Enigmabot, Quick Thinking Puzzle Action

Review #71 – Free Video Game

Enigmabot, Quick Thinking Puzzle Action

This one took me a while to figure out.

Let's get something out of the way first: This game is all mechanic. No jokes, plot, characters, or anything else. So, how well designed and executed is it's core mechanic then? Masterfully!

In Enigmabot, your enigmabot is a white cube that can move left, right, or teleport. This you'll be using a lot here, and thankfully the game is well paced, so the learning curve makes sense.

After the first few levels of training, the game will start demanding not only strategy to figure out the puzzle in the room, but also nimble fingers to perform precise teleportation. 

Enigmabot does pack quite a challenging punch, and figuring out the limits of your teleport ability is a big part of it. At first, some rules may seem arbitrary, at least, until you figure them out. So, highly recommended. Don't stand there, teleport to the link!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://gamejolt.com/games/platformer/enigmabot/21359/

Baghead Bandit, Buy Your Furniture Back

Review #70 – Free Video Game

Baghead Bandit, Buy Your Furniture Back

Last week, it was cardboard boxes. Now, it's paper bags. In today's platformer adventure you take control of Baghead, a good man that only made a few mistakes. Like selling all his furniture to impress his girlfriend. Hey, I said “good”, not “brilliant”.

Baghead Bandit has a really simple premise: pick up all the gems in a level and then get to the door. Simple, but no easy. Moving platforms, precision and quick jumping, some enemies, cool secrets and more are all part of this game.

So, while not mechanically unique, it has nice graphics, awesome music, and packs a good challenge, finding it's own identity. Try to find the secret levels and unlock an extra challenge mode.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://sandbox.yoyogames.com/games/97287-baghead-bandit

Think Outside the Box, or For It, Really

Review #69 – Free Video Game

Think Outside the Box, or For It, Really

Last week we brought you Bonesaw, a fast paced action platformer. So today you have Think Outside the Box, a methodical puzzle game. Karmic balance and whatever, am I right?

Think Outside the Box is a pretty cool and original idea. In it's core, it's a “find the key object” “adventure game style” kind of deal. But, it's not that simple. Every level is a closed room with more than one way to escape (except the tutorial). Part of the fun is actually figuring out all of the possible escape routes.

This way, you can mess a plan up, burn some resources, and still win the level. Coupled with the lighthearted humor and pleasant graphics, the game is a rather nice experience.

And two more, clever details: the game is easy to finish, but is really difficult to “complete”. You have to be pretty creative to unlock all the endings and find all the charms. And second, the “charms”, are secret stars to find in the levels. Now, instead of being simple collectibles, charms can be traded for hints on how to get all the solutions. So, finally, an scavenger hunt with an actual reward!

Really cool, so don't miss it. See you next week!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://rpgmaker.net/games/4739/

Bonesaw, Kinda Like Hockey, but Not Really

Review #68 – Free Video Game

Bonesaw, Kinda Like Hockey, but Not Really

From the creator of Depict1 and Verge, we bring you Bonesaw. A visceral and violent platformer filtered through Game Boy like graphics. It has jumps, puzzles, and hordes of enemies heckbent on killing you. Have fun!

It's the first game published on kpulv.com, but it doesn't feel like that. It's got enough levels, secrets, game mechanics and actual, interesting bosses to feel like a complete handheld game. As it's signature mechanic, you have your “Bonesaw”, a savage and vaguely hockey related empowered state. You charge it up with the blood of your enemies. Obviously.

The graphics are simple and nicely done, and the level of thought that went into stage design is what a project like this deserves. The only reason to not like it is not enjoying platformer beat-em ups.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://kpulv.com/stuff/game/

                                        (It's at the bottom of the page)

Super Skeleman, Jump, Jump, JUMP!

Review #67 – Free Video Game

Super Skeleman, Jump, Jump, JUMP!

Sometimes, less is more. In Super Skeleman, this is a simple truth. This Metroidvania style platformer gives you only jump-based abilities, but that's the point: there is a lot to do with just that.

As Metroidvanias are wont to do, you need your powers to access new areas. Now, unlike the usual “new weapon opens new gate” format, in Super Skeleman you have not only to get the new abilities, but master them to access new areas.

It's a really challenging game, fast paced and fun. And the level design gives a feeling of an actual world, not a series of arbitrarily designed puzzles. So, get you jumping boots on and check out Super Skeleman!

