Indie Watch 2011

[J T]

Trauma:
http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2010.php?id=176


I have posted about this before. The game looks really interesting with an innovative use of photo software for adventure gaming. The developer frequently comments on the Experience Points Blog that I loosely follow (great blog), so I was excited to see he had not only made a game, but made it into the IGF.

Trauma was just released. You can get it on Steam for $6.99

[J T]

To The Moon


*Click for sentimental trailer*

This is an RPG game set in modern times (what? no orcs?). I like the romantic spritework and the sentimentality of the story outlined in the trailer. I agree with what John Walker over at Rock Paper Shotgun had to say about it:

"Yes, it looks super-cute and schmaltzy. But you know what? GOOD! I don’t care! Everyone’s setting everything on fire and the economy’s about to implode. I want something cute and schmaltzy right now!

The game is due out in the Autumn, and I don’t care what you think of me, I think it looks lovely."

[J T]

A Valley Without Wind


*click for developer blog*

This is a game with procedurally generated worlds to explore across multiple time periods that you can travel between. The game is a sidescroller largely about exploration and survival. It reminds me a bit of Castlevania 2 judging from the video.


Extended Gameplay Trailer

[J T]

Cobalt


*Click for gameplay trailer*

Mojang, the developers of Minecraft, have teamed up with Oxeye Games to create Cobalt. They describe it as an "action game of running, jumping, rolling, shooting, throwing, dancing, hacking, rolling, flying, sliding, climbing, looting, deflecting, racing, piñata-ing, passing, scoring... and even more rolling!"

[Stark]

Mysterious Song


*Click for developer blog/news*

Frozen Utopia says this game is ready to go and to be shipped. It is for the TurboGrafx SuperCD and is an RPG.

[J T]

From Dust
http://www.fromdustgame.com/

From Dust came out and PC gamers are pissed. Apparently Ubisoft included the always-on DRM that they told people this game would not have. It's also clearly ported badly from consoles with problems like 30 FPS cap, no anti-aliasing, and controls geared towards a 360 pad. RPS wrote a scathing review and flat out said do not buy this game. There's mixed reviews about the gameplay itself, but most people are getting so up in arms about the DRM and poor porting that the gameplay isn't even discussed much, when it is, they're usually saying it's not as good as its inspirations, Populous and Black & White.

That's too bad because I'd like to see Eric Chahi have another success since he hasn't done much in the game world since Another World, but it seems Ubisoft was not a good partnership for him. Shame.

[dogman91]

Owlboy

Owlboy was mentioned briefly earlier in this thread, but now there is this excellent new trailer video and promise of a demo coming on the 20th of this month. I'm getting excited for this one. It looks like the best SNES game that never happened, until now.

I'm very impressed with the graphical style of this game... the gameplay looks very interesting! It does seem like a beefed up SNES game to me as well! I really love that 'beyond 16 bit' 2D style of graphics that isn't made to look "3D" (ex. see Rayman, Claw, Metal Slug)

Do you know if this is going to have a release on anything other than the Xbox 360?

[J T]

Owlboy

Owlboy was mentioned briefly earlier in this thread, but now there is this excellent new trailer video and promise of a demo coming on the 20th of this month. I'm getting excited for this one. It looks like the best SNES game that never happened, until now.

I'm very impressed with the graphical style of this game... the gameplay looks very interesting! It does seem like a beefed up SNES game to me as well! I really love that 'beyond 16 bit' 2D style of graphics that isn't made to look "3D" (ex. see Rayman, Claw, Metal Slug)

Do you know if this is going to have a release on anything other than the Xbox 360?

It's coming out on PC. I'm not sure of other platforms.

And, GOOD NEWS! The demo for Owlboy was just released today!

http://www.roflgames.com/DPadWebsite/www/index.htm

Release date should be announced soon.

[J T]

Vessel


*Click for Gameplay Video*

To understand what makes Vessel look so cool, you need to watch the video. There are some really cool use of fluids in both animation and in puzzle solving that make this look like a really unique platformer.

[J T]

Spocean


*Click for Official Website*

Spocean describes itself as a "wood punk" first person, team based navy battle game set in the Napoleanic-era. Sound interesting to you? Well, go get in on the beta while you still can.