The best of the rest at the Gamescom 2015 Big Indie Pitch
The not quite winners
Last week, we held one of our Big Indie Pitch events at a chocolate factory in Germany. Because that is how we roll.
It was a great event where we got to see loads of games, meet loads of devs, throw some chuffsters out, and pick our favourite games on display. Like Element4l, Chicken Jump, and Horizon Chase.
But there are always games that we want to tell you about, even if they didn't win. Like this little lot, below.
We thank every developer who showed up to pitch a game. And apologise for the behaviour of a certain judge.
Last Planets - Vulpine GamesClash of Clans style games are a dime a dozen, and we get our fair share pitched to us at these Big Indie Pitch events.
But Last Planets from Vulpine piqued our interest with its mind-blowing universe map, which shows every player's planetoid floating about in a connected digital cosmos. Pretty nifty.
Dub Dash - IncordaDub Dash players will need perfect rhythm and the patience of a saint if they want to survive. This auto-runner, which involves tapping the screen to bounce between walls while a driving dubstep soundtrack stamps on your skull, is hard.
You'll get a brief respite during the side-scrolling flying bits. But then it's right back into the action but harder, faster, and more manic than before.
Face It - NavelThis is your next house party attraction. The game shows you a silly cartoon face, and asks you to replicate it in front of the camera. The other player then sees your silly selfie, and tries to match it back up to the original photo.
This has us hooting with laughter, and surprised at each other's abilities to emulate those gurns. The only disappointment is that the developer has no plans for online play. It would be perfect for the Snapchat generation.
Runic Rampage - ElectrocosmosA simple, silly, but satisfying game about a stout dwarf who goes around pounding stuff with his huge hammer. Not sure how this one will stand out from a sea of hack and slashers, but opting for a massive great mallet is a good start.
Fat City - Heavy Iron StudiosIt's described as Pac-Man meets the movie Heat. So it's all pulling off heists, while weaving through a top-down map. You'll plot the perfect course to avoid cops, knock over banks, and escape - and use power-ups if you get caught.
Tiny Archers - 1DER EntertainmentDeveloper 1DER takes the term tower defence literally. In this game, a lone archer stands in a tower and uses arrows to headshot invading goblins - one by one.
It has a satisfying Angry Birds-style catapult system for the bow. And a dynamic comes that swings between the different paths leading to your tower. My favourite feature? A fluffed shot can pin a goblin's foot to the floor - which stops, but doesn't kill them.