-The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://gamejolt.com/games/platformer/super-skeleman/36775/

Roguelight, Pun Intended

Review #66 – Free Video Game

Roguelight, Pun Intended

With dark caves and flaming arrows, Roguelight is a game about light. You play as an unnamed archer with no clear goal. So pretty rogue-like for now. Only, it's a platformer. And the cave is covered in shadows. You only light source are, as you may have guessed, your flaming arrows.

The game does have a little “die and repeat” upgrade system, in which you'll die because you just can survive anymore. But, having a random map, it's not a chore. It's a fresh map to explore every time!

The upgrades are pretty standard (more arrows, more HP, more coins, double jump, etc.), so no need to go into further detail. The darkness is the real star here, hiding dangers and sometimes forcing you to save arrows by taking a hit to the face. The fun of the game comes from rationalizing your resources (HP and arrows) and trying to figure out what the hell you are supposed to do down there.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://managore.itch.io/roguelight

Jed, Save All Robots

Review #65 - Free Video Game

Jed, Save All Robots

I'm actually thinking there should be an event with “Dual World” games on this site. I mean, I have reviewed quite a few of them already. So now, Jed joins the family.

In Jed, you play as Jed, a robot that must save a lot of kidnapped baby robots. You'll have your wits, your jump, and the ability to travel between two different level layouts to complete your task.

You can always see the other side on the back of the screen, and should use that information to time a few jumps.

The music is really good, it's a decent challenge (neither easy nor impossible) and if you'd like to play on “Hard Difficulty”, try getting all the unlockables. There is a top hat to use...

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://jonathanwhiting.com/blog/?p=13

Pause Ahead, a.k.a. Time Out

Review #64 – Free Video Game

Pause Ahead, a.k.a. Time Out

From the Askiisoft team, the same group behind Tower of Heaven, we have Pause Ahead. With a plot similar to the previous game, you take control of a child-like character trapped in a temple with no memory and a cruel voice over as the only guide.

But don't think for a second that it's the same. In Pause Ahead, you have a pretty unique power: pausing the game. While paused, everything stops as normal, except for you. You can't control it, mind you, but your character keeps it's momentum. So, for example, if you pause while jumping, you keep going up until you resume the game. It's trickier that it sounds, but you'll get plenty of time to figure it out.

So, awesome music and gorgeous graphics compose a game built around a simple yet intricate and unique mechanic. What's not to love?

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

Play Online: http://askiisoft.com/games/pause-ahead/

Pumpkin Patch, Defend Halloween

Review #63 – Free Game

Pumpkin Patch, Defend Halloween

Back to Funny Halloween (in contrast with Horror Halloween), we have a fast paced shooter: Pumpkin Patch. In it, you play the role of an unnamed pumpkin, spitting seeds against a horde of ghosts and monsters trying to steal your fellow orange brothers and sisters.

You move with WASD or the arrow keys, and shot with the mouse. That's all, go crazy on them now. Well, let's be fair, there are also some power ups that improve your attack, and not only you get more pumpkins (and therefore, more “lives”) every 20000 points, but the more pumpkins you have at the end of the level, the more points you get.

Even though there are only a handful of different enemies, each an every one is actually a completely different challenge. Learning to identify the more important targets is an essential skill. Survive till Halloween and you win. Have fun!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://www.pixellicker.com/games.html

The Crooked Man, that lived in a Crooked House...

Review #62 – Free Game

The Crooked Man, that lived in a Crooked House...

At the end of the review, there is the link to a translation of a game by Uri. I Assume that, if you are reading this blog, you come looking for games in English. In that previous link is the original, if you'd rather play that.

Now, today in Horror October, we have The Crooked Man. It's a Horror RPG game that puts you in the role of David, a new homeowner with a troubled past. As you play, his story is revealed while you fight to survive. I'd say more, but I don't want to spoil anything.

So, you might look at the screenshot above and say: “That's not going to be scary, it looks like a polished Final Fantsy Tactics”. Well, that's not exactly true. The Crooked Man uses al the classic horror movie moves: flickering lights, flashing screens and a great soundtrack to set the atmosphere. Add to all of this that you are actually “behind the wheel” controlling the character, and you'll find yourself in the zone pretty quickly. So, yes, this game is scary, don't take it lightly.

The story is fun and well written, and it's full of puzzles that are hard, but not impossible. My only complain is that some “challenges” take really long to complete. But don't despair, because it's worth it.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://www.vgperson.com/games/crookedman.htm

A Mother's Inferno

Good evening, and welcome. I am Doctor Blockhead, curator to the Museum of Curiosities; a home for the freakish, disturbing, and grotesque.

