The Seven Day First Person Shooter Challenge was orchestrated by Jan Willem Nijman, Sos Sosowski and Sven Bergström as a means for aspiring game developers to show what they can do. This gamejam challenged anyone to create an FPS in just seven days, not necessarily to see who could make the best game, but rather simply accomplish this feat. One of the games that was created in response to the challenge is Flip’d. Created by Thomas, “Chman” on the 7dfps site (I was unable to acquire a full name), Flip’d is one of the most popular and well-received games to emerge from the event. Rather than being a first person shooter, Flip’d is a first person switcher that combines two popular game concepts to create something fun and worthwhile.
Even though the game was created within seven days, by one man, and is quite short, I believe it possesses a level of quality that warrants a review. The idea that this quality is only that of something produced in a very limited time frame versus something that’s had months of development, doesn’t actually apply. It does not look good for “something made in a week”, it simply looks good. The same applies to nearly every aspect of Flip’d. It’s fun, mildly addictive, at times frustrating, and has provided a foundation I would love to see built upon.
Flip’d is, admittedly, inspired by Portal and VVVVVV, and combines the two ideas in a not entirely unique, but enjoyable way. You have to get to the end of each level by switching between the ceiling and the floor, but now the world is in three dimensions rather than the two of VVVVVV, so there’s an extra dynamic of accuracy added to the gameplay. There’s only one way to complete each level, as you’ll have to collect energy pickups that specifically supply you with more flips, so it’s more about how quickly and accurately you can complete each level than anything else. Even though there’s only one method of completion for each stage, the time-attack factor is alluring; my first time through took 18 minutes, the second took only 5, and the third only 3.
Flip’d is a great little game, one of the best of many submitted during the 7dfps Challenge. Support the developer and the entire network of 7dfps participants, because they really deserve it. These are the kinds of great ideas and games that help the indie games industry grow and evolve.
