Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 5 - Knytt Stores on PC

Walking through the cavern, I come to a series of water falls, each more majestic and amazing than the last. The vegetation has taken on an alien appearance, rising in long twisting strands that seem to be topped with phosphorescent bulbs. Climbing up the walls and moving down a new corridor I find myself in peaceful underwater surroundings amidst a strangely constructed series of tunnels and paths. The way opens with new vegetation marking yet another change in my location. My surroundings show some signs of life, but a desolation begins to take hold. What are the machines doing to the world?


Knytt Stories is as much art as it is a game. It's beauty in simplicity. Each area is carefully crafted so that it provides a uniqueness that goes far beyond just looking and sounding different. Each area plays differently, taking on its own life and giving one the feeling of truly visiting someplace far from anywhere you have ever been. Knytt Stories is something of a pixel-perfect platforming nirvana, and though the accolades seem at odds with the humble presentation, it's hard not to write a list of superlatives when describing the game. The expandability of allowing others to add their own stories only serves to add to one of this year's most intriguing and enjoyable experiences.


Download Free here... http://nifflas.ni2.se/index.php?main=02Knytt_Stories&sub=01About

Source: Game Tunnel

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 6 - DarkSide

The planet rotates beneath me. Though small, this outpost is valuable, valuable enough for at least one person to protect it. Today that someone is me. Rounding the planet on a simple patrol, I blast off the space debris and look for enemies. Two cruisers today is all the action I've seen. I wonder if a larger attack is coming. Then on my next pass I see it-- high in the air on long legs, walking across the planet's surface and flanked by abduction craft. My craft trembles as I open a full volley of laser fire.


Flying around spherical planets seems to be in style this year. From Mario Galaxy to Super Stardust HD, we've been offered some great planetary romps. Darkside, while a bit different in its approach, is no different in its quality. It's a spectacular game full of those qualities that make gaming great. Though it doesn't have a deep story or some of the nuances that make some of the critics happy, she's got it where it counts. The gameplay is simply fantastic, offering up fast-paced shooting action that is exciting, rewarding and relentless. The graphics are amazingly good, belying the games 15mb size. The range of enemies and weapons complete the game as a tour de force that made DarkSide a top 10 game of the year as well as our 2007 Action Game of the Year.


Free Download here... http://www.pieyegames.com/DarkSide/Info.htm

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 7 - Mr. Robot for PC

HEL-9000 has been acting a little strange. First there were those weird job requests and then the shutting down of vital programs and robots. Finally came the death of a crew member while in stasis. Though there are many questions as to what is happening, one question has been answered, HEL-9000, the master computer running the ship, has become our enemy. Teaming up with other Robots who have been disconnected from the mainframe, we're setting out to save what is left of the colonists. Time is ticking and HEL has been alerted to our efforts. Our only hope is to fight our way through and break down the defense that HEL is creating.


Mr. Robot is a strange mix of a pseudo sokoban played isometricly and a super-cool RPG that feels futuristic and retro all at the same time. It's all glued together with an immediately engaging storyline, cool upgrades, unique items and innovative weapons that make the typical RPG "grind" of combat and leveling feel anything but repetitive. The space theme is complemented by lots of sci-fi geek references that will surprise you and bring a smile to your face. The game has been called one of the best Indie games ever, and it's a title well-suited to Mr. Robot.


Play here... http://www.moonpod.com/English/about_mr.robot.php

Source: Game Tunnel

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 8 - Galcon for PC Mac Linux

I've spread the empire too thin. In the hopes of quickly conquering my foes, I sent the fleet to every conquerable planet in the galaxy. The short-term gains of forming the largest empire composed of many small planets are starting to crumble. Other forces in the galaxy spent their efforts on a few large worlds, and the production of those giants far outstripped our own. Inevitably, one by one, each of our planets was captured. In the horizon I can see hundreds of fighters. The end has come.


Galcon is a bare-bones strategy game with simple rules that you fully grasp within minutes of playing. While its simple nature could lead you to think that there is no depth of strategy, the opposite is true. Galcon provides complexity in its simplicity, challenging players to quickly consider their resources, form ever-liquid strategy plans, and effectively engage in continual tactical combat. Taking over new worlds, using the additional resources to build more combat units, and then coordinating attacks to take advantage of the other player's actions in a galaxy full of combat creates a very exciting game of quick thought and strategy featuring massive battles with hundreds, and sometimes thousands of combat units, being destroyed in seconds. Galcon is brilliantly simple and wonderfully addictive tactical strategy game.


