An adventure of epic proportions. Perfect for young readers.

All-time Best Indie Games

Listing of the top indie games reviewed here on JIG, and rated by you, the JIG community (ordered by ranking):
JazzpunkIt is the year 1959B. You are Polyblank, spy extraordinaire. In Necrophone Games' first person comedy adventure game, Jazzpunk, you are tasked with a variety of missions from infiltrating the Soviet Consulate to doing something involving a mechanical pig. Each mission will take you into a strange new world with an overabundance of objects to interact with. How are these missions connected? What is the big picture here? Is there one?

MachinariumFrom Amanita Design, creator of the famously brilliant Samorost series, comes Machinarium, a game so well-conceived and implemented it can confidently launch as one of the best point-and-click adventures of all time. Machinarium is nothing short of a playable piece of art. Similar to Samorost in style and gameplay, you play a lone robot thrown out of the city working his way through desolate mechanical slums. Solve puzzles, find and combine items, and encounter loads of creative characters in your quest. Machinarium is one of those rare games you can't praise enough.

BotaniculaWhen a deadly parasite infestation begins sweeping through a massive tree, crippling it and gradually killing off its inhabitants, heroes are found in the most unlikely of places. Five tiny friends band together to save one last seed and find the source of the monstrous parasites in this surreal point-and-click adventure from Amanita Design that is by turns stunning, otherworldly, engrossing, and even a little frightening.

Pom Gets Wi-FiPom is a self-absorbed, foul-mouthed, pop-culture obsessed Pomeranian pup who wants nothing more than to spend all day (every day) on the internet, which might hit a bit too close to home for some of us. Things get, uh, complicated, however, and suddenly she finds herself stuck somewhere with no internet connection, and thus begins a quest to get hooked back up online.

The Great WorkSurprise! Just a few weeks after Knytt Underground made its appearance, Nifflas has released a brand new game! The Great Work is a platform adventure deeply inspired by the Knytt series that follows the metroidvania outline of interconnected passageways strewn with items that grant new abilities and access to new areas. Featuring an alchemy-infused story, The Great Work was made to help promote Bautafilm's latest film that follows the story of Christer Böke, a man who took a year off from his job to become a full-time alchemist.

Super Chibi KnightThe kingdom of Oukoku lives in the shadow of the dastardly (and spicy) General Tso. The legends foretold of a tiny knight that would one day be the salvation of the land. Are you that knight? Are you that tiny? Well, you'd better be, because you're the only hope we have. Super Chibi Knight is an platform-RPG-adventure hybrid by the PestoForce teamof Nick (age 33) and Bella (age 8). It's joyful hack-and-slash fun, though with a couple odd spikes difficulty-wise.

Mari0What happens when you give Mario a portal gun? A mish-mash of two extraordinarily recognizable games — Super Mario Bros. and Portal — with a whole lot of extras. Mari0 puts you in control of our favorite pixellated plumber as he goes on his famous adventure from the mid-1980s, only this time, he's got the power of portals on his side!

World's DawnSugar Blossom Villages looks to be a little slice of paradise, but it's missing something. Could it be you? Find out in World's Dawn, an RPG-Farming Simulation hybrid by Wayward Prophet. Those not already fans of its Harvest Moon-esque gameplay may not be won over by its slow pace, but genre-lovers with a yen for strong character interaction and game mechanics will find it right up their alley.

PrimordiaAs Horatio Nullbuilt Version Five, you and your floating spherical partner Crispin Horatiobuilt need to explore a post-apocalyptic world while searching for your stolen power core. Along the way you'll encounter plenty of other robots both good and bad, but not the mythical Man, the original builders who vanished from the world in ages past. Maybe you'll even find out what happened to them during your search...assuming you don't end up in the scrap heap!

Capella's PromiseWhen his sister agrees to look after a strange girl for a huge sum, Velk thinks it's strange, but things go from weird to dangerous when the girl becomes a target of the Emissaries and has no idea why. A massive freeware indie RPG that makes up for a lot of grinding with tons of content and combat customisation.

Tyrian 2000Let's not mince words. Tyrian 2000 was the best PC shoot-em-up of the 90s, and it still holds up remarkably well today. Originally developed as shareware by Eclipse Productions and published by Epic Games, Tyrian 2000 is now available as legit freeware, and every fan of space shooters should check it out. The amount of customization, the hilarious but loving prose, the gorgeous VGA graphics... all of them come together to make a true classic.

Frogatto & FriendsThe platform adventure will never die. And that's a good thing! Frogatto & Friends injects a little more life into the classic genre, placing great-looking pixel art and a satisfying action/exploration game in front of your eyes for the low low price of free!

