GearHead 1.310

Roguelike mecha role playing game GearHead is getting a new release while development of GearHead 2 advances alongside it. Several improvements have been made. As an example the game now features thinner, nicer looking walls and there have also been some improvements to the UI. This is a rather unique game that seems to have much thought put into it. A tip is to read the instructions a bit down on this page before starting.

GearHeads title screen. Note the nice pixel spaceships in the background.

Aurora

Aurora is a roguelike space exploration game, in part inspired by Star Control 2. There are loads of features already implemented, incluing randomly generated galaxies, various star systems with planets and ships, simple space combat, planetary exploration, research, a dialogue system, quests, a global story, a diplomacy system and more. It looks really well-made and I appreciate the huge variation in gameplay elements that it's built around.

Planet exploration with combat in Aurora.

Flare - 1.08 - 1.09

The action-RPG engine Flare, with its accompanying campaign, has received another two fine updates. While 1.08 mainly brought bug fixes and translation updates, 1.09 has lots of goodies: several interface improvements, new options for mouse movement and a new alchemy system that makes the creation of potions deeper while balancing the game. Again, this is a very polished engine and the Empyrean Campaign is really well made and is well worth a try!

The new alchemy system in Flares Empyrean campaign.

EasyRPG

EasyRPG is a role playing game creation tool. It is inspired by the similar software RPG Maker and EasyRPG is also compatible with RPG Maker 2000/2003 games. The player seems further along than the editor, but the latest release certainly seems massive and there a loads of supported platforms, so you can get this to run on most devices if you feel like playing a few classic RPG:s.

A test-game loaded into the EasyRPG player.

Meridian 59

Quite a while ago I covered Open Meridian, a new client for the classic MMORPG Meridian 59. It's source has been available for a while, and just now I noticed the original version of the game is also available to play, completely free. So if you want to rediscover this classic medieval fantasy adventure, complete with both co-operative and player-vs-player gameplay, you can get Meridian 59 from here.

There is something intriguing about the classic 3D-graphics in Meridian 59.

Beyond Dying Skies

Beyond Dying Skies is a 3D FPS-RPG with a futuristic setting, survival elements, crafting, a leveling system and classic skill-based FPS movement, inluding things like jet packs and grappling hooks. It's designed as a single-player experience, which is commendable as many games of this type seem to be multiplayer-focused. This unique genre-blend certainly has some interesting ideas and I was thrilled to read through the description thinking "This sounds really cool!". Development also seems really active. Have a look at some videos here and get the game here.

A glimpse into space from Beyond Dying Skies.

Flare 1.07

The excellent action-RPG engine FLARE with its included Empyrean Campaign has not only reached 1.0, but even 1.07! :) It's a very feature-filled and polished Diablo-esque RPG with a completed story campaign to play and more to download from the official page. (Hopefully more will appear soon now that it has reached 1.0). If you are curious about what happened in 1.07 you can read about it here. The game feels incredibly well made to me and is well worth a try!

Looking at equipment stats in Flares Empyrean Campaign.

GNU FreeDink

GNU FreeDink is a new engine for the classic Action-RPG Dink Smallwood. Not only does this engine recreate the game, it also has compatibility with various mods and add-ons. Most of the original data-files seems to be free, so the game should be completely playable even though the GNU FreeDink project is still working on replacing a few of the sounds. Included with the project is a front-end for loading various mods and add-ons, so it should all be easy to use. The game sure seems enjoyable and quirky. Enjoy!

Wielding a sword and casting fireballs in GNU FreeDink.

Isleward

Isleward is a moddable multiplayer roguelike. It combines elements from roguelikes such as permadeath and randomly generated worlds, with elements from mmo-games like social and tactical interaction, all playable online. It looks like a lot of work has gone into it and it has a very interesting minimalist art style. Read more about it here!

A small animation showing off the unique artwork of Isleward.

Terasology - 1.4.0

The terribly advanced organic and evolving voxel-world of Terasology has reached alpha 7, also known as version 1.4.0. The changelog is as always impressive, and both the core game and many modules have received changes and improvements. Download it now and see this virtual world come alive even more than before!

A beautiful scene from Terasology.

