Over the last few years I've collected dozens of free games from various online stores, most of which I've yet to even try. I think it's time I at least acknowledged their generosity.
I've not picked up many free games recently, so I'm dipping into my archives. This week - three games connected by the theme of woodland. Vaguely.
Lumbearjack
Lumbearjack is a fun little romp where you defend nature against pollution. You play the titular ursine, exploring a series of short levels that have been filled with discarded rubbish, polluted water, and industrial buildings that must be smashed into pieces in order to restore the natural world.
I enjoyed its strong yet optimistic environmental message - that waste and pollution can be dealt with by hitting them with an axe. Fortunately, it's quite satisfying - larger objects smash into gradually smaller pieces, and once each section is cleared the forest instantly regrows.
There are also people in each level who must be slapped back to common sense, when they transform into a park ranger or a similar type enjoying the great outdoors. The sound effect when this happens is worth the effort of finding them.
Later levels include sections where our bear swaps his axe for a golf club or tennis raquet, and must hit bombs at specific targets to succeed. There's also a good progression mechanic where certain things cannot be smashed until you've collected enough recycling to upgrade to a bigger axe.
Eventually our bear takes the fight to the city and the headquarters of the corporation that is ruining nature, where the residents embrace and applaud your banishing of industry by taking up jogging and similar pasttimes.
It's occasionally hard to hit things right in front of you and the camera is way too sensitive, but it's silly and colourful and was an entertaining way to spend an hour and a half. There's not much more to say about Lumbearjack, to be honest. The goat on the hang glider is quite fun.
Mable and the Wood
I initially dismissed Mable and the Wood but curious to give it a second opportunity (and perhaps struggling to find another title to match the woodland theme, who can say) I dug it out for another go. Oddly, both times I apparently played for 33 minutes, but the second attempt proved more interesting.
You're a small girl dragging a large sword behind her through a fantasy setting, able to jump between platforms by transforming into a fairy then recalling your sword to your hand to kill enemies. It's an unusual and satisfying mechanic, although you only have seconds while transformed.
Each aspect of the game is introduced gradually - platforms, spikes, enemies, moving platforms, moving obstacles - but then are gradually combined to form what feels like a tight and difficult game. I feel like the graphics could have been better, but it has a certain charm and I'm enjoying the slight irreverence for the fantasy genre - other characters grumble about their situation and the seemingly unsuitably small girl sent to save their world.
It borders on frustratingly hard at times, but there was enough variety and intrigue to keep me engaged until I could gain other abilities that open up new areas and possibilities.
Limbo
I'm not sure if Limbo qualifies as horror, but I certainly found it horrifying. You play as a small child who is repeatedly stabbed, crushed, maimed, drowned, hunted and then murdered by a variety of other small children and giant spiders through a dark and terrifying world. Admittedly these things wouldn't occur quite so much if I was better at it, but figuring out how to get past each obstacle can be a real challenge.
It was the grass that really bothered me. Most of the time you can't see your characters feet or legs for it, and I kept expecting to step on something horrible lurking at ankle height.
It begins with your character asleep in the darkened glade of a wood, and honestly, even though there's a compelling and visually incredible game to explore, I'd recommend you stay there. Don't get up, don't explore, don't press anything. Just watch the small child sleeping, ignore the urge to wonder why he's there, and then turn off your computer and do something else. Something wholesome, involving daylight and other people. You'll be happier in the long term.
