To round off this weeks Indie Intermission I bring you yet another fantastic little game from the Ludum Dare competition. Virtua Luge is a game that has been developed by Skwirl3014 and has you testing your luge skills in this awesomely designed game.

Virtua Luge in its name alone plays homage to the classic SEGA Saturn title Virtua Fighter, taking inspiration for the graphics used in Virtua Luge.

Virtua Luge’s gameplay is defiantly inspired by another classic SEGA title (Sonic), however it tries to add some interesting new mechanics to this already well established formula.

Being developed in just one weekend means Virtua Luge -although a great game already- lacks some ambition. I feel with more development Virtua Luge could be a rather awesome little mobile game. If Skwirl3014 where to increase the speed, add some more animations, and add power ups I could see this being a great little time waster on the move.

Average play time – 3 minutes

Virtua Luge is a great little time waster that really captures the early Sega graphics perfectly. Although not a perfect game, considering this was created in one weekend Virtua Luge really provides a very fun experience.

To play Virtua Luge head to the Ludum Dare site and download it. If you enjoy the game be sure to vote for it on Ludum Dare 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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – ‘Virtua Luge’ A Homage To The SEGA Of Yesteryear

Today’s game is yet another game from the latest Ludum Dare, although this time we see a minimalistic sports game. Radius Minigolf created by Nico Saraintaris and Damian Troncoso is a very interesting new take on the classic past time.

The whole idea behind Radius Minigolf is you must hit the ball by drawing a line around the ball creating a radius, and believe me it’s much more tricky then you might expect.

This new dynamic makes Radius Minigolf very different to regular minigolf games as the power and direction both come from the radius you draw around the ball with the line. This makes for some very interesting moments when you are out on the green – or grey in this case.

Although the radius hitting mechanic is novel and offers some rather fun shots it can get very frustrating. Managing to hit the shots can really take a bit of time to get use to, although after a few failed attempts you do start to get the mechanics down.

Average play time – 2 minutes

Radius Minigolf is a highly creative approach to sports game very much embracing the minimalistic approach of this competition. Along with the great minimalistic graphics style Radius Minigolf also introduces a great new radius mechanic that really does add the crazy to the golf.

Radius Minigolf can be played online for free. However if you would like to vote for the game be sure to check out the Ludum Dare site.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – When Geometry And Golf Combine ‘Radius Minigolf’ Is Born

This week I look through some more great Ludum Dare games trying to bring some of my favorite games into the lime light getting them the love they deserve. This weeks selection is pretty awesome with some geometric struggles and some colourful capers.

As always clicking the title will take you to my original article whilst clicking the image will take you to the game, enjoy.

Monday:  ’Minimalism’ A Geometric Nightmare

Minimalism is a great little puzzle shooter in which you must morph your shape into that of the locks across the level to try to make it to the end. Of course it is not just about getting the correct shapes you must battle your way through this maze of unrelenting shapes to reach your goal.

Tuesday: ’My Mini Castle’ A Mini Slime Fighting Adventure

My Mini Castle is a rather cute little game that has you commanding this solitary penguin to throw his potatoes at incoming slimes. It’s a very simple idea but executed fantastically with these great graphics and fun mechanics.

Wednesday: ’ProductionVille’ It’s All About The Planning

For one reason or another I don’t get to feature many strategy games on here so I leapt at the option to feature Production Ville. In Production Ville you must setup a village that actually turns a profit. This is made all the more difficult by everything having an initial price along with an upkeep fee that can make you think twice before expanding to open a new mine.

Thursday: ’Mono’ Respect The Colors

Mono is a somewhat unique physics based puzzler that has you taking control of this rogue circle as you try to navigate the unforgiving levels in front of you. Although Mono only has six levels each adds some new mechanics creating an ever-changing experience that is just a great deal of fun.

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 That about does it for this weeks round-up.  I hope you have enjoyed playing some – if not all – of the games I have selected for you this week. Have a fantastic Sunday and see you tomorrow for an all new Indie Intermission.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission Sunday Round Up: R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Today’s game is the very intriguing puzzle game No One Has To Die, and despite the title someone always does have to die. No One Has To Die has a gripping narrative that changes as you follow different situations involving the characters.

The idea behind the game is over several game plays you will start to unravel the mystery behind this shadowy organisation as more plot is divulged.

