Instead of doing the usual essay-like PAX write-up, I decided to do something a little different for this year's PAX East. The photo above contains most of what I picked up in the expo hall. Each item is labeled with a number, which will have a description below.
1) Delver's Drop is a 2D, Zelda-style action RPG. It is available on multiple (non-console) platforms.
2) This is actually a card for Atom Zombie Smasher. It was only picked up because they had no cards for Quadrilateral Cowboy. Quadrilateral Cowboy is a super cool-looking, "20th century cyberpunk" game. Tons of points to these guys for making something original.
3) This was a card received from one of the panelists of the "So You Want to Make Chiptunes" panel. He is the creator of a "web-based musical sequencer" called Pulseboy. While I most likely will stick with LSDJ, Pulseboy looks like a pretty solid tool.
4) GCW Zero is an open-source handheld. It's light, has a simple design, a solid screen, and can probably emulate any pre-DS era game. It's pretty pricey at $160, but I can't really think of any other handhelds like the GCW Zero.
5) Indie Game Stand showcases a new game every 4 days. You get to pay what you want for them too. Sweet.
6) Organ Trail is a zombie parody of Oregon Trail. As tired as the whole zombie thing is, this game is pretty fun. You can play it right in your browser, but the Director's Cut is available on Steam and on mobile devices.
7) Indie Royal is an indie game bundle. The more people buy the bundle, the higher the "minimum" price goes up. Though, if you pay more than the minimum, the price stays low.
8) There was a booth for the new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game. Each day, they gave out a new pin. So, I made sure to collect all three. It seemed like a standard Mystery Dungeon game, but in 3D.
9) Anne is the first part of my name. So, it's natural A.N.N.E. would get my attention. It is a pretty-looking "platformer with RPG elements."
10) Jungle Rumble is ridiculously cute. It is a rhythm game where you take control of cute monkeys, collect bananas, and fight off evil monkeys. Your movements and actions are dictated through a beat. It's not out yet, but I'm keeping an eye out for it.
11) I did't need to play Mercenary Kings because I know it will be good. I did want those free stickers, though.
12) Another Usagi Yojimbo game, but this time it's for mobile platforms.
13) Rack'n'Ruin is another 2D, Zelda-style action RPG.
14) While at the Major Magnet booth, I was complimented on my Sonic shirt. The developer said, "We're big Sonic fans!" Playing the game, I could definitely tell.
15) Tanto Cuore was a huge hit with my group of friends. So, Kanzume Goddess definitely caught my eye. It's another deck-building game, but $25 is a great price.
16) Dungeon Hearts is a fast-paced RPG puzzle game. If an old JRPG made a baby with Bejeweled, this might be it.
17) Romino Games went the way of Uber Entertainment and ditched all XBL support for AwesomeNauts. In other words, I won't be buying AwesomeNauts ever.
18) Boot Hill Heroes is like if Earthbound and Wild Arms made a baby, but it was more American and less Japanese.
19) The Spearhead Games booth was made to look like a lab, and it caught my eye immediately. In their game, Tiny Brains, you are some kind of cute, small hamster or mouse. It is a co-op, puzzle game where the solutions are infinite.
20) Replay'd sold used games and consoles. They also sold vintage game merchandise like a Mario cake pan and some Mario ceiling fan blades that looked like they were from 1986. (Unfortunately, they don't really sell anything online.)
Nutjitsu (not pictured) is cute little game from Ninjabee. You play a cute ninja squirrel with a sack of nuts, running away from foxes. It's not out yet, but I hope it comes out for more than just the iPad.
