If you're not too busy shooting all the aliens, you might want to give a new indie game on Kongregate a go. "Thomas was alone" was made by Blitz Games Studios designer Mike Bithell on October 16th and 17th, during a span of just 24 hours. As Bithell notes, "I went from blank screen to decent puzzle platformer in less time than it takes Jack Bauer to save the world. That's a pretty cool achievement."
Thomas was alone is part minimalist platformer, part geometric buddy road-trip. Things get interesting once Thomas encounters his first friend, a dull, prim-and-proper Puritan and all-around square. Also, he's literally a square. By taking control of different pals and taking advantage of their unique dimensions, you'll be able to solve simple platforming challenges and progress. Describing it as a block-stacking game is accurate, albeit unimaginative.
We've enjoyed one of Mike Bithell's games before (surely you remember Visiting Day from 2006?), and while this one's bothered by slippery controls, it's an effective reminder of how simple, immediately decipherable mechanics form the basis of any worthwhile game, regardless of the presentation. The impressive 24-hour construction period is also motivational to any budding designers out there. Why, just look what Blitz Games Studios has to say on the matter:
"The games you make don't have to be epic masterpieces, they don't need to make use of bleeding edge graphics. A little bit of heart and a simple idea can go a long way. Frankly though, if Mike can manage it, so can you!"
Reader Comments (12)
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 6:37PM canajew said
and then he died
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 6:46PM kukkurovaca said
"If not unimaginative"?
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 6:48PM PreGHz said
This achievement probably worth more than 500,000 gamer points.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 6:49PM ChuckBartowskiX said
Dont worry guys, he makes friends of other shapes.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 6:50PM Shadowbender said
Interesting...interesting indeed.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 6:57PM Mach2 said
Kongregate has become the best place to go if you want some short, minimalist games with simple-yet-fun gameplay.
I quite liked this one, actually.
I quite liked this one, actually.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 7:02PM Ellimem said
Cool. I love games like this. Everyday the Same Dream is a recent one I played.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 7:11PM Courtney said
Sounds like he was inspired by Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland
If you've never read it, pick it up sometime. It's a real treat and one of the most approachable 100+ year old books you'll find.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland
If you've never read it, pick it up sometime. It's a real treat and one of the most approachable 100+ year old books you'll find.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 7:19PM MNeko said
The guy's name is Bit Hell? Okay, just wondering.
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 7:45PM KyGuyTC7 said
that was fun :)
cool to see what can be accomplished by an individual in 24 hours
cool to see what can be accomplished by an individual in 24 hours
Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:28PM gmensah said
Well, I guess some friends are more square than others :)
Gareth @ Video Game Canon. http://videogamecanon.com
Gareth @ Video Game Canon. http://videogamecanon.com
Posted: Oct 19th 2010 11:36AM malu05 said
interesting, yet quite frustrating control sceme.
If you die, you start all over and since the movement is pretty sensitive you can easily end up dying.
When you get more than 2 shapes it just add to the frustration.
If you die, you start all over and since the movement is pretty sensitive you can easily end up dying.
When you get more than 2 shapes it just add to the frustration.
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