Rock, Paper, Shotgun

In a slightly more controlled frame of mind, after the sweary action below, Mr Sims, Rod Humble, of course provided us with a space-themed game last year. Stars Over Half Moon Bay is an altogether far more sedate and serene setting, focusing eyes on the stars, and moods on the chilled.

If you’ve played Humble’s previous game, The Marriage, you’ll know that his private game development doesn’t bear much in common with the day job. While both could be described as “obscure”, Stars is possibly a lot more accessible than Marriage, with a more immediately identifiable means of interaction. Explaining the way the game works goes against the ethos of Humble’s design, so let’s leave it with saying that you’re playing with the stars, first dancing with them, then rescuing them, and finally creating with them. Also, it has the loveliest name of all games ever.

Mentisworks has posted an excellent review of the ‘best’ 27 indie art games ever. The author explains:

When I think of art that has influenced me most, it is generally work done by individuals. I can’t recall the last time a corporation created a brilliant painting. I find that this also tends to be true in the emerging area of art games. Individuals are not generally driven to create purely for profit, and have more leeway to experiment and create according to their own artistic vision.

I thought it was time to compile a “best of” list for art games, because there has only been one other such list that I recall online. I’m sure someone will correct me on that point if there has been in fact another well drafted list somewhere out there.

THERE IS NO LIST. These games, then, are works of modern bedroom programming. One man (perhaps sometimes two men), a PC, and a vision. I’d contend the placing, naturally, and not just because such judgments are subjective, but because I have supernatural access to the absolute values of all things, especially games. I am a transcendental critic, and I say In A Deep Forest should be at number five.

This stuff from Iteration Games is hot, Hot! HOT! ‘Anti-shooter’ should be a widely recognised genre.

Yes sir, there are some classics in there, despite, as the intro mentions, the fact that he’s had to discount some of the lost works of genius that aren’t playable by all. So go and take a look, right now. Go on, stop reading this sentence. Honesty I’m not going to impart any more information, these words are complete filler. Really, see, you’re wasting your time even scanning along this far. I’m not going to say anything else worth your reading. Go!

Via GameSetWatch.