That’s the first impression that I got when I saw the gameplay video. I downloaded Ecco the Dolphin 1 and 2 via Virtual Console on the Wii a while back so I still remember how it plays. As Ecco, you’re a lost dolphin trying to find your family through these underwater mazes. You use common sense and natural weapons to get through tight spaces, enemies and blockages. Coloropus doesn’t look too much different in the gameplay aspect.
Coloropus is a octopod whom is on a quest to rescue his match-made-in-heaven, Pinky. He has to risk his life to solve unique color-based puzzles that are built on physics emulation. A reason why this game stands out is its unique bright, atomospheric graphics. The graphics ultize vectors with 2D lighting. I tried to draw vectors in the free InkScape application but alas, I sucked. Saw some pretty cool tutorials though on how to draw a spider and a ying yang symbol.
Unlike Ecco the Dolphin, there are no text dialog to read nor are there any speech. Dialogues through animations will not only tell the main storyline but also help players get through the puzzle. Underwater-type games usually have an ambient soundtrack to smooth the player into a nice, relaxing mood so that they can think sharply. Coloropus has more than 10 tracks to keep you relaxed and thinking.
Coloropus takes a step or a swim in this case, further into the life beyond as he journey’s into Heaven or Hell. There are no check-points in the game, therefore if Coloropus dies, he’ll have a chance to come back to life by solving more puzzles. I guess you can say, the PUZZLE OF LIFE.
This game definitely sounds like one for the “I-gotta-see-this” book. It’s swimming to a PC near you on Mac OS, Windows and Linux. A browser-based version will be released at a later date.
Developer – www.pigsels.com
Ecco the Dolphin was a classic. Instead of this, they should make another Ecco the Dolphin game but use Jaws instead