SCP - Containment BreachIt's just another day at SCP's secret underground headquarters, and you're just another disposable D-Class grunt about to be used in an experiment with the creature designated only as SCP-173. That's when the lights go out and the containment procedures fail, and you find yourself suddenly lost and alone, pursued by malevolent otherworldly entities in this randomly generated free adventure game.

Chef Solitaire USAIf your business is flopping, don't flip. Unless we're talking about burgers. Journey across 48 states in this casual addictive culinary spin on the classic solitaire game, where dozens and dozens of levels await as our heroine cooks her way to success.

The Walking Dead: Season 2 <br/> Episode One: All That RemainsSixteen months after the finale of season one, season two for TellTale Games' award-winning adventure game set in the popular comic and television show universe starts with a bang. Clementine, back from the first season as the new protagonist, is a little older and a little wiser, but the world is still dark and dangerous. Thrown together with a new group of survivors, is there anyone she can trust... other than herself?

Blank DreamDeath is only the beginning for 16 year old Mishiro, who plans to throw herself into a nearby lake that's the source of local legends. But when she finds herself trapped in a dark and dangerous world, she also finds herself without her memories, and she'll need to regain them all, and possibly those of others stranded there, to find a way forward in this creepy and unsettling free indie horror adventure from Teriyaki Tomato, translated by vgperson.

Fran BowAfter the brutal murder of her parents, Fran Bow finds herself locked away in an asylum for children, but she's determined to escape and find her beloved cat, Mr Midnight. What awaits, however, is an extremely dark and macabre adventure full of danger and nightmares, and in this thoroughly disturbing indie point-and-click adventure, reality isn't as straight-forward as you might think.

Waking MarsWe are not alone. Life has been discovered on Mars, but it's nothing like we ever expected to encounter. In this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind moody action adventure game for iOS, you'll journey deep into the red planet and uncover the secrets buried within its soil. Discover new life forms and challenging puzzles that force you to use the environment to your advantage as you help the planet grow... and ultimately decide its fate.

ResonanceWhen a physicist researching a world-changing project ends up dead, it's up to you to figure out what happened. In Resonance, a stellar point-and-click adventure by Wadjet Eye Games, you control four strangers who are forced to trust each other to help you solve the mystery. Use the unique long and short term memory system to explore the world around you and uncover clues. Can you recover the research before someone else ends up dead?

Dungeon NightmaresFeaturing randomly-generated levels and a gorgeous, eerie sound design, this game is not for the faint of heart. Travel through each dark dungeon, collecting notes and artifacts by flickering candlelight, with hordes of undead tormentors ready to leap at you from the darkness.


Rating:

4.52

Categories: adventure, download, free, game, horror, indie, mac, parsecproductions, rating-y, windows

This game is rated :o for content, click through for an explanation
SlenderThis subtly terrifying indie horror adventure game doesn't have a soundtrack, but if it did, it would just be our reviewers mewling "No no no no no" over and over again. Search for eight missing pages deep in the woods at night with a flashlight as your only guide. But are you as alone as you think? And how long can you last when you can't even risk a look over your shoulder?

The Binding of Isaac: RebirthIt's baaaaaaaaack... Isaac is bigger, badder, and beefier than ever in this super-enhanced remake of the original gory, violent top-down roguelike shooter. With completely overhauled visuals, a haunting new soundtrack, and piles of new enemies, items, and secrets to uncover, it's a remake that's faithful to fans as well as its roots.

Dust: An Elysian TailDust awakens, completely amnesiac, only to find himself being hailed by a talking sword that claims to have been summoned by him. And the sword's diminutive, sassy guardian who is none too happy about being dragged into Dust's quest for identity. But in Humble Hearts' stunning indie action RPG adventure, Metroidvania gameplay combine with memorable characters and fast-paced combat to deliver a gripping story of love, hate, friendship, and forgiveness.

Virtual Villagers 3: <br />The Secret CityVirtual Villagers is back, and we're so excited we couldn't wait until the weekend to tell you! With Virtual Villagers 3: The Secret City, the surprisingly addictive real-time simulation game sticks with its proven formula and makes a few minor tweaks to freshen up gameplay. With new secrets to uncover, new technologies, real-time weather effects and a whole new island to explore, Virtual Villagers 3 has all the ingredients that made the first games so compelling, plus more.

Virtual VillagersVirtual Villagers is a downloadable real-time simulation game developed by Last Day of Work, the creators of Fish Tycoon and a number of other casual sim games. Take charge of a village of crash survivors and help them carve out a living on a jungle island. Teach them to farm, help them research scientific advancements and expand their population. It's a remarkably addictive game that's easy to play but impossible to stay away from!

Candlelight (Demo)It's just one level, but this demo for an upcoming platforming adventure about a lone candle trying to rescue its friends who have been snuffed out by ominous shadows still manages to tantalize.

