Posted by Derek Yu Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:31:00 GMT
With so much uncertainty in the world today… sometimes a nice, straightforward video game is exactly what the doctor ordered.
(Source: dessgeega, via The Gamer’s Quarter forums)
Posted by Derek Yu Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:17:00 GMT
Z Sculpt has finally released Return to Dark Castle for Mac OSX, after a long development that began in 1996! Wow! That gives me hope for Duke Nukem Forever. (I’ll wait until the year 3000, Duke!)
The original Dark Castle, and its sequel, Beyond Dark Castle, were developed for the Macintosh by Silicon Beach Software, and were subsequently ported to other platforms (including a terrible Sega Genesis/Megadrive port). Return to Dark Castle retains the gameplay from the first two games, and adds a lot more stuff, including “remastered” versions of the 30 levels from the original games. A level editor is also forthcoming.
I had a great time with the DOS version of Dark Castle as a kid. Damn was that game hard. To hit a bat with a rock you needed some skills, dawg. And I’ll never forget the three prisoners getting whipped in the torture chamber, and how they’d help you pick the key that wasn’t booby trapped.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a Mac, but Benzido, who tipped me off about the game, does, and he had this to say:
Thanks, man! The full game is $30.
Posted by Derek Yu Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:08:00 GMT
In case you missed it: there’s a 1.5-level demo available for Noitu Love 2, with the promise of a full game coming soon. This platformer features some of the most outrageous action sequences I’ve ever seen/played (including giant, screen-filling bosses), coupled with clever game mechanics and just insanely good pixel art. Get now (and buy later).
Posted by Derek Yu Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:43:00 GMT
FLaiL, the latest masterpiece from An Untitled Story creator YMM (YoMamasMama), is another punishing platformer that has you leaping, flying, and dodging those terrible, ubiquitous spikes. The silky controls and inspired level design make this pretty much a must-have for anyone who gets a kick out of N, Ninjah, or messhof’s Flywrench. You will need some serious eggs to make it through all of this game’s 80 levels.
To top it off, the game includes lots of extras, like “meticulous statistics tracking”, a level editor, and other unlockables. The best part is this, though: two-player co-op, as well as the option for a third to jump in on the mouse at any time and drop bombs to fuck up the other players! Yay, YMM!
Posted by Derek Yu Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:14:00 GMT
Sounds like a pretty fair deal! But in all seriousness, it’s for the fun... what more reason do you need? Hit up Joakim’s site for more info. We’re also discussing it on the forums.
Posted by ARelativelyHotGirl Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:27:00 GMT
Blueberry Garden creator Erik Svedäng mentioned this new trailer on the forums. It looks and sounds beautiful. However, the gameplay remains a mystery so far…
Posted by Derek Yu Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:21:00 GMT
Karoshi, which means “death from overwork” in Japanese, poses an interesting challenge to the player: kill yourself! It’s a gimmick that’s actually carried quite well across the 25 levels of this unique puzzle platformer. The game often messes with your expectations to genuinely hilarious effect – I love that you can pick up a gun, but can’t use it to off yourself directly. I don’t know why, but I love that.
Despite the lack of polish in the game’s overall presentation, Karoshi is, in my opinion, much more entertaining and clever than Adult Swim’s Kill Yourself in 5 Minutes.
(Source: dessgeega, via The Gamer’s Quarter forums)
Posted by Derek Yu Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:37:00 GMT
Mighty Jill Off is a vertical platform game by dessgeega (aka Ancil Anthropy) that has you climbing a tall tower to please your mistress. The controls are based on Mighty Bomb Jack (hence, the game is a “Jack Off,” only starring a female character). You have a high leap that can be shortened with another press of the jump button ‘Z’.
The game is short (< 30 minutes) and you are meant to die many times on your way to the top – the game saves your progress every couple of screens. Your time is recorded and displayed to you at the end of the game. I think my best is around 11 minutes.
Mighty Jill Off can get repetitive and a bit frustrating at times, forcing you to make more than a few precise jumps off the very edge of platforms to avoid bumping your head on overhangs, monsters, and spikes. But overall I enjoy the simplicity and retro vibe… my only real beef with the game is that you have to keep tapping ‘Z’ to stay afloat, which is more of a challenge of physical stamina rather than skill or reflex. But then again, this is a game who’s plot revolves around BDSM, so maybe that’s entirely appropriate!
I want to mention the cutscene artwork and music, too – both are quite cute!
Posted by Derek Yu Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:10:00 GMT
Jason Rohrer, the creator of the moving and bittersweet Passage, has released a new game, called Gravitation. The basic theme behind Gravitation is “mania, melancholia, and the creative process.” To say any more, of course, could potentially ruin the experience, but I can recommend it highly.
(Thanks, Phil Fish!)
Posted by BMcC Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:52:00 GMT
I could type the title of this game all day. (Which is fortunate, because it takes all day to type.) Stargirl and the Thief from the Exploded Moon (gasp!) is a new platformer from Bernie that, according to Bernie himself, is “not much different than the other games [he’s] made.” Which is to say a well put-together retro experience with it’s own special something sprinkled on top.
Stargirl was made in only two weeks, so it’s rather short and there are still a few kinks to be ironed out, but it’s a lot of fun. It’s got a definite SMB2 vibe. Oh, and before you ask, this game is in addition to the other two projects he’s got going… way to go, Bernie!
Download here.
