indie

Pack needs you to load up a suitcase, but doing so involves carefully seeing what items can be put inside other things to make it all fit.

Welcome

to the third issue of B-side gaming zine. It has been three weeks since the last one. One week longer than the time between the last two issues, and I am thinking that from the next one it will be once a month only. This way I have plenty of time to put everything together without getting too tired working on it. That being said, life happens, and I am just one person working on it, so I might not be able to release an issue each month, but I hope it will not happen often.
As for this issue, I have gathered a ton of news—an endless amount of news. So much news that the whole issue will not fit in a post, and I will have to cut it off and post the rest as a reply to this post. Also included is the second part, the history of adventure games, with early adventure games that included graphics from the Mystery House to the first king's quest.

Additionally, I recommend 10 video games that are open source. Of course, a free game in Python code is included; this time it is a mini escape room game. As for indie gaming hardware, I have added a review for the popular arduboy. The corner of fun is also returning with jokes, memes and a comic.
But that is not all. I have added some completely new stuff, first the blast from the past area with reviews on two older games from the 90s. Second, a top 10.
I wanted to include a top 10 for a while but was not sure how to make it work, which games should be included, and who would vote for the games. Then an idea struct me; it is actually simple, and I don't need to do much since the voting system for games already exits. The games that are posted in the community are voted on by users of the community; I just need to sort them by top, and voilà, I have a list with the top-voted games, perfect! Well, almost perfect. I still had to set some rules; only direct posts of games are counted; excluded are game reviews, lists of games, and NSFW games, and the games need to be already out, not demos or early access. Also, for simplicity, downvotes are ignored. Well, that is it. I hope I did not forget anything. Enjoy reading :)

Gaming News

First the news. Lots and lots of news.

--Open-source--

News about indie games that are also open source.

Principia version 2025.04.05

Hello, Principia 2025.04.05 has been released. In the months since the last release, things have been slow but there has been a lot of changes accumulated since then to warrant a new release.
As usual, you can find downloads on the Download page, and the full list of changes in the Changelog. F-Droid and various Linux distribution packages should receive the update within due time.

Principia is a physics-based sandbox game. Build and play advanced contraptions, circuiting, minigames, puzzles, robot adventures and more. Open source, free and available for Windows, Linux, Android and more

Hades Revisited version 0.17.0

This update mostly changes how the plants grow and die. Many plants now look and behave differently in each season and have a different growth behavior.
This is mostly relevant for tree fruit and farming plants (plants that grow on wet soil).
The tree fruit only grow in the correct season. Same is true for farming plants. These plants will die when their season is over, you can rip out the dead plant for seeds tho.

Plants may stop to grow or even die in the wrong season. Item tooltips are your friend.
This game now follows the rule “(almost) everything grows from seed”. Seeds are now needed for trees, papyrus, sugarcane, cactus, flowers and most bushes.
Seeds can be obtained by crafting or by digging grass and tropical grass.

You have stranded on the planet Hades. Use your limited supplies to survive and use terraforming to create a beautiful habitable place.

Hurry Curry! version 2.3.1

Hurry Curry! is a cooperative multiplayer game about cooking. You work at a restaurant accepting orders, cooking various dishes and serving meals to customers. But don’t take too long, as customers might get impatient.

--Indie games--

General indie games news

Nubby’s Number Factory

Work at the numbers factory consists of launching a sentient ball, Nubby, down rows of pegs, hoping to score enough to pass to the next level. Players only have six lives, and if all Nubbys are depleted before making quota, the sun explodes. When players meet or exceed the round goal, they earn restocks of the board based on how much they went over the necessary score. Restocks also earn lives and coins, the latter of which can be used to purchase items, which is where the real fun begins.

Blue Prince review

Blue Prince is one of the greatest video games I have ever played, but please: don’t read this review.
I admit, in a landscape of constantly evolving Google algorithms, explicitly asking you to go away in the first line of an article might be seen as a trifle eccentric. But Blue Prince is best experienced with as little foreknowledge as possible. Believe me when I tell you, this is a game you need to experience the way its creator intended.

Cassette Beasts Launches Brand-New Sunshine Update

Discover the new Sunshine Update in Cassette Beasts with an exciting storyline and partner character Sunny.
Explore the mystery of New Wirral's Landkeepers and recruit Sunny to unlock her new questline.
Meet three new monsters: Pawper, Pawprince, and Minosteam, and enhance battles with fresh strategies.
- Customize your gliding wings and soar through New Wirral with the premium Wings Pack DLC.

