Gish Shows Odd Physics-Based Indie Platforming Flair

Thanks to Gamers With Jobs for its group review of Chronic Logic's PC "physics-based [2D] platform game" Gish, which was briefly mentioned on Slashdot Games earlier this week. The reviewers seem impressed, arguing: "Gish is one of the few 'modern' platformers I can think of. What I mean is that it actually uses modern technology to enhance the gameplay, instead of making prettier versions of NES games", and highlighting "the spectacular physics engine, which they use to full effect in the puzzles and enemies." The article also points to a downloadable demo of the product, as well as a recent interview with the creators, in which Gish's developers, Chronic Logic, "the crew behind the acclaimed Bridge Builder/Pontifex series", are further quizzed.

Great game!

[Wuukie]

I played the demo when Slashdot last mentioned the game. I was really impressed. The game is so original and the physics are really interesting and fun.

Head-to-head game with my friend was even more fun! I'm really looking forward to seeing what these guys are doing in future.

Yesterday I bought the download version of it and I recommend it fully. It's cheap for such a good game. Well, at least 20 euros is not bad here in Finland, when "big PC games" cost 45-55 euros.

Re:linux demo?

[illuvata]

according to the download page, both linux and Mac OS X version are 'coming soon'

Re:linux demo?

[droleary]

according to the download page, both linux and Mac OS X version are 'coming soon'

Which, to me, says the same thing as "the day before DNF is released". Nothing on their site indicates they have any Mac experience at all, and the one non-Windows thing they seem to have (BCS) was ported to Linux before the Mac, which makes no business sense. Kinda sad, since the game trailer does make it look pretty cool.

Re:linux demo?

[illuvata]

well, tryptich [chroniclogic.com] does have both linux and mac versions. of course, that doesn't mean gish will be ported anytime soon, but i wouldn't give up hope either

A+ for effort D- for implementation

[bear pimp]

I bought this before the demo was even out, and have played it through. I have to admit to being a bit dissapointed - the game is such a great idea, but the implementaion is really flawed:

• Menus are a bit ugly and are strangely non-intuituve (minor and easily forgiveable)
• The jump system is truly awful - it can take ages to build up the proper jump height, and it is easy to make a mistake. Really unforgiving. I'm sure they could easily fix this, but that would probably mean redesigning the levels
• crossing over certain parts of walls when your are in the sticky mode can just mean you get stuck
• Levels are pretty dull - sometimes you just fall though a hole, go over a gap, and that's it -the end!

As it is, I don't think Gish is really a finished game, and it really annoying -you can see how great this game can be. I hope the people who make it have another go, and get some decent levels made for the game. Gish 2 (or even 1.5!) could really be a good game. Perhaps if they fixed the jumping and released a level editor that would help someway too.

Re:A+ for effort D- for implementation

[LSD-OBS]

The jump system is truly awful

Maybe gamers these days just aren't used to keyboards? The menus are easily navigated with keyboard shortcuts, and I had the jump system mastered after about 5 minutes' practice. I suppose I like a game that requires to you get the knack of something a bit tricky.

I'm in agreement about the other points. The levels are a bit frustrating and dull. I think that they really need to add more colour and animation to the levels, and possibly scale them down a bit so that you can see more of the level in one screen.

Re:A+ for effort D- for implementation

[Wuukie]

I agree with you on navigating the menus with shortcuts, but it's a bit difficult to spot different "buttons" from other text because they all are in gray shades. Maybe a little bit of color wouldn't hurt?

Re:A+ for effort D- for implementation

[LSD-OBS]

Yeah, colour is sorely lacking.
Are you READING THIS, Chronic Logic?!

Re:A+ for effort D- for implementation

[ColdForged]

The jump system is truly awful - it can take ages to build up the proper jump height, and it is easy to make a mistake. Really unforgiving.

As I said in the first part of the review, it does take a while to get used to the jumping mechanic -- and some spots are harder than others to get the oscillation going, like next to a wall -- but soon enough it's very easy to immediately get an oscillation going right off the bat, on demand.

That's the essence of the game: controlling a ball of tar that responds in predictable ways to gravity, elasticity, friction, and momentum. Dumbing down the jumping mechanic would make it essentially just another Mario clone.

Re:A+ for effort D- for implementation

[Metex]

I know what you mean when you are in sticky mode but usually it just requires you to press in the direction you are going and press the jump key. After I played the demo I went through the entier thing in sticky mode and on the ceiling. it is fairly easy after about 10 minutes of practice.

Re:A+ for effort D- for implementation

[jensen404]

The jump system is fine, until enemies show up. The only way to kill them is to build up momentum and hit them hard. That is almost impossible to do when enemies pop up in tight spaces and quickly attack you. I was also hoping that there would be some more puzzle based elements, and more physics in the environment. Gish took me a few days to beat, because I had to repeat areas several times because of small mistakes and idiosyncrasies of the physics engine. It is a very short game.

Almost hits the mark

[Anonymous Coward]

Could have been a classic as it is so original in implementation and presentation. The problem is one of gameplay and design:

1. the levels are all similar looking and dark.
2. the levels are repetitive to play.
3. the game is a pure physics simulation resulting in a very difficult to control main character (he can't jump easily and gettin him to stick/move to walls is very difficult)
4. the level design and control problems mean the whole thing gets frustrating very quickly.

Actually I'm surprised they put up a free demo, I bought it before a demo was available because it looked so intriguing and obviosuly would not have done so had I played a demo. Sort out the controls, work on the level design, brighten everything up and this could be fantastic. Anybody remember ZooCube? A little indie developer with a cool new puzzle game idea, he got picked up by Acclaim and released on Nintendo GC and GBA. Now a rich man (you can download a demo of it on fileplanet).

BCS Goodness

[Robmonster]

If the physics implementation is anything like the one in Bridge Construction Set then it should be superb.

BCS was pure class.

I'll certainly be trying the demo of this one.

RM

first linux game i want to buy

[rednuhter]

I will buy this the moment its released on Linux, I played the demo on a windows machine at work and loved it, just the right level of difficulty.

This would be a great game for the more capable handhelds like the new Nintendo DS or old GBA.

I do agree the jump system could be easier, but its still fun

Movement.

[ikkonoishi]

I found a good way of getting around quickly.

Hit A and S repeatedly one after the other.

S makes you slimy and expands you slightly.

A makes your edges sticky and if you are expanded you contract.

So you grow outwards stick to the ground and then contract.

If you have an arrow key held down you end up running in a circle shape at high speeds. (I outran the sliding board in the second collection level.)

But wait, there's more...

[Trejkaz]

It's more than Gish too, they have what looks like the world's only physics-based puzzler. [chroniclogic.com]