You may think you have found your way here by accident, though I assure you, it was not. You might think you were looking for something else, but I am certain you weren’t. A morbid fascination, deep within your being, an obsession with the macabre, the strange, the unknown has compelled you here.
 

Now that you’ve arrived, please, take your time, peruse the dusty shelves, find something that scares and excites you. It won’t take long.

And let me warn you: Today’s the first actual horror review of this event. Enter at your own risk.

A Mother’s Inferno

A Mother’s Inferno is a free, single-player game available for play through a download or web browser. It is possible to complete the game in about 30 minutes, making it perfect to play in the dark hours before bed.
 

In A Mother’s Inferno, a mother and her young son ride an empty train to an unknown destination. Without warning, the boy is ripped from her side by demonic forces, and she falls unconscious. After she wakes, she sets out to face the psychedelic inferno the train has become, her only defense a shard of glass, to save her son from the darkness.

A Mother’s Inferno is a truly unique game. A modern, horror-oriented interpretation of Dante’s Inferno, it distills the deepest fear of all parents: losing their child. This fear is palpable and constant, conveyed through the often frenetic first-person view, perverse and hallucinatory landscapes, and the mother’s persistent gasps for air as she claws her way through five train cars, each one more hellish than the next.
 

As the game progresses, the environments become less like train cars, and more like ancient cathedrals to the dark and unholy. At points, it’s easy to forget the terror unfolds within the belly of a moving train; however, the subtle, almost subconscious clatter of steel wheels on iron rails rings constantly beneath all things.
 

The mother’s journey is an exhausting tribulation, but she bears it with the ferocity of an animal with nothing to lose. It is easy to feel her struggle, to become her, to seek not her son, but yours. You will cross the River Styx on the back of a corpse; you will cut your own eyes out with broken glass; you will gut monstrous beasts like fish.

Your struggle will guide you through the five stages of grief, each train car representing a stage, until you arrive at the terminus of loss: acceptance.

But what do you accept? The return of your son, or his permanent disappearance?

That answer is yours alone to discover in A Mother’s Inferno. Fight for it.

-  Doctor Blockhead


External Download Link: http://amothersinferno.dadiugames.dk/
(Check the "Play" Tab to play online).

They Took Our Candy, We took their lives.

They Took Our Candy.

We took their lives.

Hello everyone, here I am bringing you a new (not that new) side-scrolling shooter, made by Rachid1984. The Story is set in Halloween (what a coincidence!), but your scheduled trick-or-treating has been interrupted by an alien invasion! Only your group of hyperactive, sugar-addicted trick-or-treaters can stop them and get the candy back.

So, you have to prepare your team, which is formed by four members. Each character available has a special feature, plus their own stats, Health, Speed, Attack and Special. Anyway, the most fun stat, obviously, is the Special Stat. You have Specials that heal the group, specials that gives them extra damage, and a few more different effects. The Special your group has is composed of the Specials of every character you have selected.

They Took Our Candy is an arrow-wasd game, with the casual appearance of the space bar to throw your characters specials, your team moves as one and fires together. During the game you collect the stolen candy, and try to eliminate the bastards that took it, the Aliens. They come in waves, and in between them you can upgrade your stats, like candy drop, speed, attack, etc.

At first your team will probably be clumsy (mine was pathetic) but the more candy you eat the higher the sugar rush, the more badass you get. The game has no continue feature, so when you die, you have to start again. The good news are that the game has some fun features: the candy you collected goes towards unlocking new characters and bonus attributes, giving you more choices in the next round! Also, the game has a nice Survival mode! Unlocked when you win it, of course.

My conclusion is that They Took Our Candy is a nice, well made game, with cute pixel art (I mean, look at those tiny ninjas!). And super fun too, so go and give it a try ;D

- Emma

Play Online:  http://armorgames.com/play/14056/they-took-our-candy

Wind and Water, five elements, one heck of a puzzle

Review #61 – Free Video Game

Wind and Water, five elements, one heck of a puzzle

Wind and Water is a puzzle game, and a pretty original one at that. I'll explain the system a bit, but it's a lot better to see it on the screen and actually interact with it.

You'll move some pieces on the board, trying to connect at least four of them to make them dissapear and get your points. The movements are made in a clockwise or anti-clockwise fashion, and there are five different elements (with both a color AND a simbol) to combine. Think like Puzzle Bubble, but without the cannon.

