Reader Art realised he had found something pretty neat when he discovered he could use our new multi-tag search feature to find all of our free download games in one fell swoop, but he also discovered that not all of them have gotten enough votes to merit a rating and suggested that maybe we could write a Vault article to highlight some of the free download titles that haven't quite gotten the attention they deserve. Well YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF US, ART. YOU AREN'T OUR DAD.

... but we'll still steal your idea, so this week's (100th!) Vault will not only point you towards some of our favourite free download games, but also three additional games you'll want to check out if you enjoyed the others!

If you liked...
• Make it Good - Interactive fiction can be tricky to master, since you have to balance weaving a compelling story with actual gameplay. John Ingold has been perfecting his craft for quite some time, and this mystery game is all the better for it, flexing its considerable muscles with a complex and involving plot and remarkably in-depth gameplay. It's a classic murder mystery, and with a focus on really using your brain and your intuition to suss out clues and leads, makes for one of the best interactive storytelling experiences around.
... then try...
• Floatpoint - Emily Short is no slouch when it comes to blending narrative with player involvement either, and if you're looking for an engrossing tale with some thoughtful gameplay additions to ease you into interactive fiction, you would be remiss if you didn't check her out. In this science-fiction story, you're an ambassador to Alehart, a cold planet that's been colonised by humans from Earth, and you're trying to negotiate a trade agreement, but things are more complicated than they seem. With a delicate yet firm touch for world crafting and inclusions like a to-do list to keep you from ever getting lost or confused, Floatpoint is a stellar example of interactive fiction at its finest and most carefully crafted.
If you liked...
• Treasure Adventure Game - Platforming has come a long way since the simple hop-and-bop days of its ancestors, and it's being used as a way to have some pretty big adventures these days. Robit Studios managed to create a singularly addictive retro-styled metroidvania experience when they released this gem about a boy who washes ashore on an island with a fantastical past. Though it looks simplistic, Treasure Adventure Game offers a massive experience with a heavy focus on exploration that will have you roaming everywhere, searching everything, and providing enough hidden treasures, secrets, and stories to keep you captivated for a long time.
... then try...
• A Game With a Kitty 1 and 2 - Origamihero's approach to platforming as a means to adventure keeps the retro-tastic style but heaps in some surreal strangeness for a weird, dreamlike duo of games. As you may surmise from the title, you play a kitty in the first game and, despite the title, not a kitty in the second, but both games serve up a hefty dose of challenge and strange design in a way that make them feel like they'd be right at home on the NES. (You kids know what an NES is, right?) It's weird, silly, and tricky, but is absolutely worth a play for fans of old-school style platforming adventure.
If you liked...
• RunMan: Race Around the World - Tom Sennett and Matt Thorson are both rad dudes, so you know that when they combine wonderful things are going to happen... like this fiercely cheerful racing platformer about going really, really fast. Even though nobody was willing to compete against RunMan, he insists on running the whole world-wide course he entered before he accepts the title, which is good news for us since the experience is so darned weird and awesome. Your goal is to be the fastest, and to race through stages collecting all the points you can in addition to dealing with enemies... and even a giant boss or two! The cartoonish style and fly by the seat of your pants style action makes it hard to put down, and even harder to play without smiling like a maniac.
... then try...
• The Apocalyptic Game About Penguins - You know it's going to be good when a game's title is fun to say, and Penguin DT's over-the-top "TGAP" is kind of a wonderful thing if you don't mind a little zombie penguin extermination. Yes, it looks like the apocalypse nobody suspected is all New Zealand's fault, and now zombie penguins are threatening to overwhelm everything. Fortunately, you've got the firepower and the will to use it... if you can survive long enough. TGAP is wild and wondrous to behold, with a lot of work put into its style, bizarre plot, and overall concept, even if the difficulty curve is a bit steep. Looking for an action-packed platformer with a hefty dose of strangeness? Look no further.

While we welcome any comments about this weekly feature here, we do ask that if you need any help with the individual games, please post your questions on that game's review page. Well, what are you waiting for? Get out there and rediscover some awesome!