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September’s Best Indie Game: Hammerfight

Best Indie Game - Screenshot of Hammerfight


Hammerfight is a two-dimensional physics-based indie game produced by Konstantin Koshutin and released in September of 2009. Previously known as Hammerfall, players control a gyroscope flying machine, on which deadly weaponry is mounted, not limited to hammers, swords, and maces.

The general idea of the game is that your character embarks upon scenarios in which you must use your flying machine to attack enemies by swinging blunt weapons, dealing damage through kinetic force, or pelting them with your add-ons such as guns and dynamite launchers. Newton’s laws of physics are used then speed up if you want to deal more damage and use the momentum of your enemy to land a lovely strike.

Hammerfight’s controls are a bit tricky to get used to at first. You might need to adjust your sensitivity frequently to fit your hand- unless you desire a carpal tunnel. After that, it gets very fun, very fast. Swinging weapons such as maces at your foes can get very entertaining, especially when a well-coordinated attack makes contact. Flails were my favorite weapon, as they do brutal crushing damage from a distance, and are easy to control. When hits are made, cheers are set off and slow-motion effects can initiate, along with highlights of blue or red on your weapon. Gibs will fly out of your enemy, sparks will fly and wood and stone will be scraped off the wall with every impact.

Best Indie Game - Screenshot of Hammerfight

This game will make you frustrated. It is very easy to take large amounts of damage, which is nearly impossible to avoid. Striking an enemy flyer can cause it to explode- and damage you. Destructable debris you would normally associate as unimportant, visual effects will surprisingly damage you on contact. Many starter scenarios are brutally difficult, and the only alternative requires you to sacrifice all the gold you have earned so far to skip it.

The graphics are very nice to look at, and the number of juicy effects located in this game is immense. An interactive, moving backdrop of cheering crowds will enhance your fights- especially when a lantern lights the stadium on fire. Music is fitting and provides competitive excitement. The absence of an online multiplayer mode is disappointing because the amazing fighting system would make this game a hit.]

Out of all the indie games we have reviewed in this month of September, Hammerfight is the best, with a unique fighting system, a cool story, and juicy effects with a tinge of annoying kinks here and there.

Conclusion: September’s Best Indie Game, a must-buy. The great fighting system, interesting story, nice cutscenes, and decent graphics with eye-dazzling effects.

Hammerfight

9.5/10

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Toribash

Best Indie Game - Screenshot of Toribash

Toribash is a physics-based, turn-by-turn, meticulous, and extremely customizable fighting game by indie developer Hampus Söderström. With the ability to individually control joints and muscles, Toribash allows a huge array of possible moves, some of which can be amazingly spectacular. It really is a shame that the game has such a steep learning curve since running and jumping are almost impossible for most new players, reminiscent of QWOP in 3D.

Toribash was first started in March of 2006, and so far it has won a metric ton of indie game awards. But beware, the graphics are nothing more than shiny polygons, and the gameplay is absolutely nothing like any other fighter game out there. It is a slow turn-based fighting game, where players set up their muscle movements during the setup phase and then the game simulates the fight, often in intervals of only a second or two.

The controls are as follows: During the setup phase, click on the various joints and muscles to change whether they are either: relaxed, holding, contracted, or extended. Certain body parts such as shoulders and chests can also be raised or lowered, or twisted right or left. Fast clicking and thinking are essential because to successfully play you have to move dozens of muscles in one short turn, consisting of no more than 15 seconds at times. Meanwhile, you are shown a projected preview of how this turn will play out. When the setup phase ends, the actions that you selected are carried out and then the game pauses again for you to decide what to do.

Best Indie Game - Toribash Screenshot

To win, you either get the opponent to touch the ground with anything but his feet or hands, or you knock him dead. Many losses are by people accidentally falling and losing matches for themselves, due to the difficulty of the game.

You’d be surprised how hard this game is. A human with his hand at his sides standing up has to do this to punch properly: Contract his pectorals, contract his biceps, contract his brachioradialis, contract his deltoids; then he has to contract his triceps, turn his hip, and contract his anconeus. For 1 simple punch. Granted this is simplified in this game, but not by much. More complex moves, like a 360 spinning hook kick practically take every muscle in your body, and controlling them effectively is no easy task.

This game is not a pickup and play. The learning curve is steep, but the rewards are high. It is best to play with a friend, and fight each other, giving each other tips and tricks. In the beginning, it may seem extremely hard, but accomplishing certain moves can be very amazing to see happen, and watching a successful move hurt your enemy while supplying you with satisfying effects, sound and points can be very fun.

Best Indie Game - Toribash Screenshot

There is a huge Toribash online community. Mods, Clans, Dance Troupes, Tutorials, Tutors, and Tournaments, it’s all there. There is also a huge Youtube community, showcasing video kicks perfected to the inch, capable of taking off the enemy’s head in one stroke. Some people get so good at this game, there is an example of one of two players kicking his own head off, then passing the “ball” to the other. This goes on for a couple of passes until the headless figure dies.

Overall, Toribash is a very deep and good fighting game once you are accustomed and used to the controls, but that may take a while. The graphics aren’t much to speak of, and sounds are nearly non-existent, but the game is free and the gameplay can get very fun.

Conclusion: Toribash is a great fighting game, although the learning curve is steep, and it seems that the amount of players is starting to decline.

Toribash

6/10