Game Over – A Musical RPG ?? Review

Game Over – A Musical RPG?? is one of the strangest, most creative, and unexpectedly thoughtful indie titles I’ve played in a while. It’s weird, witty, and wonderfully unpredictable, fusing traditional RPG storytelling with rhythm-based combat, moral dilemmas, and an offbeat tone that feels like a blend of Undertale, EarthBound, and a late-night jam session. But make no mistake, this is a game that won’t land for everyone. It’s a highly stylized experience that feels tailor-made for a niche audience, yet its unique approach is worth celebrating.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Releases Baifushan Mountain Update

Discover Baifushan Mountain in Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders' latest update.
Explore four new trails with challenges, multiplayer, and leaderboards.
Support Megagon Industries with a new pack featuring skins and gear.
Enjoy skiing thrills with tricks, shortcuts, and breathtaking vistas.

‘R.E.P.O.’ Sees You Stealing Fragile Items & Fleeing Horrors

R.E.P.O. is a co-op experience where you are tasked with sneaking highly breakable trinkets out of a house without breaking them or dying.

‘Big Hops’ Puts a Frog’s Tongue to Work With 3D Platforming

Clearly inspired by Mario Odyssey, Big Hops allows you to explore colorful and vibrant stages filled with interactable puzzles and characters that you can help. Primarily using your tongue, you can swing, complete puzzles, and interact with various objects – it’s a lot of fun.

Kingdomino Will Be Released As a Steam Game In 2025

Enjoy authentic gameplay with original rules and artwork from the 2017 Game of the Year.
Compete in cross-platform multiplayer with online, AI, and friends' modes.
Expand creativity with customizable gameplay, immersive art, and active community.

Over the Hill Somehow Makes Driving Slowly Look Extremely Exciting

Rather than the thrill of racing, Over the Hill aims to capture the quieter joy of slow offroading. The game was announced earlier this year, but the recent indie game showcase, the Triple-i Initiative, gave us a much closer look at the game. Its new trailer shows off a stunning, free-roaming driving sim.

New Studio Onibi Unveils First Game Tomo: Endless Blue

Experience voxel-based anime RPG adventure in Tomo: Endless Blue's boundless ocean realm.
Dive into procedurally generated islands rich with unique cultures and mysteries.
Befriend Tomo creatures with elemental powers for combat and everyday tasks.
Enjoy multiplayer features with limitless players, both locally and online.

Starless Abyss Confirmed For Late April Launch Date

Starless Abyss launching in April on Steam from Konafa Games and No More Robots.
Play as a fleet commander against Eldritch gods in this sci-fi roguelike.
Collect and combine 160+ cards to battle through tentacle-y boss fights.
Embrace or fight insanity while using Ritual Cards to harness occult power.

Deedlee Doo! Carkour!

The two major features of the game are its art style and very "refined" soundscape. Everything in the game is made out of real-world clay and scanned into the game's world, the car itself, the paths, walls, trees, obstacles et cetera. "All of sounds and music are all mouth sounds," from explosion to car, drum, boots and cats, and guitars. 

MUSESTRUCK – Kickstarter Demo

a vibrant 2D platformer RPG following Journey and Quinn, two artistic friends thrust into the mysterious realm of Negative Space after investigating a fallen star.

Nomada Studio's graceful side-scrolling platformer Neva won the Best Artistic Achievement award

Nomada Studio's graceful side-scrolling platformer Neva won the Best Artistic Achievement award, seeing off Astro Bot, Black Myth Wukong, Still Wakes the Deep and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II. It was a well-deserved accolade for one of the most beautiful indie games we've seen.

Hark the Ghoul brings a retro '90s vibe with its first-person Souls-like dungeon crawler on Steam

Explore an underground Victorian world filled with terrifying monsters and curious characters.
Engage in freeform traversal and expressive combat within a lore-rich and melancholic setting.
Discover unique gear and solve problems creatively in interconnected zones below Clergerac.

Beloved Indie Game Among Us Is Getting A Full 3D Version, Releasing Soon

Among Us is getting a new look for 2025, bringing the 3-dimensional style of the VR version to non-VR players. The extremely popular indie darling was released in 2018 but rose to internet fame around 2020 and 2021, when the world was in need of online social entertainment. A Virtual Reality version arrived in 2022 for PC VR devices and the PlayStation VR, to general success.

