Tidalis 1.016 OSX Installer
Jan 19, 2011 Full Version 0 commentsThis release doesn't include any new content, but it really improves the game in general. The biggest change here is an upgrade of the Unity 3D engine...
Tidalis is a block-based puzzle game with casual appeal, hardcore depth, and an addictive new "streams" mechanic. The basic rules of the game are this: blocks fall down into the board and have a color and an arrow direction. If a stack of blocks exceeds the height of the board, you lose. In order to clear blocks, you must right-click and drag paths through the arrows to set up chain reactions of like-colored blocks.
If this sounds simple, that's because it is -- you'll be lining up lengthy chains within minutes. But you'll be surprised how much brainpower it takes to set up combos of multiple chains, and the many brainteaser-style puzzles include some real stumpers. Tidalis has co-op and competitive multiplayer modes (offline only in this beta version); action-oriented modes and timer-less brainteasers; a lengthy, casual-friendly adventure mode; fifteen unique game modes providing innumerable twists to the basic gameplay; dozens of special blocks and items; and over fifty minutes of beautiful music to go with the painterly art.
In short, several games' worth of content are built on top of this core mechanic, which you'll quickly find to be as iconic as it is novel.
For more information: Arcengames.com
0 comments by cupogoodness on Apr 15th, 2013
What a busy month it's been! (Alright, year.) Upcoming Game reveals aside, we have several new developments to share during this week alone:
Steam Sale: Entire Arcen Catalog 75% Off
Steam's put the whole lot on sale this time, and I mean everything. For the next week, you'll find the entire Arcen library slashed down to very low prices. Sale ends April 22nd.
IndieFort Spring Bundle
Looking for something a little less Arcen-centric? AI War is in the latest deeply discounted GamersGate bundle, teamed with Sanctum, Zigfrak, Fortune Winds: Ancient Trader, and Underrail (currently in alpha). The offer is available now through April 21st, and will add bonus content as such as AI War and Sanctum DLC if specific sales milestones are reached.
Full Indie Summit
I'll be spewing my nonsense at the Full Indie Summit in Vancouver, BC this Saturday (April 20th). More specifically, I'll be giving a talk on indie game marketing plans. If you're local to the area and are interested in checking it out, definitely stop by and make sure to say hello. The event goes from 10 AM - 4 PM, and admittance is dirt cheap ($10 Canadian) -- plus I hear there's a mixer or two going on afterwards. Should be good fun!
New Game Page Landings
I've set-up a host of new fan pages for Shattered Haven, Exodus of the Machine, and Skyward Collapse -- for those interested in receiving game updates on sites like Twitter, Reddit, and others of the sort.
Shattered Haven
@ShatteredHaven
/r/ShatteredHaven
On Facebook
On IndieDB
Exodus of the Machine
@ExodusOTMachine
/r/ExodusOfTheMachine
On Facebook
On IndieDB
Skyward Collapse
@SkywardGame
/r/SkywardCollapse
On Facebook
On IndieDB
Press and Video Coverage
Plenty to share with the teasing of our two new titles, along with coverage still coming in hot from our recent releases as well.
Skyward Collapse
PC Gamer: AI War developer announces Skyward Collapse, a turn-based 4X god game
Indie Retro News: Developers of AI War announce Skyward Collapse : turn-based 4x simulation god-game
PCGamersN: Skyward Collapse is a turn-based, 4x peacekeeping mission from AI Wars’ Arcen Games
VG247: Skyward Collapse is a turn-based 4X god-sim in the works at Arcen Games
RPS: Arcen’s Next Game Is Skyward Collapse
Strategy Core: A Godly Conundrum
Games.on.net: Arcen Games’ Skyward Collapse combines 4X, god sim and diplomacy
GamersBook: Another new title from Arcen Games
Gamer.no: Unique god game from AI War-makers (Norwegian)
Riot Pixels: AI War developer will release an unusual "simulator of God" (Russian)
Playground.ru: Arcen Games has announced turn-based god sim Skyward Collapse (Russian)
GameLand.ru: Skyward Collapse - another project from the developers of AI War and A Valley Without Wind (Russian)
Gry-Online: Skyward Collapse - creators of AI War announced (Polish)
Tyrant & Ogre: Arcen Games Announces New Game, Skyward Collapse
GamePlanet: A Valley Without Wind studio announces turn-based god game
Exodus of the Machine
Polygon: Arcen Games new title Exodus Of The Machine is coming this year
GameConnect: Arcen Games announces Exodus Of The Machine
GamersBook: Exodus of the Machine announced
Shattered Haven
TierraGamer: Exclusive Interview with Arcen Games - Creators of Haven Shattered (Spanish)
Gert Lush Gaming: Shattered Haven Review
Broken Analog: Shattered Haven Review (9/10)
Co-Optimus: Shattered Haven Co-Op Review (3.5/5)
Game Debate: Shattered Haven Review (7/10)
Edge Online: Shattered Haven review (6/10)
Z-Giochi: Shattered Haven Review (6/10) (Italian)
GameSpot: Shattered Haven Review (5/10)
Hooked Gamers: Shattered Haven Review (7/10)
IndieGameMag: Shattered Haven Review (65/100)
IndeeGames.cz: Shattered Haven Review (4/10) (Czech)
Game4Me: Shattered Haven PC Review (74/100) (Dutch)
IndieGameReviewer: Shattered Haven Review (2/5)
JustPressStart: Shattered Haven Review
Cross Platform Gamers: Shattered Haven Review
Technology Tell: Shattered Haven launches for Mac/PC
InsideMacGames: Enter A Shattered Haven at MGS
Northernlion: Let's Look At: Shattered Haven! (Video)
AtherGames: This Can't Be Real! - First Look at Shattered Haven (Video)
TekkorGJC: Shattered Haven - Quicklook (Video)
KingIsaacLinksr: King's Shattered Haven (Video Series)
MrAmnesiaGameplay: Shattered Haven (Video)
Scheele Plays Shattered Haven (Video)
TheCometCE: Indie Spotlight - A Valley Without Wind (Video)
Psenci: Testing Testing - Episode 50 - Shattered Haven (Video) (Spanish)
NewGames357: Shattered Haven (Video) (Russian)
Valley Series
Gamasutra: Design Debate: Risky Rewards or Rewarding Risk?