Each level involves a puzzle in which you must stop the fire from spreading and save as many people as you can, however someone always must die. Although the puzzles are quite simple the real meat of the game comes from playing out all the different scenarios and unlocking all the alternate endings.

Average play time – Less than an hour

No One Has To Die is a dark and deeply interesting puzzle game that works on a very simplistic basis. The game plays fantastically from start to finish and the story holds enough suspense and deception that it will keep you playing until you can piece all the sections together.

No One Has To Die can be played on Clay.io.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – ‘No One Has To Die’ A Game About Hard Choices

Although not really a conventional game Cow Clicker is more of a commentary on the casual Facebook game market that has grown over the past couple of years.

Cow Clicker distills the fundamental mechanics down from Facebook games and puts them into a new setting that involves the mundane activity of clicking on cows.

Like every social game in this genre you must wait a predefined length of time before you can click your cow again and of course you are encouraged to invite friends so you can click their cows to improve your own game play.

Cow Clicker was created by Ian Bogost as his take on Zynga and their style of games found on Facebook. He has even included numerous microtransactions for speeding up the time in between clicking on the cows along with various cosmetic items for your cow.

Average play time – 20 minutes

Cow Clicker really is a very ingenious game that helps to sum up what the whole industry is about by showing the genre in its true mundane light. Cow Clicker really is quite the eye opener showing Ian Bogost’s true genius.

You can play Cow Clicker on Facebook for free, however if you would like to find out more about the game check out Ian Bogost’s site now for more insight into why he created this very interesting title.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – ‘Cow Clicker’ A Cynical Look At The Causal Game Industry

Todays game is yet another melancholy title that follows the characters life from birth to death in a very creative platforming style. And Everything Started To Fall was created by Alexitron and Heatex, as it aims to show life through a small very short window mirroring life.

And Everything Started To Fall really is a very emotive and emotional journey that you take with this character as he has to jump over hurdles in his life. As you progress further on you will start to be put up against an array of ever more difficult platforming events which you must try to overcome, but to what end.

The reward in the game is somewhat unconventional and is actually quite easy to guess just by looking at the theme of the game, as death is inevitable here.

Average play time – 5 minutes

And Everything Started To Fall is a short but sweet game that casts a light inwardly on to all who play it as it tries to highlight a lifetime of achievements and experiences into just a few minutes, which actually helps to put life into perspective.

Play And Everything Starts To Fall on MoFunZone now.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – ‘And Everything Started To Fall’ A Deeply Thought Provoking Game About Life

When video games first came around we saw games that allowed you to battle the beasts of hell, race F1 cars, and explore far flung worlds. Basically if you could imagine it A game would come to cover you.

With all these wild fantastic ideas you would never expect developers to create games about working in retail (Cart Life) or other mundane ventures, however Lucas Pope has created the latest simulator to simulate the life of a border control agent during the 1980s.

Papers, Please is a dark insight into the life of a border control agent for an imaginary eastern block country during the cold war era. Papers, Please is equal parts mundane as it is brilliant as you set out to complete ever more complex and comprehensive checks on people moving over the border working to the time constraints set in place by the working day.

Papers, Please is such a dark and depressing insight that it gives this game such gravity it is impossible to resist the call of this mundane lifestyle.

Average play time – About an hour

Papers, Please is currently still in beta although if the current beta is anything to go by I am sure the finished game will be a dark and moving insight into humanities struggle to provide for their family.

Be sure to check out Papers, Please and find out just why the mundane is so magnificent. Papers, Please can be downloaded via Lucas Pope’s Site.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – ‘Papers, Please’ Is There A Game For Everything?

Welcome to the weekly roundup of free indie games, this week I’ve found quite a few awesome retro inspired titles to have fun with. The games this week have ranged from zombie shooters to side scrolling shooters and pretty much everything in between.

As always clicking the title will take you to the original article whilst clicking the image will take you to the game.

Monday: ’Atomic’ A Minimalistic Fast Paced Arcade Game

Atomic is an interesting arcade game that has taken a great deal of influence from Super Hexagon along with bullet hell games. Atomic combines the two very different styles of games together to create this fast paced arcade title that is a great little time waster.

