Every year there are many games that release to little fanfare and are largely ignored by the mainstream masses. Many of these are freeware titles made by a few people who want to try something just a little different, and some by small developers who need support or they will go under. The game I'm highlighting is from the latter category (well, they probably aren't on dire straits, but fear mongering works), created by Amanita Design. The game is, up to this point, my game of the year: Machinarium.

Machinarium is an old-school adventure game through and through: it's puzzles are clever and well designed, it doesn't hold your hand, and it's just plain a lot of fun. The game centers on a spunky little robot who is unceremoniously dropped from a garbage carrier outside of the robot city in which he normally resides. After the brief tutorial you are off on your adventure through the seedy world that is your home.



The first thing you'll notice about the game is the gorgeous hand-drawn visuals. Every area covered in shades of brown and rust, everything is leaking, and there is hardly any actual living things to speak of. The game also features a fantastic and beautiful score (which I now listen to semi-frequently). All this comes together in creating a fairly oppressive atmosphere which does wonders to highlight the subtle emotions that run through the narrative. It's also incredibly charming, healthy doses of humor run throughout, and there are so many little touches throughout the game that show the developers dedication to creating something special.

I have no idea how this game is doing financially, but I can say with full confidence that it deserves much more. It's available through Steam, or you can pick it up from the developers website; I recommend getting it through Animata's website as it will get more money to the developer, which they could probably use. If you still need convincing, check out the short demo, which will give you a feel for the mechanics.



Now, everything falls on your shoulders. As gamers we need to realize that if we want games that aren't about space marines or zombies, we need to support those developers who are making something different. So at least go check out the demo for Machinarium, if you don't like it, find another original independent game (I recommend the delightful Osmos) to check out.

Machinarium (strait to the demo): http://machinarium.net/demo/

Animata Design's site (check out their other games and media as well): http://www.amanita-design.net/