What are you expecting from Aquaria?

[Assault]

I have been following Aquaria since it was announced. The theme of the game together with what Derek explained is the reason for him working on this game are the two things that got me excited about it. Eternal Daughter was an amazing game; the atmosphere built into its world was great. The artwork, music and style all came together to create this atmosphere and now I can't help but wait for Aquaria.

So this brings me to the first thing I'm expecting from Aquaria; the atmosphere. I believe that there is a lot of freedom when creating an underwater world, especially when there are hardly any games dedicated to this setting. I want there to be a nice calm feeling when close to the ocean top and a very eerie feeling the closer you dive to the depth of the ocean.

Next is music. The music is very crucial to successfully creating the right atmosphere and many games have soundtracks that are practically not there after a few seconds of playtime. Eternal Daughter did this very well. Other games that come to mind that successfully used their soundtrack to add to the overall game are Star Control II, Deus Ex and Shadow Of The Colossus.

Id also like to see an open world with the weirdest creatures and locations you can come up with. I'm talking really weird, even up to the details of an abstract painting.

The last thing would be the story. Please give the story a lot of thought, add a few shocking twists if you can too.

I hope this game rocks.

Post your expectations next...

[madtoaster]

I hope there's a bit of optional exploration.  The best example I can think of,  Symphony of the Night. I was blown away by how much back tracking and meandering there was.   Man, that upside down castle made half of the game a secret area.

[Derek]

I'm lovin' the games that are being mentioned in this thread.

[BMcC]

Do I sense a subtle hint in that comment?   

[Sherman Gill]

Hmm... Tits!

I'm expecting awesome boss fights with giant fucking crustaceans. (Fucking as in emphasis, not verb)

[Krissy]

I kinda get the feeling of a aura akin to Ecco the Dolphin. That games was beau-ti-ful! And the music was inspirational. Does that game have that feel to it? That is what I'm most expecting.

[Dr Derek Doctors]

Hot clam-on-clam action! Phwoar!

Also, lots of exploring and an auto-map.

[Tom]

Is there going to be any Aquaman type action? Bending the fish and crustaceans to your iron will, making them go to Wendy's at 11pm to get you some chili and fries.

[Sherman Gill]

There should be a Chili and Fries song in game .

[Tom]

There should be a Chili and Fries song in game .

lol, I hope I didn't come across as too silly. Seriously though it would neat to have critters like the familiars in symphony of the night.

[Dr Derek Doctors]

Ooh, yuss, a friendly critter would be nice. Perhaps even using them to solve puzzles as they can get into tiny cracks.

[Sherman Gill]

It would be nice if all the neutral life in the sea reacted to you. Like urchins and plants swaying towards you as you sing, and moving away when combat is going on.

[Quemaqua]

Like Krissy, I'm a huge Ecco fan.  I'm not hoping for a clone, but certainly hoping that some inspiration was drawn from that source.  Given the dearth of underwater-themed games out there, I don't see how you could make one without drawing inspiration from that one.  Otherwise... I'm really just hoping for more of what I've seen.  The screens and video are just oozing with personality, and I have no doubt that Eternal Daughter is going to be leaking in a little here and there.  At least I hope so.  =)  I certainly wouldn't mind a lot of exploration!  Secrets, backtracking and exploring new nooks and crannies... anything to lend a little more length is okay by me.  I get the feeling I'm going to want to spend as much time in the world as possible.

[Cobar]

Aquaria looks pretty amazing, and i think the gameplay will rock too. But the most important thing i wish it would achieve is ridding me of my underwater phobia. Maybe a colorful, bright and "childish" underwater world will disintegrate my suspicions of underwater activities of doom

[BigGoronSword]

If I may quote from a friend of another forum (I share the same opinion):

OMG OMG OMG!!
 
It's Ecco the Dolphin from the glorious Mega CD meets NiGHTS!
 
I love love love!!
 
It has the beautiful scenery and from what I heard in the video, the aweosme music from Ecco II: Tides of TIme on the Sega CD (the greatest OST for a game in the world by a long way) and the grace and fluidity of Nights him/herself!
 
If this does not come out on DS, I will be getting Emo....then buy it on PC! :3
 
I love it!