Top 10 weirdest IGF 2009 games

The 2009 edition of the Independent Games Festival has recently concluded showing some very interesting games from the indie scene, but besides the finalists running for the Grand Prize there are a lot of original/funny/weird entries that definitely deserve a look.

So I've written an article, which you can also read on my website, where I've collected 10 of the weirdest games I've found digging all the entries of the year:

10. Kukoo Kitchen

Kukoo Kitchen

In Kukoo Kitchen, you will have to control Chill Li, an alien dog gifted with telekinetic powers in a quest to cook all kinds of food around the galaxy. But he will not be alone, as his human friend Jessica will travel by his side, aiding him by building and selling Li tons of wacky machines to produce all kinds of amazingly tasty dishes.

I would never eat in a place where the chef is a dog...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=526

9. Three Forks VS. the Crab Creatures From Neptune

Three Forks VS. the Crab Creatures From Neptune

TFVCCN is a blend of tactics and strategy where the player can instantly switch between multiple game pieces in a tactical confrontation with the evil Crab Creatures infesting our homeland.

Bad, bad crabs...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=719

8. Dahjolay Back Home

Dahjolay Back Home

Dahjolay is an interactive collaged landscape of randomizing poetry and music. There is no story, no start or end - it is simply a serene atmosphere full of wisdom, insight, and humour.

That's called a screensaver... a screensaver full of humor... yeah, sure...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=441

7. Anigraphical Etude 9

Anigraphical Etude 9

The Anigraphical Etude #9 is an interactive music manuscript in "1st person shooter" video game format for live concert performance for flute. The game play is based upon Robert Frost's The Death of the Hired Man. The performer navigates a 3D performance space as the character Silas before a concert audience. The full play version contains game-score, interactive set up with performance instructions and rehearsal parts.

Rumors say Sony is going to use a flute as dualshock4...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=421

6. GumBeat

GumBeat

In the world of GumBeat, you take the role of a defiant teenage girl who musters up the courage to stand up against the oppressive government. Bubble gum is outlawed across the city! Anyone spotted chewing gum is severely beaten up. But oh, how unfair it is to prevent citizens to enjoy the sweet taste of bubble gum. In this fun and lively casual game, blow bubble gum and gather enough supporters to your cause to topple the anti-gum government.

Fighting for the right of chewing, that's what I call an original plot!

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=615

5. Attack of the mutant ponies 2.0

Attack of the mutant ponies 2.0

Fight Mutant Ponies! (this is the only game description, I swear... so, basically, the title is longer than the description)

Be afraid of the *evil* ponies... btw, why do they explode when you slash them with a sword?

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=591

4. Forumwarz

Forumwarz

Forumwarz is a role-playing game that takes place on the Internet. In fact, think of Forumwarz as the Internet itself...in game form. Forumwarz takes the gameplay principles of RPGs and applies them to today's ubiquitous cyber-culture, while mercilessly parodying both. You won't find yourself slaying dragons or hobnobbing with flax-hair'd elf lords here. In Forumwarz, the closest thing to a dungeon is your grandma's basement, where your character spends his days pwning forums, shopping for online goods, distributing suspect pieces of hacker code and instant-messaging a parade of increasingly bizarre and obnoxious characters.

I've been playing Forumwarz for years and nobody told me...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=535

3. The Graveyard

The Graveyard

You play an old lady who visits a graveyard. You walk around, sit on a bench and listen to a song. It's more like an explorable painting than an actual game. An experiment with realtime poetry, with storytelling without words.

This is even more than weird, this is creepy...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=679

2. Metro rules of conduct

Metro rules of conduct

A game about the awkward situation of commuting in my hometown, Stockholm. Look at mobile phones, MP3 players and breast for score, but whatever you do - avoid eye contact!

So in Stockolm you can stare at boobs but you can't look somebody in the eyes... I guess they have some serious problem there...

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=649

1. Dark Room Sex Game

Dark Room Sex Game

Dark Room Sex Game is an erotic multiplayer rhythm game without any graphics, played only by audio and haptic cues. The game can be played with Nintendo Wiimote controllers or a keyboard. In Dark Room Sex Game, the player works with his or her partner to find a mutual rhythm, then speeds up gradually until climax. In four-player "orgy" mode, players swap partners randomly and compete to reach orgasm the fastest.

Oh yeees!

IGF page: http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2009.php?id=684