Invert Inc., Enough Invert Energy for Everyone!

Review #39 – Free Video Game

Invert Inc., Enough Invert Energy for Everyone!

Invert Inc. has a similar gimmick to Backworld: You alternate between a black world and a white world by touching Ctrl. Unlike Backworld, though, Invert Inc. is more fast-paced, and some levels border on the frenetic.

If I had to say which was the simplest game I've review so far, I'm pretty sure I would say this one. Using the Level Editor, you'll realize that Invert Inc. uses very very few elements to construct each level. Nevertheless, it goes on and shows all you can do with them. It turns out to be quiet a lot.

 Here you have the two different realities, side by side.

There is a warning I must give before the download link: Invert Inc. DOESN'T save your progress. It's not a long game, so don't worry. But you have to complete it in one sitting because as soon as you close it, you have to start from scratch again.

So, go forth and make us proud! Invert Inc. awaits you!

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Link: http://gamejolt.com/games/platformer/invert-inc/1680/

Blog Carnival – April 2014 – The Game Master’s Binder

Babbling at the Counter #38 – Pen and Paper

Blog Carnival – April 2014 – The Game Master’s Binder

It’s been a while since the last Carnival entry on the site, so let’s get to it!

This month, Scot Newbury from of Dice and Dragons, tries to make me talk about my GM binder. Well, no dice, mister Newbury! I wont talk about it!

Joking aside, my GM notes are a real mess. I do realize I should work on that, and I will, but what’s the point of the Carnival if I don’t share something fun?

So, while I don’t have a binder with notes, I always carry around my Catalog. It’s a folder full of RPG material, that I keep in my bag. As a lot of Free RPGs out there are only a few pages long, it doesn’t take up much space, while having a selection of more than 10 different games.

This way, whenever we need a quick, low on preparation game in short notice (because something happened to the current game or GM, or maybe because we weren’t planning on roleplaying), I can just take the Catalog out and see if there’s a new game to test or an old classic to revisit.

It’s a great way to be prepared for the unexpected, and to have a few simple, rules-light games at hand in case we have an RPG virgin that wants to play.

Ok, while not a GM’s binder in the strictest sense, this Catalog idea can work out for a perpetually designated GM, as long as improvising and running a game on the fly doesn’t cramp their style!

Don't forget to check the current and previous Carnivals! Link in the image to the right.

- The Storeman

Noitu Love and the Army of Grinning Darns, Super Sentai Action!

Review #38 – Free Video Game

Noitu Love and the Army of Grinning Darns, Super Sentai Action!

Today we have fast action, great music and wacky graphics. Noitu Love is one of the best action platformers I’ve seen in a long time. But why is that? What makes it so good?

I can tell you what I loved about it: The Bosses. The bosses Noitu has to kill to eventually fight professor Darnacus Damnation are, simply put, awesome.

They are fun, they are colorful, and fighting them is half puzzle, half action sequence.

You have to figure them out before you can damage them, and even then actually killing a boss takes its fair share of reflexes and coordination.

Also, the game takes full advantage of all of its features. As I always say, it’s nice to see a game that can both implement simple and fun features while using them to their fullest.

On a final note, this would be an impressive setting for running Danger Patrol. Just saying.

Fair Warning: The game saves your progress after every level. When you replay a previous level, you start with the lives you had last time you got to it. This will be useful if you find yourself in the final levels with only one or two lives left. Just replay the last level you’ve cleared (where you had a decent amount of lives) and work your way through. Hopefully, now you can save a few of them.

-The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Link: http://konjak.org/index.php?folder=4&file=7

Seeking the Truth

Babbling at the Counter #37 – Pen and Paper

Seeking the Truth

This is an idea for Mystery Investigation that I have been toying with for a while now. It’s incomplete, and it may not work, but maybe getting it out there will help develop it.

I remember a blogger (I'm now pretty sure it was Robin Laws, author of the GUMSHOE system, thanks to Aaron on the comments section. If I eventually find the original post I’ll link to it.) saying that the problem with using skills and dice rolls to run a mystery was that a single failed roll would stop everything on it’s tracks. He made this comparison (I’m paraphrasing): Imagine this. You enter a room, there is a monster there. If you miss your attack, then you can never go into the next room. You are trapped.

That was meant as a parallel with missing a clue in a way that made it impossible to go to another scene. But it got me thinking about something else.

