Review: i-Fluid [PC]
Heals, 7-Dec-08 »
i-Fluid.... it's what you get when you squish up a bunch of copies of that atrocious I-Robot movie? No. i-Fluid is from the developer Exkee, the gents behind Nemrod (a game for the French Hunting foundation) as well as numerous casual mobile games. This appears to be their first attempt to sell a PC gaming, and despite it's annoying technical flaws, offers a breath of fresh concept in an fps oversaturated games market.
In i-Fluid, you play as a fragile drop of water attempting to escape a loft in which you have become trapped. The developers claim, "the smallest objects or insects can rapidly become deadly enemies, where high temperatures and absorptive surfaces are tremendous threats, this courageous drop will try to escape the loft where she is trapped." I can attest to this statement. As this drop of water (which is apparently female?) you will have to traverse many obstacles that stand in between you and the great big open ocean. A roll of sushi becomes a larger than life deathtrap, while an apple slice becomes a saving grace after a big fall.
The level select room requires you to get to the pipe entrance before beginning the level, which is not such an easy task!
The world is a big place, and for the drop of water, the photo realistic environments of the loft are gigantic in scale. A mug becomes a grand obstacle, while a plant becomes an impromptu staircase. Some objects can soak you up (a light coating of flour on the counter), some can evaporate you (a stove-top left on), some can regenerate you (a slice of apple or a nice juicy strawberry), some can push you away (a fly hovering above you provides just enough wind to push you off course), some can absorb you in spots while regenerating you in others (sushi rice is absorbent, but the salmon is moist in the middle), and many other ways your environment can effect you.
Use non absorbent objects to move across the level, watching out for the dry biscuits and the tablecloth.
I for one thoroughly enjoy this game. At times it is a bit difficult to follow where you are supposed to go, but the levels are always straightforward (even if sometimes the methods to get there are not... I mean really... who knew a dead fish would kick its tail up like that... seriously). The game is a welcome change to the current market, and while some may criticise it for being "casual" there's nothing wrong with having a bit of fun with your gaming. The game is currently on sale for $10 from steam, and if I still haven't convinced you, go off and try the demo here. I was so impressed with the demo that I bought the game as soon as I saw it on steam.
Use moisture sources to grow back your lost water, but beware of pies fresh from the oven ready to evaporate your little drop.
This game is a drop in the pond of the gaming industry, but by supporting independent game developers, that drop could cause plenty of ripples.
Discuss this article on our forums here.
i-Fluid.... it's what you get when you squish up a bunch of copies of that atrocious I-Robot movie? No. i-Fluid is from the developer Exkee, the gents behind Nemrod (a game for the French Hunting foundation) as well as numerous casual mobile games. This appears to be their first attempt to sell a PC gaming, and despite it's annoying technical flaws, offers a breath of fresh concept in an fps oversaturated games market.
In i-Fluid, you play as a fragile drop of water attempting to escape a loft in which you have become trapped. The developers claim, "the smallest objects or insects can rapidly become deadly enemies, where high temperatures and absorptive surfaces are tremendous threats, this courageous drop will try to escape the loft where she is trapped." I can attest to this statement. As this drop of water (which is apparently female?) you will have to traverse many obstacles that stand in between you and the great big open ocean. A roll of sushi becomes a larger than life deathtrap, while an apple slice becomes a saving grace after a big fall.
The level select room requires you to get to the pipe entrance before beginning the level, which is not such an easy task!
The world is a big place, and for the drop of water, the photo realistic environments of the loft are gigantic in scale. A mug becomes a grand obstacle, while a plant becomes an impromptu staircase. Some objects can soak you up (a light coating of flour on the counter), some can evaporate you (a stove-top left on), some can regenerate you (a slice of apple or a nice juicy strawberry), some can push you away (a fly hovering above you provides just enough wind to push you off course), some can absorb you in spots while regenerating you in others (sushi rice is absorbent, but the salmon is moist in the middle), and many other ways your environment can effect you.
Use non absorbent objects to move across the level, watching out for the dry biscuits and the tablecloth.
I for one thoroughly enjoy this game. At times it is a bit difficult to follow where you are supposed to go, but the levels are always straightforward (even if sometimes the methods to get there are not... I mean really... who knew a dead fish would kick its tail up like that... seriously). The game is a welcome change to the current market, and while some may criticise it for being "casual" there's nothing wrong with having a bit of fun with your gaming. The game is currently on sale for $10 from steam, and if I still haven't convinced you, go off and try the demo here. I was so impressed with the demo that I bought the game as soon as I saw it on steam.
Use moisture sources to grow back your lost water, but beware of pies fresh from the oven ready to evaporate your little drop.
This game is a drop in the pond of the gaming industry, but by supporting independent game developers, that drop could cause plenty of ripples.
Discuss this article on our forums here.
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| Category: | Game Reviews |
| Posted: | 7-Dec-08 8:35:41 am |
| Author: | Heals |