CavenautPeru, 1950. Strange signs have appeared in the misty mountains. You, a famous spelunker, head to the area to investigate them.. Such is the humble premise of Cavenaut, an exploration-based action-adventure game by Bruno Marcos. Don't think that the ruins of Machu Picchu will reveal their secrets so easily, however. Snake, Bat, Spike, and Spear stand in your path, and if you hope for mysteries to be unraveled, you must be quick of both mind and fingers.

AlonersYou wake up, confused, unable to speak, naked, and threatened with a gun by a young man at the end of the world who seems surprised to find you're human in this free indie visual novel. Your choices determine the heroine's personality and feelings as you struggle to find out what happened to you in this romantic post-apocalyptic tale.

Loren the Amazon PrincessWinter Wolves serves up a huge visual novel adventure RPG with deep tactical combat. As a slave to the Amazon empire, you're sent out with your princess, Loren, in search of a missing queen. In short order, you discover Loren's problems are only a tiny symptom of a greater evil plaguing the world... but will she be able to overcome her own shallow world view and limited life experience to become the hero everyone needs her to be? And does she even want to?

The Sea Will Claim EverythingUnderhome is under attack... by red tape! In this big adventure game by storyteller Jonas Kyratzes, return once again to the surreal Lands of Dream when The Mysterious Druid calls you in to help with what he feels is an erroneous foreclosure attempt on the biotechnological dwelling. A sweeping, engrossing adventure about mystery, magic, money, and family, it's packed full of pop-culture references, intelligence, and unexpected heart.

Winter Voices: AvalancheWinter Voices: Avalanche is a quiet, slow-paced, and very different kind of tactical role playing game. You play a young girl living in a snowy village whose father has just passed away. Dealing with the emotions that follow is difficult, and the mysteries surrounding her father's past makes it even more challenging. Avalanche is the first in a series of episodes telling the story of Winter Voices, and if you're looking for a game that's heavy on emotion, character, and storytelling, this one won't disappoint.

This War of MineIn this compelling and grim indie simulation, you control a group of survivors struggling to get by day to day in an increasingly dangerous city that's turned into a war zone. As the days pass, you're forced to push the limits of what you're comfortable with in order to survive, and rather than glorifying war for heroics, This War of Mine humanizes it for its people.

Streets of RogueStealth? Hacking? Gizmos? Giant rampaging scientists? This freeform action roguelike has 'em all, gives you the missions and lets you decide how to complete them, and it's currently free while in its alpha stage.

Mission US: Flight to FreedomFlight to Freedom is the second in the series of Mission US educational point-and-click adventure game titles focusing on American History, created by Electric Funstuff under the auspices of New York PBS Station Channel 13. The year is 1848. The tenuous balance that had been struck concerning the issue of slavery wavers in the face of a nation expanding by conquest and treaty. Living in these tumultuous times is Lucy, a 14 year old slave of Kentucky's King Plantation. Lucy must balance her wishes for freedom with the risk of recapture, but an incident on the farm will force the issue sooner than she'd ever thought. What can a slave do? An intelligent and thought-provoking game that should appeal to both its student audience, and anyone with a passing interest in history.

Solium InfernumIn the mood for a seriously intense turn-based strategy game? Solium Infernum is about as non-casual as you can get, featuring no in-game tutorial and a 30+ page instruction manual. But it rewards players with superb open-ended gameplay that has as many paths to victory as you can conjure.

Hello? Hell... o?The days drag by, each one the same as the one before, but in this chilling horror game by Ryuuchi Tachibana, translated by Vgperson, not everything is as it seems. Stuck in a rut in your dreary apartment, you barely notice the changes at first, but soon they'll be impossible to ignore. With almost 40 different endings and a unique approach to gameplay and storytelling, it may require some trial-and-error, but it's definitely worth a look.

Avadon: The Black FortressServe the Pact, serve Avadon, serve Redbeard. So it goes for you, a new recruit to the fabled Black Fortress, eager to make a name for yourself and help uphold the ideals of your land. But all is not as it seems; Redbeard, Avadon's commander, seems to inspire as much fear as he does loyalty in his followers, and murmurs of dissent ripple through the ranks while rumours of traitors both unnerve and intrigue you. Decide for yourself what path you will follow in this massive, engrossing turn-based fantasy RPG from Spiderweb Software. Just remember to watch your back so someone doesn't stick a dagger into it. Who can you trust?

Midnight PuppeteerMayo's father goes missing looking for help one dark and stormy night after their car breaks down, and together with her foul-mouthed, fanged teddy-bear Masper, she finds herself in a bizarre mansion filled with tricks, traps, and secrets in this puzzle adventure game translated by vgperson.

