Web games make nice diversions from the world's woes. (You know, like actual work.) But if you aim to lose yourself in online play, why not do so with some of the more unusual amusements? Here are a few Net games made of delicate, occasionally disturbing fair. And I mean that in a good way. 

TOO MANY NINJAS!
foddy.net/ Ninjas.html
Purple ninjas attack as you ward off their swoops and throwing stars with your trusty blade. Oh, did I mention you're rooted to the spot? The action speeds up soon enough, giving this 8-bit exercise in frustration a rapid-fire feel.

CRAZY NUT
holyfishgames.com/crazy_nut.php
A nut with eyes must soar ever higher and higher by bouncing from object to object. The goal: Go up. The gameplay: Hit the spacebar to jump and the left or right arrow keys to move side to side.

STARSHINE
herointeractive.com/starshine/index.html
A delightfully hypnotic game, StarShine is all about the soothing magic of a shooting star. To see that magic, you must light up all the stars on each level with just one shot. Nice.

ROSE & CAMELLIA
nigoro.jp/game/rosecamellia/rosecamellia.php
Rose & Camellia calls itself “the elegant art of feminine conflict.” You might as well call it a bitch-slap bonanza. You are Reiko, a humble widow who's had it up to here with the aristocratic snobs who keep mocking her. So begins a tale of slaps and sensibility. Cross the mouse across the screen to smack or evade your hoity-toity adversary.
 

René A. Guzman | 210SA contributor