Cozy Incremental Game Unboxathon Announced For Steam

Join Unboxathon on Steam, a cozy incremental game about finding your lost childhood toy.
Open boxes to discover loot, from camo socks to magical artifacts, while seeking your beloved plushie.
Pop bubbles to earn mystery boxes and enjoy incremental upgrades for enhanced game features.
Sell loot for profit and use earnings to unlock exciting upgrades and enhance gameplay.

Best Served Cold Confirmed For Release This May

Murder mystery game Best Served Cold by Rogueside launches on Steam this May.
Set in an alternate history Europe, solve mysteries at a speakeasy bar called The Nightcap.
Engage with 22 unique characters, uncover secrets, and tackle five thrilling cases.
Mix drinks and gather clues to save your business amidst the backdrop of wartime strife.

Satisfying Movement & Explosion In This Upcoming Unity-Powered Indie Platformer Wheelbot

Indie game developer BATTLE LAB had a robot-skateboard game prototype ten years ago, and recently, they've finally made it into a full game in this third attempt and released a trailer for it, showcasing polished and satisfying gameplay.

Puzzle Platformer Power Sink Receives Late-May Release Date

Navigate submerged ruins using logic-based circuitry puzzles.
Explore six diverse biomes in a rich, atmospheric setting.
Unravel the mystery of the station's collapse with fellow Tidekeepers' guidance.

Resident Evil collides with Subnautica in one of the most frightening games we’ve ever seen. Dark Mass

If you have a fear of the deep sea and horrific monsters then this new survivor horror could be your cup of tea or nightmare, depending on your perspective.

This 3D Isometric Action-Adventure Game Mixes Driving, Engaging Story & Horror Elements

In this 3D isometric action-adventure game that features driving mechanics, an engaging story, and horror elements, players control a toy car to set out on a journey to look for the missing owner, a young boy.

Marisa of Liartop Mountain Announced For September Release

Indie game developer UnknownX and publisher Alliance Arts have revealed their latest game, Marisa of Liartop Mountain, and confirmed a release date. This is an all-new adventure RPG in which all of your choices are made with the roll of the dice, and depending on what you get, the path the story will take will be determined.

--Homebrew--

Unofficial game releases for gaming consoles
The Curse of the Mantle For GB

When the governor's niece Lady Eleanore receives a cursed mantle, she begins to change and her life falls apart pulling the entire town with her.

Hero GP For GB

Hero GP is a 3D racing game which pays homage to the classic 3D retro racers of yesteryear. The aim of the game is simple: prove your worth as you compete in challenging races around the globe to become the ultimate racing champion.

Zelda’s Adventure For GB
This is a complete port of the CDi original and was developed in GB Studio, with a few modifications. Thanks to Beatscribe for composing the music.

Witch n' Wiz For NES

A brand new puzzle-platformer for the Nintendo Entertainment System!

A young boy has been kidnapped by a Dark Sorceress! It's up to his best friend, a young Witch, to rescue him but it won't be easy! Over 100 levels of brain-melting puzzles stand between the two, and it's up to you solve them all!

My Friendly Little Island for GB

My Friendly Little Island is a cute game about personal growth and making friends. It starts out as a slow, simplistic adventure game. However, with every new skill you unlock, the game’s dynamics change more and more into a fast-paced platformer.

3D SnowTank For GBA

The objective is to collect the white snow on the floor and blow apart the larger snow blocks. Your time remaining is added to your score so to get a high score you need to beat the game faster! A score of 45 is pretty good but I’m sure you beat that.

NOTE from Falseprophet:
I recommend not using Visualboyadvance as an Emulator as shown in the screenshots. There are much better emulators like mgba.

Slow Mole+ for the Dreamcast

The whole game is designed around a unique checkpoint mechanic that will only award a checkpoint when the player proves their mastery of a screen. It can be very challenging at times, but rest assured, it's equally rewarding.

Penguin Migrants For GB, Mega Duck/Cougar Boy and C64

c64 Link

It's a puzzle game that player controls a bunch of penguins to reach a special location. The game only has 40 levels for now

--Other news--

Other gaming news

We Asked GDC Award Winners What Indie Developers Need the Most, Here’s What They Said

The past year has been near-legendary for indie games – from the smash-hit success of Balatro, to games that crept up into success like 1000xResist. Nearly every month, dozens of indies dropped to soak up players’ time. But despite those successes, indie developers felt the harrowing issues of the video game industry just as keenly as anyone – from a lack of funding to issues of even getting their game discovered in the first place.

