Posted by Derek Yu
Thu, 06 Jul 2006 09:44:00 GMT
Small Arms is another up-and-coming XBLA game, by the fine folks who brought you Fuzzee Fever. Yeah, no, I haven’t played Fuzzee Fever either. That’s got to be one of the worst names for a game, ever. It’s just so… gamey. And not in the good way, like “Contra” or “Donkey Kong.”
Anyway, it looks to be kind of a cross between Metal Slug and Super Smash Bros., which is a pretty good idea. A dozen or so characters, a dozen or so levels, and probably a dozen or so weapons… I could have some fun with a game like this.
Interviews:
Evil Avatar
XBoxLiveArcade.com
K1lla’s Xbox Domain (?!)
Gameplay Footage
YouTube
Posted in Platformers, Multiplayer, XBox Live Arcade / XNA, Previews, Interviews | Tags Gastronaut | 2 comments
Posted by Tim
Sun, 18 Jun 2006 13:30:00 GMT
Literally translated as “Do your best, Ms. Natsuki!”, Gambare Natsuki-San is an excellent puzzle platformer which borrows a few elements from an obscure PSX game called Umihara Kawase Shun. The rope has been replaced with a metal gadget, able to extend and grab on to walls and ceilings.
Press the Z key to activate it, and use the directional keys to move around while holding down the same button. Jump using the X key, and tap the C key to bring up the pause window. Selecting the third option from the main menu will take you to the tutorial, complete with demonstration regarding controls and advanced techniques.
The objective of the game is to collect all food items, while avoiding water and contact with spikes. Very addictive and highly recommended. Click here to download.
Posted in Platformers, Puzzle, Windows, Freeware | 8 comments
Posted by Tim
Mon, 12 Jun 2006 01:18:00 GMT
Gothic Blocks is a pretty addictive mini-game by Dylan, made using the Torque 2D engine. Similar to Free Lunch Design’s Icy Tower, you guide a character going by the name of Ionesco who must reach the highest altitude possible in ninety seconds.
A combination of mouse and keyboard controls can be used. Tap the left mouse button to jump and right click to freeze the ferries. Your avatar will always move towards the mouse cursor. The jump action is only allowed when you’re standing on solid ground or a frozen ferry.
There are several advanced strategies to attempt, such as freezing a ferry only when it’s underneath your character or pushing ferries into certain positions before pressing the right mouse button. Your best score can be submitted online for ranking purposes as well.
Posted in Platformers, Windows, Freeware | 3 comments
Posted by Tim
Mon, 29 May 2006 02:45:00 GMT
Let’s talk about love. Noitu Love, that is.
We have seen plenty of excellent platformers released in the past few months, and among many this particular gem did best to remind us how great the Rockman series were before it was turned into a collectible card battle.
Controls are stripped down to basics, featuring the standard punch and jump plus two more attack variations assigned to both the left control and shift key. Much like Capcom’s mascot, Noitu Love can utilize certain devices to change form and access special powers. The first few levels may seem repetitive but the game does get better after the second stage.
Most of the highlights occur during boss battles, where each leader has to be defeated using different strategies. The final boss encounter is simply amazing, even when compared to other platformers freeware or otherwise. A word of advice, you’ll miss out on quite a bit if the easy difficulty setting is chosen.
Do you feel the love?
Posted in Platformers, Windows, Freeware | Tags JoakimSandberg | 14 comments
Posted by Mr. Hollow
Sun, 28 May 2006 15:02:00 GMT
Gibbage is the effort of one man (who learned to code while creating the game) that has been getting some pretty cool press. After playing through the demo levels, it’s easy to see why.
The basic gameplay is much like Stick Soldiers, but that’s where the comparison ends. The goal of Gibbage is to collect power cubes to recharge your base, while reducing the available power of your opponent’s base. The game can be played against the CPU or with friends (At the same PC.)
Gameplay sizzles with great visuals, awesome music and slick effects that more than make up for the simplistic style.
The only drawback is the game’s frantic pace which is probably alright if you are eight years old and hopped up on soda and french fries, but which left me wishing there was a speed slider somewhere in the options.
(Source: Gamasutra.com)
Posted in Platformers, Multiplayer, Windows | 3 comments
Posted by Tim
Fri, 26 May 2006 20:00:00 GMT
I’m O.K. is an effort which came about after a couple of designers had read Jack Thompson’s proposal for a violent videogame as a charity benefit. Based on the draft that Thompson had written, the story of Osaki Kim (O.K.) can now be experienced by gamers around the world courtesy of Thompsonsoft.
Players get to control O.K. as he seeks vengeance for the death of his son by annihilating every single game designer alive. Gameplay is similar to SNK’s Metal Slug series, with the violence taken to an extreme level.
The list of usable weapons include uzis, shotguns, rocket launchers, machetes, molotov cocktails and a baseball bat. Weapons can be purchased from a shop at the end of each stage. To purchase items, the player has to earn coins in the bonus stage by shooting at shop customers.
There’s a lot of references to classic games of yesteryear which are fun to spot, though none will be revealed here for fear of spoiling the playing experience. Graphics do not disappoint, which isn’t much of a surprise considering that Derek Yu of Eternal Daughter fame is the team’s lead sprite artist.
The soundtrack can be downloaded from this site, with some secret information posted as well. Press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Enter on the main menu to access the easter egg.
Posted in Platformers, Windows, Freeware | 12 comments
Posted by dessgeega
Tue, 23 May 2006 02:20:00 GMT
within a deep forest is a freeware game that harkens back to the days of 16-bit design. it is lush and beautiful, drenched in twilight and ambience, with a mellow downtempo soundtrack. like many games of the 16-bit era, progress is tied to the unlocking of new abilities—new forms for your ball.
you’re a bouncy ball – holding A makes you bounce further, holding S makes you bounce less. different forms have different properties and abilities that need to be mastered. this game never lets lock-and-key design supersede skill – the game has no qualms about working you hard for your next upgrade, and then requiring you to get comfortable with it right away. be prepared to play many sections repeatedly until you get them right – instantaneous respawn keeps this from becoming too frustrating.
there’s a speedrun mode (and online low-time table) for players who finish the game, and a couple of unlockable bonus games for players who are thorough. completing the game the first time should be plenty satisfying, though.
Posted in Platformers, Highly Recommended, Metroidvanias, Windows, Freeware | Tags Nifflas | 48 comments
