There's a new downloadable show on independent releases called Indie Superstar, produced by Dejobaan Games.

The omission of Shoot the Core and the2bears was rather strange, but we're glad they managed to squeeze us into the five minute show!

For podcasts, drop by StuffWeLike and Planetfreeplay.

Get your own Balrog wallpaper from the Cave Story LiveJournal.

Andrew Wooldridge is working on InfiniQuest.

Rag Doll Software will be releasing Rocky the Monkey soon.

If you have the time, please drop by Puppy Games and leave a word or two of support.

PEKPOK's games can be downloaded by clicking on the link in white found just above the banners. Scroll all the way down, then select the link that will take you to the Vector site.

The handy but sparse FAQ contains instructions on how to navigate Vector and find the files to download.

Yohsaku is an action game about a lumberjack skilled in martial arts. Instead of using machinery to chop down trees, your character has to punch and kick at just the right angle to cut them in half.

The animals don't agree with your action much, hence setting out to stop you in any way possible. Knock them out by timing your attacks carefully. Use the X key to punch, or press the C key to kick. An odd tribute to Karateka with Pitfall-like graphics.

Name: Yohsaku
Developer: PEKPOK
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 20MB

Color Puchi is a decent puzzler by PEKPOK, which looks like Pixelus and Guru Logi Champ at first glance but plays quite differently when compared to those two.

The square on the right dictates the pixel arrangement that you have to look for in the picture. Move the target frame around by using the arrow keys and press space when you've found it. There's an option to challenge either the CPU or another player, but the demo only features one level.

Name: Color Puchi
Developer: PEKPOK
Category: Puzzle
Type: Demo
Size: 50MB

Galamoss Arrangement is an updated version of the original Galaxian remake by PEKPOK, featuring a smaller screen and the barrage option which can be selected from the main menu for some bullet dodging practice. Your ship's color can be changed by pressing a different button to start a game. Press the C key to shoot and tap the Z key to launch a bomb.

Name: Galamoss Arrangement
Developer: PEKPOK
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 50MB

Galamoss is a decent Galaxian remake by PEKPOK, featuring updated 2D sprites and faster gameplay. Your weapon can be upgraded by collecting power-ups, but the trial version only features four levels and one bonus round.

Scroll down for the Vector download link, which can be found just above the banners.

Name: Galamoss
Developer: PEKPOK
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 30MB

Twinkle is an alright Game Maker production by Dark Sirrus featuring excellent use of special effects, although the novelty wears off rather quickly since it was originally made with short bursts of action in mind. Your task is to destroy all stars as they appear on screen or risk collision with these celestial bodies, which seem to gravitate towards you at an alarming speed.

Move the mouse around to aim and left click to fire a beam of destruction. The game ends when all health is depleted. That's about it really, although the developer promises a sequel with plenty of new features to be released in the near future.

Name: Twinkle
Developer: Dark Sirrus
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB

Warning: Contains strong language and graphic scenes.

The Farm is an interesting effort by Benedict Webb that is marred by several problems, mostly related to it's clunky interface. Similar to Amanita Design's Samorost series, graphics and backgrounds are made out of hand-drawn sprites and high resolution collages.

The story begins with a video cutscene which sets up the story really well. The scene then shifts to a dark cell, where you must help the protagonist escape from his mysterious captors.

Either the L, I or T key need to be pressed for any sort of interaction with objects and items. It's quite disappointing that a right click option to cycle through your choices wasn't implemented in this version, although the author had promised a change in future episodes. Hints can be found here.

Name: The Farm
Developer: Benedict Webb
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 120MB

Shoot the Core updated it's massive shmup database with 24 new entries.

Also, thanks again to Shih Tzu for translating Buster's latest post.

Buster writes, "Due to various circumstances, BUSTER's sale at the Daisou shops had to be cancelled. Instead, I'll be releasing two versions of the game, a 'Free' version and a 'Download' version. The price for the Download version hasn't been decided yet."

