The final 2007 Best Of Features here on the IndieGames.com.blog, we're proud to present twenty of the best freeware shoot 'em ups released in 2007.

Horizontal, vertical or hybrid 2D and 3D shooters. Whatever your fancy, you'll find everything here as we unveil another twenty noteworthy shoot 'em ups from last year.

Best Freeware Shoot 'em ups 2007

  1. Varia
  2. MinishoterRS
  3. Garden of Colored Lights
  4. Return to Sector 9
  5. Prototype II
  6. Storm Assault
  7. Arcanacra Black Label
  8. Echoes
  9. Sonic Ironstorm: Fatal Attack
10. Honeyblaster
11. Fraxy
12. XED
13. Exception
14. Axion
15. Genetos
16. Kamiha
17. Gaism
18. Blast Force
19. Dotechin
20. Reincarnation

Stargirl & the Thief from the Exploded Moon is a new platformer by Bernie, developer of Darkside Adventures and Reactor 9. The game features plenty of secrets, hidden items and occasional boss battles as well.

Press the C key to jump, or hold the V key to increase running speed when available. The same button can also be used to grab and throw objects found in all levels. Press the return key to pause at any time.

Name: Stargirl and the Thief from the Exploded Moon
Developer: Bernie
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Two new gameplay videos added to Ookiblok's official web site.

An Untitled Story is a shareware platformer which was recently released as freeware by Matt Thorson, developer of the popular but frustratingly hard Jumper series. The game world is expansive but players with anything less than incredible reflexes would find it difficult to progress very far, since most of the challenges revolve around precision jumps and a knack for perfect timing.

Switching between full screen and windowed mode is only possible once a new profile has been created. Press the space key to bring up a pause menu, then choose the options tab to find this well-hidden feature.

Name: An Untitled Story
Developer: Helix Games
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB
Direct download link: Click here

Full guide for An Untitled Story

Raider and Repeler is a rather creative take on the shooter genre in which the player doesn't actually do any shooting. Instead, you must intercept the enemies fire and send it back at them. However, unlike other versions of this concept I have seen, you have to intercept ALL of the enemy fire. Any bullets or enemy ships that manage to escape off of the screen will cause your ship damage.

The visuals may not astound, but the game is simply a blast once you get the hang of it. Highly recommended.

(Note, the author's last name might not actually be Shirotama, that's my best guess as to the reading of his last name.)

Name: Raider and Repeler
Developer: Yukito Shirotama
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 8MB
Direct download link: Click here

From Gamasutra: There have been few indie gaming success stories as big as Dwarf Fortress, an ASCII freeware simulation game in which the player helps to establish and govern a colony of dwarves, as they construct a Moria of their own.

The scope of the game defies belief: it contains an extensive world generator, a three-dimensional cellular automata system for simulating fluids, naming languages for all major races, an economics simulation, and even a complete Adventure Mode in which the player can explore abandoned fortresses.

It's so detailed that large web communities have sprung up around the game, both on the developer's forums and Something Awful, where players trade stories about what happened in their games. Some of these stories have even become popular outside the game's community.

Amazingly for a game as rich as Dwarf Fortress, it remains the work of just two people, programmer Tarn "Toady One" Adams and his brother Zach. Tarn supports himself primarily with donations from Dwarf Fortress enthusiasts. In this interview, Tarn talks about the inspiration and origins of the game, and some of the finer points of its construction.

This interview was originally held over a private IRC conversation, and edited into a more traditional interview format.

Interview: The Making Of Dwarf Fortress

In Yaruhara's arena shooter Nanosmiles, players have to collect inactive options scattered around each area and use them to inflict damage on the enemies. Hold the Z key to activate your targeting system. Your weapons will automatically fire at targeted enemies if the same button is held down. Press the X key to make your ship travel quicker.

Note: This new version features sixteen levels, twelve more than the original demo released shortly before Comiket 73.

Name: Nanosmiles
Developer: Yaruhara
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

Blast Works (Wii port of Kenta Cho's Tumiki Fighters) will be released on May 1st of 2008. Unlockable goodies include rRootage, Gunroar, Torus Trooper and the original Tumiki Fighters.

Aha, a quick side note to point out a new Gamasutra article by David Marsh, who you may know as the creator of DevBump, but is also a former big-budget and current indie game developer - which is why he's in a good position to write the feature 'Nine Paths To Indie Game Greatness'.