Now, on the whole story department – what? I Haven't told you? Sorry. The game does feature a lot of RPG elements! It has a Story Mode, with a whole meta plot: You play as Amy, working on some errands (a.k.a: capturing the Elements, needed to make the whole game work), while the game designer duo of brothers build the game world around you.

It's a quirky and fun game, full of comedy, while being pretty darn difficult. So, don't let the cutesy sprites fool you, it's an actual puzzle challenge. Enjoy!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://www.wind-water.net/

Super Crate Box, fast and demented fun!

Review #60 – Free Video Game

Super Crate Box, fast and demented fun!

Here we have a one of the most simple, yet addictive, games on the whole Warehouse. Super Crate Box is just an old-school endless arcade, with the added fun of modern day unlockables. Jump and shot, collecting boxes until you die. Don't act so surprised, I said it was simple.

The action is fast, and the graphics are awesome. As you beat your high score, you'll also get new character skins and new weapons. Each weapon is unique, and as you progress through the game, your armory will expand. This is both good and bad: you have new toys, but now there are more options inside the crates and you can't really guess which weapon will come out each time.

With different levels and game modes to unlock, it's a gem that will keep challenging you for a while. And even after getting everything, you will (I'd say “can”, but you “will”) keep playing for the highscore. So I wont distract you anymore, grab some quarters and go play this arcade!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://www.supercratebox.com/

Mighty Jill Off, Jump the Tower

Review 59 – Free Video Game

Mighty Jill Off, Jump the Tower

This homage to the game Mighty Bomb Jack is a deceptibly simple platformer. Jill must impress her empress by climbing up the tower, and to that end she has her only superpower: a super jump.

This game presents two obstacles: First, it's a vertical platformer, so it might take a while to get the hang of it. Second, you have to actually read the “readme” file, because if you don't, you won't know that tapping the jump button twice can make a jump shorter. And believe me, you'll need that trick.

A challenging and cool game, so you should definetly check it out. Oh, and if you finish the tower fast enough, your reward will be a new, secret tower! Try to unlock the secret level!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

WARNING: THIS GAME CONTAINS MILD SEXUAL OVERTONES

External Download Link: http://auntiepixelante.com/jilloff/

Pazzon, Sci Fi Fairy Tale

Review #58 – Free Video Game

Pazzon, Sci Fi Fairy Tale

Pazzon is a quirky little story of an unnamed creature in a alien world. It is called by the Temple to help the Priest on a sacred mission: coverting the infidels.

From the creator of the Karoshi series, this game is completely the opposite of those. A good choice to relax for a bit, it has pleaseant music and interesting designs.

It's really simple and short, and not particulary challenging, but fun nonetheless. Perfect to keep oneself busy for a while.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://www.venbrux.com/freeware.php

(Look for the link near the bottom of the page, end check out all the awesome games, too!)

[it's_possible], well... at least it's supposed to be.

Review #57 – Free Video Game

[it's_possible], well... at least it's supposed to be.

[it's_possible] is one of the most difficult and frustrating games I've ever encountered. It does not have a “story”, strictly speaking. It's just your character against sadistic traps dying over and over again.

I mean, I know I said something similar about ViViD a few weeks ago, but there's really no comparison. There's a good reason the title of this game needs to remind you “it's possible” everytime you open it.

So, if you are in a masochistic mood or think regular gaming is “too easy”, check this out. I will crawl under rock over here until seeing a keyboard doesn't make me cry.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://gamejolt.com/games/platformer/it-s-possible/21051/

Verge, Afterlife's Crossroads

Review #56 – Free Video Game

Verge, Afterlife's Crossroads

From the same creator of Depict1, Verge is a beautifully designed platformer with a cardinal law: Death is not the End. You take control of a lost soul, and must navigate between two worlds to get to your final resting place. It's not the first game with a “Dual Map” feature but it does add a twist. In order to get to the Flipworld, you have to die on the Overworld.

The game does include puzzle elements, mainly figuring out where to kill yourself on the Overworld to access certain parts of the Flipworld, but nothing too fancy. It's mostly a good old fashioned platformer.

Great graphics, awesome music, and a decent, if short, challenge. Highly recommended.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://kpulv.com/stuff/game/

(Look for it halfway down the list)

StrikeForce Kitty!

StrikeForce Kitty!

Fresh Blood for the Deadly Felines

So, here I am again, presenting this short and fun game about deadly kittens trying to rescue their princess.

