The ongoing development of this game is unique, even when compared to other crowdfunded point-and-clicks. The episodic adventure began with a Kickstarter campaign that raised about $7,400 from 285 backers. This funded the first episode of the game which can be enjoyed free of charge on the game’s official website. The second episode then began its crowdfunding initiative, this time straight from the game’s web page as opposed to somewhere like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. Once an episode is fully funded, developed, and becomes playable, the episode before it transitions to free to play. Assuming this intriguing model continues to find success for The Game Kitchen, the process will repeat until at least four episodes complete development.

But enough talk of funding and development, what about the game itself? We start with a simple and very disturbing prologue that instantly draws you in and forces you to wonder what in the hell is going on. Without ruining too much, I will say that things begin masterfully. I knew immediately that The Last Door would be a cut above the average web browser-based game and closer to the type of storytelling found in horror adventures like Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The unnerving tone is heightened by an impressive fully orchestrated soundtrack, something I did not expect from such a low budget title. Like Amnesia, the strange story unfolds slowly by exploring and finding letters and clues left in the mysterious house you find yourself in.

The mechanics of the game don’t break any new ground for the genre, but they do their job. Just as you might expect, the player uses the mouse to click around and explore the game’s surroundings. When the cursor hovers over something of interest, it turns into a magnifying glass. Whenever an item can be picked up for use later, the cursor turns into a hand. To use these items, simply click on the one from the inventory you want to use, and then click on the part of the game world you wish to use it on. Again, no surprises here, not that everything in the game needs to surprise its audience. One point of minor annoyance, though, is that whenever an item can be picked up you must first examine it (magnifying glass), and then pick it up (hand). When I first began playing I quickly got stuck because I had examined everything I could find, but didn’t know that I could click certain items again to pick them up. Since there doesn’t appear to be a reason to not nab anything you can, examining and picking up collectable items could be completed in one click, but they aren’t. Again, a very minor problem, but it did cause some headaches for me early on.

The game sports a low-res style that some will find endearing and others off-putting. Personally, I enjoy the sharp contrast of the spooky tone, haunting music, and flat, blurry, blocky visuals. It feels endearingly nostalgic while not feeling overly retro. I imagine the simple look of the game was a necessary choice given the limited budget and small number of developers, but the game does a wonderful job of flourishing within the confines of the style. At first glance things seem primitive, but after spending just a few minutes with the game it becomes apparent that the game’s sensibilities are much more modern than one might expect. I suppose the look of the game might detract from the creepiness for some, but it didn’t for me. I enjoyed more than my fair share of genuinely chilling moments while playing through the released episodes.

In some ways, the appeal of The Last Door is incredibly niche. After all, it’s an old school style point-and-click adventure horror game that you play in a web browser. However, if you hear that string of descriptive words and aren’t immediately turned off, I highly recommend giving it a shot. It’s a brilliantly-crafted, disturbing mystery that deserves to be experienced. The first chapter is free to play, so why not try it out? You won’t regret it.

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Chapters one and two of The Last Door are available from the game’s official website, and chapter three is currently in development. That’s something you can help along, if you’re interested in that kind of thing.

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Canadian developer Deirdra Kiai has created something that quite frankly no one’s likely ever seen: a stop motion musical adventure game. Kiai has created a demo for the upcoming Dominique Pamplemousse in “It’s All Over Once the Fat Lady Sings!” Quite the name to match such a niche title, but that’s the essence of the indie spirit. The game is also targeted at multiple platforms including iPad, Mac, and Windows PC’s.

A detective mystery frames the plot of Pamplemousse, but in a unique twist it is told like a stage musical complete with singing dialog that the user can control. Characters are animated through stop motion using art assets made from real objects created by Kiai herself. When you add in the brass music, I honestly can’t remember seeing this amount of variety in creative work included in a game by just one person.

Some of the puppets used in the stop motion animation

As promising as the game looks, Pamplemousse is in need of financial assistance. As with previous title Life Flashes By, the developer is seeking crowdfunding to help complete the game. In this case, Kiai has turned to Indiegogo to campaign for those much-needed funds. The campaign page includes a video showing off the game, but also a link to the free, playable demo that’s now available. Rewards for helping fund the game include everything from the basic copy of the game and early access to more creative souvenirs like a piece of scenery or puppet from the game. The perks really mirror the creativity of the developer herself, and it’s pretty neat that she’d be willing to part with the physical pieces that helped make the game. There are only a few days left in the campaign, so give the demo a try and decide for yourself  whether the fat lady has sung on Pamplemousse.

© 2012 – 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Pulpy detective stories are a genre of books that are right in my wheelhouse. The plot twists and intense action make for an exciting roller coaster experience that ebbs and flows from start to finish. However, author Mark S. Bacon is part of a new movement: flash fiction.

On March 30th he’ll release his novel Cops, Crooks & Other Stories in 100 Words: 101 Tales. It’s a collection of mini mysteries each running about 100 words, and each tale promises “satisfying, unexpected endings”. A number of stories in the collection have been published in a variety of fiction magazines -  Stymie Magazine and MicroHorror being a couple examples – tailored to the short story style.

101 Tales will be released through Amazon(Kindle) and the Barnes and Noble Nook Store.

Here is a sample from the book directly from Bacon’s website:

Honor Among Thieves

The darkened home looked empty.  Pete tried the front door.  Locked.  Around back he jimmied open a patio door with a credit card.

Immediately, he saw a man holding a pillowcase full of something.

“Shit.  You startled me,” the man said.  “First time I ever seen two guys break into the same house.  I came in the window.  But hey,  I believe in professional courtesy.  I’ve got jewelry and laptops.  Rest is yours.”

Pete opened a drawer, reached inside.

“Hold it,” Pete said, pointing a revolver.

“What about professional courtesy?”

“I forgot my keys, “ Pete said.  “I live here.”

© 2012 – 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.