Verdict: absolutely brilliant
In a Nutshell: This is one of the best side-scrolling platformers I’ve seen.
“Trine is a physics-based action game where three characters allow clever solutions to challenges created by hazardous puzzles and threatening enemies. The gameplay is based on fully interactive physics – each character’s different abilities and tactics can be used to invent new ways to overcome obstacles and save the kingdom!”
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: funkadelic!
In a Nutshell: This is a side-scrolling rhythm game full of cute and funk.
“In the game, MEVO, the main character, has to reunite his band, the Grooveriders, bring ‘FUNK’ back to the universe and defeat the enemy SILENCE. To move MEVO through the game’s five beautifully crafted worlds (Ocean, Jungle, Desert, Space and Wormhole), players must tap 2 keys to the rhythm of the game’s music as it is played and displayed in the game with arrows. All tracks are original, produced in-house with live musicians, and feature a unique and playful retro-funky style that varies from organic to electronic tracks. “
Verdict: Twisted.
In a Nutshell: A bizarre yet enjoyable puzzle-platformer with a unique twist: not only do you control your character, but you must also rotate the the world around you complete each increasingly insane level.
“And Yet It Moves is a puzzle-platformer, set in a unique world, made of ripped paper. Within the paper collage, you can jump, run and last but certainly not least: rotate the world. Learn how to apply the physical consequences of rotation to master the many tricky situations you may encounter.”
Verdict: More, please?
In a Nutshell: Polarity is a short, concept proving side-scroller with an, ahem, “attractive” twist.
“Polarity is a 2D platforming/puzzle game based on the concept of magnetic forces.
The goal of the game is to navigate environments and solve puzzles by using your suit’s magnetic properties in interesting ways. you cna attract to and repel from objects, instantly switch magnetic polarity, or even boost the strength of your magnetic field for added abilities”
Verdict: wicked smart
In a Nutshell: This is a casual puzzle/platformer where the solutions require your current self to plan moves for your future self/selves, then to go back in time so that your past self/selves have cleared the path for your current self . . . ouch.
“It’s about a robot that goes back in time for some reason. (His best friend is a talking pie!)
Use your time machine to interact with past versions of yourself in this puzzle/platformer!”
Verdict: In a word: Exquisite.
In a Nutshell: A 2-D puzzle-platformer that sucks you in and makes you twist your brain around in ways you didn’t think possible.
“Braid is a platform game in a painterly style where you manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. Every puzzle in Braid is unique. There is no filler. … Journey into worlds where time behaves strangely; observe, learn from, and then master these worlds.”