When you fight a monster, you make a few rolls to attack it, until it’s dead or defeated, thus solving the situation. Now, you could do exactly the same thing with any other obstacle, including a mystery.

Instead of making each and every clue a challenge by itself, you could treat the whole mystery as a single “entity”. Every roll, you are “damaging” it, only you don’t stack damage until it’s dead, you take away some of the mystery until it’s solved.

As I said, it’s a pretty unfinished idea. I still don’t know how you can run a whole session with a single “entity” to defeat. But I think this can be used in smaller doses for a lot of other things.

A single scene, like a dance contest, for example, could be treated as a fight. Each move damages your opponents “image”, until one of you is humiliated and defeated.

So weird idea today. Hope at least it gets you thinking about alternatives to single roll resolutions. See you soon.

- The Storeman

Ring of Thieves, solo adventure for Risus

Review #37 – Free Pen and Paper RPG

Ring of Thieves, solo adventure for Risus

Risus is a great and simple RPG game I’ve already talked about. Today, I offer you the solo adventure Ring of Thieves.

You use Risus’ rules to play the story of the Halfling Thief Lucas Marks, investigating the disappearance of his partner. You have a few clues to go on, but it’s going to be a challenge.

One can think of it like a “Choose your own adventure” kind of book, only cooler.

Ring of Thieves is a lot like a rougelike video game, given that, even if you make the exact same choices, you are going to roll differently each game and everything will change.

This supplement is a fun way to test Risus rules to see if they are of your liking before running a game. It’s also great if you are bored and feel like being a Halfling for a while.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Link: http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/thieves.htm

Atta boy!

Babbling at the Counter #36 – Blogging

Atta boy!

Sometimes the goal is not an actual reward, just the work itself. I don't write this blog to earn money, or as a platform for my other projects. This Warehouse is my goal with the Warehouse.

Now, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a little incentive every once in a while, does it?

At your right you will find a badge I got as contributor to the Tiny d10 RPG. And you know what? I love it!

Even though it was a simple gesture, it means a lot when someone tells you they like your work. Working with Aaron is fun, and I love to seeing where Tinyd10 is going. I know he knows it.

Don't think this is some kind of self promotion, please. I'm not calling myself a game designer now. All I wanted to say today was this: Tell people when you like their work.

Post a comment, give a “thumbs up”, or just click “+”. Seeing any of those things on one's page is rewarding enough. And it doesn't cost you anything (like the content itself).

- The Storeman

Lyle in Cube Sector, Mayhem Cubed!

Review #36 – Free Video Game

Lyle in Cube Sector, Mayhem³!

Even though this was one of the original games that inspired DazzlingMarch, it had to be cut from the schedule.  Why? Because it gets pretty darn hard to win, that’s why! So I couldn't finish it on time to post a review.

This game puts you in the pixelated pants of Lyle, a man with a mission: Rescuing his kitty. To get his pet back, you’ll have to travel through a retro-style world using only cubes and your cube-related abilities. The game graphics are simply beautiful (if you are into the 80’s style) and the non-linear, metroidvania map design provides discovery as you traverse the intricate passages.

Now, when I said Lyle’s a though game, I don’t mean to say “don’t play it”. Quite the opposite. You see, I love a well designed masterpiece that, with very few elements, can create a demanding and exiting gameplay.

Lyle in Cube Sector delivers. I think that’s all I need to add here.

- The Storeman

Disclaimer: I didn’t upload any of the content in the following link. I have downloaded and checked it as I always do. I have even executed it in my own computer and did not experience any kind of problems. But I can’t ensure that it is free of virus and/or malware that my anti-virus programs couldn’t find. That’s the author’s responsibility.

External Link: http://www.bogozone.net/lyle.html

Guests Welcome

Babbling at the Counter #35 – Blogging

Guests Welcome

This weekend, the Warehouse's first guest column was published. Emma, from my RPG group (she was the zombie witch on this game), decided to write a fun review about Jetpack Joyride. Go on and read it before continuing.

This special post was my way of closing Dazzling March, the first non-monthly special event of the site. Hopefully, many more will soon follow.

And I'll also like to take this opportunity to extend the invitation to write to anyone interested. There may be free games I have missed up, or from a genre I don't usually play, and it would be awesome to help bring a little attention to them, too.

I can say I'm really proud of the work that has gone into the Warehouse this past few months. Thanks to all the people that have dropped by, and specially to all the regulars that keep showing up.

Make sure you check out our stock. Remember, new items arrive every week.

- The Storeman