He also links to a friend's new shooting game; I think he's referring to Mole Reverse 2. (Mogura 2) - Shih Tzu

Perfect Run informs that Intercept and Mr. Blocko Super Tournament Edition will be made available for download soon. [Perfect Run, Mr. Blocko review]

J-Factor releases a new version for Soul Fighter. The trick is to shoot only when the enemy lowers it's shields. [New download link, Soul Fighter review]

New screenshot over at Buster's site, but no downloads yet.

New games: Sigma Team releases the Alien Shooter 2 demo. [click here to download trailer]

darthlupi releases The Cleaner.

Planetfreeplay presents a new interview with Frictional Games, the creator of Penumbra. [Penumbra review]

July edition of the Adventure Lantern launched, a free downloadable PDF magazine spotlighting adventure games both commercial and indie.

The slightly outdated interview with Creatrix Games can be found here. [Fashion Fable review]

The Games Page is working on a Shufflepuck Cafe remake. [Cave Jumper review]

Adventure Europe recently posted an interview with one of the developers of Al Emmo.

oddbob is currently posting about remakes on his blog.

Dangerous High School Girls in Trouble will be released by Mousechief sometime in early 2007.

White Elephant has a new contest going on. First prize winner gets a cool fifty.

New FTG art here. [view gallery]

Slash the Building is an incredibly fun competition entry by Liku, featuring a stick figure with a sword and plenty of structures to demolish. Like saturday morning cartoons, your blade can slash brick walls with ease by pressing the Z key rapidly.

Some parts of the building are reinforced with gold plating, requiring more hits than usual. Aim for the gray areas by moving your character around using the arrow keys. Tap the up arrow key to jump and gain some altitude, or hold the down arrow key to block any falling objects. As noted by Shih Tzu (thanks!), press the X key to execute a super move when the power meter is full. Scroll all the way down to find the download link.

Name: Slash the Building
Developer: Liku
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Light-Z is another decent shooter developed by Liku. Although it shares the same name as it's flash cousin, this effort does feature 2D sprites, more detail and longer gameplay.

Gain experience by destroying enemy ships to upgrade the special attack. Use the C key to choose the active secondary weapon, and hold the X key to reduce your ship's movement speed. Scratch enemy bullets to retaliate with double the firepower.

Name: Light-Z
Developer: Liku
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Light-Z Flash is a decent shooter by Liku, featuring abstract shapes quite common in a number of Japanese freeware releases recently. There's a time limit which you can temporarily pause by destroying enemy ships, and scratching bullets will launch shots with the ability to chase down any harmful objects.

Name: Light-Z Flash
Developer: Liku
Category: Shooter
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Reversi is a basic flash remake of the original board game, in which you can play against the CPU or another human opponent. A very sparse offering with no difficulty setting, but fortunately Liku has other releases on his web site.

Name: Reversi
Developer: Liku
Category: Puzzle
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Ancient Tome is an excellent action game by Pondwater that requires decent memory skills. The first few levels act as tutorials, providing subtle hints on the sequence of icons that is required for each attacking or defensive move.

Barely anything is explained in detail, and the number of sequences to memorize may overwhelm some but this particular effort will reward persevering players with a strangely fulfilling experience. The same developer was also responsible for producing the freeware typing hit Typogun.

Name: Ancient Tome
Developer: Pondwater
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

The developers of Painajainen had noted that this platformer was partly inspired by both of autofish's earlier efforts, namely seiklus and velella. Made in two weeks for a Finnish game competition, it chronicles the story of a boy trapped in his own dream.

Finding and getting butterflies to follow your character grants you special powers, with subtle hints on each ability provided on the same screen. Press enter to access the map and a progress chart. A few bugs exist but can easily be solved by pressing the E key for a quick return to the starting point. The save game area is located just next to it.

Name: Painajainen
Developer: Virtanen Games
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB