Free computer game downloads

Gravity

Gravity sucks—unless it is implemented well in a physics-based game along the lines of this month’s selections.

1 Gish $19.95

Gish sets the platformer genre on its head by changing the protagonist into a gelatinous tar ball that squishes into tight places, tightens up to squash enemies, grows spikes to cling to walls, and jumps by using Superball-like compression. www.chroniclogic.com/gish

2 Free

An abstract hybrid platformer and puzzle game, N demands that players come to grips with its reduced-gravity environment so that they can navigate clever levels while avoiding more clever enemies. www.harveycartel.org/metanet/

3 Hamsterball $19.99

Most old-school gamers fondly recall Marble Madness, and Hamsterball turns that low-res relic into a smooth-rolling and slick roller-coaster ride. Yes, there is a tiny hamster in the ball…. www.raptisoft.com

4 Neverball Free

Neverball may look a lot like Hamsterball in the screenshots, but it is more akin to GameCube’s Monkey Ball than Marble Madness. Use the mouse to tilt the playing field and roll the ball through coins and past obstacles to hit the goal and proceed to the next challenging level. www.icculus.org/neverball

5 Aerial Antics $19.95

Any game that involves a jetpack is worth checking out on general principle, and thrusting around on one comprises the core gameplay of Aerial Antics. Too bad the music sucks. www.leadfootproductions.com

Copyright ?? 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Computer Gaming World.