Hermitgames releases Fren-ze. A demo is available for download.

Cryptic Sea's Blast Miner will be released on the 14th of September, which is less than two weeks away.

Gnome's Lair reports on a new PSP homebrew game entitled Visiting Day. There's a playable beta version online as well.

Matt Thorson of Jumper fame is currently working on a new game.

Information on Trouble Witches, the new shooter from Studio Siesta has been posted on their web site.

The Retro Remakes Competition is about to end and JIG's Game Design Competition was just over. Click here for an outdated competition update. (entries in green from this list are completed remakes)

Notable mentions are Submachine Zero and Gateway.

Good time to catch up with some of the best indie games released over the past few months.

There's a new demo for the latest platformer from Team GrisGris. [Dread Lock review]

Click here for information on how to download from the Vector site.

Bernie is really close to finishing his latest platformer, entitled Darkside Adventures. Expect a release in the next few days. [Skyhammer, Cedric and the Revolution, A Game with a Kitty review]

[Discuss]

Nanoscape is a decent shooter which has you piloting a ship and seeking escape from an underground cavern by destroying all enemies in each catacomb. Options in the shape of dark triangles can be collected for increased firepower. A number is shown next to each enemy to indicate their current health. Pretty fun.

Name: Nanoscape
Developer: Yarhalla
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Mind's Eye is an adventure game by ProgZmax, one of the best sprite designers in the AGS scene. His body of work includes portraits in Duty and Beyond, plus new sprites for Dave Gilbert's The Shivah Deluxe.

Interface problems mar this solid effort. There's no proper menu for the title screen, and the load option can only be brought up by using the F5 function key. The setting of the story is rather dark, but fans of Yahtzee's 1213 series will feel right at home. You assume the role of Noah, a sick amnesiac seeking escape from an asylum.

There's one or two arcade sequences which shouldn't trouble most players. Rather short in length, unfortunately.

Name: Mind's Eye
Developer: Shane Stevens
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB

Kairuga is a short shooter demo by Kairos, featuring the iconic gameplay system from Treasure's Ikaruga. You can switch the polarity of your ship by pressing the X key to absorb enemy bullets with the same color and charge your special weapon. The emphasis is on scoring where destroying three enemies of the same color in a row will earn you one chain, and bonus points are awarded for getting a high number of chains.

The only drawback to an otherwise brilliant shmup is it's length, with only one level on showcase.

Name: Kairuga
Developer: Kairos
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB

WarMachine Overload is a freeware shmup developed by DHC, featuring nicely drawn 2D sprites and backgrounds.

Collect blue power-ups to charge your beam weapon and activate it by pressing the X key. Use the left shift key to enable the slow motion mode. Option positions can be configured from the main menu and selected in-game using the C key.

Name: WarMachine Overload
Developer: DHC
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

The trend of making escape the room games using Flash, featuring cheap scares and reusing the same old story is killing adventure productions with original ideas rather quickly. The new game from RPGCreations has interesting characters, beautiful backgrounds and a chilling atmosphere thanks to an excellent soundtrack. In Missing, you play the role of an ex-cop in search of his missing wife and child with only a handful of clues as leads.

Most players will struggle with the controls at first but persistence is rewarded with one of the best stories this year. It's important to note that save games are only allowed in your room and nowhere else. This is only because the music doesn't work properly when a previous game is restored, especially when the save was created in other places besides your initial starting point.

Moving your character around can be rather confusing, though a little experimentation will solve that problem in a matter of minutes. A short animation preceeds several room transitions, but this is understandable as it creates a sense of immersion for the players. Including an option to skip these parts will only dilute the experience.

Tension builds up rather quickly after the protagonist settles into bed for the first night. There's a mystery to solve and a few twists in the story that will keep you playing right till the end. At least one easter egg can be found, hinting at a story that may not be as linear as it seems.

A real pleasure to play. Full marks for one of the best games of it's kind.