Download Free demo at... http://www.imitationpickles.org/galcon/index.html

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 9 - Scavenger

I probably should have left the generator intact. With all the turrets in this sector, knocking out the power seemed like a good idea. The dark tunnel in front of me reeks of danger. My ship's lights reach into the darkness, feeling through the black for signs of life. Slipping into a new room, the air grows stale. I stare carefully at my surroundings. The walls in front of me seem to be organic. The truth strikes me just before the creature does. Suddenly those turrets don't seem quite so dangerous.


Scavenger is one of those games that you can tell is going to be great from the moment you start the first level. It's the kind of game that really shows what indie gaming can produce. It has all the feeling (and difficulty!) of a great space shooter mixed with the creep and explore-adventure of some of the best FPS games, taking the player from carefully moving down the hall to a frantic firefight in a matter of seconds. With multiple difficulty levels that give the player completely different gameplay experiences, Scavenger is brilliant fun that shouldn't be missed.


Free Download here... http://www.pieyegames.com/Scavenger/Info.htm

Source: Game Tunnel

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 10 - Kudos Rock Legend

Fran needs to go. Everyone can see it. At the tryout, her grooving guitar made her an immediate 'must' for the band, but those were the early days: before the songs, before the gigs, back when we played any venue that would take us and practiced in Jim's garage. To be fair, we're not a household name yet, but we will be, we just need a little more oomph to take us over the hump. That means a new guitarist no matter what hardships we've gone through in the past to build friendships. Everyone in the band agrees, except Fran. Poor brilliant Fran, whose guitar licks helped open our first doors.


Rock Legend is the follow-up to Kudos, though the only similarity between the games is the interface. Rock Legend takes a completely different approach to becoming a guitar hero as it places you in charge of a band. Putting together a band is a blast, and working to get hit singles and sold-out shows is just the beginning. Players control every aspect of the band's life, from where they practice and what type of food they cater, to what type of music they listen to. For everyone who has ever wanted to hit the big time with their own band, Rock Legend is a must- play. It defines Indie.



Download demo here... http://www.positech.co.uk/rocklegend/index.html

Source: Game Tunnel

Aquaria wins Game of the Year at Game Tunnel's 6th Annual Independent Games of the Year Awards

Gliding ahead of the pack, Aquaria was the 2007 winner of the Independent Game of the Year award. The award, the culminating event of Game Tunnel's 6th Annual Game of the Year awards, is given each year to the most outstanding Independent Video Game.



The Independent Game of the Year awards have been established to honor ingenuity, innovation and excellence in Independent Games. This year's awards began December 11th with the Sports Game of the Year award and have continued through 3 weeks and 13 categories finishing with the Top 10 Independent Games of the Year and Aquaria taking the top spot.

Previously a winner at the Independent Games Festival, Aquaria's visual style captivated reviewers at Game Tunnel almost as much as the innovative gameplay. Featuring a spacious underwater world of striking beauty and haunting music, Aquaria is a unique experience that embodies all for which Independent Games are recognized.

"Independent Games are known for pushing the boundaries of gaming, providing an experience that is singular and different," said Russell Carroll, Editor-In-Chief at Game Tunnel. "We are excited every year for the opportunity to play these wonderfully original and inventive games and are happy to award winners in multiple categories to celebrate their achievements."

An article providing descriptions, links, and downloads to all the award winners can be found at: http://www.gametunnel.com/article-661.htm. The list of all award categories and winners is as follows:

2007 Independent Game of the Year - Aquaria

Technical Categories:
Game of the Year: 

Graphics - Aquaria
Sound - Aquaria
Innovation - Determinance
Multiplayer - ThreadSpace: Hyperbol

Special Awards
Kid's Game of the Year - The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures
Player's Choice Award - Wonderland Adventures
Genres:
Action Game of the Year - DarkSide
Casual Game of the Year - Snapshot Adventures: Secret of Bird Island
Adventure Game of the Year - Aquaria
RPG Game of the Year - Depths of Peril
Sim Game of the Year - Venture Arctic
Sports Game of the Year - Reach
Strategy Game of the Year - Immortal Defense

About Game Tunnel
GameTunnel was created in 2002 to provide news and reviews on the Independent Gaming scene. Since its launch Game Tunnel has published over 800 reviews of Independent (or Indie as it is commonly known as) games. It's most popular articles include the monthly round-up of what's new in indie gaming, and the yearly Independent Game of the Year Awards.

