No Money, No Problem: Tessallation

Title: Tessallation
Developer: DePaul University seniors
Platforms: PC, Mac
Price: Free
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Tessallation is described as a first person, single player co-op puzzle game. Now single player co-op seems like an oxymoron but that's exactly what Tessallation is. You use the power of time travel to work with your past selves. Single player co-op indeed.

Trailer here

To complete each level, you must learn to work with yourself. Complete one action, then rewind time. Your past self perform that "recorded" action, while you do something else. Work in tandem with countless clones as you synchronize button presses, manipulate weight-activated switches, play catch with yourself, and other paradox-breaking tasks. 

Tessallation is short but that's good thing. There's no filler and difficulty ramps up fast. Stay in school, loop through time, and enjoy this abstract puzzle game without spending a cent. You can download Tessallation here.

Quick Fix: Four great sites for indie news and impressions

I share news and impressions of overlooked and under-the-radar games with you but I wouldn't know about some of those games without these great sites.
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NeoGAF Indie Games Threads (September)
These monthly threads list the most promising indies across various platforms as well as upcoming games. Forum members vote each month on their favorite games as well as post recommendations and impressions of their own. Be sure to check out the threads for the past six months

r/IndieGaming
Similar to NeoGAF, this subreddit is exclusive about indie games and is supported by user links and submissions. Perhaps the best site for recent news as it happens.

IndieStatik
A more traditional site than the first two links, IndieStatik has more in-depth articles, reviews, and previews if you're looking for professional opinions on indie games.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun
While RPS does review and preview AAA games, it also devotes tons of attention to indie gaming. Go here for impressions on anything from the latest Kickstarters to freeware games.

IOS Spotlight #6: Ninjin

Title: Ninjin
Developer: Pocket Trap
Platforms: IOS Universal
Price: Free with 0.99 game unlock
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Ninjin combines the auto runner and dual stick combat in a pretty package that deserves a spot on your device. Your rabbit ninja moves forward automatically, but you can move around the screen and attack in any direction. Utilizing a wide variety of weapons, projectiles, and upgrades, you must eliminate waves of enemies and bosses.

Trailer here

What stands out is Ninjin's wonderful art style and amount of content. Across its stylish pixel art landscapes, you face enemies in a level-based campaign and endless mode and unlock new weapons as well as art and music. Best of all, Ninjin is free to try; you can purchase the full game for 0.99.

PC Spotlight #6: Assault Android Cactus

Title: Assault Android Cactus
Developer: Witch Beam
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Vita, Wii U
Price: 14.99
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Dual stick shooters and bullet hell mechanics come together in Assault Android Cactus, recently released on Steam. Look beyond Assault's colorful veneer and you'll find a frantic shooter with style to spare.

You can tackle Assault Android Cactus' mechanic hordes alone or with three others and while the extra firepower is helpful and adds to the onscreen chaos, it's not necessary to succeed. Assault plays just fine as  a single player game, allowing you to choose from several different characters, each with their own unique weapons. From common firearms like assault rifles to shotguns to more exotic weaponry such as plasma field generator and a cannonball launcher, weapons are varied and feel powerful.

Besides weaponry, power ups and battery energy pick-ups spawn throughout the arena, granting you drone helpers or increased maneuverability. And you'll need all the help you can get, as enemies and bullets flood the screen from every angle. But Assault Android Cactus's standout features - besides the intense action - are its visuals and animations. Levels shift and change at moment's notice, enemies skitter towards you, turrets emerge as bullets and missiles fly everywhere...all with zero performance issues even on older computers

You can buy Assasult Android Cactucs now on Steam Early Access. The game is also set to release on PS4, PS Vita, and Wii U.

The Watchlist: Against The Wall

Title: Against The Wall
Developer: Cartwheel Games
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
Price: Preorder for $10, free alpha available
Releasing late 2013
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"Against the Wall is a first-person puzzle-platformer set on the side of an infinite wall. Entire civilizations and ecosystems cling for survival on the side of the wall, everyone and everything existing under the constant threat of tumbling into an endless sky. The wall is made up of square white bricks of varying sizes. You can pull these bricks out of the wall to form platforms, stairs, and paths. Along the way, you'll encounter cities, forests, volcanoes, castles, and other environments in your journey through this strange world."

Against The Wall is an platformer focused on exploration. You're presented with an immense wall that stretches in every direction and a staff that allows you to extend blocks from the wall. As you ascend, you discover new structures and landscapes, all in built from the wall in a surreal fashion. The joy of discovery and exploration is the game's biggest draw; reaching the sideways forests where trees jut from the wall is a beautiful sight.

Different block types provide added challenge to your climb. Some can't be extended, forcing the player to make desperate jumps while others begin retracting into the wall on contact. Luckily there's no fall damage, only the need to climb again and falling past the endless wall at incredible speeds is up there with Mirror's Edge in regards to the sense of momentum and verticality.

Against The Wall was recently Greenlit on Steam. You can play the free alpha here or preorder Against The Wall here.

IOS Spotlight #5: BlastTrax

Title: BlastTrax
Developer: James Gamble
Platforms: IOS Universal, Android
Price: 0.99
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The shoot-em-up (or SHMUP) has been a well represented genre on IOS. Games like Phoenix HD, Sine Mora, and Infinity Field have all shown that touchscreens are ideal for frantic bullet-spewing action. BlastTrax is another worthy addition to the genre.

Release trailer here

Developed by James Gamble - the man behind Spike Dislike 1 and 2, Sheep Goes Left, and more - BlastTrax plays like a cross between a racing game and a retro arcade shooter. Your blue vessel must reach the end of the track, avoiding the many enemies and projectiles in between or blowing them away with your trusty phaser. Poweups along the way provide more health or upgrade your weapon. The controls work perfectly and don't get in the way of the action. The standout is the colorful visuals; flashing explosives, flying bullets, power-ups enemies, all add to the hectic action onscreen.

Easy, Normal, and Hard mode await to test your skills. For 0.99, you get a fun SHMUP with a great visual style and more content - such as an even crazier arcade mode - is on the way.

Quick Fix: Online store ShinyLoot is live, having a huge launch sale

If you're looking for an indie game fix to survive till the next big Steam Sale, wait no longer. ShinyLoot - a new online game site - just went live and is celebrating with a massive indie sale. Over 300 games are discounted from August 26th to October 6th, including Rook's Keep, Survivor Squad, Ring Runner, and many more.

 You can search ShinyLoot here and browse through the hundreds of discounted games on the launch sale page.