Indie Links Round-Up: Poking The Bear

“The Jennifer Ann Group’s annual game design challenge — aimed at promoting awareness of teen violence through gameplay — has announced the winners for its 2013 competition.” “Athletic Design’s Strip Em All is a comic-based puzzle game that tasks players with solving puzzles using their understanding of people and psychology, according to developer Ola Hansson.” “Toki Tori 2+, the refreshingly deep, yet accessible puzzle game by Two Tribes has found its way to Steam and I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to spend some time with it.

Today’s Indie Linksfeature articles on Toki Tori 2+, Strip Em All and Cube World.

Life.Love. Game Design Challenge winners announced(Gamasutra)

Strip Em All: the game that uses psychology to solve puzzles(Polygon)

Toki Tori 2+ – A delightful and deep open-world puzzler that won’t hold your hand(IndieGames.com)“Toki Tori 2+, the refreshingly deep, yet accessible puzzle game by Two Tribes has found its way to Steam and I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to spend some time with it. It’s not often anymore that a developer attempts to boldly allow the player to discover each and every subtle game mechanic with absolutely zero hand-holding or overt tutorialization, yet this is exactly what Toki Tori 2+ does, and this decision has allowed for the framework of the puzzle game to find a unique voice for itself.”

Skulls of the Shogun Bone-A-Fide Edition hip-hop intro by Mega Ran live on Steam(IndieGames.com)“Game-inspired hip-hop artist Mega Ran completed his tour of Japan late last month, performing with indie game composers Motohiro Kawashima of Oh, Deer! and Aliceffekt of Hiversaires. The tour has now culminated in a Skulls of the Shogun rap remix, live on Steam today for the first time. Developer 17-BIT’s “Bone-A-Fide” Edition of the strategy title will be adding six new multiplayer levels and developer commentary through its updates. Meanwhile, the soundtrack to Skulls of the Shogun by Makyo is available to stream in full on Bandcamp.”

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending July 12, 2013(IndiePub)“The theme this week on XBL is one-button games. For fun and simplicity, check out Toy Plane and Magnetized which feature fun puzzles that require just a single button to play.”

Some Time With: Cube World (Alpha)(RPS)“Tired of our usual excursions in Torchlight II, or Minecraft, or wine, Lady Rossignol and I needed something of a fresh video-distraction for the weekend evenings. Having paid little attention to Cube World, but knowing enough about it to say that I was multiplayer, we decided to embark on the perilous path of the alpha. This is how we got on.”

Kickstarter Katchup – 14th July 2013(RPS)“When was the last time a project made almost a million dollars in a week? Warmachine: Tactics came and conquered, with its fantastic visual design and promise of turn-based shenanigans pleasing all who saw it. Well, maybe not all, but a heck of a lot. Elsewhere, intriguing procedural pirate game, Freebooter, was cancelled early in its campaign, leaving me with affections to spare. I’m lavishing them on Dropsy, a surreal adventure starring a creepy clown, and Monochroma, which every single person should look at right now.”

Monkey Poo Flinger(Indie Gamer Chick)“No, really. You can file Monkey Poo Flinger.. again, no really.. under novelty games. It has no real value as a game.”