Videogame Corner: A review of indie games
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Arts
There are a lot of indie games out there. Some games charge money to play, but most are free. I've compiled a list of three free computer games to give readers a taste of the booming indie game business. You can download each of these games by following the links on the Collegian website.
Knytt Stories
Instead of one storyline, "Knytt" has different worlds with different stories. These stories are very simple and serve the game well.
The game falls back onto the "Super Mario Brothers" formula, so there's a lot of jumping and a lot of deaths. But it never really gets frustrating. Instead, the game's atmosphere compels you to explore the world and gain new abilities.
There are many worlds for you to explore, too. Each one is different and challenging in its own way.
In fact, when you're done with the first few worlds you can create your own.
"Knytt," comes with a fairly complex level editor, but you can also download levels created by other users.
If you enjoyed "Super Mario Brothers," you should enjoy "Knytt Stories." It's a very simple, but enchanting game, and better yet, it's free.
Passage
"Passage," created by Jason Rohrer, is a very curious game. You only have five minutes to play it. That's it. Five minutes for you to live your character's life.
"Passage" is an artsy game that operates on many levels. If that's not your cup of tea, then skip to the next review now.
That said, "Passage" is more or less a game about mortality. When you die (and you will), the game is over. You can choose to marry in your life, or you can choose to live single.
Live single and you can access areas that you couldn't if married, but this comes at a cost: you will enjoy far fewer "treasures" in life by yourself.
Get hitched and you're stuck with your wife for your five-minute life. Not only that, but you can't access areas that you could if you were single, and navigating a maze with your wife can be very frustrating. But the points you gain while being married are much more valuable.
The goal of the game is to get as many points as possible, but this, like the rest of the game, is open to interpretation.
"Passage" is a great game for discussion and for the curious.
Synaesthete
"Synaesthete" is a music-based game developed by students at DigiPen Institute of Technology.
"Synaesthete" merges "Guitar Hero" gameplay with a shooter. And it works. Before long, you'll find yourself bumping to the euro-techno that evolves as you play.
However, there are a couple problems.
Sometimes the game throws poetic text onscreen as you complete each section within a level. The text is supposed to enhance the game, but it distracts more than anything else. It's also too easy; you can go through the game without dying once.
Still, the experience is ultimately rewarding - even if it's mostly because of the music.
The links as promised:
Passage
Knytt Stories
Synaesthete
Enjoy!
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
Knytt Stories
Instead of one storyline, "Knytt" has different worlds with different stories. These stories are very simple and serve the game well.
The game falls back onto the "Super Mario Brothers" formula, so there's a lot of jumping and a lot of deaths. But it never really gets frustrating. Instead, the game's atmosphere compels you to explore the world and gain new abilities.
There are many worlds for you to explore, too. Each one is different and challenging in its own way.
In fact, when you're done with the first few worlds you can create your own.
"Knytt," comes with a fairly complex level editor, but you can also download levels created by other users.
If you enjoyed "Super Mario Brothers," you should enjoy "Knytt Stories." It's a very simple, but enchanting game, and better yet, it's free.
Passage
"Passage," created by Jason Rohrer, is a very curious game. You only have five minutes to play it. That's it. Five minutes for you to live your character's life.
"Passage" is an artsy game that operates on many levels. If that's not your cup of tea, then skip to the next review now.
That said, "Passage" is more or less a game about mortality. When you die (and you will), the game is over. You can choose to marry in your life, or you can choose to live single.
Live single and you can access areas that you couldn't if married, but this comes at a cost: you will enjoy far fewer "treasures" in life by yourself.
Get hitched and you're stuck with your wife for your five-minute life. Not only that, but you can't access areas that you could if you were single, and navigating a maze with your wife can be very frustrating. But the points you gain while being married are much more valuable.
The goal of the game is to get as many points as possible, but this, like the rest of the game, is open to interpretation.
"Passage" is a great game for discussion and for the curious.
Synaesthete
"Synaesthete" is a music-based game developed by students at DigiPen Institute of Technology.
"Synaesthete" merges "Guitar Hero" gameplay with a shooter. And it works. Before long, you'll find yourself bumping to the euro-techno that evolves as you play.
However, there are a couple problems.
Sometimes the game throws poetic text onscreen as you complete each section within a level. The text is supposed to enhance the game, but it distracts more than anything else. It's also too easy; you can go through the game without dying once.
Still, the experience is ultimately rewarding - even if it's mostly because of the music.
The links as promised:
Passage
Knytt Stories
Synaesthete
Enjoy!
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
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