Free is good, especially when it comes to games, and there are definitely times when freeware is even better. Often overlooked for their bigger AAA counterparts, or the more easily leapt into browser games, freeware titles manage to deliver some of the most surprisingly engaging and huge adventures around. Here are three of our favourites for you to lose yourself in on a rainy day... or, in at least one case, a dark and stormy night...
- The Chzo Mythos - If you're looking for horror wrapped up in a classic point-and-click adventure package, then you don't need to look much further than Yahtzee's (Benjamin Croshaw) stellar creepy series of games. Mainly following a gentleman thief by the name of Trilby who seems to wind up in the most unfortunate of places, the series combines both subtle, lurking horror with more grotesque, disturbing stuff to tell a complex story of an unearthly being that drastically influences the lives of people throughout the ages. By turns unsettling, horrifying, and even funny at times, it remains one of the best and most well-written series of games around for horror fans to sink their teeth into.
- Iji - Platforming adventures are great, and even more so when they serve up a big heaping helping of Metroidvania action. If you feel the same way, then be sure to check out Daniel Remar's immensely engaging story-driven title about a human named Iji who has been enhanced with nanotechnology after the Earth is invaded by aliens. It's packed with all the upgrades and action you'd hope, but with a story that changes depending on your actions and how you play, it's also one seriously impressive display of gameplay-driven narrative you'll want to make a date with if you haven't already. And if you already have, what's wrong with hooking up with an old flame?
- An Untitled Story - Matt Thorson is a talented guy with an impressive roster of popular browser titles, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't check out this challenging Metroidvania platformer. Beginning as an egg in the nest, you'll encounter the usual big boss battles, secrets, upgrades, and more, but you'll also soon find yourself wrapped up in a great plotline that slowly becomes unveiled the more you play. While the difficulty is definitely on the high end of things, the multiple pathways available through each area and the mystery surrounding the whole thing, dropped into your lap in rewarding bits and pieces, is more than enough incentive to keep playing... and to keep recommending this even four years down the road.
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!
Aww, so many memories with an untitled story, probably the best freeware game I've ever played.
Agreed. Untitled Story is a true gem. Although I actually paid for my copy, it only became freeware later.
I think too many people dismiss the game immediately because of MS Paint graphics. Well, their loss.
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