Freeware is Happyware

While I'm on the topic of indie games (and drunk posting), everyone would really be doing a service to themselves by checking out Hero Core and REDDER. These are two of the best indie games I've played and they're both available for free.

Left: Hero Core; Right: REDDER

Hero Core looks and sort of plays like an old Gameboy game, yet is one of the best games available that's built using Game Maker; while REDDER is a Flash game resembling something from the NES days, and is available to play on Newgrounds.

Maybe the reason I like both of them so much is that they remind me of Metroid II, which is the only Gameboy game I care about besides Wario Land II. Exloration is key and, although you can go anywhere at any time, it's important to hone your skills before tackling the tougher challenges. Exploration is really under-utilized in gaming these days, with some games literally drawing out or funneling you to where you need to go (Fable 2's golden trail, Metroid: Other M's locked doors). It's rare to find a new game that doesn't at least have waypoint markers, so to see a couple of games that are willing to set you loose with nothing but a little backstory is refreshing (if a little archaic).

Check them out and, if you're pleased with the quality of these two freeware games, you should also check out the Humble Indie Bundle to see what indie developers can do when they're actually paid for their work.