Category: Free

The Nightmares Return in Bad Dream: Cyclops and Bad Dream: Memories

This series continues to make me really, really excited every time I hear word of a new entry. They’re all super simple, less than 15 minutes each, and I eat them up like some kind of horrible, terrifying, but still delicious candy.

In case you’re not familiar, the Bad Dream series is an anthology piece composed of short horror stories. Each one is a relatively easy point and click adventure game, and you’re tasked with doing some really weird things based around the theme of the episode. In the new Bad Dream: Cyclops, for example, you start off collecting teeth for the tooth fairy after losing a vital organ, and it only gets better from there. Cyclops may be my favorite episode so far, for reasons I won’t dare ruin here. Bad Dream: Memories makes for an excellent fifth chapter, based around visiting one’s childhood home.

With 5 games in the series and not a bad one in the bunch, I’m prepared to call the Bad Dream games the horror event of the year. They creep you out quickly and effortlessly (make sure you play with headphones, in the dark), and each tells its own twisted fairy tale. If you’re interested in slicing off your fingers or trying to outsmart death itself, check out the series here. I really hope Desert Fox continues this descent into madness, because I’ll be following right alongside him all the way down.

March 28, 2014
Games of the Month – January 2014

It’s halfway through February and I’ve already played a ton of great games. February has kept me plenty occupied, and March looks like it’s going to be insane with all of that great looking stuff coming out, but let’s hold off and see what all was worth playing at the very beginning of this year. January was packed with all kinds of games, and I’ve only now been able to catch up to most of it. If awesome games keep coming as fast as they have this year, we’ll have more than enough to keep us busy. (I’m also trying out a new format for Games of the Month this year. Starting with this post, the I’ll list my three favorite games of the month, in no particular order. Typically if I number stuff this early after playing it, the comparisons don’t usually last too long after I’ve had time to let my thoughts settle. After the top three, you’ll find the honorable mentions, as usual.) (more…)

February 14, 2014
After Thought – Eye Lies

If you’ve ever wanted a computer with a British accent to burn images into your eyes, you’re in luck.

AFTER THOUGHT is a game about seeing things that aren’t there, or at least, aren’t there anymore. You’re presented with a screen filled with bright colors, and asked to stare at it for 30 seconds. Then the screen turns completely blank, your eyes fill in the rest of the details themselves, and you navigate the misty maze in front of you. (more…)

February 8, 2014
Bad Dream: Butcher and Bad Dream: Graveyard – Nothing but Nightmares

I’ve only just discovered Desert Fox Software’s episodic horror series, but it didn’t take long for it to peak my interest. After finishing the first two games, I can’t wait to see what they do next.

The games don’t really feature any clear plot, and instead task you with clicking around to find items to use on other parts of the environment. It’s a point and click adventure series, but there’s always something a little darker through each new doorway. The game creates a great atmosphere with a mix of music, creepy creatures, and surprises on every screen. If the rest of the episodes turn out this well I’ll be ready to call this one of my favorite horror games in a long time. (more…)

January 10, 2014
Titan Souls is Dark Souls + Zelda + Shadow of the Colossus

Yes, you read that title right, and yes, it’s really cool.

Titan Souls is the overall winner from the most recent Ludum Dare competition, and I think it’s absolutely deserving of all the attention it’s been getting. This bite sized epic takes the best of some of the most well regarded series, and elegantly weaves them together to make something special. It takes the idea of a “boss battle game” from Shadow of the Colossus, the difficulty and feeling of victory from Dark Souls, and the puzzle design and 2D feel of a Zelda game, and I would eat this up if there were any more of it. (more…)

January 10, 2014
Game of the Year 2013: #06 – MegaMan Unlimited

The real Game of the Year list starts here. Almost everything below this point has been in a state of flux. I’d had Anodyne, BADLAND, Gone Home and others in the 07-10 spots, but 06-01 have been a sure thing since the list was in its early stages. From #06-#01, I’m splitting hairs at this point by trying to put them in any order, but I’ll try to do it anyway. Just know that anything from here to #01 could have been my Game of the Year, and I’d have been just fine with that. Let’s start talking about the best of the best of 2013 with MegaMan Unlimited.

MegaMan Unlimited feels like a revival of one of gaming’s most treasured heroes, and one that Mega Man deserved. Capcom may not want to capitalize on how good Mega Man games can be, but that doesn’t stop fans from trying to reach the heights of the Blue Bomber’s glory days. (more…)

December 28, 2013