Thomas Can Never Be Alone

Genre: Puzzle-Platforming

Developer: Mike Bithell (PC, Mac, Linux)/Curve Studios (PS3 & Vita)

Publisher: Mike Bithell

System: PC, Mac, Linux, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita

Initial Release Date: July 24, 2012 (PC & Mac)

Minimalism seems to find a way to get into video games, and Thomas Was Alone is no exception to this rule. Like Journey and flower, this game does not have a huge drawn out plot. The game follows the story of several AIs in a computer mainframe run out of control and gain unique personalities and abilities. Using each of their own abilities, these AIs help each other get from point A to point B while facing various obstacles.

Each of the AIs has an ability that can help the other AIs solve puzzles. Laura (the pink rectangle),
acts as a trampoline. 

You'll have to switch between AIs in order to progress through each level, so there's some form of strategy needed in order complete the game, which gets harder with more AIs as the story progresses.

The only way we can know of each of the AIs personalities is through the narration (and humor) of the narrator, Danny Wallace.

If you're looking for something that has some puzzle solving strategy and something that isn't plot-heavy, then look no further than Thomas Was Alone.

Anyways, sorry that this was up late!
-Anthony-

"Trial And Error" - Crayon Physics Deluxe

Title: Crayon Physics Deluxe
Genre: Puzzle
Developer/Publisher: Klooni Games/Petri Purho
System: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
Release Date: January 7th, 2009

And just when you thought that a game involving flowers was crazy enough, there has to be a game involving CRAYONS. Well, it's true, there is a game with the use of crayons. In this post of Trial and Error, it's all about the puzzle solving and drawing simulator that is Crayon Physics Deluxe. 

An example of one the levels in the game.

While this game has no real story line to it, the game is more about thinking things through by get the circle all the way to the star. The first level (image shown above) tells you to draw a box in order to move the circle (though in later levels you'll have the ability to move the circle by clicking it.) You'll have to make a variety of objects and obstacles in order to get all the stars in the game.

Whenever you collect a certain amount of stars, a new level will be unlocked and ready for you to go on and play.

As this game is a physics related game, there will be puzzles in which involve the effects of gravity, mass, kinetic energy as well as momentum, which could pose as challenges even with the game's simple design.

You can create your own levels with the level editor.

One of the more interesting things with Crayon Physics Deluxe is the ability to create your own levels and share it with everyone. You can make the level as simple or as complex as you want it in whatever way you want it.

...Or you can just be bored and just doodle on the map. Your use of the crayons isn't restricted to just the levels themselves.

Crayon Physics Deluxe is an interesting puzzle game that makes the fun use of crayons and bringing drawings to life while making it fun and challenging with its puzzles and design. However, on Steam, the game is priced at $20, which for some people may be a turn off with the amount of content the game has. Though Steam does have a tendency to put things on sale, so if you want to try this game in full, it would be best to wait.

Thanks for looking up!
-Anthony-

Kickstarting The Code of "Shovelry"

Hello everyone.

Normally at the top of this blog you'll normally see information about the game, it's name, it's release, publisher(s) and what not, but that's not the case for today's blog.

Not that long ago I came across a trailer for a new game that has yet to be released. I instantly was amazed by it's concept. The title that I'm talking about is "Shovel Knight".

Shovel Knight is an upcoming action/platformer game that will be released on Steam (PC), and also on Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo 3DS that will be released sometime in 2013. The game is done in a retro 8-bit design, from enemies, dialogue boxes, and even the musical score.

Like any indie game before it, making a game costs money, and of course the company behind this game, Yacht Club Games, is in need of funds in order to finish the game in its entirety. With the way the economy is, and how money goes by quick, sometimes you have turn to something in order to get the project at full speed.

That's where sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo come in.

A week or so ago, Yacht Club Games started their Kickstarter campaign for Shovel Knight, and need a total of $75,000 in order to fully finish the game. Now you're probably asking: "Why should I donate to for this campaign?" Any campaign done on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo, regardless of the project type, gives people who donate certain amounts rewards in return.

Kickstarter and IndieGoGo campaigns can offer special rewards to those who donate. People who donate $100 or more for Shovel Knight's campaign get "official Shovel Knight Dirt" along with a special secret, and all other previous rewards.

Of course, the company must pay part of the money once that have fully funded their campaign to the site itself (this is the case for IndieGoGo, though I'm not 100% sure about Kickstarter).

Even though there's still a little over three weeks of campaign still going on, and it's reached halfway towards it's goal, the sooner it gets fully funded, the sooner progress can be made for the game's completion. Even if you donate just $1 to the campaign it helps a lot in a way.

So let's see what we can do to help get this game into a reality!

The Shovel Knight Kickstarter Page

Shovel Knight's Steam Greenlight Page (NOTE: You must have an account/login to Steam to vote it up)

Shovel Knight Trailer

Shovel Knight will also be shown at this year's PAX East, which is this weekend. So hopefully more info on the game will come out soon.

Cheers, everyone!
-Anthony-