Exmortis 3Ben Leffler continues his popular horror point-and-click series in Exmortis 3, when your time for revenge may come too late to do mankind any good. Introducing new abilities, new locations, and dripping with atmosphere, Exmortis 3 is exceptionally well made, but may be over too soon for some players.

OFF


Rating:

4.47

Categories: adventure, download, free, game, indie, rating-o, rpg, surreal, unique, unproductivefuntime, windows

This game is rated :S for content, click through for an explanation
OFFOne of the most surreal RPGs you'll ever encounter has finally been translated into English. Play as the mysterious companion to the even more enigmatic Batter, who has arrived to rid the world of spectres through violent purification. Packed with memorable characters, strange locations, and a seriously engrossing storyline that at times manages to be a bit unsettling too, it's one of the strangest, swankiest free titles around that won't be for everyone, but is definitely worth a look.

Lakeview Cabin CollectionThe first installment into the expanded world of Roope Tamminen's macabre mayhem sandbox horror adventure has arrived! A group of teens are at a lakeside camp trying to get everything ready for it to open, but there's just one small murderous problem, and a whole host of things to interact with in a dynamic environment full of surprises.

Surgeon Simulator 2013Quick, the patient needs a heart transplant, and a doctor! Too bad all they have is you in this hysterical, gory, and very challenging simulation where you control each finger of your hand individually as you attempt to perform life-saving surgery... without dropping a bonesaw into his chest cavity!

Jurassic HeartA girl, a guy, and an after-school get together that could turn into something more. Sounds familiar, right? Wrong! Made in just two days, this short and silly but also surprisingly earnest little visual novel dating sim is weird in all the best possible ways.

Stardew ValleyYou've just inherited your grandfather's run-down farm... it'll take a lot to get it running again, but locals and a whole lot of elbow grease just may help you reach your dreams. A massive and engrossing indie simulation made by a single person, Stardew Valley is packed with farming, relationships, dungeons, crafting, and much, much more.

Camp 1Korski has one last trip to deliver the goods from his labor camp before he is free. But when his ship crashes Korski must venture back to his camp to try and find some help. Mystery abounds in this free indie point-and-click adventure

Mimicry ManIt's your job to take down the legendary hero in this quirky fantasy puzzle game. Who are you? Why, the lord of all Mimics, of course, those sneaky monster treasure chests! You'll need to gobble your way through people from all over the world, luring them in with the items others drop, in order to finally find the sword the hero is looking for to snare him in your trap!


Rating:

4.46

Categories: download, free, game, indie, logic, madflame, math, programming, puzzle, rating-g, windows

This game is rated :D for content, click through for an explanation
Robot UnlockIn each level of Robot Unlock, your goal is to program a path for your Executor robot to travel around a series of command tiles that alter the robot's stored memory. It's very much like SpaceChem and similar logic/programming puzzle games, only in this little game, you'll be using math more than you'd expect!

Stray Cat CrossingWhen you come across a little girl on the side of the road and agree to escort her home, you couldn't imagine the bizarre adventure you're about to set out on in this surreal and unsettling indie horror adventure game. Though short and with some frustrating puzzles, Stray Cat Crossing's gorgeous, creative presentation and heartbreaking story are top notch.


Rating:

4.46

Categories: adventure, free, game, indie, jclowder, rating-o, rpg, rpgmaker, surreal, windows

This game is rated :S for content, click through for an explanation
MiddensAfter playing John Clowder's Middens, you might ask yourself the following question: what just happened? Calling this adventure/RPG "surreal" is a bit like saying a hike to the moon would be a bit of a trek. You start off with a talking gun who reminds you that each time you pull the trigger, its tongue will be close enough to lick your nails. Then you're dropped in the Rift, a place where... well, who knows what's going on there. The surprising part is Middens actually begins to make sense after a while, though your first experience with the game will be filled with delightful, bewildered confusion.

Alice mareOrphaned and amnesiac, young Allen finds himself at a strange school watched over by an eccentric Teacher, where the other children are just as odd. In this surreal adventure game by Miwashiba, translated by vgperson, horror meets psychological fairy-tale for a compelling experience that's a little rough around the edges.

a2Developed in just one month, a2 is a remarkable achievement of a visual novel that packs a serious punch in its narrative. Sona's just going through the motions trying to run the orchestra her deceased estranged father left her, and Hao has just arrived from China to help conduct and doesn't speak a lick of English. But between these two very different people lies some unexpected common ground, and the end result is a story with real heart, honesty, and humour.

NightSkyReady for another game of ambiance and intrigue from Nifflas? NightSky is the latest release from the designer/artist known for creating enchanting atmospheric settings in his games, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. It's simpler and more streamlined than Knytt Stories, but there's no shortage of challenge or variety to be had!

