Penumbra

Penumbra is mostly a survival horror game, but because of the degree of interactivity with the world and heavy “puzzle content” and adventure elements, I prefer to think of it as an adventure game. The unique thing about Penumbra is in the way you interact with the world, everything is physics enabled and a lot of the game logic and design revolves around “real logic” as a result. For example to open a door you literally click on it and pull it aside, instead of going through a draconian combination of 8 items to get something on top of a shelf, you can pull the shelf out of the way, knock the item off with an object, or make an impromptu staircase out of a series of boxes. If something is chasing you, you can barricade a door and set up a trap or utilise any # of solutions that are possible within the game world. As a result the game feels less of a game where you are figuring out the designer’s whims as with most games, and more of a physical environment that you are moving around in.

There isn’t much in the way of combat, it’s quite creepy and you can be done with it in a night. It’s another one of those short but sweet games. At the time of writing, the team which started the project while they were still at university have apparently been funded to produce three full episodes (Penumbra ends rather ubruptly when you hit the end of the tech demo). There is really nothing like this in the AAA arena yet and this is a shining example of when developers take full advantage of the indie freedom to innovate and makes you glad that we even have indie game development in the first place.

 More info here – http://penumbra-overture.com/index.htm

Download the original prototype episode here free. http://www.download.com/Penumbra/3000-7504_4-10536435.html

Missing

This is a rare gem, an old school adventure game and by old school I mean like those old Shareware gems you used to find. Not Sierra or Lucasarts, think indepedent like Hugo’s House of Horrors,  or except with the ICOM adventure style like Shadowgate and Leather Goddesses of Phobos.

 You uh.. “Guide an ex-cop in search of his missing wife and child in an old English inn through the mysteries in his way. “. Thank you official website! It’s a very atmospheric adventure that can be beaten in a few hours, a night or a rainy afternoon. Unlike most adventures, the puzzles and solutions are fairly straightforward with a creepy but enthralling story that holds your attention the hold time. I doubt anyone will be able to put this down once they’ve started and chances are you will probably start and beat it in the same session, then put it away like a good book. Tiny old school sized download (will fit on a floppy, remember those days?), but big fun.

 Price is my favourite. Free.  http://studioeres.com/games/

Facade

Okay.. maybe not *every* game will appeal to today’s hardcore gamer (the type that only plays FPS/RTS/MMOs) but this is one for old school hardcore gamers. The kind that played EVERYTHING (Yeeeeeaaah *ahem*). It’s an adventure game…. kinda, well not really. Um. okay. The best way to describe Facade is an interactive one act soap opera. You literally get plunged into an apartment with primtive graphics and hand drawn cutouts with a couple who are your friends.. but are having relationship issues themselves. Can you say social tension? The coolest part of the game is that you say anything to them by typing. It’s kind of like a real time text adventure. You can side with either of them, try to get them back together/not get them together/ throw stuff around the apartment / just leave. It’s up to you. It’s as close to “interactive drama” as anyone’s ever… well bothered.

At the time of writing, this is kinda old now but still worth mentioning. The developers themselves bill the game as an “interactive screenplay” but there are several discrete paths that can be taken. When you finish each session the game will generate a “script” / screenplay of your session too. You won’t be playing it for very long, probably not more than a night but it will leave a lasting impression and for once this is a game you can show a non gamer (in particular females) and have them immediately drawn in regardless of whether they’ve played video games in the past.

 Oh and the price is the best you can get. Free. http://www.interactivestory.net/