Name: Missing
Developer: RPGCreations
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 3MB

It's just a character drawn in pixels, moving 3D crates on a 2D plane. But still, The 3-D Adventures of Crate Boy is a pretty good puzzler which doesn't take long to solve. Stack blocks to reach the exit, usually located on a higher ground.

Press the space key to pick up or drop a crate, and use the left shift key for a quick restart. You've reach the end once a secret code is revealed.

Name: The 3-D Adventures of Crate Boy
Developer: Tokyoma
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Nobuyuki Forces 3 is an excellent rail shooter by SKT Software, developer of several other flash games made available from the same site. A mix of gameplay elements from both Virtua Cop and the Time Crisis series, you're cast as a female super agent on a mission to take down a powerful political leader and put a stop to his nefarious plans.

Use the mouse to aim and left click to shoot with the space key held down. To hide behind walls, just let go of the space key. Left click again when you're behind a wall to reload your gun. Several power-ups can be collected which allows for more bullets in your chamber, restores health or even increases it's maximum limit.

Titles can be earned depending your play style, plus enemies can be shot repeatedly for a points bonus. A boss awaits at the end of each stage as well. To begin playing, just click on either the first or second link on the web site.

Name: Nobuyuki Forces 3
Developer: SKT
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Jex Hell Fire is another decent shooter by Ham Corossam which features extremely detailed 2D sprites. There's not much to the gameplay besides a simple shot button, but you do get to replenish your shields by collecting bonus items.

Press the F2 function key to view in full screen. There are three boss fights in the easy and medium difficulty, with a set time limit of four minutes. Choosing the Struggle Jaguar difficulty increases the allocated time to allow for additional boss encounters.

Click here to download.

Name: Jex Hell Fire
Developer: Ham Corossam
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

The aptly titled Quaint Room is a Flash escape game by MOFU2, also the developer of Swan's Room. This production is rather short in length, but puzzles are much easier compared to it's predecessor.

As usual, the music is great and credits are pretty fun to watch. A walkthrough is available from the forums.

Name: Quaint Room
Developer: MOFUYA
Category: Adventure
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Swan's Room is another Flash escape game by MOFU2, featuring decent music and room design but rather difficult puzzles. Players familiar with Takagi's efforts would be right at home with this one.

There's a tricky timed sequence near the end but nothing too worrisome with a walkthrough in hand, available from the forums.

Name: Swan's Room
Developer: MOFUYA
Category: Adventure
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Mobai Room is the latest Flash escape game by MOFU2, developer of two other efforts with similar gameplay. Originally a mobile version, it's screen size had been reduced for the intended platform but still playable using any internet browser. There are also less items and objects, with very little to get excited about.

As usual, the walkthrough is available from the forums.

Name: Mobai Room
Developer: MOFUYA
Category: Adventure
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Extermination Disco Nation is a sample project by Kyle Gabler, developer of Super Tummy Bubble and Tower of Goo. Not much of a game but it does demonstrate the use of a dance pad very well. Controls are mapped to the QWEASD keys while pressing 3 skips the instructions.

Step on all of the animated characters to complete each level. The 1 and 3 keys can be used to rotate the area.

Name: Extermination Disco Nation
Developer: Kyle Gabler
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB

+Cebo is a new shooter by Alice from Japan, and as described by postman this is how Rez would probably look like if it was ever turned into a true shmup. A shield can be activated to negate enemy bullets, though it requires a recharge after a certain number of uses. Hold the Z key to shoot and press the X key to protect yourself momentarily.

Conversations can be skipped by pressing the V key. To play in full screen, change the first option in the configuration menu located just above the resolution select field. The trial version can be a little tricky to download, just find the word 35MB on the web site and click on it. Look for a pCEBO.zip file under the pCEBO folder, which contains the game after unzipping the demo package.

I've recorded a gameplay video and uploaded it to YouTube. Had originally planned to complete the stage without any damage but I got pretty lazy towards the end.

Name: Cebo
Developer: Alice from Japan
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 35MB

Creative Crafting is another Experimental Gameplay Project that explores the notion of a smithing module for MMORPGs. The idea is to make tools of destruction by striking hot coals with your hammer when they magically appear on each weapon.

