Puzzle games are self-descriptive: The best ones combine tiny pieces to create something bigger and more exciting.
That’s exactly what Gateways — a puzzle-platformer from Smudged Cat Games coming out tomorrow, Sept. 13, on PC and Xbox 360 – does with finesse. It’s a little bit Portal, a little bit VVVVVV, a little bit P. B. Winterbottom, a little bit Metroid, and more…but altogether, it’s something much greater. That very idea can mean the difference between a stale game and an innovative one.
Smell that? That sharp, intoxicating aroma? Assuming you haven't forgotten to do the washing up, that's probably the smell of possibility. Microsoft's ID@Xbox program represents a serious and very overdue step up for self-publishing on Xbox - long consigned to the sporadically fecund depths of the Xbox Live Indie Games channel.
Yep. I hope Microsoft can get their act together. Sony is actively pursuing and partnering with indies. At this point Microsoft is being...less evil?
The title sounds like port begging. If you want indies, get a Playstation system or get a PC. But people should be aware that Xbox One isn't exactly going to be indie-central this upcoming generation.
"The title sounds like port begging."
Because it is. No shame in wanting great games on another platform.
Buddy Acker of SpawnFirst writes: "The Xbox Live Indie Games section of the Xbox Live Marketplace is depressing. I’ll actually go a step further: it’s utter junk. Most of the games available on it are poor clones of popular games, games filled with pictures of barely clothed cartoon women or farting games rife with quicktime events. Most people will stick with Xbox Live Arcade when attempting to find an independent game to play because otherwise their efforts will be akin to searching for a dime in a fountain full of pennies and cement."
After a long wait, Mac and Linux users will be able to enjoy Smudged Cat Games’ hit title Gateways. The Mac and Linux versions of Gateways will be available for $5 through Steam and directly from the developer.
Awww, those scientists look so cute.
The aliens are kinda cute, too -- especially when they absorb electricity from power stations.