Great concept game!
I really liked, but I really can't say more about it than what the reviewer just below me already did. I'll state again, however, that the main thing going for this game is the freedom, something you didn't get at, say, Ecco the Dolphin. And the atmosphere too was killer, making it menacing to go deeper into the ocean as the music suddenly fades and then grows hostile as the surface is respectively growing distant.
5 Thumbs Up!
Thanks a ton-the atmosphere and the exploration were two of the most important things in the game's development, so I'm thrilled to see that you liked them!
I should have been bored
I played through this game in one sitting, and what can I say? It's simple and repedative, and I really should have gotten bored real quickly. But there is just something about the concept that kept me going. The music and gameplay makes you wanna go just a little deeper, and see just how big the fish get. The ending was also very mysterious and great! Out of all the philosofical games that "make you think" this is the very best.
Thank you so much!
Astonishingly Beautiful.
Hello,
I was taken by surprise by how pretty everything in this game was, despite it's simplistic "abstract" art. The colours captured the feeling of the ocean perfectly, and offered incentive to continue playing if only to discover the other "marine life".
The gameplay is simple enough that anyone with some basic gaming knowledge can pick it up, but deep enough that one could spend a significant amount of time exploring for "the story recordings", and upgrading their tools.
The oxogen bar adds a certain risk/reward element, especially when venturing into the deeper levels of the ocean to hunt the larger and more dangerous game for more financial gain.
The sound designer, and music author also deserve some massive praise, they nailed the atmosphere of the game and complimented your submission wonderfully.
I guess if I had one complaint, it would be the menu screens could have been designed in a more aesthetically pleasing manner, and the diary entries would have benefitted from some illustrations. By the way should you ever decide to incorporate some illustrations on a similar forthcoming project; I'm ready and willing, wink wink nudge nudge.
Kidding aside I loved this game so much, it's classy, and a makes a good contribution to the independent gaming movement. It's enjoyable just to aimlessly explore, that's a unique trait in a game.
Sincerely,
- Celx
What a lovely review!
The oxygen bar was one of the things I added to the game after Edmund McMillen played it and noted that he "couldn't find the risk/reward," so good job catching that!
And you're right-the sound guys did a stellar job. If you like the music in the game and want to support them, you can buy an album of all the game's tunes here: http://dvgmusic.bandcamp.com/album/fi sher-diver-soundtrack
And yeah, the menus are kind of rough because I did them myself. I'm not particularly good with visual art, so usually I work with other people who can actually draw and stuff. This is also a big part of why the game's graphics are so simple-I'm not capable of much more than that at this point, or else things start looking sloppy and awkward.
Thanks a bunch!
Not unexpected to me...
But funny! I really like that motherload-ish twist, with the diary-writer being the one to kill you. Also very poetic. "I only know how one end of the hunt feels. How was the other one?" :P
I must say, this game is great in many ways. The most important one, is that the game is no longer than the fun of the game. Some games keeps you grinding forever and ever, and gets slightly boring before the end; this didn't. I think it ended at a perfect moment, really!
Do not make a second; make something mysterious. I have a feeling you would have potential within the more mysterious plot-lines. :)
Thanks, man! I tried to be careful not to let the game overstay its welcome and drone on for too long. There are still people who think it gets tiring, but I'm glad it was a good length for you!
Pure Amazing Game.
Something beautiful.
Thank you very much!