Slimekeep's Developer Released a Video About How They Released Their Indie Game After Five Years!

Slimetopia is in peril due to the vile Slime King, and we players have been summoned to bring it back to its former glory and safety by running around killing or capturing various slimes to do so. This procedurally generated roguelike that will bring tons of nostalgia to 90s kids is developed and published by BenBonk! A perfect summary of Slimekeep can be found in one of the sentences on the Steam page: the game aims to be Enter the Gungeon meets Slime Rancher, with unique mechanics added!

Indie Developers! Level up your game at PG Connects Barcelona 2025

We've been supporting indie developers around the world since 2006. At our events in London, Helsinki, Dubai, San Francisco and more, we're always looking for new ways to help solo developers, small studios, and startups.

Blue Ocean Games launches $30 million investment fund to support 100 indies

Blue Ocean Games, a new $30 million early-stage venture fund backed by PUBG maker Krafton, has launched with the aim of supporting 100 indie developers over the next three years.

Featured article: History of Adventure games

Let's continue with the history of adventure games. After purely text-based adventure games in the early 80s, text adventure games with graphics were born.

Part 2: Text adventure with graphics and early graphical adventure games
The first known graphical text adventure game was Mystery House, by Sierra On-Line, designed by the company's co-founder Roberta Williams and programmed with the help of her husband Ken, the game featured static vector graphics atop a simple command line interface, building on the text adventure model.
Roberta was directly inspired by Colossal Cave Adventure, as well as the text adventure games that followed from it. Sierra continued to produce similar games under the title Hi-Res Adventure.

Other examples of early games include Sherwood Forest (1982), The Hobbit (1982), and Antonio Antiochia's Transylvania (1982, re-released in 1984).
Meanwhile, in Japan, Due to differences in computer hardware, language, and culture, the development of adventure games went in a different direction compared to Western markets.
In the early 1980s, computer adventure games began gaining popularity in Japan. While the NEC and PC-8801 were prominent, the country's computer market was largely dominated by PC-9801 (1982), which had a resolution of 640×400, higher than Western computers at the time, in order to accommodate Japanese text.
While the computer became known for its higher resolutions, the lack of hardware sprites and anemic video RAM resulted in games having a tendency to be much slower. This in turn influenced game design, as Japanese computers became known for RPGs and adventure games with detailed color graphics, which eventually evolved into visual novels and dating Sims.

The most famous early Japanese computer adventure game was the murder mystery game The Portopia Serial Murder Case (1983), developed by Yuji Horii and published by Enix. The player interacts with the game using a verb-noun parser, which requires typing precise commands with the keyboard. The game featured exploring an open world, an interrogative dialogue menu system, and making choices that determined the order of events. The game was well received in Japan, with praise aimed at its mystery, drama, and humor. The game was later re-released on the Famicom (The Japanese variant of NES) in 1985 and featured the addition of 3D dungeon mazes and a verb menu system.

Due to a lack of content restrictions, some of Japan's earliest adventure games were also bishoujo games with eroge content. In 1982, the eroge, Danchi Tsuma no Yuwaku (Seduction of the Condominium Wife), was released, becoming a big enough success to turn Koei into a major software company. Other now-famous companies such as Enix, Square and Nihon Falcom also produced similar eroge in the early 1980s before they became famous for their mainstream role-playing games.

As computers gained better graphical abilities and the ability to use pointing devices, games with more advanced graphics began to appear with menu-driven interfaces.

Sierra's King's Quest (1984),
though not the first game of its type, is recognized as a commercially successful graphical adventure game, enabling Sierra to expand on more titles.

King's Quest is the first adventure game to integrate graphical animation into the player's view of the game world.
This shifts the focus away from the static scenery, to the player's character, which is animated on-screen. Animation sequences are in most player interactions reachable through the normal course of exploration. For example, animation sequences show Graham picking up objects from the ground, opening doors, and wading through water. Depth perspective is simulated; Graham can walk behind objects, causing his character to be hidden from view, or walk in front of them, obscuring the object.
The game still came with a parser for text input, but you could use the arrow keys to navigate with your character and also had a menu that could be displayed by pressing the escape key. This menu had several options, like saving and restoring the game, but also allowing the player to choose actions like jumping and swimming.

Other noteworthy games of that era include The first 'space quest' games and the first to 'quest for glory games'.

End of part 1, Part 2 in the comments