As he postulated in his intro: "Many game studios are crippled by the amount of resources they require to keep operations going. I have seen plenty of companies that operate "contract to contract" with little hope of ever breaking out of the cycle. The studio growth required by the increasingly resource intensive modern crop of games is many times unsustainable. In fact, the problem seems to be getting worse.

According to a report by the BBC, "Back in 1982, the Japanese company Namco produced Pac-Man for $100,000. Now, the average PlayStation 3 title is estimated to cost $15m. Even after adjusting for inflation, that is still a significant rise. While production costs have tripled in recent years with the introduction of next-gen consoles, sales and revenue have hardly changed." [EDITOR'S NOTE: Well, game industry revenue has gone up a tad in aggregate, but we abstractly take the point, the BBC!]

Independent developers usually operate with very limited initial resources. By operating without a loan of resources, they create a development environment for themselves free from outside influences or restrictions. The only obligations they hold are to themselves as developers and the people who play and purchase their games."

In any case, the full feature on Gamasutra lists a number of specific ways indies can innovate and create with less, including 'Procedural Content', 'Avoiding Photorealistic Art Direction', and by "utilizing existing free, cheap, or open technology". All fine points (and sorry I had to use the Little Miss Sunshine graphic again!)

So, the full IGF Awards show will be coming in due course, but in the meantime, the gods at Mega64 have posted up their three specially commissioned IGF skits, and they are really, happily ridiculous.

All three of the videos are rather 'special', but rather than trying to redescribe them, I'll just quote what they said on their official website:

"So as you may have heard, Mega64 once again provided videos for the big awards show at the Game Developers Conference. This year, though, their videos instead focused on the independent games. Was the Mega64 crew indie enough to do the game industry justice! Watch these new videos to find out!

And then finally, watch "Independent Inspirations" to prepare yourself to be an indie winner!"

Ah yes, and one more things from the Mega64-ers - a little vignette, if you will: "My favorite thing about GDC is how every time we go, we seem to have one defining moment that makes us realize, 'Wow, this was totally all worth it.' This year, for me, it was Jason Della Rocca, after winning his Ambassador Award, coming down to tell us that Ralph Baer, the father of modern video games, apparently looked like he was going to have a heart attack during our awards intro video.

Now of course we love Mr. Baer and everything he's done for video games, and would never wish any ill will unto him. But just the fact that we even heard that spoken to us was just a mindblower- How the hell did we get here? I mean, really? (Love you, Ralph)."

Knytt Nano is a small platformer created as an experimental piece by the author of Within a Deep Forest and Knytt Stories. Use the cursor keys for movement, or hold the A key to run quicker. Tap the S key to jump.

The game has a proper ending. (full map)

Name: Knytt Nano
Developer: Nifflas
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Direct download link: Click here

From Wired: "Everyday Shooter creator Jonathan Mak baffled attendees of the Game Designer's Rant when he didn't use his segment of the panel to complain about the state of game design, but rather to play some catchy music and release a number of balloons into the crowd."

Balloons, Not Words From Everyday Shooter Creator
Three Wild Theories About Everyday Shooter Designer's Rant
Jon Mak Makes GDC Real
GDC08 Six things to take from Game Developers Rant Balloons! - Joystiq

Vegetable Soup Tactics is the result of an attempt by Stewart Hogarth and Lyall Bruce to create a physics-based tile matching puzzler in under one day for the Dundee Game Jam meet in Scotland. Similar to Digital Eel's Soup du Jour, players must remove ingredients from the pot by selecting three or more of the same food stuff with each click of the left mouse button.

Use the add vegetable or shake option for extra points.

Name: Vegetable Soup Tactics
Developer: Stewart Hogarth and Lyall Bruce
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Direct download link: Click here

The Behemoth's upcoming console release is set to be released on the XBLA this summer 2008. (trailer in the extended)

Flipside of the Divine is an action game with deep puzzle elements, created by a team of university students for their school project last year. Players guide the onscreen warrior using the keyboard, all the while attempting to reach a portal usually located at the end of each level. Camera view can be controlled by moving the mouse around or scrolling the wheel.

Press the left mouse button to release a bird and flip up to five separate platforms. The game introduces limited resources, enemies, walls, fire, winds and more as you progress through the main campaign.

Name: Flipside of the Divine
Developer: Team Flipside
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 50MB
Direct download link: Click here

Metro.Siberia is a remake of an old classic in which players only need to hold or release one key to control their ship. The game includes three levels with varying difficulty. Press the S key to mute sound, and use the P key to access the pause feature at any time.

