m a c h i n a r i u m 

Two of my very favourite web games would be Samorost, and Samorost 2. Created by Amanita Design, which consists of founder Jakub Dvorsky with Vaclav Blin, both games are serene, beautiful experiences. Ostensibly point-and-click games, they are more about exploring the locations and experiencing the techno-natural environments. There are puzzles, but they are gentle, and usually are solved by experimentation rather than ingenuity. The news (it's not news, but we're writing about it today) that they are working on a full-scale adventure is met with a happy heart.

Machinarium is due in the second half of this year, and as yet very little is known so far. So check out the two screenshots available here (and they are screenshots, not concept art).

Here's what we know: It's going to feel similar to the Samorost games, using no speech, and 2D backgrounds and characters. It will be a fully hand-drawn world, where everyone, including you, is a robot, fighting against the Black Cap Brotherhood.

We also know that the soundtrack will once more be scored by Tomáš Dvorák, under his Floex guise. If this means nothing to you, play Samorost 2 with your ears open. And then buy the CD of the music (along with the full game) from here.