Equipments made are then traded for gold, and once you are financially sound an apprentice can be hired to create items previously crafted. Just click on the portrait next to each weapon to save you from the tedious work.

Not much of a game here though I'm quite certain that this is probably more fun than slaying dragons or orcs online.

Name: Creative Crafting
Developer: Cellulaer
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

Blue Wish Resurrection is the latest shmup from upcoming developer x.x, although this build only showcases one stage. Pre-rendered sprites are larger than his previous efforts, and the game is playable in full screen. To activate this option, first set up your PC to display Japanese text and edit the screen.txt file using MS Word or a similar application. Change the first value from 1 to 0 and save the file.

Name: Blue Wish Resurrection
Developer: x.x
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Overdrive is a shooter made by Jordan Browne using Game Maker, which can be quite difficult to play partly due to it's restrictive controls. Your ship can only move in four directions, and a key press is required for each shot.

But the game does has it's own charms, for example the introduction of boss battles every five stages or so and multiple enemy types which are different in each level. The unlockable menu can be activated by holding the left shift key and pressing Z at any time, although it is quite beatable without any cheats whatsoever.

Name: Overdrive
Developer: Jordan Browne
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

Shoot the Core database updated with fifteen new entries.

x.x releases a new shmup entitled Blue Wish Resurrection. [Eden's Edge, Blue Wish, Green Wind review]

A 70MB demo for The Exchange Student is now available.

Game pages for Airdoo and The Cleaner added to darthlupi's web site. [Airdoo review]

Some new games added to Alawar's list of projects in development.

GameTunnel's August Round-Up is now available.

The voice pack for King's Quest III remake is out.

Cassette 50 updated with one new addition.

A demo for the first episode of Space Renegades is now available from the United Minds Games web site.

Raidien Phaec is the title of Hermitgames' next project. They just need to finish it after releasing Fren-ze.

HackIT released, an IGF competition entry from last year. Download link can be found here.

Missing is an excellent adventure game that uses an interface made popular by ICOM classics, such as Shadowgate or the Deja Vu series. In it, you play the role of an ex-cop in search of his missing wife and child with only a handful of clues as leads. Controls will take a bit of getting used to, and save games are only allowed in your room.

The music is great, and sound effects are well placed in most places for added atmosphere, especially when things start to get rather hairy after the first night. This is pure gold for adventure fans.

It's heartwarming to know that Missing is an indie game production which was originally inspired by another.

Name: Missing
Developer: RPGCreations
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 3MB

Alphasix is a 2D overhead game made in Game Maker, which combines elements from different genres. It's at heart an overhead fighting game, similar to the Street Fighter series: you choose one of five characters and battle in one vs. one battles until you defeat all the others.

But instead of martial arts, you use guns, knives, grenades, mines, and danmaku (bullet curtain) attacks -- inspired by the Japanese genre of the same name. These are special bullet patterns composed of hundreds of bullets which you or your opponent must move around and avoid being hit by.

There are eight difficulty levels, thirty stages, and forty-five danmaku attacks. The controls are a bit complex and the game make take a few hours to get the hang of (a tutorial mode was provided to help ease the learning curve).

The gameplay video can be watched here.

Name: Alphasix
Developer: RPGCreations
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB

Warning: Contains strong language.

Normally I don't approve of swearing but the first episode of The Arsecast is pretty good.

Have a look at the site. It's just a plain white background and normal text in black! Now this is the kind of template I approve wholeheartedly. I'll post all the indie podcast links on the planet in the forums soon. [Retro Remakes Competition Update, Poyo, Pushover, Armadillo Run, Lyle in Cube Sector review]

Update: added our first poll. Vote for your best indie podcast! (requires registration, but think of the advantage. You get to choose the username you want!)

I've uploaded a gameplay footage of MaWaRu Maid-san wo Nemigi to YouTube, a Comiket 70 release which parodies the WarioWare series.