Tuesday: ’Zombie Grinder’ A Lovingly Created Zombie Arcade Shooter

Zombie Grinder  is a great little multiplayer zombie shoot em up in which  you must battle through the unrelenting hordes of the undead to try and reach new high scores and unlock new items. Although still in the beta stages Zombie Grinder already offers a great deal with a great selection of maps and modes to keep you busy for several hours.

Wednesday: ’Maldita Castilla’ A Supernatural Sidescroller

This one is for all of you who played the classic side scrollers back in the 80-90s as Maldita Castilla aims to bring back what made this decade of gaming great. Along with awesome visuals expect compelling gameplay that really does throw back to the golden age of gaming.

Thursday: ’Bat Country’ Giant Mutant Bats Can Put A Damper On Your Day

Who would’ve thought that a helicopter could get taken down by a swarm of giant bats? Although this may sound implausible it does end in some rather interesting results. Bat Country is all about the old style arcade flight games with strange stories and a distinct pixel art style that although  rather simplistic is also elegant.

Friday:  ’Endless Forms Most Beautiful’ A Beautifully Recreated Spectrum Game

Endless Forms Most Beautiful is a PC port of the original Spectrum game and  thus feeds into the retro vibe of the week. Each level consists of just one screen in which you must pick up all of the mushrooms before the enemy get you. Although the idea is simple actually obtaining  all of the mushrooms can be very challenging especially on the later levels when ranged enemies get introduced.

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This brings us to the end of another week in indie gaming. I hope you have all enjoyed the games that I have selected this week. Please come back tomorrow for an all new game and the start of a new week of Indie Intermission.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission Sunday Round Up – A Mostly Retro Week

Cannon Brawl is a 2D real time strategy game currently in development for Xbox and PC.  The game features destructible terrain and firing mechanics similar to Worms, but is also all about building towers and expanding your influence around each stage.  The player controls a blimp that handles controlling and commanding the field.  Fly your airship over to your HQ and you’ll be able to select turrets, shields and other towers to build.  When the towers are complete, you can pick them up and fly them to any buildable location within your ‘Sphere of Influence’ – represented by a subtle colored bubble that matches your team.

Cannon Brawl is all about your airship; it’s your general.  Not only does it build and delivery structures, but you also use your blimp to enter both offensive and defensive turrets. Enter a cannon with your airship, then aim and fire Worms-style.  Enter a defensive turret, and use your sticks to direct your protective shields.  You’ll also use your airship to upgrade and repair units – all while cannonballs, lasers, and nukes are flying around.

The best thing about Cannon Brawl is the pace of the match.  When you start off, you’ll actually wait a little bit as you take on each task one at a time.  You’ll build some turrets, place them, and take a shot at your opponent every once and awhile.  As more units are placed on the field, the decisions and tasks that you have quickly multiply and things become hectic really quickly.  It’s one of the more manic RTS games that I’ve played.  The simplified units and action oriented gameplay should draw in gamers that don’t traditionally like the strategy genre – while strategy fans may not like the fast pace of Cannon Brawl’s matches.

Cannon Brawl is very polished with bright colorful graphics and dynamic battle music.  Upon completion the game will feature over 6 different airships, a single player campaign, local and online multiplayer.

Stay up to date on Cannon Brawl, by checking out the game’s official website.

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Cannon Brawl Preview – Worms meets Real Time Strategy

Candles is a highly atmospheric horror game created by Lasse Westmark, Tobias Danbo and Nicolai Marcher  which follows very much along a similar basis as Amnesia. You arrive home one night only to find a note on your door informing you that your generator has gone out and your home is now full of demonic imps – just what you want when you get home from work.

You must then spend your night lighting candles around the house and figuring out how to restart the generator and remove this imp threat once and for all. The game really generates a great level of atmosphere from the creaking noises to the imps evil red eyes, the whole game has a great deal of theatre and drama about it.

Lasse Westmark has put a great deal of time and effort into Candles and it shows. From the clean and visually pleasing graphics to the creepy and eerie sounds a great deal of love has been put into the game and well, it is very good.

Average play time – Less than an hour

Candles is a nice addition to the creepy defenceless style of horror we have seen grow over the past few years and adds something a little different to the genre. Although you can claim it is not very original the execution is great and although in a similar style to Amnesia the game plays out very differently indeed.

Be sure to check out and download Candles from Lasse Westmark’s site.

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!

Source: The Indie Game Magazine – Indie Intermission – “Candles” For Things That Go Bump In The Night