Best Of Indie Games: Going Back and Forth

[Every week, IndieGames.com: The Weblog editor Tim W. rounds up some of the top free-to-download and commercial indie games from the last seven days, as well as any notable features on his sister 'state of indie' weblog.] This week on 'Best Of Indie Games', we take a look at some of the top independent PC Flash/downloadable titles released over this last week. The delights in this edition include a new game from Flashbang Studios, a platformer featuring wizardry and magic, a sports game by Cactus, a historical civilization simulator, a rather unique 'LoFi' take on RPGs, and 2D adventure game centered around the theme of dimensional travel. Here are this week's highlights: Game Pick: 'Blush' (Flashbang Studios, browser) "In the latest offering from Flashbang Studios, players direct a squid-like creature around the depths of the ocean, collecting eggs and disposing of nasty swimming beasts. Given only four minutes per play session, it's all about working out a balance between egg collecting and enemy-bashing." Game Pick: 'Hey Wizard' (Spelgrim, browser) "Hey Wizard is a magic-oriented platformer with a unique look and interesting gameplay. Our little wizard friend has had his powers stolen, so obviously this means he must jump into a book and destroy everything in sight to get them back." Game Pick: 'Ping Pong' (Cactus, freeware) "Ping Pong is Cactus' take on the popular table tennis game, although some rules were changed for a more arcade feel rather than an accurate simulation of the sporting pastime. A training module is included to assist new players with learning the controls, while the hotseat multiplayer feature allows two people to take on each other in a friendly match." Game Pick: 'Opera Omnia' (increpare, freeware) "In this game you play a state historian who is charged by his politician friend to come up with convenient theories about migration in the past. Basically what this boils down to is that you have to think backwards; you would need to set things up so that the resulting events are reproduced accurately in order for the story to progress." Game Pick: 'Shifter's Box - Outside In' (Ben Chandler, freeware) "A new 2D adventure game from the developer of Annie Android, created with the versatile AGS engine. Shifter's Box - Outside In tells the tale of a girl named Sally who happens to come across a magical box during one of her leisurely walks. Being curious, she decides to open the box, only to find herself sucked into a strange world with no clue as to to return home safely." Game Pick: 'Linear RPG' (Sophie Houlden, browser) "The Linear RPG is Sophie Houlden's entry into RPGDX's 'LoFi' Indie RPG Jam. Play is set along a single line and battles happen automatically, with health and experience being altered randomly. Along the linear mission there are circles which represent inns, places to restore your health. It's not a breakthrough in RPG gameplay, but it's an interesting concept and the story which is simultaneously told in the background adds to the experience."