FishCraft review: Angry fish

I bet you’ve been waiting months to play Angry Birds on your Xbox. Maybe you’re hoping those disgruntled feathery fowl would be replaced by something a little wetter, scalier, and possibly more googley-eyed? You better be wearing your “Physics is phun” shirt, because the indie physics game gods have answered your prayers by delivering FishCraft.

FishCraft is nearly identical to the very popular mobile game Angry Birds in every way, except replace birds with fish and pigs with cats. Everyone knows fish and cats are mortal enemies, so it makes sense you’d be hurling them at each other. Don’t get me wrong, the fish are wicked badass, the kittens are super cute and the soundtrack is epic – making it feel like you’re preparing for battle rather than entering a carnival. There is a nifty TNT-ometer next to your fish cannon that can be adjusted for more or less ::bang:: per shot. Personally, I like lots of bang, so I cranked it up and rarely played with it.

There are 5 types of attacking fish that you acquire throughout the 63 levels. Some have super speed or explode into multiple smaller fish for a wider attack spray. The cats hang out in and around their poorly constructed huts made from ice, wood and stone. The ice is a nice touch as it cracks and melts pretty quickly, allowing for easier kitten kills. You can toggle the screen from the cannon to the cats using the right stick, while the left stick controls the angle of your shot.

A game like this ends up working really well on a portable device because it allows for a quick bird-hurling good time within only a few minutes – a cab ride, doctor’s office wait, bathroom break, waiting in line at PAX, etc. On a console, however, while funny and entertaining for a couple of minutes, if there’s nothing more to the game than flinging some fish through the air, I know I’d think about moving on (and I did…multiple times).

Good thing to note: If you do check the game out and plan to play at a later time, it’s well worth the extra second click on the “Exit” button to quit the game rather than backing out, otherwise you’ll loose any progress you’ve made. And no, it won’t prompt you before you leave or suggest you use the button to save your game. Apparently, that’s just something you’re supposed to know (except I lost my game several times before realizing why).

It’s hard to deny that it’s fun, (anyone remember Gerbil Physics 1 or 2?) and it’s cheap, but it’s been done before. I don’t know about you, but I’m busy, and if I’m sitting down to play something, it’s going to be more interesting than an Angry Birds rip off.

Rating:

FishCraft was provided for review by FrozenSoft and retails for $1. You can download a free demo on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

By Stephanie Yeager at July 31, 2011.