first review for Shelled Online

Out of Eight PC Game Reviews posted their review of Shelled! Online this week (which was subsequently picked up by Blues News), marking the first official game review for Shelled Online. Here's the intro:

Quote:
Shelled! Online Review
Shelled! Online, developed and published by Red Thumb Games.

The Good: Realistic physics, limited movement makes attacks easier and maneuvering strategic, deformable terrain, lots of varied weapons, multiple gameplay modes, easy to join online matches, straightforward controls, informative tutorials
The Not So Good: No difficulty settings for single player campaign or AI opponents, can't adjust power scroll speed, weapon camera can't be permanently minimized, low resolution graphics, maps aren't random
What say you? One of the better arcade tank combat games: 6/8 (Buy it if you like the genre)

MY POORLY WRITTEN INTRODUCTION
I've played my fair share of tank combat games: Tank Universal, Think Tanks, First Battalion, T-72, Battle Carry, DropTeam. Only one of them was any good (the last one) and they seem to be decently popular; now, we are presented with Shelled! Online. Disappointingly not an Internet-based lobster simulation, this combination of the classic game Scorched Earth, a 3-D environment, and Mario-like turtle shells looks to breathe some fresh air into a generally disappointing sub-genre. First person shooters seem to be getting all of the love, but why not jump into a heavily armored vehicle to wreak some havoc? Sounds like a good time had by all, except for the guy getting blown up. Will Shelled! Online resurrect the arcade tank game?

You can find out by reading the rest of the article in the full review here:
http://jaguarusf.blogspot.com/2008/07/shelled-online-review.html

Also in news I'm an official entry in the 2009 Independent Game Festival, marking my departure as a 2 year judge. But it's better to be an entry than a judge for sure, and like my first sale, it's been my 5 year dream to finally submit something (anything!) into the comp. I'm the first submission to the 2009 IGF so a little early, but for once it's better to be ahead of the curve than late. Plus I can say I'm #1! We'll see if the unique physics based gameplay is enough to land recognition or a finalist. Submitting at all gives you visibility and is already a win no matter what. It's not too early to be planning your own submissions out there too. Let's deluge the IGF with great Torque powered games!

Josh