Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 16 May 2008 16:46:00 GMT
Two new mini-games released by cactus recently! The first is Kryzta, an “anti-shooter” where you defeat your enemies with their own bullets. Collect the power-ups they drop to shield yourself (or press “Z” to unleash a devastating attack with them). Its fun and fast, and features another great track from John Marwin (the musician behind Clean Asia).
The second game, Precision, is all about precision platform jumping. The way jumping works in this game is interesting, though – you have no control over the jump while in mid-air. The length of your jump is determined entirely by your velocity when you leave the ground. It definitely makes it challenging to get through the game’s seven levels, but fortunately, your character leaves a trail which can be reviewed with each successive attempt.
Obviously I’m already a big fan of cactus (some have argued unfairly so!), but I feel like these two games, aside from being imbued with cactus’s inimitable style, do a great job of exploring the nuances of the game mechanics they employ with such needlepoint focus. And the fact that he can make these games so quickly (6 hours for Kryzta) reminds me that we’re at the point where game development can really be as spontaneous as doodling with pen on paper. Sweeeeeet.
(Source: Tim, via the IndieGames.com blog)
Posted in Highly Recommended | Tags cactus, JohnMarwin | 4 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 02 May 2008 14:54:00 GMT
BDTUW is looking good! Made by Lo-Fi Minds for our VGNG Competition, the actual compo entry was a sweet promise of something more… much more! This vid drops its trousers a little lower, revealing brand new areas, characters, and mechanics. Yum!
On the Lo-Fi Minds blog, cactus explains that the aspect ratio has been changed to accommodate HD.
(Source: Tim, via the IndieGames.com blog)
Posted in Platformers, Videos, Previews | Tags cactus, LoFiMinds | 40 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:57:00 GMT
Dear cactus has released another shoot ‘em up. Ad Nauseum 2 (direct download) features seizurific special effects, some slightly obscene artwork, and a soundtrack that I’m pretty sure is meant to induce bowel movements. It’s also very easy to die. You have been duly warned.
For those new to cactus, you may want to try out Cactus Arcade (direct download), a collection of 17 of his games, including a handy interface for playing them.
(Thanks a lot for the tip, Bas! And to the various peeps that brought Cactus Arcade to my attention.)
Posted in Shoot-em-ups, Windows, Freeware | Tags cactus | 28 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:32:00 GMT
cactus and VilleK have set up a new blog for Lo-Fi Minds. Their inaugural post has screenshots and descriptions for their two current projects, Brain-Dead Toon Underworld (made for our VGNG Compo), and Secret Agent Hotel. Both games look/sound absolutely fantastic, natch.
I also thought this would be a good time to make a request for donations to our friend cactus. I’ve gotten more value and excitement from all his games than your average triple-A mainstream title. His work inspires me every day as a game designer and an artist.
cactus is incredibly creative and talented, but could definitely do more to market himself. But I really wonder if he should have to? Shouldn’t being good at making games be enough to make games for a living? I think so. And I’m dreaming about alternative business models to let people like cactus make great freeware and keep at it.
But until then, let’s give a little back to this supercool dude and support him on his quest to entertain and amaze us! Everyone who met him at GDC fell in love with him (for some coughBrandoncough, it was romantic love). He’s a really nice, genuine guy, who just wants to make games and be happy. It would be awesome for cactus to be able to put all his energy into being himself and not have to get a ho-hum job to make ends meet.
I’m putting in $20 to start, and suggesting $5-$20 donations from those who want to. We can’t easily keep track of how we’re doing, but feel free to post a comment letting us know why and/or how much you donated. I hope you do!
Donate here! (PayPal link at the bottom of the page.)
Posted in Nerd Love, Community, Developers | Tags cactus, LoFiMinds, VilleK | 92 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:07:00 GMT
Mark (aka Colonel Klink), cactus and Derek
GDC Proper doesn’t begin until Monday, but tonight I met Mark “Golds” Johns and Jonatan “cactus” Söderström at San Francisco International Airport. cactus is staying with me through GDC. His game, Clean Asia, is nominated for two IGF awards: Excellence in Visual Art and Excellence in Audio.
Speaking of which (via cactus’s website):
Me (Cactus) and VilleK of Z Game Editor has decided to try our hands at a joint effort to start up a business as independent game developers. This has been under the works for the past few months and we’ve got some things in the works, but for now they’ll remain secret a bit longer.
Some of you will be glad to hear that this will eventually lead to games not made in Game Maker. Which amongst other things could mean creations that will be playable on Mac and Linux.
Feel free to bookmark our site
lofiminds.com for further updates. Not much there right now, but we’ll try to post updates frequently once I return from
GDC/IGF.
Alright, yes! cactus, as you might imagine, is a pretty chill guy. And yes, Mark, they do have donuts in Sweden. I told the lady at my local donut shop that Mark and Jonatan also make video games, and she was like “so you’re all game buddies?” HA. Well, time to go play with Mark’s Wii (cough)...
It’s really awesome to know that all these TIGS people are going to be at GDC this year. Seriously, if you can’t make it next week, try to be here in 2009. Or at any events where TIGer’s might be… see you tomorrow!
Posted in Community, IGF / GDC | Tags cactus, Golds | 25 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:07:00 GMT
Another week, another game from the almighty cactus! This time you play as an angry, gun-toting ninja, trying to get his money back from his conniving accountant. Run, jump, gun, and grenade through 8 short-but-sweet levels. Getting used to wall-jumping and wall-climbing takes a little while, but once you do, it’s a blast. Ceiling kills for the win!
Add to that an online high score list (can you guess who’s number one?), and you’ve got a really addictive little platformer.
I love the graphics and sound… this could be one of my favorite cactus games yet!
(Source: Tim, via The Indie Games Blog)
Posted in Platformers, Highly Recommended, Windows, Freeware | Tags cactus | 26 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:08:00 GMT
Trippy visuals and a pretty ridiculously catchy tune are infused in SeizureDome, a new overhead arena shooter from indie wunderkind cactus. Use WASD and the mouse to control your character, who must avoid getting pushed into the borders by his nude opponents. Chain combos, power-ups, naked people… this game’s got it all. But it did get slightly repetitive for me after a few playthroughs!
Be sure to check out the high score list here. Who will dethrone the mysterious warrior known only as “FAGGOTBITCH?”
(Source: Tim, via IndieGames.com)
Posted in Shoot-em-ups, Windows, Action / Arcade, Freeware | Tags cactus | 24 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:10:00 GMT
Speaking of cactus, here’s an interview that Gamelab did with him recently.
The visuals in my games are largely a result of trying to create something that looks cool while being easy to produce in necessary quantities. The sprites that I use in my games would probably look uninteresting and bland if taken out of their context. I like making them come alive through programming instead.
Posted in Community, Interviews | Tags cactus | 5 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:06:00 GMT
Our dear cactus has a new game out, called Psychosomnium. This “minor platform experiment” is about dreams, and requires more brain than brawn to get through its short, but intriguing, story. Fans of cactus (and experimental games in general) will probably enjoy it. I did!
Posted in Platformers, Unique / Bizarre, Windows, Freeware | Tags cactus | 30 comments
Posted by Tim
Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:14:00 GMT
Guess what – I don’t play the games I write about either. There isn’t a need to play anything by cactus to know that they’re gold.
Anyway, new game released. Go grab it!
direct download link
shield hiscore table
absorb hiscore table
Posted in Highly Recommended, Shoot-em-ups, Windows, Freeware | Tags cactus | 15 comments