Name: Metro.Siberia
Developer: Tommy Salomonsson
Category: Action
Type: Browser

Nick Montfort calls Passage a better game than Portal in an article recently posted on Grand Text Auto. (source: Play This Thing)

Thanks to Cycle for reminding me about this piece as well: Immortal Defense is better than Portal AND Bioshock

PvP: Portal versus Passage
A Lie Worse Than The Cake

From GameSetWatch: A complete set of Mega64 videos shown during the IGF awards ceremony.

More clips in the extended. Videos are also available for download from the Mega64 web site. (may not be safe to watch at work; strong language)

Alan Probe: Amateur Surgeon is a new flash game by Adult Swim. You play the role of a pizza delivery boy who has to undertake an emergency operation to redeem himself for a mistake, then quickly proceeds to make it a new career choice with comical results.

Be prepared to handle numerous inconventional operating instruments as you attempt to carry out life-saving emergency surgeries in a number of awkward situations. The game isn't without it's flaws though, as certain nicks and cuts are extremely difficult to spot in a sea of blood. There are ten patients to treat in the first act.

Name: Alan Probe: Amateur Surgeon
Developer: adult swim
Category: Action
Type: Browser

New set of photos posted on the 2D Boy web site. Text in red refers to an inside joke.

Ultimate Vengance Power 4: The Lemon of Justice is an experimental game submitted by Sophie Houlden for a recent Ludum Dare competition, in which developers must create a playable prototype and post their hastily-made project on the site in less than 48 hours.

Use the cursor keys to move the protagonist around, and grab as many stars as you can for points. Press the Z key to jump, and tap the X key to shoot.

Name: Ultimate Vengeance Power 4: The Lemon of Justice
Developer: Sophie Houlden
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Cubetendo is another Ludum Dare entry made in under two days, with gameplay resembling the Flash puzzler Bloxorz. Players have to color all floor tiles in each level by moving the main block over them one step at a time, though this task is made a little more difficult with the low horizontal camera perspective.

The game can be restarted using the backspace or R key. Press F11 to switch between full screen and windowed mode.

Name: Cubetendo
Developer: mjau
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Tetris: Compromise is a messed up version of Alexey Pajitnov's popular puzzler, in which players have to control pieces on both sides of the playing field with only one set of controls. Use the cursor keys to move each pair of blocks around.

A new variation of an old classic is introduced on Retro Sabotage Games every Thursday.

Name: Tetris: Compromise
Developer: Retro Sabotage Games
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser

Flatliner is a physics-based action game which comes with a fully-featured level editor. Players can sort through user creations by date or ratings using a simple search filter. In addition to basic save and upload functions, level codes can also be generated as a string of text and numbers for sharing purposes.

There are plenty of vehicles to choose from, and best completion times for each stage can be submitted online as well. Controls are pretty much limited to the cursor keys. Simply collect all coins in a level to activate the exit.

Name: Flatliner
Developer: Tom Thornton
Category: Action
Type: Browser

Game|Life's Chris Kohler, on GDC 2008. (source: GameSetWatch)

GDC Overview (video)
Indies Take the Cake at Game Developers Conference

Petri Purho's winning acceptance speech, now on eBay

Note: Video above is taken from Stars over Half Moon Bay, and contains spoilers.

Rod Humble's Stars over Half Moon Bay (presented during the Experimental Gameplay Sessions at GDC 2008) is now available for download, public discussion and debates.

According to Mr. Reverend Anthony, Jonathan Blow plans to release nicewrench soon - a game which follows the gameplay mechanics of messhof's flywrench very closely, but designed with relaxation in mind and doesn't punish the player as severely for failure to navigate each maze. Articles and links to games are both posted below.

GDC 08: Experimental Gameplay Sessions
GDC 08: Nuances of Design

The entire clip can also be downloaded as a 350 MB .wmv file from GameVideos.com. Apparently interviews with the developers were condensed for this episode and may be restored in smaller videos, to be posted at a later date. IGF and indie games mentions starts around the thirteenth minute mark, though the show makes a bit more sense when watched from the beginning.

Note: This is an old post, updated with one new video. (source: Gamerscore)

A couple of photos taken during Metanet's N+ launch party were posted on the official site. Raigan and Mare had also updated their development journal on IGN with a list of their favorite platformers and games.

In other news, Kotaku recently published a preview for the upcoming PSP version of N+.