Kraven ManorThere's something in Kraven Manor. The old house provides rest from the storm raging outside, and you soon discover it holds an incredible secret... by assembling a model, you can shift and shape the building's layout to your desire. But you're not alone, and you're not wanted... and it won't let you leave alive. A chilling and masterfully atmospheric free indie horror adventure.

Hydra Castle LabyrinthOriginally released in mid-2011 by indie game creator E. Hashimoto (Buster), Hydra Castle Labyrinth is an old school-styled platform adventure that was previously only available in Japanese. A brave soul recently translated the game to English, and now the cute metroidvania title is available for a much wider audience to enjoy. And enjoy it ye shall!

Knock-Knock!You'll either love it or hate it, but Ice-Pick Lodge's unique indie horror game is one of the most surreal and striking games the genre has seen in a long time. As a mysterious Lodger who's been having trouble sleeping, dawn seems to be taking forever... and it might never come if you can't figure out the rules to the chilling game of hide and seek you're playing with some uninvited guests, and unravel the mystery of your own past.

Ib


Rating:

4.43

Categories: adventure, download, free, game, horror, indie, kouri, mac, mystery, rating-o, surreal, vgperson, windows

This game is rated :S for content, click through for an explanation
IbA trip to an art gallery takes an unsettling turn for nine year old Ib. When the lights go out, she suddenly finds herself alone, and something is begging her to journey deeper into the belly of the building. A free horror adventure game that delivers some fantastically freaky scenes and a ton of scares, both subtle and otherwise, for a memorable experience that's far more effective at times than its big budget peers.

Presentable LibertyTrapped and in isolation from the world your only solace comes through letters that are slipped under your door. Who are these people who send you letters? Are they even real? And would it matter if they are not?

Escape from the UnderworldEscape from the Underworld is a short exploration platformer that shares some design elements with some of the most successful indie games in recent history: Knytt, Iji, Seiklus, Cave Story, and, well, we could probably go on. In short, Escape from Underworld is a Metroidvania and it's really, really good.

PoacherYahtzee is back, and this time he's offering his take on Metroidvania in Poacher, an action-adventure platformer. Join wabbit-hunter Derek Badger as he stumbles into an ancient conflict far below the Earth's surface. Expect some killer difficulty in this effective combo of humor and horror.

Jolly RoverGaius James Rover is really having a bad day; first the ship he was escorting to the governor was captured by pirates, and when he finally manages to escape he finds out that not everything is on the up-and-up. Also, he's a dog. Jolly Rover is a weird and funny point-and-click adventure with some of the scurviest dogs and cheekiest humour you could ever hope to see.

Virtual Villagers 2: <br />The Lost ChildrenIt's here! The next chapter in the captivating virtual island village sim is available to download. The follow-up to the monumentally successful Virtual Villagers game keeps the same formula as the original but adds all new puzzles, events, collectibles and more. It's the perfect follow-up to one of the most amazing casual games ever released.

You Have to Win the GameIf you grew up in an age where dithering was a a common graphical trick to get around color limitations and were excited when CGA was succeeded by EGA which gave way to VGA, just seeing a screenshot of You Have to Win the Game will turn you mad with nostalgia. The exploration platformer from Pirate Hearts shares a lot of design elements with Terry Cavanagh's VVVVVV, Lyle in Cube Sector, and Celestial Mechanica, though its main trick is emulating the computing environment of a decades-old PC. But even if you don't get excited by 16-color CRT monitors, You Have to Win the Game is a thoroughly enjoyable ride!

SkelemaniaDown, down, down into the depths of the earth you have fallen. The landing was hard but your bones were able to withstand the impact and put themselves back together again. And seeing that is all you're made of, your only worry now is to find your way back up. You'll have to go deeper in this Metroidvania puzzle platform game to find the special powers that will help you flip, dive, and jump your way back to the top.

April Was A FoolIn this quirky free indie visual novel adventure made in just a few months, you find yourself conscripted into a party of legendary heroes who aren't so legendary or heroic these days. Can you help them save themselves before they can save the world... and maybe even find a little romance?

Escape from Jay Is GamesHere it is, dear JayIsGames community, fan fiction made by the creator for you. As resoundingly requested, Mateusz Skutnik's remarkably immersive artwork, full of atmosphere and imagination, rendered into an escape-the-room game that's accessible to all. Take your time in the strange-yet-beautifully surreal scene; you may be out before you're ready to go but it's no less enjoyable while it lasts.

My Little Investigations: True Blue ScootalooMy Little P.I., My Little P.I., aaa-aa-aaa-aaaaaaahhhh... when Rarity's precious gem is stolen and the only suspect is one tiny Pegasus, it's up to Twilight Sparkle to solve the mystery in this gorgeous free Ace Attorney-styled visual novel adventure based on My Little Pony!

