As I have stated in past journals I am a bit of a fan of indie games or doujin. If you are not sure what that is check this out [link] .

Anys I've had this past week off and I've went nuts playing these said games. I have now even purchased two games...look at me helping out...lol. Anys I'd like to give a bit of a review of these.

The first is a game by the doujin group astroport...who have created a series of games set in an alternate universe that closely resembles the anime of the 1970s. Luckly a small american company called Curious Factory Inc ( [link] ) have opted to bring these games to the US. But unfortunately these are only digital downloads....so no cool case or hard copy...save the one ya make yourself. They have three games and demo of each..I've played them all...and they are all good...but Witch-bot Meglilo really stood out.

The game is a pretty and crisp cartoon/anime style shooter that moves amazingly well. Average vertical scrolling fare...save one of the neatest touches. Your character can warp around. You hit a button...time freezes and a cross hair pops up. Move the cross hair to a new location...let up...and tada ya teleport. Can easily evade the bullet hell that awaits. Now this isn't free...you have a warp meter that replenishes and if you run it out...kaboom!

My only complaint with the game was the fact it lacks a hard copy and for some odd reason it takes 24hours to get the link to the secure download...which you access with a code they give ya. But it doesn't have a copy protection so no pesky DRM. So for 9.95 this is an awesome game...which I have played a lot!

The other game comes from Rockin Android ( [link] ) They have opted to bring games over in two flavors...hard copy and digital. Being a collector I preordered the hardcopy dvd of their first release Suguri Perfect Edition and here in lies my first complaint. It was due out 6/30....I didn't get it till today! And these peeps don't seem to like to return calls or email! But it's here now so I won't beat that horse no more!

The case is professional looking for Doujin and comes with the usual game booklet and one DVD. Yeah all that stuff they promised...three games, 2 sound tracks, and extra patches...are all one on dvd. So to get said cd sound track you have to make em yourself...which kinda sucks(my second complaint) The booklet and website make it look like you are gonna get two cd cases with those sound tracks!

But the game itself is kinda cool. It is your usual side scrolling fare save you have this hyper dash move. You dash around(which is a trip to use!) and move so fast that you can evade most bullets. Not unlike Witch-bot you have a meter though...a heat meter in this games case. It builds up and you start taking damage once it gets in the red! Also you lock on to targets...and have to position your girl and sit still long enough to allow her to get off a shot with her many weapons(most of which you collect in the game!)

It also comes with a networkable fighting game that uses the originals game engine! which I have yet to really try. Also Suguri ran me 16.95 cause I preordered but now costs 19.95. But if you don't mind digital copies then it will run ya 9.95(I think). If they can work out their pr kinks I plan to order their next product!

Anys check em out...give em some love...maybe they will start bringing over more cheap gamer goodness!