N+ XBLA launch party photos
GameSetWatch press coverage
Freeware recommendations
N+ PSP impressions

Chief XNA architect Chris Satchell explains XNA's community features to G4TV's Adam Sessler. (video demonstrations of JelloCar, Little Gamers and Zauri in the extended)

Seen in video, Andy Yang demonstrates the new GarageGames' service InstantAction (currently in beta test phase). Think Kongregate, but with fully-featured 3D multiplayer games.

Joystiq's InstantAction preview

Skit shown during Microsoft's GDC keynote to promote the new community features for XBLA.

From Gamasutra: Excited about the revelation of XNA's new peer-reviewed community game distribution service for Xbox Live? Following the GDC keynote unveiling, Microsoft's Dax Hawkins goes in-depth on exactly how game submission, review, and posting will work for the Spring beta of the service.

As part of the new sponsored feature, created for Microsoft's Gamasutra-based XNA microsite, Hawkins explains the details for XNA Creators Club members:

"As many have foreseen - and passionately anticipated - the next step for community game development is to let creators share their games widely with others. We are pleased to announce that in spring of this year we will enable community game distribution with a beta for Xbox LIVE.

As a premium (paid) XNA Creators Club member, you'll be able to share your games with other creators via Xbox LIVE Marketplace. (For information on becoming a premium member, see XNA Creators Club Premium Membership.) After the beta, you'll be able to share your games with 10 million Xbox LIVE users.

This article provides general instructions on how to prepare your game for submission. It goes over the guidelines for acceptable content, describes the peer-review system, and shows you how to download and play a community game. Some of the procedures for the beta differ from the general procedures. This article will specify the beta differences."

You can now read the full Gamasutra sponsored feature on the subject, with plenty of details and screenshots on how submission and review will work, possible rejection criteria, and what the approved games will look like on the service.

The winners for the 2008 IGF competition have been announced. The official IGF press release from GameSetWatch in the extended. (winning entries are in bold, more videos arriving very soon)

Student Showcase ($2,500): Synaesthete
Crayon Physics Deluxe
Empyreal Nocturne
Galaxy Scraper
Gesundheit!
Mayhem Intergalactic
Poesysteme
Polarity
Ruckblende
Synaesthete
The Misadventures Of P.B. Winterbottom
Flipside (Half-Life 2 Modification)
Foamzilla (UT2004 Modification)

Technical Excellence ($2,500): World of Goo
World of Goo
Goo!
Audiosurf
Axiom: Overdrive
Gumboy Tournament

Excellence in Visual Art ($2,500): Fez
Clean Asia!
Fez
Hammerfall
Synaesthete
The Path

Design Innovation Award ($2,500): World Of Goo
Battleships Forever
Fez
Fret Nice
Snapshot Adventures: Secret Of Bird Island
World Of Goo

Excellence in Audio ($2,500): Audiosurf
Cinnamon Beats
Fret Nice
Audiosurf
Clean Asia!
OokiBloks

Best Web Browser Game ($2,500): Iron Dukes
Iron Dukes
Globulos.com
Tri-Achnid

Gleemie Award:
Desktop Tower Defense (winner, $5,000)
Skyrates (first runner-up, $3,000)
Quadradius (second runner-up, $2,000)

Audience Award ($2,500):
Audiosurf (winner)

Seumas McNally Grand Prize ($20,000): Crayon Physics Deluxe
Audiosurf
Crayon Physics Deluxe
Hammerfall
Noitu Love 2: Devolution
World of Goo

Petri Purho interview (14th February, 2008)
Gamasutra interview
Wikipedia entry

Advice from previous and current IGF winners - Jonathan Mak (Everyday Shooter), Paul Preece (Desktop Tower Defense) and Petri Purho (Crayon Physics Deluxe) discusses game development in this special 1UP article posted just two days ago.

1UP: So You Want To Make A Game

An offline version for this IGF Web Browser Game category winner was recently made available for download; players encountering lag or stutter problems with the browser version of Iron Dukes can grab this file instead, available in both 800 x 600 and 640 x 480 flavors.

This demo features one playable level only.

Iron Dukes download page
Flash Game Pick: Iron Dukes (One Ton Ghost)

More photos in the extended. (source: David Sandberg, Vincent Diamante)

Note: Tons of pictures from the IGF awards ceremony added.

P.B. Winterbottom, Noitu Love 2, World of Goo, Fez