What follows in the video is an appearance from King of the Cosmos, the highness himself (from Katamari Damacy and I Love Katamari). Then some mini games featuring characters from the Touhou series (Touhou Soccer, Mega Mari, etc.)

The first boss fight is actually a very nice clone of Spartan X (known in the States as Kung Fu Master), more faithful than Babarageo's Great Kung Fu. Unfortunately it's only one level long. The cutscene in the last area introduces a character who is barely dressed, and a short tribute to Akuma from Street Fighter.

Some notable appearances include an Afterburner clone and Lethal Application.

A short review was posted back in January, and a demo is available from the official web site. Just click on the red button with the word 'C69' to download the trial version.

Another Comiket 70 release, RefRain Prism Memories is a rather poor effort when compared to shmups from other developers. Granted it's only a demo with only one difficult boss fight, though that's no excuse for RebRank to showcase mesmerizing bullet patterns and little of anything else.

Bullets fired by the player doesn't seem to cause damage, and the collision detection itself requires plenty of work. Certain enemy projectiles can destroy your ship just by grazing any part of it, while others will only have an effect if it touches the hit point.

Name: RefRain Prism Memories
Developer: RebRank
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: not available yet, but there's a gameplay video.

First, some screenshots for buloght's latest project, The Family Treasure 2.

[buloght's past projects: Knightsquire, The Family Treasure, Sven Gordan Paranormal Parody, A Knight's Pursuit review]

Heartland Deluxe is currently in production, originally an OROW competition entry. [other OROW competition entries: Heartland, The Heist, Gunshot in Room 37, The Loathsome Man, Hallway of Adventures review]

The Herculean Effort Productions web site has been finally updated with a new entry. The gang will work with Dave Gilbert of The Shivah fame to produce episodic Bestowers of Eternity adventures. The Apprentice III is still in early design stages. [The Shivah review]

Babarageo gets a big update, in the form of an english web site! All the instructions can now be understood. [Babarageo STG Banner, Great Kung Fu, Death Vader review]

Not really. Just a halloween mod that Oddbob had been planning to develop. Grid Wars is not only a swell game, but it can be easily modified too.

Mark Incitti of Grid Wars fame was recently interviewed by Eurogamer.

He is also currently putting the finishing touches on a 360 shooter entitled Polarity. Expect it to be released next month. [Geometry Wars clones]

Al Emmo will be released at the end of August.

More games added to Cassette 50. Now featuring nineteen of the worst games ever.

The Retro Remakes competition will end on 31st of August. You bet I will be there trying out all 150 entries (assuming they all finish developing their games) and reviewing the best ones.

The 3rd Shmup-Dev Competition will begin on 1st of Sept, and ends on Jan 1st 2007. Remember to sign up for this one, 'cause the 1st prize winner will net a cool $250! (among other prizes, of course)

The theme is... ooh, you nearly caught me there. :)

I've created a forum due to requests, but if no one uses it then I will probably take it offline.

From the author of Mahjongg Solitaire comes DHTML Sudoku. Not Sudoku Deluxe, nor Sudoku Special Edition. This is probably the most accessible Sudoku version available, plus it's free. The fact that you're able to read this post means that you're already equipped to play it. No downloads, long waits or messy interfaces. No Flash version upgrades or Java installations.

I'm not a fan of Sudoku but simplicity, I can appreciate. Click on a square, type in a number and attempt to fill all the blanks correctly. Then click on verify to find out if you're correct. You can even print it! Wonderful creation, especially considering that all puzzles are randomly generated and not drawn from a database.

Name: DHTML Sudoku
Developer: Thomas Weibel
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser
Size: Less than 1MB

Hallway of Adventures is an AGS game originally developed by Mordalles for the fourth One Room One Week competition, acting as a prelude for the upcoming Chronicles of the Red Knight. You find yourself playing the role of a jester in this one, attempting to solve the mysteries of the library in order to retrieve the Books of Good and Evil.

