Verdict: interesting
In a Nutshell: This is a first-person shooter/puzzle and was one of the 2009 PAX 10.
“Tag: The Power of Paint, a first-person platformer created by seven RTIS and BFA students at DigiPen, was chosen from ten IGF Student Showcase Finalists as winner of the Best Student Game Award.”
Verdict: not bad
In a Nutshell: This plays like a puzzling variation on pinball but with a rag doll and was one of the 2009 PAX 10.
“CarneyVale: Showtime is a vertical ragdoll platform game for Xbox LIVE Community Games. In the game, you play as Slinky, a circus acrobat trying to rise up the ranks by performing acrobatic tricks and death-defying stunts through increasingly complex arenas.”
Verdict: spooky
In a Nutshell: I can’t describe it any better than the website can. The still-being-developed, second installment of Closure was one of the 2009 PAX 10.
“A creepy puzzle about darkness and the unknown.”
Verdict: more please
In a Nutshell: Puzzle game involving a tree spirit and captive bears. This was one of the 2009 PAX 10
“Puzzle Bloom is the innovative action-puzzle game where you control the tree spirit Canotila in her quest to bring back life to her island. Canotila needs the assistance of the island’s native creatures to get past the rigid machines of the world. She flies from creature to creature and uses her powers to guide them. New life will bloom into the world for each time Canotila breaks a machine, bringing Canotila closer to her ultimate goal of a return to nature.”
Verdict: cute and nostalgic
In a Nutshell: Interactive story book about a kid cyclops that includes a memory game and music videos. This was one of the 2009 PAX10.
“What is Bothering Carl? is the tale of a young cyclops named Carl whose laid back attitude is disrupted by a single nuisance. Readers will discover Carl’s dilemma and follow along as he tries to solve his problem in this colorful interactive adventure.”
“The PAX 10 is a games showcase open to independent developers worldwide. The winners will be shown in the PAX Exhibit Hall alongside over 70 other exhibitors – including top publishers like Activision, EA and Ubisoft – allowing those publishers, attendees and media to view their home-grown potential. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on the exhibited games, honoring one of The PAX 10 with the “Audience Choice Award,” to be announced on www.penny-arcade.com following this year’s expo.”
The Penny Arcade Expo independent game showcase winners have been selected and are listed below: