Top Indie games of 2011

[RapidSnail]

I'm really surprised to not see Magicka up there. Excellent artwork, theme, humor, execution in my opinion.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm really surprised to not see Magicka up there. Excellent artwork, theme, humor, execution in my opinion.

OH yeah, that too?

Magicka, SPAZ, Orcs Must Die--all of them highly, highly popular games.

something wrong with that list.

Honestly, I've only heard of 2 of those games, are the others phone games or some bullshit?

 

[The Green Bean]

You sound like one of those uptight Muslims or something.

I'm sure if they made a game about the holocaust, many people here wouldn't play it. I even think the devs would be tried in court for it--such is American hypocrisy. Why are you allowed to make fun of one thing that may offend a billion people while not being allowed to make fun of something else that only offends a group of people? That's how "freedom" works in your country.

 

[allon13]

Indie games are officially in style. it can sometimes be hard to take a step back and gather one’s thoughts about which of the indie games released in 2011....i think these are best indie games..........

Bastion,
Terraria,
the binding of isaac,
serious sam double d,
frozen synapse....

 

[PowerYoga]

bastion and SPAZ for me. Orcs must die is fun but I'm getting slightly bored of it.

 

[wanderer27]

I've played a few of the games on that list, and many others that aren't (but they may not be from 2011).

SpaceChem is great if you like puzzle time games.

Trauma could be interesting, but you have to memorize some odd Symbols for interaction/navigation.

Dungeons of Dredmor looks to have potential, but I need to spend more time to familiarize myself with it.

Frozen Synapse I haven't been able to get into yet, but I'll get to it eventually.


Indie games are just about the only thing I run anymore, they're really quite impressive these days.

.

 

[Dankk]

I'm sure if they made a game about the holocaust, many people here wouldn't play it. I even think the devs would be tried in court for it--such is American hypocrisy. Why are you allowed to make fun of one thing that may offend a billion people while not being allowed to make fun of something else that only offends a group of people? That's how "freedom" works in your country.

To be fair, I think you're comparing apples to oranges. The holocaust =/= a religious fable from a book.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm sure if they made a game about the holocaust, many people here wouldn't play it. I even think the devs would be tried in court for it--such is American hypocrisy. Why are you allowed to make fun of one thing that may offend a billion people while not being allowed to make fun of something else that only offends a group of people? That's how "freedom" works in your country.

so, pure myth versus the very real extermination of 6 million people.

I don't see how to compare, unless you equate the Holocaust with other myths?

 

[The Green Bean]

To be fair, I think you're comparing apples to oranges. The holocaust =/= a religious fable from a book.

I could just say (hypothetically. I really don't care if it happened or not) that the holocaust did not happen. It was made up. Does that offend you? Too bad. There is no way either of us can prove/disprove either the holocaust or the binding of Isaac. What I'm saying is that just because one person believes or disbelieves in something, it does not make it factual. You might say I'm brainwashed into disbelieving the holocaust, but the religious fundies might say the same about you.

When you are part of a society, you have to be mindful of everyone's beliefs. You should not let your personal biases interfere with what should be deemed offensive. If it offends a segment of society (even if another segment deems them to be idiots), it should not be allowed.

Would you approve of a game that lets you fly planes into buildings intentfuly? I think it's crazy people are still so offended by 9/11. However, since it offends people, games like those should not be made.

edit: I'm not easily offended--secular themes like sex, violence and drugs don't bother me at all. I'm not offended by religious themes when they are tastefully done-- Civilization 4 does really well here. But when you are making fun of a person's beliefs (however absurd you may think they are), it's going too far.

 

[Gothgar]

Terraria was soooooo much better than Bastion

So much.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

There is no way either of us can prove/disprove either the holocaust or the binding of Isaac.

Except it's not very difficult to prove the Holocaust did happen, plenty of allied soldiers saw the aftermath firsthand while they were in Germany.

I'm not fond of the religious theme in the game either but to compare it to the Holocaust is absurd.

 

[JujuFish]

All this bickering over the offensiveness of Binding of Isaac doesn't change the fact that it's a boring game.

As for the 3 indie games I had the most fun with, I'd probably list Bastion, Space Pirates and Zombies, and Magicka (not necessarily in that order).

 

[zinfamous]

I could just say (hypothetically. I really don't care if it happened or not) that the holocaust did not happen. It was made up. Does that offend you? Too bad. There is no way either of us can prove/disprove either the holocaust or.....