The puzzles can be rather perplexing, which may lead to a number of players searching for hints in the AGS forum.

Name: Hallway of Adventures
Developer: Mordalles
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

The Idolmaster Minigame Collection, also known as AiMasu Champ, is a decent WarioWare clone with a raunchy twist. Play games ranging from strip poker but using Janken rules (rock paper scissors), a vertical shooter stage, classic handheld level, a simplified version of Mr. Driller, Minesweeper, Mahjong and many more. A complete list can be found on the site.

There's a trial version playable through your browser, but unfortunately carries a limitation of three minigames. One requires the player to arrange cards with pictures of girls in their swimwear, in the order of the largest cup to the smallest starting with the left position.

Name: The Idolmaster Minigame Collection
Developer: SYGNAS
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Chiebura is the latest release by Nepia World, developer of the Snake variant named Mimizu Panzer among other projects. The story begins with a girl who jumps into a local bath with her cat to save her grandfather from drowning. The water will attempt to suck you in as well if your feet touches it, but fortunately you can use the feline to grab hold of magical dots and swing around them.

Shooting is never steady but can be roughly controlled with a bit of practice. An unconventional but surprisingly playable game.

Name: Chieri
Developer: Nepia World
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: not available yet, but there's a gameplay video.

Fren-ze will be released on the 20th of August. Click here for more screenshots.

The new football season is about to start, so Addictive 247 Games is getting in the game with a new development blog for their latest production called Addictive Football. [Cave Jumper review]

Grappa Pixel Tea releases a new 30sec video of Soft Landing in action for download.

Buster's latest post has been translated by Shih Tzu. Thanks again!

Swarm Racer updated to version 2.0, which was originally a Ludum Dare entry by lexaloffle. Click here for a complete list of all notable entries from the previous Ludum Dare competition. [Swarm Racer review]

Nekodamari is a Comiket 70 release from Ichigo-Citron, developer of several other shooters such as Melon Squash, Feather Raid and Kapra W: The Road to Al-De-Baran. A departure from their previous releases, this is basically a Buster Bros clone with a smooth frame rate, levitation and magical portals that can be used to transport your character to higher ground.

A pretty good update which includes a two player mode as well.

Name: Nekodamari
Developer: Ichigo-Citron
Category: Action
Type: no demo yet

Kapra W: The Road to Al-De-Baran is another shooter from Ichigo-Citron, creator of Melon Squash and Feather Raid. Your character can level up to withstand more hits and cast stronger spells by gaining experience points for each stage completed.

Hold the Z key to shoot and press the X key to cast a spell. Tap the left shift key to activate your special attack, which requires a recharge after each use.

Name: Kapra W: The Road to Al-De-Baran
Developer: Ichigo-Citron
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 15MB

D-Bug is a new top-down shooter by DiezelPower Studios, which plays much like Crimsonland but with better 3D graphics. You assume the role of a soldier stranded on an alien planet, with survival as your only objective.

The option to use a dual analog controller is strangely absent, although the keyboard and mouse combination works perfectly well. Perks are now known as modifiers, with over twenty skills to choose from. Press space to pause the game and make your selection.

Unlike other demos, the trial period is not limited to one hour. There are two other playable modes on offer besides campaign. A nice diversion while the wait for Dogtag continues.

Name: D-Bug
Developer: DiezelPower Studios
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 20MB

Solomon's Key Remake has the same gameplay found in Tecmo's 1986 release, except with updated graphics and a better frame rate. The inclusion of level codes is a welcomed addition, allowing progress to be saved periodically. Some bloke had conveniently included all the information you ever need to know about it in a Wikipedia entry.

This particular effort may not appeal to younger gamers but owners of the original NES port will be delighted with this find. Simply click on the U.K. flag to change the language to English. Press the Z key to create or destroy blocks and use the X key to jump. Collect the key in each level to open the exit. Sounds simple, but as you will discover rather quickly it's not acknowledged as one of the most difficult platformer without proper credentials.

Name: Solomon's Key Remake
Developer: Zikitrake
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB