Lilium

Links: Download page

Summary: Explore an eerie world. Solve puzzles and try to collect all the orbs.

My opinion: Lilium has been around for a couple years now, and it's a shame that more people haven't played it. It starts off as a simple platform game, but later on there are some very cool puzzles and other unique gameplay elements. The music is appropriately mystical. I really like how the particle effects clash with the more pixelated art. It would be nice if the player character were more interesting looking. Sometimes the platforming can get a bit tedious. There's a lot of backtracking, but that's pretty much expected when it comes to exploration games. Overall, the good far outweighs the bad. I definitely recommend giving Lilium a fair chance, it certainly deserves it.

Media: Here's a screenshot:

You Have No Legs

Links: Play

Summary: You Have No Legs is an exploration game based on the completely silly mouse-based climbing mechanic first seen (?) in Sexy Hiking. Use your arms to grab onto and swing over obstacles, collect power-ups, and explore new areas.

My opinion: I had quite a bit of fun with You Have No Legs. The movement style is really intuitive, and the graphics are very pleasant. The intense music in one area actually made me laugh pretty hard. There is also a noticeable learning curve in that at some point I realized I'd gotten really good at swinging around with no legs. I definitely recommend this game.

Media: Here's a screenshot:

Maziac

Links: Download page

Summary: Wander around in the darkness, killing enemies and avoiding traps. Just make sure you keep your torch lit!

My opinion: Maziac is another favorite game of mine. I love when developers use light and darkness as a gameplay element, and Maziac does this quite well.

Media: Here's the trailer:

Painajainen

Links: Homepage / Download page

Summary: Explore a dream world, collecting butterflies and solving puzzles in an attempt to wake up.

My opinion: The graphics are the best part of Painajainen. Everything is very distinct and vibrant, which makes exploring the world just for the sake of exploring really worthwhile. I'm not a big fan of the puzzles, but people with more patience than me will probably appreciate them.

Media: Here's a gameplay video, thanks to WingedDrant:

Broken Cave Robot

Links: Homepage / Download page

Summary: Guide a broken robot through a cave, and try to escape before your battery runs out.

My opinion: Lovely little game. There's a cool map drawing feature that you'll have to utilize if you want to escape but don't have a photographic memory.

Media: Here's a gameplay video, thanks to TraskNari:

An Untitled Story

Links: Homepage / Download page

Summary: Start out as an egg, then hatch into an epic bird by collecting upgrades, fighting bosses, and exploring.

My opinion: An Untitled Story is very ambitious, to say the least. Everything is so well done, from the gameplay to the music to the graphics, that I find myself with very little to say besides "just play it."

Media: Here's a gameplay video, thanks to hateworkboy:

Gregg the Egg

Links: Download page / Homepage

Summary: You start out as an egg. By finding upgrades, you can explore more places.

My opinion: This is my favorite freeware game.

Media: Here's a speedrun with funny commentary: