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I came across Aquaria while searching Google for "xxx superfish lady pr0n" (otherwise known as NeoGAF), and I was surprised to see what looked like a 2D indie PC game that doesn't suck. "Truly?", you cry, "Tell us more!"

A very beautiful game, Aquaria reminds me a lot of the last time I got my ass kicked by jellyfish and sharks in an undersea world, but according to the game's official Web site, it goes much farther than that. The UI is minimalistic (natch), with control boiling down to a single two-button mouse. The art style and graphic engine, on the other hand, are remarkably beautiful -- the game as a whole seems to be a fairly stellar reminder that 2D has some life left in it yet.

As it turns out, Glorious Leadertoid had written on this game back in October, but this is a new trailer, so you're gettin' it from both ends. We do this because we love you.

Aquaria is set to release on the PC in the coming Spring, but a game like this belongs on a console, particularly now that digital distribution is in full swing. Should Nintendo ever get around to presenting new content on the Wii's Virtual Console, I'd love to see Aquaria on the Wii -- let's face it, the next best thing to a mouse is a Wiimote, so they seem a perfect fit. Keep a look out for Aquaria in the Spring.

[Official Web site


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35 comments | showing # 1 to 35

pierce's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:25
pierce
Wow, that game looks like fun. A little of a blast to the past with the 2D, but I figure if I enjoyed Knytt and Within a Deep Forest, this has to be right down that alley. I look forward to reading some reviews about this.
gamehunter101's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:25
gamehunter101
not bad
M3RCUTIO's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:27
M3RCUTIO
Looks pretty sweet, but I agree that it'd be more at home on a console. XBLA FTW!
atheistium's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:30
atheistium
lol looks fun. Yeah I can see the reasoning for the pc but the wii would probably be the best bet.
Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:35
Namelessted
Fuck VC, this needs to be on XBLA, this game looks really cool. Kind of an Ecco the Dolphin meets Metroid kind of thing. I would buy it if i had a 360 and it was on the XBLA, i won't buy it on PC.
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:41
bhive01
Nice looking game. I'd love to see this kind of game on the VC. This is the sort of game that Nintendo should be putting up every week.
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:43
BlindsideDork
namelessted
couldnt have said it better myself.

I wouldnt say every week but monthly would be a little more realistic.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:46
Dexter345
I remember hearing about this before somewhere, but still, it looks badass. I can dig it.
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 12:49
Aaron Linde
D'aaahg, goddamnit. I hate our search engine. Editing.
ShinAmano's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:06
ShinAmano
Absolutely fantastic looking...get on the XBLA train and i will buy a ticket.

2D will live on through indie and hopefully mainstream developers as well...I am still waiting for a Street Fighter 4 :)
Barbara's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:11
Barbara
This is a good game on the PC.
This is an amazing game on the Wii.
This is just another game on the 360.
This is an original game on the PS3.
My cock stings.
deanhatescoffee's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:14
deanhatescoffee
I agree with Barbara.

...also, cocks.
M3RCUTIO's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:28
M3RCUTIO
I'm not sure how the console it's on detracts from a) its quality, or 2) its originality. Somewhere out there is some logic that supports this theory...right? Maybe?

The only reason it belongs on a console is because it has the look and feel of a console platformer. It'd be great on any console.
ShinAmano's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:31
ShinAmano
I can't see why people always scream this would be great on the Wii...look wake up the Wii has shown me nothing so far in terms of making good use of the Wiimote, why would a game not designed with that in mind be great for it again?
M3RCUTIO's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:32
M3RCUTIO
Because then they'd get to play it.
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:43
Necros
What's that, 2D isn't dead? Indie developers are still making 2D games that sadly won't impact the industry? Who would have guessed!

Seriously though, I'd love to play this game, whether on PC or Wii.
Dot's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 13:50
Dot
"Aquaria is set to release on the PC in the coming Spring, but a game like this belongs on a console, particularly now that digital distribution is in full swing."
Because they don't have to pass twenty official tests, certifications and et cetera when releasing it for the PC.
PC's non-proprietary-iness is what makes it the best gaming platform ever.
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 14:09
Chad Concelmo
This game looks sick! Very nice ...
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 14:46
ArrestedDeveloper
Ecco the Dolphin + Kameo = Aquaria
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 14:57
BahamutZero
Aaron is the only person I know who can actually use "natch" in a sentence and not make me want to impale myself
Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 15:07
Namelessted
@Barbara, how does that make any sense. why would the game be amazing on the Wii and not other systems? I only say that i would prefer it on console over PC so i could sit on my couch and play on the TV. but how would it being on the Wii make it any different than the 360 or PS3? Can the Wii even output graphics as good as Aquaria?
Lord_Satorious's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 15:18
Lord_Satorious
I like 2D... whatever genre this game is. I had a lot of fun with Cloning Clyde (I just wish it was longer), so put this baby up on Live Arcade and we may have a deal.
Rainbowblack's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 15:35
Rainbowblack
Will people stop saying 2D is not dead!

It will NEVER die, but will ALWAYS be on a respirator.

looks like a hell of alot of fun, Doubt i'll ever get to play it unless its on VC or XBLA.
spikejnz's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 15:49
spikejnz
wow...it's like Echo The Dolphin with better graphics... Did anyone else notice this?!

Someone call Sega!
Pepillou2's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 16:33
Pepillou2
Yes, sometimes when you search for weird porn you end up watching amazing stuff. Or so I've been told.
I want that game now.
joepekula's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 17:20
joepekula
I am not impressed.
PaulyWalnuts's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 17:40
PaulyWalnuts
Awesome. I'm buying it for sure.
I hate how rare high resolution 2d games are because I think they look amazing. It seems like as soon as developers are able to do anything better than 320x240, they throw 2d completly out the window which is sad.
realyst's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 18:15
realyst
Please, please PLEASE make a DS version:)
christpunchermpls's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 19:23
christpunchermpls
looks like a super powered Nights into Dreams
BahamutZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 20:19
BahamutZero
2d won't die until the ds does
destoo's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 21:55
destoo
>A little of a blast to the past with the 2D

No. 2d is the future, no matter how hard consoles and 3d card makers are trying to stuff it in our face. Just like books will never be replaced by movies.
And yeah, the DS.
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 23:35
Im OK
It's like Symphony of the Night meets Ecco the Dolphin, which is totally awesome.
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/20/2007 23:36
Im OK
And I see namelessted has already made a smiliar comparison with "Ecco the Dolphin meets Metroid" which is also awesome.
Aequitas's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/21/2007 01:54
Aequitas
... Okay, I usually pirate PC games. I'm a jackass like that. But I'm pretty sure I'll be buying this. It looks like something I won't regret spending money on.

P.S. Dot has the most fantastically appropriate avatar ever. Kudos to your minimalism.
anomalous underdog's Avatar - Comment posted on 03/07/2007 23:31
anomalous underdog
on a side note, this also looks like a nice 2d game on the works (for the ps2 i think)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI-V3Uw1b3U
(or google 'odin sphere') its japanese though
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