Game Recommendation #1: Dino Run DX

The Title Screen of Dino Run DX 

Here at Indie 101, I am going to go through some of the best Indie games that you can play on platforms like Steam. 
The difference between recommendations and reviews, will be that reviews will have a chance of being negative, and will go through the details of critique of fundamental things such as design, game play, story, visuals, music and replay-ability. Meanwhile, recommendations will generally be positive, and go through the reasons to buy a game versus objective ideas of the core structure of the game. 
So my first recommendation I have is a simple, cheap game called Dino Run DX, developed by independent developers Pixel Jam. The flash version was one of my favorites, and now it's exciting to see a version with more functionality and options than the original.

Game Play

The overall idea of the game is that you are a dinosaur running for its life from a 'wall of doom'. To escape it, you must run for your life, trying to collect as many collectibles as possible so that you can buy upgrades. If I were to summarize it all, it's a game similar to Temple Run, but with collectibles, no in-game purchases, more functionality, and with cute dinosaurs. 

Customization

Customization Screen with colors, patterns, and hats

This version has many improvements, including customization. There are hundreds of outfits and patterns to choose from for your dinosaur. There are even seasonal outfits, such as Halloween costumes. Overall, there are hundreds of ways to customize your dinosaur, with fun hats that add to the flavor of the game. 

Game Modes

Upgrade Screen after finishing a level

Game Mode Options

There are currently three game mode options, including the Classic Challenge, Planet D, (which includes weird and wonky levels), and the Halloween Hellrun, which is a seasonal game mode that has 'spooky' themes. Within those options, there are even more. There is Easy, Medium, Hard, and Insane. After finishing Insane, the player will get a secret ending. There are also Speed Runs, which are quick levels that you can unlock and are fun ways to play the game if you don't want to have to go through the entirety of a play through. All of these modes vary the game play and make it as easy or hard as you want. If you just want to know where to find collectibles or get stuck in a place, 

there is a Free Run mode, where you can talk to others. There is even multiplayer functionality.

Stats

Trophies and Egg Collectibles

The game itself is rather short, spanning about 5 - 10 levels depending on the game mode, but the modes are what makes it shine in replay-ability. There are a ton of achievements to unlock, along with outfits, and there are even dinosaur eggs to find and collect. You can even buy wallpapers using in-game currency or concept art. All of the prizes, achievements and game modes add to the layers of the game, and bring you back for more each time. 

Who Would I Recommend This To? 

I would recommend this game to a casual audience who enjoy cute dinosaurs, even if they just want to run around or if they want to be challenged. It's got great character design, beautiful backgrounds, customization, challenge and catchy music. You can find the original online, or the DX version on Steam. DX's price may be a bit steep, but a lot of love and care went into this game, and all the functionalities added to it make it even better than the original.  You can also fund PixelJam's update for DX so that it can have even more game modes, backgrounds, trophies, and dinos. This is definitely one of my favorite flash games, and the Steam version just makes it even better. 

So what are your thoughts on this game? Are there other games you would want me to check out and recommend or review?