Independent Games, Pt. 2: Best of the Best

Mudfrost · Post by **Mudfrost** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:32 pm

Continuing the topic of one of my previous threads, I'd like to know which of the recent crop of independent games have blown you away. Which ones got your cash without regret?

The last one I bought was Warblade and I sure don't regret it. It's a Galaga fan's dream come true. Here's the link: http://www.warblade.as/index.asp

Give us your favorites. Only the best.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:08 pm

Well, Mount and Blade still hasn't gotten my money, but I'm certain it will at some point.

baron calamity · Post by **baron calamity** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:16 pm

I just don't get Mount & Blade love.

Anyways, for free Facade I really like. For $15 I thought Telltale' Texas Holdem was enjoyable.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:09 pm

Jets N' Guns.

Touch short, but increased difficulty levels give it legs.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:05 am

LawBeef, you just became my newest hero. This game is awesome.

Peacedog · Post by **Peacedog** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:10 am

Jets N Guns is pretty good. It suffers the way games like this often suffer - too many frivolous weapons and a couple that are badly overpowered (and they compensate for just making things towards the end insanely hard).

I enjoyed it, though.

Warblade is very good, IMO.

Also, this is the wrong forum for this topic.

Bad Demographic · Post by **Bad Demographic** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:07 am

This looks like a "must watch" thread to me (ohnoz! more games I'll want to buy!), but it should be in Games in General. Moving.

dfs · Post by **dfs** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:42 am

Not sure about the definition of independent.

Fate got my money.

It doesn't fit your recent qualification, but King of Dragon Pass was the last great game I played. A# still sells it on line. It isn't for everyone.

Oh yeah...from the original thread...I really enjoyed Oasis. I didn't enjoy it enough to actually pay for it once it came out, but I did enjoy it. If it had been "for sale" during the beta, I would have paid gladly.

Peacedog · Post by **Peacedog** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:54 am

Fate and KoDP would qualify as independant in my book.

KoDP is certainly not for everybody. It's a brilliant game though. I think I might even argue it's the best example of game as art we've ever seen. It so perfectly blends a rich setting, a story, and a pretty nifty little board game all into one. It's damned hard, and not easy for people accustomed to a different kind of 4x game. There's not as much information available (on purpose, of course). There's so much more variability (you can head into a raid with a significant edge in warriors & thralls, and throw several magic points behind it, and still lose).

For my money, it's the most underrated game of the last 15 years.

JSL · Post by **JSL** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:14 pm

I haven't bought it yet, but Oasis seems really good.

http://www.oasisgame.com

For independent games I have paid for, these are great and each one is in a different game genre:

Classic Artillery Game with a lot of weapons:
Pocket Tanks

Awesome platforming action with a ball of tar:
Gish

Fantastic turn based strategy game:
Samurai

Classic shooter with exploration, upgrades, and a story:
Starscape

And for those who like to abuse themselves, there is this:

Mutant Storm

Mudfrost · Post by **Mudfrost** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:18 pm

I had trouble with the Gish controls (slow as dirt). It must just be me because the game has received many accolades. Can't imagine what I'm doing wrong.

Kobra · Post by **Kobra** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:55 pm

baron calamity wrote:I just don't get Mount & Blade love.

You ain't the only one.. I cringe when I see that thing brought up in a thread.

The best indy game i've ever played is easily War World.

http://www.warworld.net/

JSL · Post by **JSL** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 12:59 pm

Mudfrost wrote:I had trouble with the Gish controls (slow as dirt). It must just be me because the game has received many accolades. Can't imagine what I'm doing wrong.

I believe they have enabled Hyper mode by default now, which means it plays faster I think. I honestly have barely played the game (even though I preordered it over a year ago) as I was waiting for my new computer to play it and now I am busy playing HL2. I did play through the first set of levels previously though and it was fun and I didn't find it particularly slow.

Huw the Poo · Post by **Huw the Poo** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:15 pm

Kobra wrote:The best indy game i've ever played is easily War World.

http://www.warworld.net/

Woah, that looks cool. Cheers for the link!

Jeff Jones · Post by **Jeff Jones** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:04 am

Jeffrey LaMarche wrote:
Awesome platforming action with a ball of tar:
Gish

Loved this one, thanks for the link!

I had trouble with the Gish controls (slow as dirt). It must just be me because the game has received many accolades. Can't imagine what I'm doing wrong.

I noticed in the Gish manual, it said that if it was running very slowly, you may be having OpenGL video problems, and to get the latest video drivers for your card.

JSL · Post by **JSL** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:44 am

Jeff Jones wrote:
Jeffrey LaMarche wrote:
Awesome platforming action with a ball of tar:
Gish
Loved this one, thanks for the link!

You're welcome! 8)

Dodger Bullet · Post by **Dodger Bullet** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:12 pm

New here. Long time lurker.

Hope nobody mentioned this yet:

http://www.wikgame.com/

It's a great game, nice production and art direction.

Huw the Poo · Post by **Huw the Poo** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:07 pm

Yeah, I've mentioned Wik here before. It's absolutely brilliant innit? One of the more unique platformers I've played, and looks and sounds gorgeous.

Kobra · Post by **Kobra** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:39 pm

I'd like to add BreakQuest.

http://www.nurium.com/index.php

There really never needs to be another breakout type game made after this one.. It is brilliant - by all accounts.

Gumps · Post by **Gumps** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:52 pm

Gotta say I am loving Oasis...

Suitably Ironic Moniker · Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:15 pm

Kobra wrote:I'd like to add BreakQuest.

http://www.nurium.com/index.php

There really never needs to be another breakout type game made after this one.. It is brilliant - by all accounts.

I prefer Ricochet myself.

Caine · Post by **Caine** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:01 pm

EV nova is a great game for its small stature.

i would add starshatter if you go larger scale indie. it certainly started out small though.

Vesper · Post by **Vesper** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:21 am

Thanks to this thread, I bought Jets & Guns. Fantastic game -- works great on my MAME cabinet!

Also wanted to point this one out (linked from the J&G page). Desperate Space - Plays like a modernized Asteroids. Thinking about buying this one as well.