StrikeForce Kitty (brought by the Deqaf Studio) is an imaginative game in which you can control your little balls of fur with the WASD keys and dress them up as serial killers, or warrior princesses if you want to.  It’s very important that you don’t forget to give them their fresh fish!

Okay, let’s get into the important info: the princess has been kidnapped by foxes, and we are the most powerful strike force our kingdom has, so we have to go on the quest to rescue her. As we get into the enemy land we have to defeat our foes, which are oddly recognizable, not because they are foxes (duh), but because they are dressed up as Lara Croft, V, and even Gandalf, AND that’s where the game gets super fun. Once the fox is dead you get one of the items of his armor. Those can be the weapon, the hat, or anything else. And one of your four pretty mittens can wear it. Each item improves something like stamina, or damage, and each complete outfit grants you an ability, like:

- Freddy heals 1 point of all the kitties every three seconds.

-Xena, has 30% chance of double shot.

Obviously, every kitty has its bad thing, and these kitties get really tired if they don’t drink milk, or eat their fish to level up. That’s what the stamina bar is for. When the bar reaches zero your kitties are too tired to go on! So you have to rest and try it again next time :(

Like all games that involve the “when you ran out of stamina or whatever you have to start again” you can get tired really fast, and don’t reach the second part of the game. Thankfully, the outfit idea really refreshes the trip because you (or at least I did) get eager to find what character you’re gonna fight next. Plus the Kitties are really cute, and the graphics are adorable.

So, get on the duty! There is a nice kitty princess to save! Meow! ;D

- Emma

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

Play Online: http://deqaf.com/portfolio/strike-force-kitty/

ViViD, Prepare your Mind

Review #54 – Free Game

ViViD, Prepare your Mind

ViViD is an action platformer game. It includes: high precision jumping, flashing colors, and a restless screen. Don't play while operating heavy machinery or while pregnant.

Ok, now seriously. In ViViD you take control of Burt, a subject on a drug trial. After the first dosage things start to get a little... weird. The game combines pretty strict jumping with a vast selection of visual obstacles: moving screens, bouts of static, upside down view, and many more. It can get really frustrating, but it's not that hard, and certainly not impossible.

This game is obviously not designed for young audiences, and it includes an epileptic warning, so be careful. Other than that, don't play if you get mad easily. It gets very tough from time to time, and laptops may be thrown across the room.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://gamejolt.com/games/platformer/vivid/12437/

Dungeon Squad, Dungeon Delving from d4 to d12

Review #53 – Free Pen and Paper RPG

Dungeon Squad, Dungeon Delving from d4 to d12

July of Adventure is making an appearance in August!

Dungeon Squad is a simple RPG with a Tri-Class System. You have three “skills” that are Wizard, Warrior and Explorer. Each one covers a broad area of expertise and abilities, and every character can attempt a roll with any one. Some will be more successful than others. In this regard, characters in this game are more “rogue-like” than usual ones. Sword in one hand, and magical scroll on the other.

But what really caught my eye about Dungeon Squad is how it uses a whole set of dice. Your roles use the d4, d8 and d12, while your starting items use the remaining d6 and d10. In my group we found it easier to keep each die on our character sheet, over either the role or item it belonged to. That's actually what the game had in mind, as it's developed trying to appeal to both young and not-so young players.

A problem we encountered, though, was that there are no rules for social rolls. Dungeon Squad is for a... well dungeon environment, so you will fight, find treasure and escape traps. If your group, like mine, likes to talk (or rather, lie. We are not perfect, ok?) to NPCs, here are two ways to handle it: no roll, your talk is as good as you actually talk; or, use Explorer, as you are maneuvering over “social hazards” with quick wit.

So here you have Dungeon Squad. Characters take, like, 30 seconds to make, and the action is fast with easy rules. Definitely great for a quick pick up game, especially using the equipment sets to prepare the characters inventory.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://www.1km1kt.net/rpg/dungeon-squad

July of Adventure - El Fin

Babbling at the Counter #52 - Blog

July of Adventure - El Fin

Ok, so today, we are closing up our second event, July of Adventure. Hope you all have found it fun, and check out the event page to make sure you didn't miss any post! Until the next event!

- The Storeman

ro9, First Person Dungeon Crawler x9

Review #52 – Free Video Game

ro9, First Person Dungeon Crawler x9

Yeah, as the last video game for July of Adventure I have something on the weird side of the gameplay scale. From the same contest that brought us Dungeons of Fayte comes “ro9”. In this game, you take control of a whole party of adventurers trying to loot and subsequently escape a multi-level dungeon. And you play as the nine of them, at the same time, in first person.

