New Release: Echoes III now available on Steam

Shoot'em-up afficionados rejoice: a new challenger has entered the arena! Last week, the third iteration of Echoes, one of my favorite twin-stick shooters, was released on Steam. I was not even aware that this game was in the making as developer binary zoo hasn't been promoting the title much except for a few tweets on Twitter. His website doesn't even mention the game and it certainly isn't easy to find among the many new releases on Steam. If you don't want to miss out on this retro shooter, head over to its store page and check out the trailer, which unfortunately can't be found on YouTube.

Elysia Flash Prototype Demo

Remember my preview of Whisper Studio's platformer Elysia? Back then, I recommended keeping it on your radar but somehow I lost track of its progress myself. So I was surprised to find out that Whisper released a prototype flash demo about two months ago, offering a three level preview of their title. Of course, the demo does not represent the quality of the final product that's going to be released on XBLIG but allows a first glance at the gameplay, the level design and the general atmosphere you will experience. Although you will encounter some bugs in the prototype, it delivers an enjoyable first insight. If you haven't done so already, you should take a look at it here! If you're too lazy or can't be bothered to play a platformer with a keyboard, watch this video showing one of the levels available in the demo:

Initially, Elysia was scheduled for a release this summer but has been postponed and I couldn't find any information on a new release date. However, I'm confident it will be worth further waiting.

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'They Bleed Pixels' debut trailer released

Back in February, when I discovered Spooky Squid Games' blend of intense platforming and ultra-violent combat called They Bleed Pixels, I was instantly overcome by a thirst for blood that only the release of this game would ever be able to quench. The developer has not specified an exact date yet, only naming Summer 2011 so far, but release seems to be nearing as they have released a lovely debut trailer. Watch a little girl with claws dismembering countless enemies in various imaginative ways, almost making Wolverine look like a tame kitten in comparison.

IndieWatch videos now on gamepro.de

In my articles on GamePro's IndieWatch series I'm trying to spread the word about this german dashboard promotion for Xbox LIVE Indie Games. The articles never actually mention what is said in the videos, but rather show my opinion on the games presented in them. Due to the lack of a video capturing device, I have not been able to present the videos here, but recently GamePro started posting the videos on their site, so anyone can watch their recommendations now without needing to visit the Inside Xbox channel of the german dashboard, but note that all audio commentary is in german. Funnily, the website is four episodes behind although it is a bi-weekly series, which makes me wonder what takes them so long to update and if they will keep posting the videos.

I have updated all my articles on IndieWatch to include the corresponding videos at the end of the posts. So in case all the german words on gamepro.de make you dizzy, you are welcome to watch the videos and read my thoughts on the games featured in them here in our cozy Indie Lair.

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IndieWatch Episode Six

Is it a joy, joy if one shoots up at giant, robotic boobs?

I've been so busy over the past few weeks (and still am) that I've been severely neglecting the Indie Lair and now have to catch up with GamePro, which is still promoting selected Xbox LIVE Indie Games on the german dashboard in a bi-weekly video series called IndieWatch. With episode six they slightly changed the presentation, inserting the GamePro logo on the startup picture on the Inside Xbox channel and shortening the title to "#06" (instead of "Folge 06", which is german for "episode"). Due to time constraints, I will quote marketplace descriptions for most titles but will also state my personal opinion in a few words - a few more when I think the title deserves it. I usually have played at least the trials of the featured games (if not stated otherwise) and will give recommendations based on my experiences. You can also find the video at the end of the article. So let's take a look at the line-up of episode 06!

IndieWatch Episode Five

What do rodents, insects, sea monsters, submarines and spaceships have in common?

Some fine Indie Games have gained more spotlight by the recent update of the Kotaku's Favorites list such as the highly addictive, hilarious platformer Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess, which was also featured on Episode 3 of GamePro's IndieWatch series on the Inside Xbox channel of the german dashboard. Episode 5 resumed highlighting quality XBLIG this week with the following lineup:

Disappointing Sales for Oozi: Earth Adventure Episode 1

Editor's note: Last night, I posted how incredibly low sales for the game Oozi are, based on an App Hub forums post by the developer. Outraged, I missed a little detail: the developer was supplying sales data for a single day and not for the entire period since release. The developer was so kind to email me, pointing to my mistake and supplying more accurate numbers and additional information. I therefore apologize for misquoting the developer and misinforming my readers. At least, Oozi's sales are not quite the catastrophe I announced yesterday, but my call for attention is still valid, so please read the revised post below.


Marcin Draszczuk, creator of recently released platformer Oozi: Earth Adventure Episode 1, is not quite satisfied with his title's sales, which he revealed last week in the XNA forums. Until April 8, only 223 people downloaded his game, of which a mere 62 purchased the title. Up until today, Oozi was downloaded about 12000 times, but only about 2500 people also bought the game. Considering its high quality, generally favorable reviews and the low price of 80 MSP, it remains a mystery why this excellent platformer doesn't sell much better. Draszczuk hopes a better trial experience for Episode 2 should result in higher sales numbers: "...the gamer will start with four special abilities, while in Episode 1 trial showcases only jumping on enemies and collecting stars." Also hoping that Oozi fares better when released on PC sometime later this year, Draszczuk is probably "...not going to make any more games for XBLIG that have no avatars, zombies, or hot chicks. It's just a waste of effort."

