Rückblende (Flashback)

"This interactive animation movie was my diploma project in visual communication. The story of the film is about a man confronted with his childhood memories while walking around a summerhouse in the woods, where he used to spend the holidays with his parents. The more he dwells in his memories, a secret seems to be unravelling.

The surrounding and the inside of the house were built as a model, while the appearing characters from the memories were drawn with a pencil and animated with white lines on top of the photographed model – background." - Nils Deneken

- IGF student entry page

XED is a decent vertical shooter by BomB that will please veteran shmup fans, but drive beginners mad even at it's default difficulty setting. The game sports great pixel graphics and consistent frame rate, though only two continues are allowed for each game.

Hold the left shift key for spread shot, and use the Z key for concentrated firepower. Your special weapon can be charged by destroying enemy ships, then activated by pressing the X key. A stage select feature allows players to attempt levels previously completed. The config file can be used to change key configuration settings.

Name: XED
Developer: BomB
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Another Bound Neo is a freeware FPS which could be very difficult to pick up for non-Japanese speaking players. Use the W, A, S and D keys to control your suited protagonist. Hold the left mouse button to shoot, and press the space key to jump. Tap the F1 function key to display the location map.

Recharge stations also double as save points, easily spotted by it's green glow.

Name: Another Bound
Developer: Crystal Light Stage
Category: FPS
Type: Freeware
Size: 30MB
Direct download link: Click here

Buster is a new platformer by the creator of Akuji the Demon and Guardian of Paradise. Press the X key to slash, and tap the Z key to jump or double jump. Hold the C key to absorb collectibles.

To dash, simply tap the left or right cursor key twice in rapid successions. It is possible to scale walls vertically by doing a running jump, then quickly tap the Z key when your character is against the wall. You can also grab hold of certain walls by pressing the X key after executing this move.

The trial version features one level only.

Name: Buster
Category: Platform
Type: Demo
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here

Blast Force is a unique one switch shooter in which players can only move the ship either left or right using only a single key. The laser beam can be charged by holding down a button for about two to three seconds. The game features five stages, unique boss battles, bonus level and unlimited continues.

Name: Blast Force
Developer: igayori
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here

Waxy's Rocket Party is a new action game by the author of Ark 22, in which players have to guide a rocket carefully to the finish line found in each of the seventy levels offered. Use the left and right cursor keys to direct the ship, and hold both buttons to stabilize your ride. Press the F4 key to play in full screen mode.

Name: Waxy's Rocket Party
Developer: Srehpog
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Direct download link: Click here

Cave Story: Pixel had posted a collection of screenshots and images from a beta version of Cave Story (dated 2003) on his BBS. [direct download link]

Braid: Gameplay videos from Braid will be posted fairly soon.

Battle City X: Kostey D. is working on a new remake.

Mr. Mothball 2 is a simple one screen shooter from the author of Submachine and the Covert Front series.

A rather awkward game, considering that the boss battle is only initiated when you lose all your health to normal enemies.

Name: Mr. Mothball 2
Developer: Mateusz Skutnik
Category: Shooter
Type: Browser

Minubeat is a rhythm shmup; you have to use bomb and defense in sync with the beat. Press Z to shoot normally. X for homing bombs, C to clear screen from bullets. Use the F3 function key to switch colors. You have one minute to beat the game. The counter on your ship indicates the amount of time left.

Made in under twelve hours, and inspired by Linley's Garden of Coloured Lights.

Name: Minubeat
Developer: cactus
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Online hiscore table

Sam and Max Episode 4: Sam and Max Episode 4 - Abe Lincoln Must Die has been released as a free 80MB download (no strings attached), and will be available from major file hosting sites starting today. [FileFront mirror]

Release Dates

Metanet Software's N+: Raigan has confirmed that the Xbox Live Arcade version of N will be out in the coming weeks. Preview screenshots and a gameplay video will be posted soon.

Game Maker for Mac: Mac users will soon be able to test a beta of the Game Maker engine for their platform sometime in early 2008.

Updates

eXceed2nd-VAMPIRE REX-: The demo for TENNEN-SOZAI's Ikaruga-style shooter updated to version 0.02. Mirrors are located at the bottom of the page, just above the screenshots. Four stages playable in this 290MB trial release.

Storm Assault: Storm Assault updated to version 0.16.

Fraxy: mon's Fraxy gets a new update.

Articles

Unbound Interview: Dave Gilbert, Erin Robinson and Thomas Regin interviewed by AGS Ezine. [Wadjet Eye Games]

What's New in Indie: GameTunnel's monthly review article for the month of October is up. [Knytt Stories review]

Competitions

GameDev.net's Four Elements VI: GameDev.net's Four Elements VI competition themes have been announced. Participants are required to include three of the following four elements in their entries - ponies, accountants, crystals and explosions. Final submission date is on the 3rd of April 2008.

HSP Contest 2007: HSP (Hot Soup Processor) contest entries now available for download from this page.

Miscellaneous

Forest Planet: Shane Heres (Boomlands) is currently working on a couple of new projects.

Gish 2: New screenshot from the sequel to Gish posted.

Rat Cave is a new exploration game under development by the author of Death Worm. Take control of the protagonist as he enters a network of caves to find the mythic beast and slay it. This could prove to be slightly tricky as you're only allowed to carry four arrows on your noble mission.

Press the F1 function key to display all the instructions you need.

- Rat Cave
- Zombie Game Engine Test
- The Crypts of Despair

In DarkSide, players take on the role of a pilot hopping from one colony to another while attempting to complete a variety of mission objectives.

Use the left mouse button to shoot, and hold the right mouse button to jet around the landscape. Tap the middle mouse button to activate your smart bomb. Keep an eye on the radar as it can prove to be extremely useful when trying to figure out an enemy's position.

DarkSide is developed by George, the one man development team behind Pi Eye Games.

In Retrospec's Wizball remake, players have to shoot at enemies to collect red, green and blue paint. Grab green pearls to trade for firepower upgrades, acquire complete control over the main character's movements and also to summon Catellite. Hold down the fire button to guide Cat around the landscape, as paint droplets can only be collected by your spherical companion.

The config.txt file can be edited to enable full screen mode.

Name: Wizball
Developer: Retrospec
Category: Arcade
Type: Freeware
Size: 24MB
Gameplay video: Watch now