Teleglitch is done (the stats screen tells that it took 362mins) ...and so are my nerves. Once you get your hands on experimental, energy-based stuff, you have a fair-chance against the metallic nasties that dominate the later levels. Though the transition is a bit brutal: I barely survived the 7th level. Still, it was worth all the trouble. I could have never imagined that such a lo-fi game would be this atmospheric and heart-pounding. Now, I wonder what are those few remaining items (or weapons) that I haven't figured out how to produce? 

"We made this game because we were missing the jitters and hardcore fun feeling that we grew to love years ago, playing games like Doom, Quake and various roguelikes. Because stuff like this is so rare nowadays, we decided to make it ourselves, and fill the empty space in our hearts with pixels, blood, zombies, robots and dark corridors."

MOTHERFUCKING FUCK YEAH FUCK ALREADY!!!!

And erc "I could have never imagined that such a lo-fi game would be this atmospheric and heart-pounding."
-You have now learnt tha the "fi" has fuckall to do with atmosphere and excitement.
Absolutely fuck all. 

I knew that already, growing up with a 2600. I guess my astonishment comes from the fact that I haven't experienced any of the deliberately retro-styled games of this day and age (apart from Cladun on PSP). 

Then you are missing out on a few more gems, if you have time... 

Sure, I have some to spare. Would love to hear your recommendations. 

Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story Cave Story 

No, I haven't. :/ It seems that you can't recommend it enough though. Looks like a Metroidvania, that's a big incentive - thanks, Spirit. Any others? Has anyone tried Lone Survivor, by the way? Looks interesting and stylish. I'm always up for survival horror. 

If you play it, make sure to not play the later released "+" one. It is like a bad Quake remake/model/sound thing from all what I have seen.

Cave Story is one of the best games I know and it's free! Don't spoil yourself reading, just play it and have fun. Best with a gamepad! 

Of course, I'll go for the original one -- YAY! A PSP port is available! :) 

Some neat retro style games that don't cost a penny!

You Have To Win The Game
http://www.piratehearts.com/blog/games/you-have-to-win-the-game/

Maldita Castilla
http://www.locomalito.com/maldita_castilla.php 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/digital-eel/infinite-space-3-sea-of-stars

I loved the previous games, and FTL had some of the same feeling of exploration. 

Many thanks! These two look great too, will try them in the near future. I remember playing 8bit killer from Locomalito guys, that was beautiful. 

You maybe heard of Hotline Miami. Don't Miss that.
If you feel like some Roguelike I highly recommend DoomRL, thats a Doom based Roguelike, with tiles now.

Pineapple Smash Crew seems like fun, did not get to play it much but what I did was cool. 

Killes, thanks for the recommendations, another sweet-looking two (Hotline Miami and PSC). I'll give them a try. I've had a round or two in DoomRL, back when it was ASCII based. It surely looks more compelling now. 

Another one worth trying if you haven't: The Binding of Isaac. Quite fun and addictive (ask onetrueijed about it). 

473 hours and counting. I planned on quitting once I hit the 400.0 mark but old habits die hard. 

is veritably amazing. So is Keyboard Drumset Fucking Werewolf, though in a different way. 

Thanks guys. I'll add The Binding of Isaac and KDFW to my list. I plan on taking the ones with shorter campaigns first. Currently playing Cave Story (for the first time) and replaying Harmony of Dissonance on PSP (through a GBA emulator which works surprisingly perfect). Also had half an hour with Metroid: Zero Mission (via the same emulator). 

Isaac: 521 Hours, but I stopped playing some time ago.

Indie games not already mentioned;

Weird Worlds is indeed a great space exploration roguelike, it's nice to see they're working on the third version.

Another space explorer roguelike I can recommend is Faster Than Light.

Spelunky - an oldie but a goodie. Platformer roguelike player rape.

Desktop Dungeons - haven't looked at this in quite some time, but a limited space dungeon crawl roguelike where exploration regenerates you.

Cthulhu Saves the World - breath of fire style RPG.

And I'm probably forgetting many more. 

... can quickly become overwhelming! :D 

Any idea how simular Metroid: Zero Mission is to Metroid: Fusion? Because I loved that (until some boss that made my emulator crawl). 

Metroid Fusion is a lot more linear and directed, until the very end when you get to explore freely for some time.
There is an annoying NPC that you are forced to talk to inbetween setpieces.
Other than that the gameplay is still the same old good stuff, and there are some cool environments. 

xxx 

i liked zero mission more, fusion forced too much linearity onto the player. But fusion is still pretty good in other respects. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LGb8EwhTU

FUCKKKK!!! FUCKKK!!! oh my shit!! This is absolutely the best thing I've ever seen, including vaginas and the bugatti veyron.