No article this week as I need some time to regroup and brainstorm some new topics to write about. It’s really just been one of THOSE weeks…

So, instead of working on an article, I’ve decided to post a link to an awesome Flash game called “Shift”.

I used to be really down on Flash games. They were great for a little diversion and only rarely dared to be more than a simple clone of old arcade games, but as they continue to evolve, it’s easy to see how Flash is a great platform for indie developers to show off their chops and get noticed. Just take a look at games like “N”, “Alien Hominid”, and “Fl0w” — all games that have gotten the console treatment since becoming Internet phenomenons. Forget XNA… look to the developers who submit their games to places like ArmorGames.com and NewGrounds.com for the future of independent development on the PC. These games cost next to nothing to produce which really frees up the developer to work on whatever crazy idea he or she can come up with. Take “Shift” for example — a game that, literally, turns the idea of platforming on its head.

“Shift” follows the “run, jump, and collect things” gameplay mechanic that most platform games do, but goes a step further by adding the ability to turn the environment upside down. Hit the shift key and suddenly the ceiling is the floor and that tall platform you couldn’t reach is now at the bottom of a deep pit. Jump in, hit shift again and now you’re standing high atop the platform — easily reaching the key you need to advance to the next level.

The humor is directly derivative of “Portal” but it has its moments and the game is so short, you don’t even mind. How short? It shouldn’t take an average player more than ten minutes to reach the end. (My personal best: 331 seconds)

Agree? Disagree? Your homework for this week is to try “Shift” and let me know what you think.