AntbassadorAntbassador is a physics platform game by Kevin Zuhn and his team that has been declared the winner of the Ludum Dare 30 72 hour "Connected Worlds" game jam. It stars a giant top hat-wearing finger trying desperately to make a good impression on a colony of ants, and often failing. The QWOP-style comedy of political frustrations may not be for everyone, but it has more than it's fair share of hilarious ant-tics.

AnodyneBroom attack! Also, you might be trapped in a dream. Or some other sort of subconscious realm. It's tough to tell, but judging from the strange sights and the cryptic "as legend has foretold" messages from sages and statues, there's definitely something odd going on here. Anodyne from Sean Hogan and Jonathan Kittaka is an adventure through a melancholy world that plays out like a classic 16-bit RPG. It borrows some of the best micro-concepts from games like The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Yume Nikki, and even Earthbound, creating a world that's as innocent as it is moving and as dangerous as it is surreal.

Code 7You are assigned to investigate why an AI facility has gone dark in this sci-fi text adventure. After an incident you are separated from your team mate. You are only able to communicate through text as you help her reunite with you. Use the computer to hack the facility as you try to figure out what went wrong.

Card City NightsYou've just moved to a unique town that's got one thing on its mind... card games! In this engaging blend of strategic collectible card battling and quirky adventuring, the great Card King is finally accepting battles, but you'll need to find eight legendary cards to even get a chance at him... and build a deck of 180 different cards in the process!

WaywardYou wake up on a desert island with no recollection of what happened, nothing but a few shoddy tools to your name, and you're thinking what we'd probably all be thinking in a situation like that: TREASURE! It's going to take a whole lot of fortitude to make it, but with a bit of ingenuity and plenty of raw natural resources just laying around you'll be throwing together everything but coconut radios before you know it.

StarbotShort but more than a little sweet, this free indie adventure inspired by The Little Prince follows a small, newly built robot who makes an unusual friend and discovers the importance of love and friendship for a cozy, effortlessly charming experience.


Rating:

4.38

Categories: adventure, download, free, game, indie, rating-y, rpg, starcadets, windows

This game is rated :o for content, click through for an explanation
Star Stealing PrinceIn a land blanketed in snow secrets are beginning to see the light of day and in Star Stealing Prince the young Prince Snowe is about to be plunged into a world of intrigue that he never could have imagined. In this RPG adventure you will travel across the land trying to uncover the truth that has been denied for so long, and in the process try and find a way to make things right again no matter what the cost is. With an intricate magic system, a lush world to travel, and a story that will keep you guessing just what is in store only a life or death matter will be enough to pull you away from your chair.

Cardinal QuestThe time has come for adventure!... well, a little one, anyway! This simplified roguelike from Ido Yeheili offers three different heroes ready to delve into a dangerous dungeon in search of an evil Minotaur what needs slayin'. While definitely not quite as complex as other titles in the genre, Cardinal Quest offers an ease of use and engaging gameplay that's hard to beat and harder to put down.

Imscared - A Pixelated NightmareGet your fuzzy blankey and turn on the lights, Imscared - A Pixelated Nightmare lives up to its name. This short and simple horror game from Ivan Zanotti puts you in a dark corridor and asks you to explore a bit, gathering keys in order to gain access to different rooms. You know you "need a heart" to make it to the exit, but surely that's some sort of riddle, isn't it? And that portrait totally had blood on it the first time you looked at it, you just didn't catch it in the same light... right?

The Cave (DoubleFine)What's inside the Cave, DoubleFine's latest platforming puzzle adventure? For seven very unusual and very different heroes, that answer is quite personal indeed. But no matter which three you set off to solve the mysteries of the depths with, you can be sure you'll encounter hilarity, challenging puzzles, memorable characters, stunning visuals, and more than a few secrets of the bizarre and personal sort.


Rating:

4.37

Categories: adventure, download, dreampainters, game, horror, indie, puzzle, rating-o, windows

This game is rated :S for content, click through for an explanation
AnnaNight after night, you dream of her. Anna. But... they're not dreams, they're nightmares. And now, you find yourself staring at the very house you see each night in your sleep. This isn't a dream, but it isn't quite real, either. Welcome to the haunting world of Anna, a first person horror adventure game by Dreampainters that will leave you too frightened to turn your back on a dark corner for the rest of the night.

DisillusionCreated in 72 hours for a recent game jam, Disillusion by True Valhalla is a short, somewhat abstract platform adventure that focuses heavily on atmosphere and exploration. You begin with a sword and a vague goal in the back of your mind: go to the end of the world and find the Holy Artifact. If you don't, your people won't survive. Sounds like motivation to us! You quickly head out into the hazy world, ready to tread down branching non-linear paths, defeat enemies both small and gargantuan, and pull off some tricky jumps with the greatest of ease.

And Yet It MovesAnd Yet It Moves, the simple but marvelous indie release from Broken Rules, will reignite your love for video games. That, or it will cause you to shake with anger as you replay the same part of the game for the tenth time. It might even do both! The physics-centric platform adventure employs the familiar "world tilting" mechanic that allows you to rotate the entire game environment in 90 degree increments. And Yet It Moves then proceeds to do crazy and wonderful things with this, allowing you to explore a universe as strange as it is satisfying.


Rating:

4.36

Categories: adventure, download, free, game, horror, indie, mac, rating-r, sen, vgperson, windows

This game is rated xP for content, click through for an explanation
Mad FatherHis home invaded and his victims back for revenge, an evil mad scientist is about to reap what he's sown... but his young daughter, Aya, refuses to let that happen. Mad Father is a free horror adventure and a B-movie-esque roller coaster of a game that'll keep you entertained for hours.

Broken AgeShay and Vella are two very different people. Shay lives aboard a ship where the AI loves him a bit too much. Vella is being forced to sacrifice literally everything for her village. Neither knows the other exists, but two extraordinary stories are about to come together in an unexpected way in this stunning point-and-click indie adventure from Double Fine.

KairoKairo is a first person puzzle adventure game from Richard Perrin, creator of The White Chamber. Set in a minimalist, somewhat abstract world of temples and stones, floating pathways and mysterious mechanisms, you'll be given no clues as to what you need to do to complete the game. Instead, you'll wander through room after room, using your keen powers of observation to figure out where the puzzles are and how to solve them. It's a game design choice rarely seen since the days of Myst, and it brings with it a satisfying gaming experience that has become increasingly rare in the age of tutorials and online cheat codes.

A Man's Quest A Man's Quest is an HTML5 action platformer by The Drunk Devs that hearkens to yesteryear, both in terms of its retro graphics and the bouncy spirit of childhood. Help Ty show up his rival Kevin by swiping his place as Chosen One and being the first to make it to the top of Ominous Power. A compressed burst of fun, if one with somewhat loose jump physics.

OutlastAs a reporter determined to uncover the truth behind years of lies and governmental cover-ups, you venture alone into Mount Massive Asylum. But you won't be prepared for the horrifying truth and the effects the mountain has had on its inmates. Run, hide, and try to find a way out while searching for evidence in this harrowing action adventure that might be one of the most gory and disturbing games to ever come along.

DungelotChoose your hero and embark upon a dungeon crawl in Dungelot. In this roguelike you'll face a myriad of monsters as you fight your way deeper into the dungeon. Collect items to increase your stats as you find the key needed to exit each level. How deep can you delve?

A Good Snowman is Hard to BuildSimple can be smart, and this indie puzzle game is simply gorgeous to boot. Play as a little monster who just wants to build bunches of snowmen (and snowwomen!) by solving clever, tightly designed levels with rich atmosphere that will suck you in no matter what the weather is like outside. Also for iOS and Android!

Ristorante AmoreLife for Lily, like any other visual novel heroine, is fairly typical. She feels like she's adrift after college and is only working at her uncle's restaurant for the money. But is there more to the eclectic staff than anyone might suspect? A free game made in just a month by Cyanide Tea, packed with romance, restaurant hi-jinks, and more than a few surprises you may not see coming.

I Wanna Be The Guy: GaidenI Wanna Be The Guy was a small indie platform game released way back in 2007, and if you're wondering what took it so long to get a sequel, you obviously never played the original. A quick refresher: you could be killed by falling apples. You could be killed by apples that fall upwards. If you avoided the apples, a cloud could drop out of the background... and kill you. And that would be how you got past one screen. The sequel ups the insanity and makes you wonder if you really do want to be the guy.

Super HexagonSuper Hexagon, the latest release from VVVVVV creator Terry Cavanagh, is the kind of game that makes you hate games. It will make you feel like an inept player who couldn't play an arcade game even if you were in Russia (where arcade game plays you, we hear). You might even get mad at Terry, who crafted this fast, stylish game seemingly just to show you how often you can fail. But after you lose ten times in as many seconds, you'll suddenly realize that Super Hexagon has you by the collar, has already taken your lunch money, and if you want it back, you're going to have to keep playing. Strangely enough, that's a challenge you'll be thrilled to undertake!

FezWhat would you do if you found out there was more to your world? Like... a LOT more? And then you had to save it? That's what happens to Gomez, a little 2D creature who finds out his world isn't 2D as he always thought, and thanks to a mystical hat unlocks a power that will allow him to see every hidden side of it... something he'll need since he needs to track down fragments of a mystical cube before the world destroys itself! A stunning exploration-based platforming indie adventure that will bring out the wonder in you.

