Crayon Physics

By: Derek Yu

On: June 13th, 2007

A bit slow on the uptake with this one, but Kloonigames (aka Petri Purho) has released a wonderful game: Crayon Physics. Hot on the heels of Joakim Sandberg’s drawing shmup, Chalk, Crayon Physics lets you draw physical objects to help a little red ball collect stars.

Think Armadillo Run with drawing, and you kinda got it. Crayon Physics is must more simple, though, which is something that works to the game’s credit, I think. The idea is great, and it’s so well put together… it’s really like magic how easily the game pulls you in from the opening tutorial level.

The only problems with this game are a) the ugly black font on the title screen, and b) the lack of levels (only seven at the time of writing). But good news! A level editor is on its way (possibly). Go, Petri, go!

Powder Game

By: Derek Yu

On: June 6th, 2007

Dessgeega (via the Gamer’s Quarter forums) describes Powder Game as World of Sand plus fluid dynamics, and you know what, she’s totally right! It’s fun.

And holy shit, I’ve got a lot of vertical space left, so I just want to say that the forums have been up for a couple months now, and it’s exactly how I envisioned it: people making games together, sharing information, giving feedback, starting up friendly competitions… it’s been really proactive and the discussions have been fruitful. So yeah, you guys frickin’ rule! Let’s keep showin’ ‘em how it’s done!

World Without Oil

By: Derek Yu

On: May 24th, 2007

“Play it before you live it” is the mantra behind World Without Oil, an ARG (Alternate Reality Game) that simulates a world oil crisis. Users submit stories via text, audio, or video describing events unfolding during the pretend crisis, and the game’s admins rank users based on how well their content fits with the reality of the game.

An interesting idea that I’m sure is worth trying! It sounds like a lot of fun… crowd-sourcing a real-world problem through role-playing and creative writing.

(Source: GameSetWatch)

Chalk

By: Shabadage

On: May 24th, 2007

Chalk is a very unique game from Joakim Sandberg of Noitu Love fame. The levels themselves are presented in a typical Shoot’em Up fasion, but the gameplay is far from standard. Using chalk (simulated with the mouse), you must make your way through the levels, drawing lines between enemies and their own bullets to destroy them. As is typical of Joakim’s games, the art style is beautiful and the game is highly polished.

Get to downloading already.

Updated! Note from the author:

Me again! I added fullscreen now, even if it’s a bit over-steered… :(

Just use ESC to restart the game, not F2 anymore, it causes trouble.

Derek’s Edit: Thanks to Mr. Peckerston, there’s a gameplay trailer in the extended!

Goo Preview

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: May 22nd, 2007

Amorphous Games has revealed their first title, Goo, in which you control (!) some goo trying to goo around other goos for the goo.

Amorphous Games is limey Brit Aubrey Hesselgren and gun-toting American Tommy Refenes. Aubrey is Bezzy on the forums, and a right good chap indeed. Ho ho.

THIS IS SPARTA

By: Derek Yu

On: May 21st, 2007

This is also not really a game, it’s a screensaver. But it becomes a game if you try to see how long you can go without peeing your pants from laughing!

Death Village

By: Derek Yu

On: May 14th, 2007

NIGORO (formerly GR3PROJECT), creators of La Mulana, continue their tradition of making really, really friggin’ hard games with Death Village, a decidedly smaller, more casual title that will nonetheless have you crying by the second level. At least, that’s where I started crying. But then again, I always cry when I play games. (And also when I touch myself!)

I’m not certain what the story is behind Death Village, but your goal in each level is to get a funny old man through a haunted house and to the exit door. You don’t have direct control over him, but by slamming doors and enabling a variety of traps and scary things, you can lead him over. The atmosphere is spot on, with creepy graphics and sound effects bringing the haunted houses to life and pushing you onward.

The learning curve is deadly high, however, so make sure you at least watch the Level 1 video to get a handle on how the traps work. I couldn’t beat level two, which, on the bottom floor, requires you to somehow jump a gap. So yeah, anyone have any ideas?

(Source: Tim W.)

Nickspoon’s GP2X Crap Games Competition

By: Derek Yu

On: May 3rd, 2007

The winner of this competition to make the crappiest game for the Korean open-source handheld GP2X was NOT the game depicted in this screenshot (Run, Hitler, Run!), but studies show that including a picture of Hitler on your website automatically increases the traffic by 0.001%, and quite frankly, that’s enough for me.

The way Hitler looks in the screenshot really reminds me of a Boris Artzybasheff painting!

(Source: Insert Credit)

Makibishi Comic

By: Derek Yu

On: April 30th, 2007

Yes, what you’re seeing above is a giant, tattooed baby with a gas mask, farting out mini robot ninjas and listening to music. You know! Just a typical scene in Makibishi Comic, the strange, delightful, and best of all, strange point-and-click (and sometimes point-and-drag) adventure game that has you searching for 5 ninjas hiding in 5 worlds.

I really love the art and sound direction in this game… the sketchy graphics and minimal sound are almost hypnotic, and it’s a real joy to explore the surreal landscapes to see what will happen next. The sense of humor is wonderfully bizarre, too. Definitely give this one a try!

(Source: Select Button)

Bashanomics

By: Derek Yu

On: April 26th, 2007

Toribash, the amazing 3D, turn-based ragdoll fighting game just keeps getting bigger and better! We covered this game almost a year ago, and its great to see it thriving.

GameSetWatch reports that the game has introduced virtual credits into their online community, creating a virtual economy based on buying and selling everything from custom body parts to forum sig graphics to stories written about the various clans that have arisen around the game. Man, I love this kind of stuff… the idea of clans, histories, and economies emerging from these little game worlds drives me nuts.

I met Hampa, one of the creators, at GDC this year, and he’s also a really nice guy. Good game, good people. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should.