Physics Games and Physics-Based Game Downloads

Cortex Command, the amazing pixel physics game from Data Realms, is really starting to come together. If you haven’t heard of the project before you should definitely check it out. I happen to be friends–and unicycling buddies–with Data himself, and had a chance to check out the latest build the other day over at his place (the epic results of which are detailed on his blog).

The project is being run in a very open fashion. Public builds are regularly posted, game design is debated in the forums, and there’s already a vibrant community of modders and fans. The most recent build is a real blast to play, particularly if you have a wired Xbox 360 controller on your PC. The new controls are worlds above the old, frustrating scheme.

Download Cortex Command Game (17.8 MB download)
[link goes to Data Realms Devlog]

The commercial version of Garry’s Mod is now available on Steam. Cost is a very reasonable $9.95, so long as you already own a Source-engine game. Haven’t heard of Garry’s Mod before? For shame!

Garry’s Mod is a physics sandbox. Unlike regular games there aren’t any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play.

You spawn objects and weld them together to create your own contraptions – whether that’s a car, a rocket, a catapult or something that doesn’t have a name yet – that’s up to you.

If you’re not too great at construction – don’t worry! You can place a variety of characters in silly positions.

An example of what you can build:

Head on over to the Garry’s Mod Steam page for purchase information, or check Garry’s Mod media page here for more videos.

(Rate this game! 68 votes, average: 2.63 out of 5)

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Squishy the Starfish is a great student project out of Digipen. Like many student projects, it’s a little rough around the edges, but it manages to pull off a decent implementation of a neat concept. The team describes the game as:

Squishy the Starfish is a 2D side-scrolling environmental puzzle game. Making use of Squishy’s unique ability to extend his five elastic arms, the player must swing, climb, and maneuver throughout the underwater world.

Controls (Old vs. New)

While Squishy the Starfish does bring a nice twist to the genre with the five-armed starfish treatment, a swinging physics game is nothing new. The real test of a swinging game lies in the controls, though. It’s dangerous territory as a designer; the line between “novel” and “frustrating” is awfully thin. Squishy does a good job addressing some of the problems of a multi-rope swinging mechanic with its mouse-only controls.

I actually installed Squishy the Starfish months ago but just didn’t get around to reviewing it. When I sat down to play it today, I was playing that old version (and even produced a video for it). I didn’t realize there was a newer version until I went to get the link for my review. The old controls were frustrating as hell. You moved with WASD, and had to actually highlight the connected tentacle arm to adjust its length. It was touchy at best.

This version of Squishy exclusively uses the mouse, and I think that was a very wise choice. I’m especially impressed by their elegant solution for disconnecting old “ropes”. Right-click disconnects the arm farthest away from the starfish’s body. And since you move towards the mouse cursor, the farthest arm is generally the one you really want to disconnect, particularly if you’re swinging across the ceiling arm-over-arm. It’s great to see that the team was able to recognize problems with the old controls and address them.

Physics Simulation

The simulation component of Squishy the Starfish is a little twitchy. It’s always hard to pin down the “feel” of a physics engine, but something about Squishy feels too jittery. I think if the main character felt heavier, and had more dampening, it wouldn’t be so difficult to keep your momentum up. As is, it’s hard to get into the flow of smoothly navigating through the level.

(Squishy the Starfish Game Screenshots)

Free Undersea Adventures

Squishy the Starfish weighs in at three levels, so it’s really more of a portfolio piece than a game. The three levels differ in pacing and style, though. The developers did a good job embellishing their control mechanic with various props and situations. With a bit of love, Squishy could turn into a great physics platformer (well, except for the small fact that Digipen–not the students–owns the project).

Squishy is a solid implementation of a slick concept for a physics game. It’s a little unpolished, probably due to the time constraints of being a student project, but it’s a great student project. Hell, I’d hire them.

Download Squishy the Starfish Game (16.4 MB)

(Link takes you to Digipen’s gallery page, as the school prohibits redistribution).