Light Fish (XBLIG): "An Aquatic Puzzle/Arcade Game"

Just when I had thought I'd seen every twist on video game genres possible 'Eclipse Games (The Developer)' goes and creates 'Light Fish'. If you have ever played Japanese import video games then you may have stumbled across some puzzle mini-games (Reveal the Picture Games) that have you revealing pictures by boxing off portions of the screen with lines. The developer has taken this concept a giant leap forward, and utilized that type of gameplay in a whole new way. Instead of boxing in sections of a panel to reveal a picture you will be trapping other types of geometric/aquatic creatures, and reefs in order to score points.

Light fish is a 5 chapter game with 9 levels per a chapter. It features a 'Time Trial', and 'Normal' mode in which you can test your puzzle/arcade skills. The game is accented by an amazing soundtrack, and arcade style gameplay. Your goal in the game is to box off a certain percentage of 'territory' with the Light Fish's thread. As you try to complete the specified percentage of each level by boxing in territory you will earn power-ups (score multiplier, slowdown, extra life, temporary invulnerability, extra time/time trial), points/score, and a final grade based on a 3 star system. There are multiple types of enemies/creatures that you will encounter with different attacks/movement patterns which will complicate your progress. If the Light Fish, or it's thread gets hit by any of the creatures in the game you will lose a life. If you lose all of your lives it's 'Game Over', and you have to start the level over again. As you play the chapters, and levels in the game they will become more difficult with new varieties of creatures and obstacles (reefs, ice, lava) being added into the fray.

As the gamer you control the 'Light Fish', and it's thread. The controls are simple, and only require the use of the (Left Thumbstick) for movement, and the (A) button to start/drag the Light Fish's thread. Holding down the (A) button while you move the Light Fish will cause the creation of a continuous line, but if you release it the Light Fish will backtrack erasing the thread/line. With the thread/lines that you make you can box off areas which will change color when you have connected them properly. If you capture a creature, or obstacle (reef, lava, ice) within the marked/boxed off area, and then seal them within it the creature/obstacle will be destroyed and you will be rewarded points accordingly. The same technique also works with the power-ups. You must capture the power-up in the same manner that you capture the creatures. I probably make the controls sound a little complicated, but it's actually a very simple game to play/learn.

In the end I found 'Light Fish' to be a very cool game. It takes an old arcade game concept, and makes it into an entirely new experience.  Light Fish features one of the best soundtracks that I have ever heard in an Xbox Live Indie Game, and the graphics are top notch. The neon creature effects, and water effects really make the game stand out. I would have to say that this is one of the best/most unique arcade style indie games I have played this year. It is definitely worthy of a purchase. I just wish there were online leaderboards instead of the local scoring system that it features.

Message From The Developer: The developer (Eclipse Games) wanted me to tell you that he apologizes for the inconvenience that you may have experienced concerning the trouble with downloading LightFish. He also stated that the issue wasn't his fault, and that he had no control over the situation. The entire downloading issue was from Microsoft's side.