Casual Encounters--22 Flash Games Worth Getting Addicted To

Posted 01/15/2010 at 8:00am | by Rob Smith

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Moodstream

How do you feel today?

Designed to get creative juices flowing (and to show creative types the breadth of image content available for low, low prices at GettyImages.com), this mood sampler doesn’t play out like a game, but lets you choose “feelings” (whatever they are), and then see corresponding images swirl in to represent those thoughts. It’s quirky and cool, and while we can’t imagine it unlocking that trapped creative thought, you’ve got to give it a try to find out if the mood speaks to you! (http://moodstream.gettyimages.com)

Creeper World

Death to goo

Though the full game requires a purchase and a download, the free Flash tutorial is still a compelling real-time strategy game in its own right. You place collectors and generate the power to charge blasters that keep the creeping goo at bay. The mechanics are pretty involved, so it definitely pays to take notice of the tutorial that outlines the important information in the dense control scheme. Once you have the hang of it, the strategy gameplay is challenging. (www.knucklecracker.com)

Stick Cricket

Can you hit a wicked googly?

Yes, cricket. As in, the sport played by a handful of nations (but the national obsession in some parts of the world). This stick-figure game isn’t a simulation, but at least provides an idea of what the wonderful sport is all about. Challenge modes and the ability to compete against other people provide all the depth you need. And it doesn’t take five days to play one game that could end in a draw. (www.sticksports.com)

GemCraft

The power of pretty rocks

This thoughtfully different take on the tower-defense format pre-positions towers along a set path, and then tasks you with strategically adding more towers and arming them with crystals that you create. A high-fantasy storyline drives you to combine damage-dealing gems into more powerful variants as creatures trek toward your pleasantly appointed home. The ability to tweak features such as the speed of the enemy waves, leveling up new skills, and taking your own route through a branching mission path add a significant amount of replayability.( http://bit.ly/7Moxt)

Tanks

When two tanks go to war

Based on the classic Atari console game, you adjust the elevation of your tank’s gun to train it on the opposing tank, hit fire, and hope your math is right. You’ll upgrade your missile options and other details of your tank fleet over time so the process stays fresh, helped by a variety of terrain types providing different backdrops to the duel. (www.addictinggames.com/tanks.html)

Portal

Is the cake a lie?

Inspired by, but not endorsed or licensed from, Valve Software’s surprise puzzle hit, this Flash version proves the power and flexibility of the software with its remarkable recreation. The mind-bending puzzles are as gripping in this version as they are in the PC and console hit… and, of course, it’s free. (portal.wecreatestuff.com)