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+--- Thread: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! (/showthread.php?tid=538)
Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - BobVP - 01-12-2026
I've been digging through sites like itch.io and ags to find some hidden gems, maybe a diamond in the rough. I think the genre owes a lot to the diy (freeware) scene and I intend to put a couple of games in the spotlight every once in a while.
Here's my first selection.
Celestial Coffee Quest by Wavey Games
It's bright, fun, a little garish and full of adventure. It'll take you about half an hour, which'll mostly be dedicated to puzzles. The music is fitting and enjoyable.
MALLICIOUS by jfrisby, Bani Gala Games
Like Celestial Coffee Quest, this goes for the EGA aesthetic. It has a survival-mechanic, with health and money, but the approach is distinctly point & click adventure. The kind where you can and will die. A lot of the game is about dialog decisions, there are also light inventory puzzles. More characters and locations than I expected. Music also goes pretty hard in this one.
Pumpkin Happenz - free Point & Click Adventure
This one was recommended by Wild Boar in the free and discounted thread. The developer posted one for the game itself (see link). It's a proper adventure game with some 2011 sensibilities. A lot of info in the thread itself. Soundtrack is good as well.
The Comedy of an Eternal Life by Evan Betterer
This one's a little rough around the edges and some gameplay elements may be exasperating. That said; the writing is solid. It's bold, ambitious and hits a lot of unexpected and interesting notes. The music is nice.
Cascade Failure by futur_null
A "lost media" adventure, made with an obsolete version of AGS for good measure. This surrealist adventure reflecting on living in a society takes on a more sombre tone than the others. It is quite fun, though. I recommend the entire saga (links on the itch.io page).
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - srnickolas - 01-12-2026
oh that's a nice thread Bob, I just downloaded Celestial coffee to try
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - BobVP - 01-13-2026
Thank you!
I intend to use this as a podium for the freeware and less established/"commercial" indie developers. A lot of attention and energy is going to the abundance of professionalized indie titles (with good reason!); I intend to follow the places where the luminaries of the indie scene made their bones - and to see the creative output of those just doing it for love of the (adventure) game.
I really enjoyed getting a Celestial Coffee. I've spent most of my time outside of work on adventure games the past couple of days - this one still managed to stand out. All of these games have a particular sense of humour, I think this one just worked best for me.
Besides a showcase of recently published games, I'm going to highlight a freeware classic every once in a while. If other people have a freeware game they remember fondly, feel free to make a post about it as well!
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - arollingmeadow - 01-13-2026
Hey, I'm the guy that made The Comedy of an Eternal Life! Thanks for highlighting my game. I'll have to check out some of the other games you listed.
And I hear you on the gameplay elements. I'm not the best coder and bit off more than I could chew by trying to have a variety of ways of interacting with the NPCs - mini-RPG battles, boxing fights, drag and drop puzzles, and etc. My code turned into a huge mess and I was lucky to ever finish the game. I was ready to cry there were so many bugs! Instead of improving the gameplay I got stuck stomping bugs (and also working on the music) for what felt like an eternity. I learned my lesson though and my next project is much leaner and single-minded.
Thanks again!
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - BobVP - 01-13-2026
Hi, that's really cool! I know the feeling and I'm glad you pushed on. I think the other games are little gems and yours is a diamond in the rough. At some points i just laughed and thought: this game is trolling me! The creative writing convinced me to play the entire thing and put it on the list.
Looking forward to your next project!
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - frisby - 01-14-2026
Thanks for checking out Mallicious and the shoutout!
(also glad I found the forums here because of this!
)
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - BobVP - 01-14-2026
Welcome - and you're welcome!
I'll definitely check out more of your work. I get the sense it has a strong and distinct sense of direction.
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - srnickolas - 01-14-2026
Hey Bob I played all of them, Mallicious was my favorite (though i didn't manage to find the dude's Santa hat Lol). I am waiting for your new entries in this thread (another 5 plz, just kidding no pressure)
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - arollingmeadow - 01-15-2026
I had to try Mallicious since it was srnickolas' fave, and it definitely has vibes for miles. It's a relaxing, fun play with good atmosphere and a nice sense of humor. Using Microsoft Music Producer to help make was the soundtrack brilliant. I was wondering how they nailed the '90s midi aesthetic so well. That program really just has the right sounds. Every retro game developer should be sampling that thing.
RE: Following Freeware/Pay-What-You-Want games! - Boxblue Studios - 01-17-2026
Great thread!
I've recently played 'Snarl' by Beyond Booleans (creator of Abscission and Carnival). It's a short, free game set in the same universe as his other games.
It was a really well constructed and enjoyable horror short and I can't recommend it enough!
Here's a link if anyone wants to give it a go!
(ps. I get no commission from any games I recommend!
)