Harpooned by Conor O’Kane

Links: Original Site, Free Online Games

I'm not big when it comes to activists (the phrase 'uppity hippies' comes to mind) but when the cause is right I can get behind it.  Whaling is banned by most countries, including Japan.  However, they have a work-around called 'lethal-sampling' in the name of research.  In order to 'study' whales, they kill them.  They aren't fooling anyone.  Enter Conor O'Kane.

Conor has created a Cetacean Research Simulator in the form of a vertical shooter.  Play the part of a Japanese 'Research' vessel (gosh I'm using a lot of quotes) and hunt whales in the Antarctic.  Harpoon them and collect their meat for research (and cat food apparently) while avoiding icebergs and Greenpeace.  Each level ends with your vessel unloading its meat onto a barge in blood soaked waters: subtle.

The first time I played 'Harpooned' I felt uneasy about shooting the whales, but that's the point.  You are the bad guy in this and the outcome is certain and final; and is unfortunately quite realistic.

You will have fun playing Harpooned, and you will probably feel guilty while doing so.

Torus Trooper by ABA Games (Kenta Cho)

Links: Original Site, EMH Software, Softonic

Torus Trooper is an older game, but remains one of the top shooters on the internet.  Why?  Because it's good, that's why.  Based on the classic Tempest design, Torus Trooper is a fast based action packed tube shooter like none other.  Fly down ever changing tunnels at 2000 kph and blast away to your hearts content; the feeling of speed is incredible.  There is no life counter.  Instead a countdown clock sets when the game will end.  Reach certain scores or destroy Bosses to earn extra time but get killed and you will lose time.  You can adjust your speed to go as slow or as fast as you want to, but you'll find out quickly speed is essential to reach the enemies and gain more time.  It just adds to the frantic pace of the whole experience.

 

Knytt Stories by Nifflas's Games

Links: Original Site, Indie Game Database

Knytt Stories seems at first a common side scrolling platform, but the unique graphics and game play give it a feel all of of it's own.  Play as Juni, the main character, through different stories (hence the title) that either come with the game, or can be downloaded from the original site, Niffla's Games, for even more game play.

In Knytt Stories, Juni must stop a machine from decimating the environment.  To do this you'll have to guide her through several different areas and collect power-ups to aide her on her way; from double jump, to wall climb and even holographic projection.  The tutorial level shows you all the power ups so there's no guessing. There are no separate levels; it's all one big world and you are free to go wherever you want, so long as you have the correct power-up.

Knytt stories won't take you long to play, a couple of hours at most, but it's well worth it and the additional downloadable content as well as the level editor will keep you coming back time and time again.