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General discussion (archive)Of the beaten track(62 posts)(62 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted June 26, 2012
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Wishbone: I suppose it depends on your definition of "alternative" and "experimental", but when Lemmings came out, it was certainly different from anything else ever seen. A few "clones" were made by other people later on, but largely it stood alone, certainly in the broad masses, and when the franchise died, the gameplay died with it.
Why not, Lemmings also came out of an experiment - how few pixel can you use and still have something recognisable as humanoid.

Edit - Consideration - Lemmings stays, it was a experiment of its time, and the gameplay was innovative.
Post edited June 26, 2012 by amok
Posted June 26, 2012
Oh, oh, another one: Osada, by Amanita Design (makers of Samorost, Machinarium, Botanicula). Genre: erhm... Clicker? Oh, and Music, definitely.

Ah, and I've been trying to remember the name of this one since I mentioned Kairo earlier: FRACT OSC (First Person Puzzle Adventure, Music). To be released.
Post edited June 26, 2012 by YogSo
Posted June 26, 2012
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YogSo: Oh, oh, another one: Osada, by Amanita Design (makers of Samorost, Machinarium, Botanicula). Genre: erhm... Clicker? Oh, and Music, definitely.
hmm, yes and that reminds me of Windosil, also a bit of an experiment. I would not consider Machinarium, Botanicula as part of this, the art is nice, but they are more standard point-n-click. They both get points for non-verbal communication though.

Osada also made me remember the Madrid game, maybe that belongs there to
Post edited June 26, 2012 by amok
Posted June 27, 2012
Just to pose a question to those interested: Would you consider a game like PixelJunk Eden to be experimental? I am debating this with myself right now.

Intellectuality I know it is experimental and the style is quite "arty", but emotionally I found that there is something that stops me from placing it in this category, though I am not sure yet what it may be. It will probably go on the list when I have sorted these feelings out. At the moment all I can say that playing it just feels like any other platformer (except you don't see the platforms until they have "grown")
Posted June 27, 2012
I think that http://quantumminigolf.sourceforge.net/ is probably technically experimental even though it's a few years old. I don't think I've ever seen a game quite like it.
Posted June 27, 2012
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hedwards: I think that http://quantumminigolf.sourceforge.net/ is probably technically experimental even though it's a few years old. I don't think I've ever seen a game quite like it.
oh, thank you very much, never seen this one before.
Posted June 27, 2012
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hedwards: I think that http://quantumminigolf.sourceforge.net/ is probably technically experimental even though it's a few years old. I don't think I've ever seen a game quite like it.
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amok: oh, thank you very much, never seen this one before.
It's one of those rare games where the developer managed to pull off the concept flawlessly. I think any computer golf or minigolf fan should really check it out because it's marvelous.
Posted June 27, 2012
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hedwards: It's one of those rare games where the developer managed to pull off the concept flawlessly. I think any computer golf or minigolf fan should really check it out because it's marvelous.
Anyone who likes quantum mechanics should have a go, I loved this: "Since a quantum mechanical ball is most of the time at several places at once, it is impossible to say, whether it is in the hole or not. It is just "at once inside and outside" the hole." made me giggle like a schoolgirl.
Posted June 27, 2012
This list is shaping up nicely. I can't really help with PixelJunk Eden, because I've not tried it, but if it plays just like any other platformer I wouldn't include it here. From your original post: "The aim is collect the games which goes into the category "alternative","art" games, "is it really a game" and so on." I don't think just having an 'artsy' art-style is enough. Otherwise, there would be lots of indie games (especially platformers) that should have to be included, when the only 'alternative' quality they have is an unusual art-style. Or things like Zeno Clash, which has a delightfully weird art-style, but at its core is 'just' a first person brawler (and occasionally, shooter). All this in my not-so-humble opinion, of course. :-)

This reminds me, though, I've been thinking about Sword & Sworcery EP. I've just played the first 2 acts, because the game hasn't really grabbed me so far, although I plan to return to it to complete it at some point. It has a lot of those hard to explain 'artsy' qualities... but I'm not sure the gameplay is experimental enough to set it apart from other platformers. What do you think?

