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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
pierce at 02/20/2007 12:25
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
gamehunter101 at 02/20/2007 12:25
not bad
M3RCUTIO's Avatar
M3RCUTIO at 02/20/2007 12:27
Looks pretty sweet, but I agree that it'd be more at home on a console. XBLA FTW!
atheistium's Avatar
atheistium at 02/20/2007 12:30
lol looks fun. Yeah I can see the reasoning for the pc but the wii would probably be the best bet.
Namelessted's Avatar
Namelessted at 02/20/2007 12:35
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
bhive01 at 02/20/2007 12:41
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
BlindsideDork at 02/20/2007 12:43
namelessted
couldnt have said it better myself.

I wouldnt say every week but monthly would be a little more realistic.
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 02/20/2007 12:46
I remember hearing about this before somewhere, but still, it looks badass. I can dig it.
Aaron Linde's Avatar
Aaron Linde at 02/20/2007 12:49
D'aaahg, goddamnit. I hate our search engine. Editing.
ShinAmano's Avatar
ShinAmano at 02/20/2007 13:06
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
Barbara at 02/20/2007 13:11
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
deanhatescoffee at 02/20/2007 13:14
I agree with Barbara.

...also, cocks.
M3RCUTIO's Avatar
M3RCUTIO at 02/20/2007 13:28
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
ShinAmano at 02/20/2007 13:31
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
M3RCUTIO at 02/20/2007 13:32
Because then they'd get to play it.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 02/20/2007 13:43
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
Dot at 02/20/2007 13:50
"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
Chad Concelmo at 02/20/2007 14:09
This game looks sick! Very nice ...
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 02/20/2007 14:46
Ecco the Dolphin + Kameo = Aquaria
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 02/20/2007 14:57
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
Namelessted at 02/20/2007 15:07
@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
Lord_Satorious at 02/20/2007 15:18
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
Rainbowblack at 02/20/2007 15:35
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
spikejnz at 02/20/2007 15:49
wow...it's like Echo The Dolphin with better graphics... Did anyone else notice this?!

Someone call Sega!
Pepillou2's Avatar
Pepillou2 at 02/20/2007 16:33
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
joepekula at 02/20/2007 17:20
I am not impressed.
PaulyWalnuts's Avatar
PaulyWalnuts at 02/20/2007 17:40
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
realyst at 02/20/2007 18:15
Please, please PLEASE make a DS version:)
christpunchermpls's Avatar
christpunchermpls at 02/20/2007 19:23
looks like a super powered Nights into Dreams
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 02/20/2007 20:19
2d won't die until the ds does
destoo's Avatar
destoo at 02/20/2007 21:55
>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
Im OK at 02/20/2007 23:35
It's like Symphony of the Night meets Ecco the Dolphin, which is totally awesome.
Im OK's Avatar
Im OK at 02/20/2007 23:36
And I see namelessted has already made a smiliar comparison with "Ecco the Dolphin meets Metroid" which is also awesome.
Aequitas's Avatar
Aequitas at 02/21/2007 01:54
... 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
anomalous underdog at 03/07/2007 23:31
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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