The HollowAfter losing his Wife to illness the Huntsman's daughter has gone off into the forbidden woods filled with tricksters as well as The Hollow Queen. Now the Huntsman must venture in himself and face the unknown to find what took his daughter in this free indie visual novel.

The Royal TrapMadeleine has been the valette to Prince Oscar for years, ever since they were both children. She's been his guardian and his guide, but also his confidant, and as he approaches adulthood she hopes to help him find a bride in the princess of a neighbouring kingdom... at least, right up until they become embroiled in a dangerous mess of political intrigue and secrets that threaten their lives and their hearts in this gorgeous, fascinating indie visual novel from Hanako Games.

Virtual Families 2: Our Dream HouseLast Day of Work loves virtual sims. I mean seriously loves them, at least according to their lead designer. And, well, their product line, which includes the massively popular Virtual Villagers series. For those of us who love messing with the lives of little virtual people without all that faffing about on an island, Last Day of Work created Virtual Families, a game which featured the animated people without the exploding volcanoes. Now they've come out with the sequel to that fabulous game, Virtual Families 2: Our Dream House, which deepens the gameplay of the original in new and interesting ways, and all for your handy portable iOS device!

Dreaming MaryThere's something dark hiding inside this free indie adventure. On the surface, it's about a little girl who spends her dreams in a safe, magical place. But sometimes her dreams are cut short... and what kind of life is a life spent hiding anyway?

The Blind GriffinAs the only daughter of a large Chinese family in 1920s San Francisco, you never suspected you were a magician, but when you wind up bartending at a very special speakeasy, you learn just that in this fast but fun and beautiful free indie otome visual novel made for NaNoReNo.

DriftmoonWhen you find your village turned to stone and your father abducted for a strange gem in his possession, you have no choice but to set out and save the world. Provided Mittens the disembodied hand doesn't stop you. And you team up with a plucky firefly with a code of honour. And... well, you get the idea. A gorgeously creative and immersive light-hearted indie action-RPG with a built-in mod creation toolset, Driftmoon is an effortlessly fun and funny adventure that anyone can, and probably will, enjoy.

Sam & Max: The Devil's <br />Playhouse - The Penal ZoneSam and Max are back in another season of episodic adventure games! Expanding upon the established point-and-click formula explored in Sam & Max - Culture Shock and following episodes, the first game in The Devil's Playhouse season, The Penal Zone, lets you see things through the warped perspective of Max. Yes, it's as crazy as you think, if not moreso. But it's still a lot of adventuring goodness with the duo's characteristic sense of humor slapped on every object and situation.

Shadowrun ReturnsIn the world of Shadowrun, magic and the digital age collide in a dangerous age where dealing with backstabbing dragons running drug cartels is every bit as likely as corporate espionage carried out by cybernetically enhanced trolls. Harebrained Schemes puts a fresh spin on the cult classic tabletop game and brings it into the digital era with this engrossing turn-based strategy RPG, including the tools to make and share your own campaigns for free.

The Ballads of Reemus: When the Bed BitesThe Kingdom of Fredicus is a place that loves its heroes. Unfortunately, Reemus, exterminator extraordinaire and overshadowed brother to the local dragon slayer, is having trouble convincing that populace that he deserves a little undying adulation. Sure, later in life he'll have Several Journeys to prove his bravery against invading death slugs. Right now, though, it's early in his adventure gaming career, and even after his first minimal-property-damaging bug slaying, he's have trouble getting people listen to the glorifying ballads written by his faithful bear companion, Liam. So a-questing he goes, in search of glory, gratitude, and, most importantly, a soft bed. It's The Ballads of Reemus: When the Bed Bites, the first premium downloadable adventure game in the popular series, produced by the newly minted Click Shake Games! And while the anticipation may have driven us all a little buggy, it was totally worth it.


Rating:

4.28

Categories: adventure, chineseroom, download, game, indie, mac, narrative, rating-y, steam, windows

This game is rated :o for content, click through for an explanation
Dear EstherDear Esther is an interactive story told through a first person adventure setting. There's very little gameplay to speak of, just a deep mystery about the deserted island you're walking on, along with unanswered questions surrounding a horrific crash and a book written by a long-lost explorer. What happened in this dreary place? And, better yet, can you find a way out?

HELP Jayisgames.com

Recent Comments

 

Display 5 more comments
Limit to the last 5 comments

Game of the week


Dark Romance: Vampire Origins Collector's Edition

Your Favorite Games edit

add
Save links to your favorite games here. Use the Favorites editor.

Monthly Archives