Meet my third micro-rpg submission to the 24-word Game Jam on #itchio . This one's exactly 24 words and the game rules are presented as a poem. It's called "Friends Against The Darkness" and is about friendship and virtue. Boosts appreciated! #rpg#ttrpg#ttrpgs#indiegame
Meine Damen und Herren, bitte schnallen Sie sich an. Es gibt einen neuen Release der FUMES Demo.
Version 0.0.5. Noch besser als die ohnehin schon gute Vorgängerversion und darüber hinaus kostenlos auf itch.io oder Steam zu haben.
Released in 2010, VVVVVV is a puzzle platformer that is clearly inspired by similar Commodore 64 games.
2010 was a great year for indie games, and VVVVVV is notable for being the first indie game released that year. It was also one of the best.
In this game, you play Captain Veridian. After a transport accident scatters your crew in dimension VVVVVV, you must find and rescue them. But this isn’t easy since numerous obstacles prove to be in your way. Thankfully, you have a map that will assist you.
VVVVVV feels anachronistic – in a good way – in the sense that it ignores almost all modern conventions of platforming. There’s no jump button. You don’t even have weapons. The only thing at your disposal is a gravity-flipping device that allows you to move past the obstacles.
I was awed by the graphics, but not in the sense this pushes any hardware specs. Rather, I’ve played many games that are inspired by the 8-bit era. Most of the time, there’s something off about them that takes that 8-bit believability away. Oftentimes, it’s the colour palette or frames of animation that aren’t period correct. But when I play VVVVVV, I’m totally convinced that this could have been a Commodore 64 game. I was proven right, but more on that later.
It’s the soundtrack that really amazed me, though. Chiptune maestro Magnus Pålsson has truly composed one for the ages. This is among the catchiest songwriting I’ve ever heard in a video game, something that really sears itself in my mind.
The soundtrack was actually released as an album called PPPPPP, and it’s worth tracking down to give this a listen because it is something special. Also, Pålsson made a metal variant called MMMMMM which is also quite good. It’s too bad the soundtrack was never released as DLC on Steam or GOG.com because I’d buy it.
Almost any modern PC can run this game. You need a 2Ghz single core CPU, 256MB of RAM, and 42MB of space. VVVVVV has native compatibility for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s very playable on a Steam Deck.
In addition to PC, VVVVVV has been ported to Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, PS4, Ouya, Pandora, iPhone, iPad, and Android. This game started out as an Adobe Flash browser game for web browsers but it was thankfully converted to C++ – which makes it much better for future preservation.
There is also an unofficial Commodore 64 port that was made by a Polish fellow named PaulKo. It has a slightly different colour palette and a totally different soundtrack. However, in all other respects, this is almost a perfect port of VVVVVV that demonstrates that this is a period accurate game. It is one of the best demakes I’ve ever played, and perhaps one of the best Commodore 64 games of all time.
There’s no micro-transactions nor is there any DLC.
Terry Cavanagh developed VVVVVV. In addition to this game, he also made Super Hexagon and Dicey Dungeons. He’s also known to code for other companies’ games.
On Steam, VVVVVV has a 96% positive rating based on 5,741 reviews. People say that this is one of the greatest puzzle platformers of all time, and I agree. The few detractors say that it’s too hard. But I got to say, these folks should instead try to get good 😊
When this game first came out, reviewers enjoyed it but they didn’t see it as a classic. But with age, the gameplay mechanics have really held up. Dare I say it, as other games get more complex, VVVVVV’s anachronistic simplicity proves timeless.
I recently read a statistic that game development for the Commodore 64 has increased immensely over the past 15 years. While I can’t say for certain, I’d like to think that VVVVVV had a hand in inspiring a new generation of developers.
On Steam, VVVVVV sells for C$6.49 whereas on GOG.com, it sells for C$6.79. Steam has no goodies, but the GOG.com version gets you early design prototypes as well as wallpaper.
Do I recommend VVVVVV? Most definitely! It’s got a great aesthetic and an amazing soundtrack. But more importantly, this is one of the best puzzle platformers of all time
I wish itch.io did a Year in Review for all their cool little contemporary-slice-of-life--autobiographical-poetry games like Steam did with all the shooting games but I guess you guys aren't ready for that level of awesomeness
T'was a busy year of book sales for Mr. Fox & his floating bookshop.
But now, as he closes for Xmas, a customer is rushing forth for just one more gift...
Is there anyone here who sells their game on steam and itch, interested to know the difference in the number of sales of these two stores. I suspect, but I want to hear real examples. How much is this difference at least in % ?
This was a heartwarming story about emotional connections between young teenage girls. It reminded me of the kind of friendships and connections I dreamed about when I was 12-14. Very nostalgic, and beautifully written and illustrated. The graphics echo the feelings quite vividly. -Lily&