IGM - 5 Indie Games That Will Mess With Your Head

If there is one genre or collection of games that can only really be found within the indie gaming scene, it is experimental games. On my many trips around the net I often stumble across some games that astound me for various reasons. I am specifically interested in games that blow my expectations out of the water and completely surprise me by bending or just completely abandoning typical conventions of game design.

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IGM - 1916: Der Unbenkannte Krieg Review

As far as delivering an experience goes, 1916 is outstanding and will remain as one that will stay with me. The game immediately draws comparisons to Amnesia: The Dark Descent due to the horror it is able to induce into its players. To get the full experience of 1916 requires a playthrough in the dark with headphones on, the game design does the rest. As far as atmosphere goes, the game gets it right. I am in love with the visual design especially. Admittedly the graphics let the game down in places, but the ‘authentic’ black and white, grainy style really adds to the grim setting of the game. The first person perspective and lack of HUD only enhances this further and allows the player to get really immersed into the environment.

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Hooked Gamers - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Preview

One of the most anticipated titles of the year is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. With long-time competitors Bioware being shunned by players, Bethesda has an opportunity to seize the day. The pressure is on them more than ever to deliver the game that players are hoping for. Failure to do so could potentially mean that this year will see the fall of not just one, but two heavenly figures from the sky.

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Hooked Gamers - L.A. Noire: Error, Does Not Compute

L.A. Noire is undoubtedly one of the most important games in video game history. Its release is significant as it marks the point at which the line between cinema and games blurs. Some would argue that Heavy Rain did a lot to meld the two and, being released in 2010, beat L.A. Noire to the punch. This is true, but it didn’t go far enough. L.A. Noire’s film noire ambiance and unique style of play make it the first game to truly straddle the threshold.

But... is that a good thing? I am not so sure.

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IGM - From Cupcake To Gateau: Portal 2's Indie Story

Portal 2 is not an indie game. Big surprise. What it is, however, is the most prominent example of how the indie gaming scene is the figurehead of innovation within the industry. As fellow supporters of indie games, it is our duty to be aware that both of the highly successful Portal games are the results of two, much smaller projects. With a fresh take on gameplay these two games were quickly swallowed up by Valve and transferred from an indie idea, into a AAA experience.

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IGM - Soul Brother Review (PC)

In Jasper Byrne’s delightful 2D platformer, death is the only option. Yes that’s right, Soul Brother is a game in which players control a spirit that travels from creature to creature in order to move around. Being the selfish entity that you are, a small sacrifice is needed to exit a creature’s body to then jump inside another. The cute creatures all have their own ability; such as the double jumping cat, a block pushing worm, and my favourite – the chirpy flying bird.

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IGM - Bela Kovacs and The Trail Of Blood Review (PC)

Eastern Europe has always been perceived as a dark and gruesome place. It has a deep history of culture that defines both melancholy and grotesquery. Hungary-based Extropia Games uses this inherent gloom to stylize their point-and-click murder mystery, Bela Kovacs and The Trail Of Blood.

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