So, you have 9 simultaneous screens with individual characters that move in the same direction when you press an arrow key.

As messed up as that might seem, you can understand what’s going on, and it ends up being easier than you might expect. Movement and combat are “Rogue-like-like”, so you attack by moving against an enemy.

There are few more rules to learn, but it’s more fun if you do while you play. Oh, and after you have played for a while, check out the secret on the title screen. Just press “9” and see.

-The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Download Link: http://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=9614.0

David vs. Goliath

Babbling at the Counter #51 – Pen and Paper

David vs. Goliath

I guess most roleplayers can say they’ve had this moment: Your party and you get into a fight (as parties are wont to do) and after the first round you realize the though brute in front of you can shrug your attacks like they are nothing. So… what to do now?

I’ve already covered unstoppable juggernauts before, but inspired by a recent experience and Aaron's latest Tiny d10 post, I wanted to revisit and add to the idea.

My invincible monsters had a simple but effective rule, to know: They should deal average damage. There were reasons for that (see link), but let’s break that rule and think outside the box. How can one handle a creature that’s really powerful and really dangerous?

A few weeks ago, my group and I (I wasn’t the GM) found ourselves fighting inside a prison. We didn’t had access to our weapons or armor, the mage couldn't perform magic and our rival was a giant crocodile man (so bite and tail club were natural weapons, oh, and he had natural armor).

We were done, we knew that. But given the GM, he clearly expected a fight, and we didn’t disappoint. I don’t like fights, so our most tactical player took the lead. We scoured through our character sheets, looking up any kind of skill trick or combat advantage we could use.

I must say, we feared for our characters. The GM is new to GMing, and the encounter was completely unfair. Still, we survived, and it was awesome!

The thing is, some GMs don’t like killing characters. I know I don’t. When I read the Horror of the Lake for Tiny d10, I kept thinking “Instant Death? That’s not cool”. Then I remembered Power Points could help with save rolls. I started thinking that, yeah, T10 Toughness is a problem, but it’s not impossible to beat. Now I actually want to fight against that.

Yes, this is a delicate art, and can easily be the end of inexperienced or lazy players. That’s the main reason I said no “overpowered” monsters in my previous post. So, while not restricting yourself, thread carefully. And if you have any advice on how to run monsters out of the character’s league, drop by the comments and let us know!

- The Storeman

Adventure Quest

Review #51 - Free Video Game

Adventure Quest

Hello everyone, in order to honor July of Adventure I wanted to do something, so I decided to write a review of the most adventurous game ever: Adventure Quest.

Why? Adventure Quest is a Single Player, 2D, turn-based RPG that started in 2002 and was developed and published by Artix Entretainment. You have multiple weapons to choose from, including types like melee, or ranged, or even magic. There are many different classes that you can try out. You can be a werewolf, and a ninja, or even a necromancer. You can be whatever you want, and each thing you decide changes your skills and attacks. Plus, yes, here comes the cute stuff: you can have a pet. And they are badass.

One thing that might not be very important during the game, but that I found fun, and clever, is that AdventureQuest has an alignment system, similar to that of Dungeons and Dragons, which includes selection between Good and Evil as well as Unity and Chaos. Now, actions taken in-game affects the player's alignment, so be careful.

Also, the players can get into different and adventurous quests (see what I did there?), to find strange items, unique classes, or sets. This stuff that you can get through hard work, or by paying for the premium currency, can grant your character many different assets.

Another sweet feature that I always liked about AQ was the humor all the game had, I mean, there are complete quest that are mostly nonsense and weird stuff. The bad thing is that if you’re not that into the fantasy world you maybe not be able to catch all the jokes and references.

The game has several stories going on, and you have tremendous amounts of monsters to kill, basically, you never run out of stuff to do. There is always a random quest in which you can acquire loony things, like the Anchorhand Z, that was an unique weapon that was made for the Talk Like a Pirate Day.

  

Well, finally I have to tell you the bad stuff: The game can get repetitive, but, even if you stop playing, you will get back at some point of your life, that’s guaranteed.

Also, a common criticism of AdventureQuest is that there is little to no player interaction with other people in the game.

But who really cares when you can have THAT as a pet.

- Emma

External Link (Play Online): http://www.battleon.com/