Indie Game: The Movie
Indie Game: The Movie Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: After two years of painstaking work, designer Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes await the release of their first major game for Xbox, Super Meat Boy—the adventures of a skinless boy in search of his girlfriend, who is made of bandages. At PAX, a major video-game expo, developer PhPhil Fish unveils his highly anticipated, four-years-in-the-making FEZ. Jonathan Blow considers beginning a new game after creating Braid, one of the highest-rated games of all time. First-time filmmaking duo Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky capture the emotional journey of these meticulously obsessive artists who devote their lives to their interactive art. Four developers, three games, and one ultimate goal— to express oneself through a video game. (BlinkWorks Media)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Nicolas Rapold
    May 18, 2012
    90
    Along the way comes a bracing, honest confession about these interactive creations, voiced by one designer but no doubt applying to many more makers of all kinds: "I made it for myself."
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Duane Byrge
    May 14, 2012
    80
    Well-crafted and intelligent, this film is an illumination of the agony of creation – the self-doubt, the obsession, the life sacrifices – that are the core, not merely the side-effects of those define themselves through "art."
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Gary Goldstein
    May 18, 2012
    70
    Fortunately, Pajot and Swirsky don't overdo the minutiae (this is a movie even non-gamers can enjoy), offering just enough insight into the creative process to feel enlightening.
  4. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    May 15, 2012
    60
    This is a movie about a subculture, made for that subculture; only hard-core Xboxers need apply.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Mitchellsymes
    10
    I am a gamer Have been since I was 4/5 years old I have wanted to makes games most of my life this Movie shows how hard it is to be a indie game developer and how much time and work goes in to the games it also shows the life of these indie game developers and what it takes to get rid of the bugs in the games it shows all the things they need to give up to make games and how they are just like us they smile at the reviews and laugh they are not just indie game developers they have family it shows that and friends and the music is great in the movie we get really close to what they are trying to put in to the games and how the games are some parts of their childhood… Expand
  2. DarkChaplain
    10
    Very enjoyable, emotional, authentic, educational and just great. If you've ever had an interest in making video games, or are simply enjoying playing them a lot, you owe it to yourself to risk this look behind the scenes.
    This whole movie felt just absolutely right and heartwarming, showing a pretty insightful view of what it is like being an independent developer. It is authentic and makes it obvious that these are real people with real fears, weaknesses but also strengths, skill and dreams.    … Expand
  3. Latimer
    8
    I am a gamer, and from that viewpoint, it was great to sit down and watch a story documenting and celebrating the creative work that is behind making the games I enjoy. The documentary focuses heavily on the struggle and eventual success of Braid (Jon Blow), Fez (Phil Fish), and Super Meat Boy (Edmund and Tommy). Familiarity with the games would greatly enhance the experience because the story is about the intimate yet sometimes overlooked communication that occurs from the developers to the player through them. All of the games are wonderful, so at the least it is motivation to try each of them.… Expand
  4. poundmysnatch
    7
    Pretty good documentary. By the end of this movie, i sincerely hoped that Phil Fish would kill himself.

See all 20 User Reviews

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