There is a type of game that can only be described as "Scandinavian." These games incorporate strange and surreal themes, music, and art, pulling the player into what can best be referred to as a dreamscape. Game makers like community favorite cactus, Nifflas (developer of the Knytt series of games) and Petri Purho (developer of Crayon Physics Deluxe) are all Scandinavian, and they make very interesting and strange games. Blueberry Garden easily falls into this category, and it's not a problem at all.

Blueberry Garden was nominated for only one other award, but it is in no way lacking in any of the other award areas such as visual arts or innovation. All of the aspects of Blueberry Garden come together delightfully, and we wouldn't have it any other way. It's a surreal and altogether delightful exploratory game that leads the player on and on. In Blueberry Garden, you are in just that: a blueberry garden. You are never really told what to do or where to go. In a ways, it's a merger of platformer and adventure game. Which is great.


CarneyVale Showtime is an interesting game. It wasn't on the mind of the average independent gamer until it promptly won the DreamBuildPlay Microsoft-sponsored competition out of the blue. So what makes it so great that it won an entire competition? Well, a tendency towards the flamboyant, bright colors, and playful gameplay all certainly help! It's a big change from other indie games, even those that share the grand prize nomination with it. This is what is so great about it.

In CarneyVale Showtime, you play an acrobat rising through the ranks of the magical circus. What this translates to is a ragdoll puzzle/platforming game where you use the environment to pull off all sorts of sweet moves. From slinging yourself across an arena to climbing into a rocket, you do it all and then some. It's a surprise entry on the grand prize list, but not entirely unexpected after its performance in the DreamBuildPlay competition.


I'd be lying if I said I didn't think Dyson deserves a spot on the grand prize finalist list. It has no nominations for any other categories, but it doesn't need them. Dyson is phenomenal in the quiet, endearing way, not the trend-setting, earth-moving way. A minimalist art style with soft and clear lines, a soft and ambient soundtrack, and easy-to-learn gameplay all make Dyson a game of whispers, not of shouts. That is its triumph and the reason why it is a finalist in the IGF.

Dyson revolves around self-replicating mining drones in an asteroid belt, although you wouldn't know it by the presentation. Dyson is all about different sized orbs, different kinds of trees, and little floating seedlings that do your every bidding. You invade other orbs, plant trees from your seedlings, and continue onwards, propagating your colony as quickly as you can. It's pretty simple, but the tactical depth of it (which incorporates things such as retreats, diversions, recon, smart engagement, etc) is extremely organic and fluid. There's no modifiers or morale here. Just smart tactics. Thanks to the procedural nature of the game, it is different every time, which is the best trait of all.


Much like Blueberry Garden, Night Game was only nominated for one other award. While it is certainly a well-designed game, there's more to Night Game than just the design. It's a great game in every aspect, from the music to the art to the design, and it definitely deserves being on this finalist list. In a way, it could eclipse the developer's other project, Cave Story Wii. And that's saying something.

Night Game is much like Dyson in a more unique way. It is a game all about the ambiance and flowing freedom of the environment. Every element of the game reinforces this simple theme. Te puzzles, the music, the art design (especially the limited palette), and the general gameplay all reflect a calm, steady, measured demeanor towards the player. When playing, you may approach a state of being most akin to zen. Do not be alarmed, as this is a normal part of playing.


Two games with no other nominations, two with only one other nomination, and Osmos make up the grand prize finalists. Osmos sits at a whopping three nominations, the most out of any of the grand prize finalists. One is grand prize, one is for excellence in design, and one is for technical excellence. Osmos has a good chance to win all three, based on the strong showing it has made. It's a phenomenal game, after all!

Osmos revolves around spewing mass out of your little mote to propel yourself and utilizing gravity and physical laws to continue your motion into more motes. These motes then make you bigger, allowing you to propel yourself again. It's all very simple, but it's an absolutely stunning and well-executed concept. The risks and rewards inherent in it, the skill required to do well, and the like all give Osmos a great feel that most games can't imitate.