IndieWatch Episode Four presents another fine selection

Taking a look at the current german Top Downloads list reveals what a dashboard promotion like GamePro's IndieWatch can do for titles that are featured in it. Episode four went live on the german dashboard last Tuesday, and since then all of the games covered in the video have reappeared among the Top Downloads and on high positions on the best selling today list on Xbox.com. GamePro's selection in the new episode of IndieWatch presents some of the finest games available on XBLIG:

Recent XBLIG dashboard promotions

While there is a lot of focus on some negative events around the XBLIG channel these days, I'd rather like to shed some light on more pleasant news now such as recent dashboard promotions. The german GamePro magazine continued their 'IndieWatch' video series started back in February on the Inside Xbox channel, covering the following titles in episode three:

XBLIG failure, sabotage & ratings war

The XBLIG Spring Uprising?

This past week has been a turbulent one for Xbox LIVE Indie Games with developer MStar Games - creator of titles such as Xenocide, Blazin' Balls and Space Pirates from Tomorrow - proclaiming the service to be a complete failure in an interview on www.dealspwn.com:

"XBLIG has totally, utterly failed. As an experiment in reaching out to independent devs it’s a disaster. As a marketplace it’s a joke."

XBLIG promotion 'IndieWatch' continues with Episode 2 on german dashboard

GamePro's IndieWatch series, introduced to the Inside Xbox channel on the german dashboard two weeks ago, continues with episode two this week and promotes another four titles that are well worth checking out. The games have not yet appeared on the Top Downloads list again but I have discovered the video just last night, so it probably will only take some time to get noticed and to have enough impact on the list. Unfortunately, Silver Dollar Games' Office Affairs is back on the top spot which proves that a half naked woman on the box art will make people download any kind of crap. Check out Viggo's Review of the "game" and you'll see what I mean. At least, the GamePro editors display a better taste and this week's selection of XBL Indie Games for the IndieWatch video is proof of it:

IndieWatch: XBL Indie Games get proper promotion on german dashboard

Somebody's Watching Me

In the UK, there's currently a dashboard promotion for a deodorant that will make hot angel chicks fall from the sky. Why am I telling you this? Well, as I don't intend to ever review a game by Silver Dollar Games, I assumed this would be a good chance to mention hot babes in my blog at least once. Also, there are no such super model angels to be found on the german Xbox LIVE dashboard (no, they don't even have the IGN Strategize babe), but someone came up with a really good idea instead (yes, I'm finally getting to the point of this post). The german GamePro magazine now has a bi-weekly series called 'IndieWatch' on the Inside Xbox channel with videos promoting selected XBL Indie Games.

Heard a Whisper: co-op platformer 'Elysia' coming this summer

At first glance, Elysia looks pretty much like a standard platformer. The main character Quiff, a little furball who could quite possibly be a remote relative of Kirby, can hop from platform to platform, run, kick and jump on enemies' heads while collecting hundreds of orbs. But developer Whisper Game Studios has spiced up the classic formula by adding a sidekick called Whisp, a flying cloud that serves as a platform to help Quiff get to out-of-reach places. The fun part about this is that the player can take control over Whisp at any time and will even be able to control both characters at the same time, probably via a dual stick control scheme. This partnership will not make things too easy though, as Quiff is a rather heavy furball and can only be carried by Whisp for a limited time. Also, Whisp will not be available in all sections of the levels, but a lot of puzzles will require his cooperation and special abilities. For example, he can be "charged" with fire which enables him to melt away icy blocks that obstruct the path.

Brilliant Blue-G sketching out a classic platformer called Chester

Have you ever played a game thinking something like "Oh, cel shading would have looked really cool in this level!" and felt like changing the graphical look of the game at your will? Indie title Chester, an old school platformer by one-man-indie-developer Brilliant Blue-G will soon give players the opportunity to experience all the levels of the game in any of six different visual styles, provided that they have collected enough coins to purchase the unlockables. These styles comprise for example a pixelated 8-"bit" look, a "sketch" book style or gameboyish looking "lcd" visuals. All the graphics are completely hand-drawn, offering a unique scenery in three different settings. The game world gets torn apart by "The Bad Guy" who's also stolen all of the sweet cup cakes, and now it's Chester's turn to restore peace and retrieve the cakes. So much for the story, but what's the difference in rescuing a princess or securing some bakery products anyway? I don't care as long as the cake is not a lie...

Spooky Squid Games working on bloody XBLIG platformer 'They Bleed Pixels'

The canadian indie developer Spooky Squid Games Inc. is currently working on a very promising looking title called 'They Bleed Pixels', a game they describe as "a fast paced, gothic, low-fi pixel art, platforming beat'em up". Its platforming gameplay is slightly reminiscient of N or N+ while its beat'em up component comes across as the 8-bit 2D equivalent of Bulletstorm, enabling the player to humiliate opponents by finishing them off with aerial kills, kicking them into spikes or stomping them into a bloody pulp.

So the game's title fits perfectly and with neat retro visuals and lovely chip tune music by DJ Finish Him, it's a game to look forward to for all fans of old school platformers. They haven't announced a release date yet but it's sure to hit XBLIG sometime this year.

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