Latest UK video games chart

All formats

(Full price) Week ending 29 December 2007

1 ASSASSIN'S CREED UBISOFT 2
2 FIFA 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
3 CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE ACTIVISION
4 THE SIMPSONS GAME ELECTRONIC ARTS
5 NEED FOR SPEED: PROSTREET ELECTRONIC ARTS
6 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008 KONAMI
7 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2008 THQ
8 GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK ACTIVISION
9 THE GOLDEN COMPASS SEGA
10 THE SIMS 2: CASTAWAY ELECTRONIC ARTS
11 KANE & LYNCH: DEAD MEN EIDOS
12 LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA LUCASARTS
13 SUPER MARIO GALAXY NINTENDO
14 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 08 ELECTRONIC ARTS
15 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. NINTENDO
16 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2008 SEGA
17 RATATOUILLE THQ
18 UNCHARTED: DRAKE'S FORTUNE SONY COMPUTER ENT.
19 MARIO PARTY 8 NINTENDO
20 TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY EIDOS

Ex Hitman programmers launch first video game - Deep Blue Sea Free demo download on PC and Mac

Former "Hitman" programmers launch their first casual game, Deep Blue Sea for PC and Mac, from their new game studio, The Game Equation.

The hit game, Deep Blue Sea, is the first release from the brand new game studio, The Game Equation. "After working on top-rated shooters for years, we were ready to work in a smaller company and make smaller games. We started to notice how people with our background were making top hits in the casual games industry," explains Brian Meidell, co-owner of the Copenhagen based company, The Game Equation. "We realized that the high end of the casual games industry was within our reach, and that the shorter product cycles and smaller company setting was exactly what we wanted. These are games that remind us of the ones we played when growing up," he smiles.



"We studied the different options, and decided on the match-3 genre for Deep Blue Sea,” explains Bo Cordes, co-owner of The Game Equation. “Our goal was to apply our knowledge and experience towards creating a casual game with totally smooth and responsive gameplay or, 'tight' gameplay as we call it." Deep Blue Sea’s initial sales and feedback indicate that they have accomplished just that.

One challenge was creating an original soundtrack that sets the mood throughout the game. "We knew from working on the internationally best-selling 'Hitman' series that the game’s sound and music mean a lot for its enjoyment, yet this is often the most overlooked element," Meidell clarifies. To this end, The Game Equation contracted a Danish composer, Rasmus Hartvig with years of experience creating music for films and theatrical productions, to create an integrated music and sound design for Deep Blue Sea.

"Making music and sound for computer games is a very different challenge from making music for films - you have to consider unusual factors like, 'would this be annoying to listen to after four hours,' and, 'what if these sounds are played simultaneously?' But I'm always up for a new challenge," says Hartvig.

Deep Blue Sea is the result of The Game Equation’s experienced approach and dedication to detail. Deep Blue Sea is available for PC and Mac, both versions retailing at $20.

22 level FREE download for Mac and PC

Deep Blue Sea and free demo for PC and Mac available here: http://www.thegameequation.com/games/deepbluesea/

MX v ATV Untamed - developer diary

By Brian Coonce, Principle Game Designer, Rainbow Studios

Over the past decade, Rainbow Studios has been hard at work fine-tuning the ultimate offroad videogame. As development has shifted from PCs and consoles to next-generation powerhouses, our vision of everything offroad has also expanded. Whereas previous games focused exclusively on MX bikes or ATVs, the latest iterations of the MX vs. ATV franchise have grown to include all of the offroad vehicles you might see during a weekend offroad outing, including sand rails, dune buggies and 4x4 golf carts. We then added the vehicles you’ve only dreamed about tearing through the outdoors in: trophy trucks, monster trucks, and the all-new ORV Sport.

While we packed in more machines, the greatest challenge has always been creating a competitive series where players can demonstrate their mastery over the vast variety of vehicles in the game. To this end, the design team created the all-new Opencross mode, a series of long-form races where the machines battle it out to determine who really owns the offroad.

The first thing you’ll notice in your first Opencross race is that these tracks are huge; in fact, they are the longest races you’ll find in MX vs. ATV: Untamed. Opencross allowed our track designers to take full advantage of Untamed’s massive open worlds. In a given race, you’ll travel across dams, over bridges, up narrow valleys and down steep cliff faces on your path to offroad domination. These courses were meant to serve up the toughest offroad challenge you will ever find, so don’t be surprised if you’re forced to battle for position through shallow river passes or across narrow natural rock bridges.

Although each vehicle is equally equipped to handle the harsh terrain, certain vehicles may have specific advantages depending on the environment. The wide open dust plains of Del Sol and Copper Valley are particularly well suited for the wide suspension of the sand rail and dune buggy. The shallow creek beds and rolling hills of Split Oak and Crawly Creek are easily soaked up by the monster truck’s giant tires. The sudden changes in elevation at Lakewood and Pine Lakes are quickly traversed by the light and nimble ORV Sport. The narrow back roads of Clearwater and Sutherlin Valley are the perfect opportunity to put miles behind you in a supercharged trophy truck. What vehicle and where you drive it is up to you as long as you can keep up with the competition.

Choose your path to offroad domination by downloading the demo today on Xbox Live Marketplace or the Playstation Network!