, Go Avatar Go isn’t the worst purchase you could make. Out of sheer curiosity, even, I’d be willing to make the 80 MSP plunge. But after the bad taste that the trial demo left, I’m not sure that those outside of ultimate platformer fans or ultimate avatar fans will be wanting to play Go Avatar Go.

[Try/Buy from XBLIG.]

[This is not a review. This is a "first impressions" piece based on less than an hour of gameplay.]

Screenshots: