Bit Blot Forum
Aquaria => General => Topic started by: Nericor on July 09, 2010, 05:01:36 pm
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So I was thinking about why I like different games and came to Aquaria (not a bad place to go). It's got solid game play, good story, beautiful graphics, nice music, obvious polish.....but I've played many other games with these qualities to greater or lesser degrees that I haven't liked nearly as much. I think it's the base personality of the game that really gets me, it's pleasant (relaxing and charming were other contenders for here). The game never really gets dark or heavy, and even when it does it doesn't go that far before coming back to it's base charm. It always feels upbeat and kind of happy (except when you lose Li, that was kind of depressing and lonely for a time....great job at crafting the moment Alec!).
I think most games I really like have this similar quality/personality.
So what do other people think? WHY do you like Aquaria? (other game examples are welcome too)
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Well, I guess for me is how everything just work together wonderfully. If you study the part right after Naija gives the long speech (it's actually not that long...) when you start the game, you'll notice that the music perfectly corresponds with what goes on on-screen. That little pause in the music about 15-30 seconds in corresponds with when Naija gets off the rock. I just find that really well planned out. Upon listening to the piece again and again you won't find that it is designed just for the first bit, as it still flows and works wherever you go.
Second thing I like about Aquaria: you get to go wherever you want. Unlike traditional side scrollers where you're either bound to the ground by gravity or can move only on one axis (like in space shooters), you can move in whichever direction you want in Aquaria.
Third thing: It has no physics. Actually, I'm tired of all the physics/music based games that seems to be popular in these last couple of years. Aquaria is just different, in that it doesn't try to similate things realistically. Of course, I did just discover it in the Humble Indie Bundle, so it's not really a game from "these last couple of years." But I still like it.
Fourth thing: It runs on my crappy 2004 Intel integrated graphics. Not that it runs fast or anything (it goes to an acceptable frame rate at 640x480, anything higher than that is too slow), but at least I can play it, as opposed to a lot of other games that stubbornly refuse to work.
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What's not to like?
I feel like it is a successful blend of old and new concepts, wrapped in a unique art style and driving music.
There are a lot of side-scroller elements present in the game that are coupled with near free exploration, which are reminiscent of Metroid and Castlevania games. Those elements are well executed, and I like how the story is pushed along in a way relevant to your exploration. Add the fact that you are exploring in a different style of environment than most games (underwater) with a unique control mechanic and you have a pretty stand-out game already. Next, add in the song system and you have another uncommon element that was well thought-out and implemented.
Low requirements are nice too- if a more minor point.
The only problem I have is that we might not get a sequel. :(
Marian looks like it's coming along nicely though.
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Core reason is that you see and feel and experience all the love and work and time and detail that Alec and Derek put into it. :)
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There is no core reason, everything just fits well together and every thing is made professionally and with love. Period. :3
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There's a lot of polish and everything feels pretty much as it should. So far as I've played, I've run into only one bug; and it was more funny than annoying or harmful. Plus, all the game's mechanics fit together pretty well even if they're not so complex. So many games, meanwhile, forget about the simple stuff.
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Three words: Sense of wonder.
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And this game reminds me good old "Maze of galious" and "Threasure of USAS". The plot is very dynamic, full of mysteries in general ... there is something to break my head:) Of course, ending a bitter, but it's better than the typical good-looking Happy End. However, I even thought the story short, I have not played enough)
PS
Sorry for my bad English, I used a translator
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I like it because of how well made it is as well and the challenge it brings
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The post makes sense but the sig is spammity spam. So.. are you a bot or a jackass?
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Does it matter if it's a spam bot or spam human?
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Maybe it's both. I bet there are people who get paid to make spam accounts and write something that make slight sense. The account creation could be automated.
(BTW, doesn't registering require CAPTCHAs?)
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Not here GMMan, and if they have commercialized links, just remove their posts.
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I'm very interested in marine biology so for me the ocean setting was the best part. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Alec and Derek obviously put in a lot of time and effort looking up marine life. I never imagined I'd see a video game featuring predatory tunicates, parasitic tongue isopods (there's a blue fish in the kelp forest that has one in its mouth), upside-down Cassiopeia jellyfish, mantis-shrimp (the Frozen Veil boss) and even-- I think-- a parasitic sacculinid barnacle (I think that's what that weird face on the bottom of the Arnassi crab boss is supposed to be).
Plus, I'm fond of games with female protagonists.
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The core reason for me will pretty much always be just how immersive the game was, and this was due to the incredible soundtrack that managed to be all of chill, upbeat, and even somber at times. Totally helped give the game a sense of awe, at the right times, too. The atmosphere and environments were also incredibly well done - everything just really helped give the game life. The ocean actually felt alive, and I came to actually care about Naija, as opposed to castlevania where the castle just feels like an inorganic place to fight, and I never cared about the avatar beyond gameplay terms, there was so much more here.
On that topic, Naija is surprisingly an incredibly strong character, and more than that she's got to be one of the strongest female characters I've seen in a game, and that's impressive. She manages to fulfill almost none of the stereotypical cliche female lead roles - she's strong without being a femme fatale or something overdone like that, but also doesn't fall into the trap of being TOO weakly feminine as happened to Samus in Metroid Other M. It's quite the feat, what was done for a character I was originally expecting to be little more than a shallow avatar for the gameplay, like in most metroidvanias where the gameplay is the main focus.
This sounds like I'm not picking a core reason I liked Aquaria, but I really am - all of that ties strongly into making the game incredibly immersive and just real, and so it all needs to be mentioned. It was the immersion that was the core reason, not solely the soundtrack, or the writing, or the atmosphere, so I can't name just one of those.
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I'd have to say that it was the music that won me over the most. From the first time I started Aquaria up, I was overwhelmed with a wave of totally calming music. It also influenced the emotions I felt when I was in certain areas. With the Kelp Forest, I was amazed at how detailed and "alive" it felt. With the Mithalas Cathedral, I would end up acting extremely cautious (which was a first with me, as I normally just charge head-on into trouble), and when I started to finally reach the lower levels of the cathedral, I actually pulled back for a bit. Not to mention when I finally encountered "you know who" in the lower levels, i almost fell out of my chair in surprise, because I was so immersed in the game. (no pun intended.)
The entire story of Naija's adventures was VERY well written, and at times, touching. In many ways, it relayed the experiences I endured, for example, feeling like I was entirely alone, throughout the school year. The game-play was very well designed, aside from one bug fighting "you know who" in "you know where", where Naija was grabbed by him, and couldn't get free for the rest of the entire battle, so I had to use Nature Form to beat him, herding him to the other side of the map to "eat thorn" as it were. (Using the thorns to herd him over there, of course.)
All in all, this has been a superb experience overall. I know it sounds like I'm reviewing the entire game instead of just picking the core reason I like Aquaria, but then again, who doesn't, when one has enough good to say about it?
Aquaria will definately have a place on my shelf and in my heart for MANY years to come. I thank you, Alec and Derek, for bringing such a beautiful gem of a game to fruition.
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Another thing that made me love the game so much is the fact that Naija is obviously having fun on her quest. Little touches really made it for me, like how she giggles in delight when she comes across the walkers in the kelp forest, or when she gasps in surprise at the Abyss whale then laughs at her reaction. Then there's that scene in Mithalas where she sits on a throne and daydreams about being a Princess-- a nice little vignette that shows her playful character (though it is slightly morbid when you realize that there are mummies sitting to either side of her).
Even the Treasure-collecting adds to that feeling. I like the idea that she's so fascinated by her new world that she's constantly grabbing souvenirs to take home (it's also funny to imagine her and Li dragging these huge piles of helmets, statues, plants, dresses and other bric-a-brac aaaaalll the way back to her house. "Seriously, Naija? I love you and all, but do you really need this huge stone statue of a guy with a horse's head?" "Yes, I do. It goes perfect with my little jellyfish-attracting lamppost and that plant that makes pretty color-changing bubbles. And what's a horse?" ).
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It's pretty simple really.
The game is fun! I enjoyed exploring for the sake of exploring, the game was well designed with most of it having a clear sense of purpose.
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For me, it was the emotional kick. It takes a lot of work to make me care about a video game character. Hell, I'll go the extra mile to find amusing ways to kill of characters I don't feel any empathy for. Aquaria had a knack for making me feel.
Let's start with the music. When Naija talks about being alone and wondering if there's anyone else out there, the music is there to drive the point home. It's beautiful, but reinforces the feeling of loneliness to the point that I sometimes get the urge to call family just to confirm they exist. When I was lost and surrounded by crawly biting things in the Cathedral, the music was there to ratchet up the tension. Don't even get me started on the Body, the Abyss, or the Veil.
Next there's Naija herself. The voice acting was spot-on. When she had her freak-out in the Cathedral, it was heartbreaking. Hearing her laugh while in energy form made my skin crawl. The 'Piercing the Veil' speech was one of the most uplifting things I've ever listened to. There's one point where I stumbled onto a dark corner of the Kelp Forest and Naija ended up badly injured. Some damned giant predator fish lunged out of the shadows and left her with just a sliver of health. Hearing Naija's anguished "I'm not going to make it!" was absolutely terrifying. I ended up frantically downing food items I had been saving for boss fights and running like hell for the best-lit patch of forest I could find. I've played survival-horror games that couldn't rattle me half as badly.
Then there's Li. I know some people don't like the guy, and to be honest, I felt the same at first. Then I briefly left Naija and Li alone for a bit... and they hugged. It was such a simple thing, but it totally won me over for his character. Let's face it, there is something REALLY damn special about a guy who will follow you into the Abyss. When he was abducted in the Sunken City, I was torn between sorrow and pure boiling rage. All that work, all that loneliness, just to lose him? No way in hell. As far as I was concerned at that point, anybody who got between Naija and Li deserved everything they got. Having my own emotions sync up with Naija's revenge speech was a unique experience in gaming for me.
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Core reason... core reason... I think I'd have to say the whole game as a whole. I can't really choose a core reason for something that exists out of components that rely on each other and tie together that well - taking one bit of it won't feel as good as the whole.
I really have to say I'm impressed with how Derek and Alec managed to make an underwater game that's varied in scenery and colours. It doesn't seem easy to be at all, but I also have to admit to being very uneducated about life underwater. The whole Aquaria world has a very interesting and amazing atmosphere to it, so that certainly helps me. The way you interact with it and the music that plays only adds to it.
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For me, it's the painted look of the game. It's so rare to see digital hand-painted art these days in games. Everything is usually 3D, overly detailed and lifeless. Of course, everything in Aquaria is top notch, but the art direction stood out the most to me.
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Where to even start? Its just so artful that if anything was taken away from it the game just wouldn't feel the same. The painted style, the music, the verse, the atmosphere, the exploration. Everything is just done so perfectly. As I see it, there aren't any major problems with the game. The biggest fault I can find is that the transit turtles can be a pain to use with the cycle system. There's a reason why Aquaria is my favorite indie game and in my top 10 games of all time.
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First of all I think of the music when I think of Aquaria, but then again in game I don't really pay that much attention to it. Then there's the whole no strings' deal. I didn't really think of it until yeasterday when I played the mod Sacrifice. It's really nice to go where ever I want in any direction. But at the same time I feel lost most of the time and I hate (no love....no hate...no love...) that I don't know if I'm on the right track. Then there is the colors, it's so soothing and realxing too look at. Well not the part where you go SPOILERALERT inside the intestines in Mithala. Thats exactly as creepy as it should be. :-X
So whats THE best part.....I guess it's the whole package. I love that I can play a game, beat it(not easily!), 2 years past and then suddenly I hear the intro music in my head and starts gaming again with the same entusiasm as the first time.
And this:
Even the Treasure-collecting adds to that feeling. I like the idea that she's so fascinated by her new world that she's constantly grabbing souvenirs to take home (it's also funny to imagine her and Li dragging these huge piles of helmets, statues, plants, dresses and other bric-a-brac aaaaalll the way back to her house. "Seriously, Naija? I love you and all, but do you really need this huge stone statue of a guy with a horse's head?" "Yes, I do. It goes perfect with my little jellyfish-attracting lamppost and that plant that makes pretty color-changing bubbles. And what's a horse?" ).
I never thought of that, but it's so true. And funny. I guess it makes Naija more feminine, I think most men with girlfriends recognize that 'uhhh a pretty thing! I have to put it somewhere in my house' mentallity. ;) So I guess I like the caracter Naija as well. Shes very fragile on the outside, but so very strong and independent too.
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One thing that really drew my attention were the sheer beautify of the sprites and environments.
And the music. Oh LAWD. When I first heard about this and watched the trailer, I was captivated. I really can't describe why, but it was I think mostly the music that drew me further - it was so small and delicate a melody, with such a foreboding theme playing under it - which when playing the game really complimented Naija being a lone creature in the huge, vast waters of Aquaria.
One thing I really liked also was when playing the game, was how open-ended and free it was.
And small sidequests and activities to do on the side were a joy to do, like cooking. That was so complex and there were so many combinations to create different foods, it was a lot of fun to spend time doing that.
The entire game was charming. Extremely well put together, a compelling and well-thought story, great voice acting and characterisation, and superb graphics.
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I absolutely adore this game - really didn't know what to expect from it, but it looked gorgeous and when I discovered it was a metroidvania game I was even more enthralled and it really didn't disapoint. The presentation also really impressed me, for an indie game it's very professional and I would love for it to find a place on PSN or XBLA.
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I find Aquaria to be a wonderful case study in both game design and storytelling, and to say that it's good just because it's a "fun game" does a disservice the the sheer amount of love and work that went into this game. I've always felt that a good game is more than just a fun way to kill a few hours (or days, as the case may be). On the contrary, a good game should inspire us to think and inspire us to create. This is kind of the effect Aquaria has had on me, at least. I'm not ashamed in saying that this game more than any other helped shape how I see games and stories in general, as well as how I write.
To me, Aquaria's greatness comes down to two things more than all others: Music and Storytelling.
Music: Here's a thought experiment for you - shut down your speakers and play the game for a while. Just five minutes of gameplay should be enough to drive the point home. Take the music and sound away from the game and Aquaria is... Kind of mediocre, and much less touching. Music has a great impact on people. When music is matched up against the appropriate visuals and gameplay, it can take a fun experience and turn it into a truly magical one. The verse is central to the world of Aquaria in more ways than one might think. It not only made and animated the world in-fiction. It shapes our experiences as we explore it, it gives life to the visuals, it gives depth to the experiences and it gives weight to the memories we keep from them. Aquaria is - no pun intended - incredibly immersive, but it goes beyond that. It is also visceral. Some games try to make us care about their characters on an intellectual level, telling us why we should sympathise. Aquaria does not. It very rarely tells us anything. It makes us care on a much deeper level of feeling. Any game which can elicit an emotional response out of a player for nothing in particular is a true work of art. The music of Aquaria guides us, it puts us square in the emotion of the moment, and the story and settings work at a MASSIVE advantage because of that.
Story: I've said it before - Aquaria has very little actual narrative. The game has predominantly a single character who serves as protagonist and narrator, and the story consists of a literal handful of isolated plot points. However, that doesn't make it sparse or shallow. On the contrary, Aquaria's story is incredibly deep (again, no pun intended) and elaborate, as so much of it is told through the environment. At its core, Aquaria is not a story about events, it's a story about feelings. The plot follows not what happened, but rather what Naija felt on her journey. In her own words, we are experiencing her memories through her eyes. This isn't a story about a protagonist defeating an antagonist, or even a protagonist surviving in the wild. It is a story of a young woman coming to terms with who and she is, as well as with the world around her, at first finding it both fascinating and frightening, at first searching for purpose and meaning, but eventually settling in the comfort of familiarity, opting instead to define her own purpose instead of seeking to fulfil her creator's designs. And considering "the creators" is... Well, spoilers, anyway. Considering that, choosing to be her own being was probably the wise choice, all told.
But the story goes beyond just that. Naija is fascinating as a character, as well. She is constantly walking the line between truth and dream, as is the entire world of Aquaria. She is always somewhere between a sentient, contemplative creature asking questions and a feral beast just following her instincts and urges. Is her quest to find her creator one of sentence, or one of instinct, after all? As we see Naija exploring the world of Aquaria, what we are actually seeing is Naija exploring herself. With ever new experience she meets, she grows and evolves as a person. Having treasure collection as part of the game is an apt metaphor for the treasure collection of experiences. As Naija builds her home cave up from a hole in a rock, so we see her build up her personality from that of an apathetic sea creature just interested in survival into a real person. It's actually amazing how fluent this transformation is. When first we see Naija, she is confused, possessed by urges she doesn't understand, just following her instincts and exploring the massive new world that opens up to her, never making any real decisions or having any real goals. "Lost to the waves," as it were. But in time, we see Naija change into a person comfortable and familiar with her world, who shows initiative, chooses to face danger, chooses to make a stand and charts her own faith. For how light the story is on narrative, it's amazing how good it is.
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To me, music and story are what make Aquaria great above and beyond all else. And if you need an example of why that is, you need look no further than Capsized, an indie game that looks like Aquaria if you see the trailers, but which is completely different in feel and, in my opinion, at least, not nearly as good.