Aquaria
Platform: iPad
Developer: Bit Blot
Publisher: Semi Secret Games
Price: $4.99
As much as we dislike the idea of starting out our new weekly column with a port, this week we’d like to recommend Aquaria to all you iPad users out there. This 2D underwater adventure title was originally created for the PC back in 2007 by two particularly inspired developers who started the indie game company Bit Blot. While the tiny development team alone makes Aquaria an achievement in its own right, you could have never guessed the company’s size based on how beautiful and refined the game is.
In Aquaria you star as a singing mermaid-type heroine named Naija who seems to be the last of her kind. She awakens without her memories and must slowly recover not only her past, but the truth behind numerous underwater ruins and the civilizations that once lived among them. The game picks up on the great non-linear 2D side-scrollers of the past, like a hybrid of Ecco the Dolphin and Metroid that will have you exploring, backtracking through a vast open world, and battling huge bosses. Although the game starts out slowly, it creates a beautifully atmospheric experience that feels both refreshingly unique and nostalgic as you unlock more powers and discover more of the story.
The first thing that drew me in to Naija’s world, however, was the breathtaking visuals. The backgrounds and animations are smooth and colorful and seem like the perfect fit for the interaction of an iPad user. Aquaria is a game that just seems made for a device with the large, high-res screen of the iPad. iOS is quickly becoming a safe haven for indie developers with grand visions (and tight budgets) to get their game out to bigger audiences. Aquaria is a great example of this trend and is a must-buy for only $4.99.