Hey there. Last Weekend Download of the year. Are you scared? What if all the free games disappear in 2014? There could be a massive plot to stop making them, you know. It's just so secret that nobody knows about it, so they go on and make freeware releases anyway. Now that's top secret.
Heroine's Quest: The Herald Of Ragnarok (Windows, free) - A very nice combination of elements from different genres, Heroine's Quest is set up like a classic adventure game but features a story, battles and character customization like an RPG. Frost giants are preparing to destroy Midgard, and naturally mankind's only hope is you, the heroine. Explore over 100 locations as you fight fiends and interact with NPCs scattered across several different cities. Surprisingly active and epic for "just an adventure game". Mac and Linux versions are expected in spring 2014, as well as a mobile mobile release, so this is definitely one to keep your eyes on.
PUSH (Windows, free) - A simple game created for Ludum Dare, PUSH is a fine example of smart puzzle design. You play as a little guy who can push rocks to fill in holes, all in the name of making it to the golden idol. The catch is that you can only push one rock per level. Throw in some switches, arrow-firing statues and shaky ground tiles and you've got a great recipe for a straightforward but very captivating puzzle game.
Kappa's Adventure (Windows, early demo) - A preview release for the full game that's still in development, Kappa's Adventure is a platform game designed like 8-bit masterpieces of old. The planet Cuore's crystal core has been shattered, and as the boy adventure Kappa, it's your job to restore pieces of the Crystal Heart. Otherwise, who knows what may happen? Pretty basic action as far as jumping, shooting, collecting stuff and buying upgrades in the shop is concerned, but the sum total is a delightful platformer that serves as a great teaser for what's to come.
Hints for those playing Heroine Quest.
Hint 1: The game play and puzzle solutions are different depending on the type of character you choose or the skills you have. Certain actions can only be performed by a certain character class.
For example, a warrior can snap ropes by flexing her muscle, whereas a rogue cannot. Generally speaking the warrior takes the straightforward or "muscle" solution to problems, the sorceress takes the smart or convoluted solution, and the rogue uses guile, agility or just out right cheats.
So, when you get stuck in the blizzard, you must either...
1. Warriors - use your 'animal ken' skill to LOOK for animal tracks to lead you out.
2. Rougues - make a compass by combining a lock of hair and the loadstone.
3. Sorceress - use your 6th sense skill.
Hint 2:
Many items have multiple uses, (Even quest-specific items) so experiment.
For example: Throwing daggers are weapons (Rogues) and can be used to get meat from wolves (any class) and curing hide.
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