Independent game developers often produce innovative, quirky titles that employ unique and interesting gameplay mechanisms. When a good indie title is released, it always serves as a reminder of what a bit of imagination can bring to the gaming world, rather than simply rehashing stale intellectual property.<\/p>\n
Machinarium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Developed in flash, this adventure game puts the player in control of a little robot that is unceremoniously dumped onto the garbage heap of life. Though point-and-click adventures are an old concept, the way it is delivered in this title has gained favourable reviews<\/a> around the Web.<\/p>\n Winner of the Excellence in Visual Art award at the 12th Annual Independent Games Festival, the elaborate artwork employed in the visual styling creates a rich steampunk-esque world to explore.<\/p>\n The game is clearly a labour of love for the seven Czech developers who financed the three year development with their own savings.<\/p>\n The game costs US$19.99 (±R160) through Steam<\/a> or US14.99 (R120) through Impulse Driven<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hammerfight <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This title recently made its appearance on the gaming scene without much fanfare. Developed by a Russian team, this 2D game puts the player in control of a flying machine that can be equipped with a variety of melee and projectile weapons. The weapons are wielded through a physics system which converts mouse movements into an inertial swinging attack (think of ye olde flail).<\/p>\n To get a better understanding of the gameplay mechanic it’s probably best to view the demonstration video on the website. The game is available for US$9.99 (±R80) on Steam<\/a><\/p>\n Eufloria<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Eufloria was in development for 18 months under the working title of Dyson: Eufloria. The game was a finalist in the 2009 Independent Games Festival Grand Prize category. The game is an RTS of sorts, which puts the player in control of bio-mechanical seedlings called Dysons.<\/p>\n The Dysons are used to explore the space-like game world and colonise vacant asteroids by growing tree like structures, or to attack occupied ones. Visually, the game adopts a minimal approach, which isn’t to say that it’s not pleasing to behold.<\/p>\n A big attraction for the package is the ambient music soundtrack which was produced by Brian “Milieu” Grainger<\/a> who is well respected in ambient music circles.<\/p>\n Eufloria has been receiving generally favourable reviews from sites such as Charge-Shot<\/a>. The game is available on Steam <\/a>for US$19.99 (±R160).<\/p>\n