Y3K Games: A Valley Without Wind 2 Review (Video)
Infognito: A Valley Without Wind (Video Series)
Weatherford Sons: A Valley Without Wind 2 - Let's Play (Video)
Stry's 1000 Game Steam Stream - [A] Valley Without Wind (Video)
AI War
ChthonicOne: Playing AI War with The Irritable Canadian (Video)
Originally posted: Arcengames.blogspot.com
This release doesn't include any new content, but it really improves the game in general. The biggest change here is an upgrade of the Unity 3D engine...
This release doesn't include any new content, but it really improves the game in general. The biggest change here is an upgrade of the Unity 3D engine...
This official release includes a lot of new stuff for players to enjoy, a lot of it suggested by fans. It adds the new VS - Race multiplayer ruleset for...
This official release includes a lot of new stuff for players to enjoy, a lot of it suggested by fans. It adds the new VS - Race multiplayer ruleset for...
Just bought The Mighty Bundle, mainly for Waveform 'cos I'm a Linux user and I already own Avadon.
Since Tidalis runs on Unity, have you considered porting it to Linux and thus enlarging my Desura Linux games collection? : )
do i get a steam activation code ?
can you play this in multiplayer over the internet? or only the same PC...
You can play, 2 player at the same time on the same PC or over the internet. :)
So underrated... :/
Arcen games is the epitome of what Indie game companies should be about in every sense. I have been a supporter since AI War 2.0 and have since purchased every expansion for numerous reasons. Besides the fact that their games are extremely well thought-out and fun, the quality level of production is always fantastic.
Tidalis...a simple little match-three game in a sea of match-three games, right? Well, no. This title took the entire genre and rewrote the book on game play mechanics completely. With all Arcen games, Tidalis offers numbers modes, including a brainteaser mode, which is so well done that you wonder why nobody thought of it earlier. The production values are amazing and for the price, it's easily an instant purchase.
With all Arcen titles, you get something that isn't necessarily in the brochure; the relentless pursuit of quality assurance. I have seen a few Indie companies really go the extra mile for their fans and roll out the free DLC and goodies and keep the patches and new features rolling in, but Arcen leads the pack in support and direct communication in their forums.
I didn't mean to write a book here, but it's difficult to stop summarizing all the good points of supporting this company because they make what gamers crave and do it in style.
I got to be honest here guys, I only tried out Tidalis because I love AI Wars (though I'm absolutely TERRIBLE at it) and Arcen Games is one of my biggest examples as an indie developer. I usually don't like puzzle games because they are too abstract for me. I tend to like games that have an actual sense of place, actual space that I can explore. I only play Tetris for the music.
But I was blown away by the Demo of Tidalis. The "stream" mechanic is so well done, the game is very fluid, there's a whole lot of variation going on and it's surprisingly challenging when you really start getting into the core mechanics of the game.
So yeah, I've been an *******. I dismissed the game purely on the grounds that it was a match-three game. I'll try to buy the game as soon as I've got some cash (I'm a poor bum), because I REALLY enjoyed my time with the (big) demo.
To anyone else here, don't be an ******* like me and at least try the game. It's really worth the measly price Arcen Games is asking for it. I don't think you'll regret it.
looks interesting
simple, but yet innovative concept
I'll give it a try
Played for an hour and a half today. The game is polished. It's very nifty how it works as a strategic turn-based puzzle and as an intense high-speed block dropping game, just by switching the game type. The random game types I tried were fun (especially the one where the water is rising and you have to drop sponges down to soak it up). Liked the art/music, too.
Glad you like it! :) Hope you have a chance to play a bit more sometimes. :D