Tales of Maj'Eyal - 1.5.0

Pretty roguelike Tales of Maj'Eyal got a new shiny major release. The entire list of news is way to long to post here, but major features include a Stone Warden class to play, an additional new class - the Possessor - for donators, rewritten Archer and Rogue classes, reworked chant and hymn trees, a much improved infinite dungeon, new visual effects for many talents, all artifacts have unique player doll images, etc, etc.

Living in different timelines seems to be a part of Tales of Maj'Eyal. Also note the beautiful UI.

OpenMW - 0.41

OpenMW, the Free re-implementation of the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind engine, just reached 0.41 with a huge set of improvements and fixes. Visual and audio effects for spells are in, there are textures for particles now, improvements has been made to combat AI, etc, etc. Check the video below for a walkthrough:

HyperRogue

HyperRogue certainly fits in the "unique" category. This roguelike has a very special premise: it is set in a non-euclidian world; specifically it takes place on a hyperbolic plane. But if that sounds like techno-babble to you, just think of it as a game set in a world where the normal notions 2 or 3 dimensions work a bit differently and everything is very trippy. HyperRogue is not only a mathematical experiment, it's also a full roguelike consisting of 44 worlds with various gameplay mechanics and an adaptive difficulty and scoring system.
It also looks very cool!

It takes a while to get your head around HyperRogue, but it is surprisingly simple to play.

Stendhal - 1.22

Looking for a bit of christmas spirit and holiday feeling? The latest release of mmorpg Stendhal decorates the game with wintery feeling to match the season. There is even a new christmas song. :)

There is even presents and a christmas stocking. I wonder if there is equipment in it?

Terasology - 1.3.0

Another big numbered release for Terasology! 1.3.0, also known as Alpha 6, is dubbed "The lots of stuff release". It appears development took some extra time, so it's more filled with stuff than usual. Among lots of closed milestone issues and engine improvements are also a bunch of interesting-sounding modules. How about Alchemy, Cooking or Smithing? :) Those interested can check out the full extent of the release here.

Another breathtaking scene from Terasology, found on the official forum.

RogueBox Adventures - 2.1.0

RogueBox Adventures, roguelike and sandbox mix, keeps on giving. 2.1.0 was just released, focusing on bug fixes and sporting a long list of such. There's also a few new features, like info bars for monster behaviours, coloured item listings to make special items easier to find and GUI improvements in the form of icons showing available actions. Coming in the guture is an optional story mode, which sure sparks my interest more. :)

RogueBox Adventures showing the new action icons.

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup 0.19

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup is a rogue-like with colorful pixel-graphics and loads of content. It can be played both offline and online and it just reached version 0.19, rather poetically dubbed "Dancing Through Memory". Two new gods have been added, which players can gain various benefits from, and there are two new spells to throw around. A new portal vault full of ancient artifacts (and ancient threats, I presume) can be challenged and many other improvements have been made to the game as well.

A troll in the middle of trouble in Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup.

Lord of the Test

Lord of the Test was for me a rather odd name... until I figured out what it was: a Lord of the Rings-inspired continuation of Minetest. So you can explore, fight, farm, craft, build, etc in the world of Middle Earth. You can even make your own magic rings! :) It seems like a very ambitious project, and I have to appreciate that someone took the time to implement the LOTR world in this way. If you are a fan and like sandbox-style games this ought to be worth a try.

Exploring a forest in Lord of the Test. Might there be Ents hiding around the corner?

Nox Imperii 0.5.1

Did I mention space exploration game Nox Imperii has very active development? I was just informed that a new release has come out since my last post. 0.5.1 has a new looting system that seems to make piracy a more viable option (Nice, I like to play pirate!), AI ships have got individual names, player progression has been re-balanced, the shipyard UI has got improvements and it's possible to purchase  maps of surrounding systems. The usual list of smaller tweaks and bug-fixes is included as well. :) This game is certainly building up to a space adventure of massive proportions - one I'd like to sink my teeth into once I get the time.

Rich space backgrounds when exploring in Nox Imperii.

Roguebox Adventures 2.0

I mentioned roguelike-sandbox gam RogueBox Adventures a while ago, and since then much has happened. There is a new location, new dungeons and a few old locations have a new generating algorithm that will make them more natural. Monsters are smarter, decorative clothing has been added and the game is now playable on the rather cool open game console GCW Zero.

Exploring a dungeon in RogueBox Advantures.