In the day and age when first-person shooters and huge 3D sandbox worlds are the norm, it’s nice to see a game company, in this case indie developer Different Tuna, tipping its hat to the classic old school 2D side scrolling genre.
The first thing you’ll notice about Derrick the Deathfin (apart from the humorous quotes on the loading screens) is the papercraft style of graphics. Everything looks like it has been cut out of paper, folded meticulously and then dropped into a vibrant underwater environment. The game is bright, colourful and delightful from the start. What’s more amazing is this game was developed by only two people. My eleven year old niece, whom I invited to help me play, asked straight away if this game was made by the same people who made Little Big Planet. I suppose that is a very huge compliment, being compared to one of the best games produced this generation.
Derrick the Deathfin is a deceiving game; it has a bright, papercraft art style and a title that wouldn’t go amiss on Cbeebies, giving off the impression that it's a game for kids. In reality, this unique arcade-action title is a fun and challenging experience, albeit one that occasionally frustrates.
Jon of RGN writes, "Eat or die – don’t let the fun and ease of use that this game provides off the bat fool you. Derrick the Deathfin has difficulty as well. And in most levels, you’ll have to choose wisely between split second decisions that can cause you to take a L or walk away with the win. For example, if Derrick doesn’t eat, he dies. But if he takes too long to clear a level, he also dies. Depending on the scene you’re playing and what’s in your way, you don’t always have time to eat everything in sight AND make it to the end of a level in time. Not only that, but often times food blurs the line between useful or obstacle. Plotting out your path and making Derrick jump at the right times and dive at the right times all while quickly deciding which food to eat, which to ignore, and what to do about obstacles that you are only a few milliseconds from crashing straight into ends up making this game an intense play."
Yesterday, March 19, 2014, 75 titles passed through Steam Greenlight, meaning they could use Steam as a platform for distributing their game. This doesn’t mean that the game is finished and ready to be purchased off of Steam, but it does mean that once the game is finished, the developers will have the opportunity to sell their games on Steam. But, many are also already available, so check em out.
Really great review , after reading this I'm tempted to make the plunge and buy it!!!
A good review there. Also, the game is worth the punt!
Is it just PS3 or both PS3 and Vita?
Just PS3 mate :)
Ta mate - shame, looks a perfect fit for a Vita cross buy title.