Bytten Ernie Awards 2012

Best Casual Game Award - Little Kingdom

Casual only in terms of accessibility, the game is a deep and enjoyable strategy title. I love the way the real-time mechanics combine with the hex-based gameplay to add an element of immediacy to the decisions that the player faces. How best to cover resources, when to curtain expansion and focus on collection, where to place chokepoints, and prioritisation of targets; the choices are quite engaging. All this in a game where a winner can be decided in 10 minutes and where the random map creator can build unique and unlimited maps at a mouse-click. The AI provides a good learning environment for the beginner and a real challenge for strategy veterans.

A simple interface, and easy to learn but hard to master mechanics make for the perfect coffee-break game. At $5 you just can’t go wrong.

Best Presentation Award - Phantasmat

I can’t think of another developer that puts so much effort into creating such beautiful looking and sounding games. The overall playability and feel of Phantasmat is sensationally good. The visual content is dark and atmospheric, even slightly macabre at times, but never overbearingly such that young players would want to stop playing for a minute. The way that the presentation always gives a glimmer of hope at each turn, and the juxtaposition of imagery of bygone glory days with the creepy state of the present day hotel and surrounds - it all just draws the player in.

There’s an interesting story and likable characters, and the interface is slick, functional and responsive as we’ve come to expect from anything that Codeminion turn their hand to. A pleasure to play.