Ah, and finally, another game that I think deserves to be in this list without a doubt: Ruins (Exploration, Narrative).
Posted June 27, 2012
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YogSo: This reminds me, though, I've been thinking about Sword & Sworcery EP. I've just played the first 2 acts, because the game hasn't really grabbed me so far, although I plan to return to it to complete it at some point. It has a lot of those hard to explain 'artsy' qualities... but I'm not sure the gameplay is experimental enough to set it apart from other platformers. What do you think?
I've only played the first act, but it struck me as being simply a very simple point'n'click adventure game, with huge levels containing virtually nothing to do, and an awkward user interface. I don't really feel that any of those qualities are particularly innovative.
Posted June 27, 2012
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YogSo: This list is shaping up nicely. I can't really help with PixelJunk Eden, because I've not tried it, but if it plays just like any other platformer I wouldn't include it here. From your original post: "The aim is collect the games which goes into the category "alternative","art" games, "is it really a game" and so on." I don't think just having an 'artsy' art-style is enough. Otherwise, there would be lots of indie games (especially platformers) that should have to be included, when the only 'alternative' quality they have is an unusual art-style. Or things like Zeno Clash, which has a delightfully weird art-style, but at its core is 'just' a first person brawler (and occasionally, shooter). All this in my not-so-humble opinion, of course. :-)

This reminds me, though, I've been thinking about Sword & Sworcery EP. I've just played the first 2 acts, because the game hasn't really grabbed me so far, although I plan to return to it to complete it at some point. It has a lot of those hard to explain 'artsy' qualities... but I'm not sure the gameplay is experimental enough to set it apart from other platformers. What do you think?

Ah, and finally, another game that I think deserves to be in this list without a doubt: Ruins (Exploration, Narrative).
mm, it is for the same reasons S&S is not there - the list is not to be of indie games, but for experimental titles generally. Proun was another that I kept debating with myself if it really tries to experiment with the media, and I did in the end put it up there as I felt it did, but at a level it is just another racer based on the old Star Wars formula.

Thanks for Ruins, by the way, another one I forgot about.
Post edited June 27, 2012 by amok
Posted June 27, 2012
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Wishbone: I've only played the first act, but it struck me as being simply a very simple point'n'click adventure game, with huge levels containing virtually nothing to do, and an awkward user interface. I don't really feel that any of those qualities are particularly innovative.
I agree with you so far. The transition from touch screens to mouse-click doesn't feel right at all. I was reserving judgement until I played through it, though, since it seems to have achieved some critical acclaim... But of course, one can't completely trust the opinion of game journalists/critics... :-D

Oh, and I've you've only played act 1, you've been spared a truly horrible boss battle at the end of act 2. Lucky you, really.
Post edited June 27, 2012 by YogSo
Posted June 27, 2012
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Wishbone: I've only played the first act, but it struck me as being simply a very simple point'n'click adventure game, with huge levels containing virtually nothing to do, and an awkward user interface. I don't really feel that any of those qualities are particularly innovative.
They did try to do something with sound and music, but I do not think it is enough to be innovative either. The same problem is with Bastion, where they tried something new with the narration, but I do not think it is enough to call it innovative / experimental. (but then Bastion is also a good game....)
Posted June 27, 2012
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amok: They did try to do something with sound and music, but I do not think it is enough to be innovative either. The same problem is with Bastion, where they tried something new with the narration, but I do not think it is enough to call it innovative / experimental. (but then Bastion is also a good game....)
I debated with myself whether to post Bastion as well, because of both the narration and the way the level tiles zoom up under your feet as you get to them. However, I chose to restrict my definition to game mechanics only, and none of those things affect the actual gameplay, only the atmosphere.
Posted June 27, 2012
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amok: They did try to do something with sound and music, but I do not think it is enough to be innovative either. The same problem is with Bastion, where they tried something new with the narration, but I do not think it is enough to call it innovative / experimental. (but then Bastion is also a good game....)
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Wishbone: I debated with myself whether to post Bastion as well, because of both the narration and the way the level tiles zoom up under your feet as you get to them. However, I chose to restrict my definition to game mechanics only, and none of those things affect the actual gameplay, only the atmosphere.
mm, to me the core of Bastion is to generic to be considered experimental, the rest is just bells and whistles. Still a very good game though.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Of the beaten track(62 posts)(62 posts)
(62 posts)