There are a lot of exciting things going on right now in the indie world. A lot of them have to do with Steam Early Access titles, but there's also some mobile news, a full release, and the PlayStation 3 debut of a certain foul-mouthed shooter. As per usual, there's practically something for everyone. Whether you're a retro 3D platformer fan, an FPS lover, or a sandbox aficionado, you should definitely be sure to check some of these games out.
But enough with the pleasantries — let's talk indie games!
Roguelike-meets-FPS-meets-dungeon crawler in Heavy Bullets
Forget what you knew about the FPS genre. Heavy Bullets from developer Terri Vellmann and publisher Devolver Digital recently launched on Steam Early Access, and it creates a different kind of shooter experience. You must get through the game's eight randomized stages while avoiding death at the hands of strange creatures in surreal environments.
Armed with just a six-shooter and, well, six bullets, it's up to you to explore different areas, take out enemies, and live to tell the tale. What makes Heavy Bullets so interesting is the fact that you're limited to only using your six bullets. You can pick them back up, but doing so can be quite intense when you've got more enemies on you than you do bullets. Defeated enemies yield coins that can be used to purchase health, ammo, and special items from vending machines.
Heavy Bullets is available now on Steam for $9.99. Of course, the game's launch sale means you can snag it for $8.49 if you don't dawdle. You can also pick it up on the official website.
KinifiGames currently working on optimizing random level generation in Imagine Me
If you've played Imagine Me — or at the very least read my impressions — you're aware that the game poses some cool concepts and gameplay. That said, the game's random level generation, which is being touted as the standout feature by developer KinifiGames, doesn't exactly work the way it should. Thankfully, that will hopefully change in the near future.
The studio issued an update on the game's Steam page, saying that development of all other features would be put on hold while the randomized level component is tweaked. Considering the tutorial and controls are both pretty solid, it's great that KinifiGames is focusing on one of the game's other big features.
Imagine Me, which is still in alpha, is available for $9.99 through Steam Early Access. For more on the game and the team, check out my interview with lead programmer Christopher Figueroa.
Intake goes mobile and pops pills on iOS
Intake is a pretty awesome game on the PC, but it's always definitely had that mobile feel to it. It's obvious that Cipher Prime knew that, because the game recently landed on iOS platforms. Dubbed Intake: Be Aggressive, the game's already received a solid reception on its new home.
Aside from all of the pill-popping awesomeness, a new update was released that improves performance and fixes a bug. In addition, in-app items have received a lower price tag, which is nice if you plan on throwing more money at the game.
Intake is available on the iTunes store for $2.99. For more, check out my review of the Steam version, which is priced at $4.99.
The Last Tinker: City of Colors paints a pretty picture on Steam
I miss 3D platformers. That's why I was pretty excited when I previewed The Last Tinker: City of Colors. While not a platformer in the traditional sense, the game definitely exudes that classic vibe of older gems like Banjo-Kazooie.
The Last Tinker recently launched on Steam, and it delivers a wonderfully designed world filled with color, charm, and style. If you dig old school 3D platformers but want something with a bit more modern refinement, be sure to give this game a look-see.
Check out our full review right here on GameZone to see exactly why this is a lovely game worth playing. You can purchase The Last Tinker for $19.99 on Steam.
Q-Games wins an award, celebrates with a big update for Nom Nom Galaxy
Nom Nom Galaxy, the latest endeavor from PixelJunk developer Q-Games, is a lot of fun, and it's getting even better with time. It's fitting, then, that the game received the Best Game Award at Brazil's Independent Games Festival recently.
Even more fitting is that Q-Games decided to celebrate the big victory with a fairly sizable update to Nom Nom Galaxy. The update not only adds a much bigger map for you to explore, build, and cook on — it also fixes a bug and tweaks some other things up. For details, check out the post by Q-Games.
Sure, Nom Nom Galaxy is still in its alpha stages, but it's already a blast to play. Check it out on Steam, where you can buy it for $19.99.
For seriously! Serious Sam 3: BFE finally shoots its way to PS3
Aw, yeah! Serious Sam 3: BFE has finally arrived on the PlayStation 3. It was about time, wasn't it? The old school-flavored FPS from Croteam brings comedic one-liners, crazy alien baddies, and tasty gore to Sony's home console.
Unlike most of today's shooters, Serious Sam 3 tosses you into massive maps and then unleashes wave after wave (after wave) of insane enemies. Only Sam Stone can answer the call, and he's down to do it while busting out quick quips.
I previously reviewed the Xbox Live Arcade version, so check that out if you've yet to play the game and are seriously curious about it. You can download Serious Sam 3 on the PlayStation Network for $19.99.
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The Last Tinker: City of Colors
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