*record scratch*'

whoa, wait...wat????

 

[zinfamous]

edit: I'm not easily offended--secular themes like sex, violence and drugs don't bother me at all. I'm not offended by religious themes when they are tastefully done-- Civilization 4 does really well here. But when you are making fun of a person's beliefs (however absurd you may think they are), it's going too far.

For the record, I see where you are going with this and tend to agree.

but honestly, I don't give a turkey's dick if someone sets out to offend something. I may find it distasteful, sure, but I tend to not be sensitive about such things, until that infringes on someone's classification as a human

 

[surfsatwerk]

*record scratch*'

whoa, wait...wat????

We need to build the walls higher around P&N.

 

[KeithTalent]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is a thread about Indie Games in the PC Gaming forum. Please keep the discussion on topic; if you wish to discuss non-PC Gaming subjects, then go to the appropriate forum to do so.

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[SMOGZINN]

. If it offends a segment of society (even if another segment deems them to be idiots), it should not be allowed.

I say we ban all religious themes at all, becuse I'm pretty damn offended by almost all of them. Also, statements that deny the Holocaust. Also, anything that references Soccer as football or fotbal or what ever. Also, Neil Diamond. All these things offend me, please ban them.
How does your idea work now?

EDIT: Opps, sorry. Won't happen again.

 

[Barfo]

I'm sure if they made a game about the holocaust, many people here wouldn't play it. I even think the devs would be tried in court for it--such is American hypocrisy. Why are you allowed to make fun of one thing that may offend a billion people while not being allowed to make fun of something else that only offends a group of people? That's how "freedom" works in your country.

The only reason I don't play it is because of the crappy graphics and poor reviews. I think it qualifies as indie though.

 

[shortylickens]

Thanks for the list.

 

[slpnshot]

I'm really loving Indie games that focus on having a beautiful world. It doesn't need to be graphically intensive, but Bastion's artsy texture and amazing soundtrack really helped me immerse myself into the game.

Dungeon Defender was an awesome game, but I get a feeling that the best way to enjoy it is with multiplayer with friends. Too bad most of mine only care for the blockbuster games like Skyrim and BF...

Spaz was honestly too repetitive for me, to the point where I couldn't even finish a single play-through of the main story-line. It's still an amazing game compared the price but there just wasn't enough in the game to keep me engaged in the long run.

 

[Redshirt 24]

<walks in>

Fractal.

<walks out>

 

[Red Storm]

Trine 2 (It released with a $15 price tag, so I'm considering that an indie game).

 

[BurnItDwn]

Those all look MEH to me ...

I had fun with Star Ruler, it was awesome.

 

[MustangSVT]

I could just say (hypothetically. I really don't care if it happened or not) that the holocaust did not happen. It was made up. Does that offend you? Too bad. There is no way either of us can prove/disprove either the holocaust or the binding of Isaac. What I'm saying is that just because one person believes or disbelieves in something, it does not make it factual. You might say I'm brainwashed into disbelieving the holocaust, but the religious fundies might say the same about you.

When you are part of a society, you have to be mindful of everyone's beliefs. You should not let your personal biases interfere with what should be deemed offensive. If it offends a segment of society (even if another segment deems them to be idiots), it should not be allowed.

Would you approve of a game that lets you fly planes into buildings intentfuly? I think it's crazy people are still so offended by 9/11. However, since it offends people, games like those should not be made.

edit: I'm not easily offended--secular themes like sex, violence and drugs don't bother me at all. I'm not offended by religious themes when they are tastefully done-- Civilization 4 does really well here. But when you are making fun of a person's beliefs (however absurd you may think they are), it's going too far.

are you insane?

anyway, yes, besides Skyrim and SC2, I seem to play more indie games or oldie games or web games.

I was surprised the other day with amount of pretty good games Chrome app had.

ie. Canvas Rider is just so amazing.

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

I'm sure if they made a game about the holocaust, many people here wouldn't play it. I even think the devs would be tried in court for it--such is American hypocrisy. Why are you allowed to make fun of one thing that may offend a billion people while not being allowed to make fun of something else that only offends a group of people? That's how "freedom" works in your country.

I still dont understand how's it offensive?

The holocaust actually happened. BoI is just a story from a fictional book.

What's your issue with it?