Here is a quick question for everyone: How many of you want to go to the tropics and go scuba diving and start exploring the ocean? Anyone? How getting a little lost in an intriguing world? A 2-member Indie developer has made a beautiful game that is your chance to explore the vast ocean as an aquatic humanoid called Naija. And the name of this game is Aquaria.
In Aquaria, you control Naija, who initially just sings to the fish in her favorite thinking spot. She also suffers from retrograde amnesia and desires answers to why there is no one else around. From there, she decides to explore the rest of her world to obtain those answers. Along the way, she will learn different songs that will alter her shape, which is required to fully explore the world of Aquaria.
Graphically, the game is downright gorgeous. Rich, vibrant colors bring the various ocean areas to life. The warm coral, the cool Arctic Ocean with cute otters swimming around the waters, ruined statues of a destroyed city, an underwater technologically advanced city and the lush landscape of the Kelp Forest. Naija herself looks like a more human-oriented mermaid, and she swims around the screen with grace, commenting on the world around her — along with her fears and joys, which perfectly supplement the graphics. The best part is that every creature/being moves with Naija perfectly. The only problem with the graphics is that they tend to slow down when several creatures and/or activities are on the screen at once. Other than that, the game gently swims on the computer at a comfortable pace.
The best way to think of this game is an underwater version of Super Metroid. The whole point is ultimately to find that piece of equipment (in this case, song) to go explore the next area. Thus, the game world is HUGE. The game notes important places with different markers on the well-made auto-map. The problem with the map system is the lack of personal annotation. And there is always something neat to find that enhances Naija's home.
Controlling Naija is responsive and wonderfully intuitive. All one needs to do is point and click and she will swim in the desired direction. Or, there is the option of the WASD control scheme, which works just as well. Personally, I used a combination of the mouse and keyboard for two reasons: 1) It was easier to explore the world using that control scheme, and 2), the combat is so intense — like Super Metroid — that the extra control was needed. As previously mentioned, Naija learns songs as the game progresses. As long as she is in her natural form, she can sing any of the eight notes in order to change herself, protect herself with an "energy shield" or drag rocks in order to clear a path forward.
Another important aspect of the gameplay is the cooking function. Cooking items allows Naija to augment her skills and heal herself. New recipes are learned by opening treasure flowers by singing the matching color/note and obtaining the item. It is an intriguing aspect, though it feels a little underused. Certain foods add a "+1 to fire shot" or a "+1 to defense." The problem? There are no statistics to show this increase. Although, this isn't a RPG.
Combat is not the game's strength because exploration is emphasized. Naija's energy form, which is her primary method of attack, is great in self-defense but is not suited for the overwhelming number of enemies on screen because it ultimately comes down to mashing the right mouse button. However, the boss battles are great and intelligently designed. One boss forces Naija to sing; another boss requires some quick movements and quick changing to defeat it. While they take some time to solve how to defeat them, none of the bosses are so outrageously out there that they will leave one scratching one's head.
The other great joy of the game is the audio. Naija's voice is beautiful, and the woman who voices her should get an award for doing such an excellent job for bringing the character to life. Furthermore, the music perfectly accents the mood. Piano music gives off a "lost" feeling. Upbeat techno music gives a mysterious vibe to the final area (describing anything else would ruin the plot). And a gorgeous orchestration for boss battles increases the tension.
A cool function of the game is the ability to create your own mods. The game includes a tutorial that explains how to test and create your own areas. While somewhat complex, it allows players to continuing adventuring with Naija. Hypothetically, her journeys can never end.
With a topnotch presentation, great gameplay, a compelling story and a budding modding community, this is one of the best adventure games to be released during 2007–08. It is downright astonishing that 95 percent of the work was done by two people in two years. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment. If as much care is put into the next game as was in this game, it will be completely worth the wait. Go get a copy of this game! What are you waiting for, a booming voice from the heavens? Go buy Aquaria!
