Ratalaika Games has revealed that it will be bringing Analgesic Productions' 2D platformer Even the Ocean to Nintendo Switch.
Released on Steam a few years ago and generating 'very positive' user reviews, Even the Ocean is said to tell "a unique narrative about identity, balance, and important environmental issues". You can see a quick snippet of the gameplay itself in the new teaser trailer (above).
We also have a description and feature list for you to check out below.
From the creators of ‘Anodyne’ comes a grand story about Aliph, a lowly power plant technician for Whiteforge City, who finds her world turned upside-down after a routine maintenance trip goes awry. Now, working directly with Whiteforge's Mayor Biggs to face an unknown menace, Aliph must navigate her newfound power and influence to save the city.
Aliph's identities, environmental issues and the world’s fate all hang in the balance of Light and Dark energies.
Features:
- Balance your energy bar with Light and Dark energies to overcome diverse obstacles and stabilize the city.
- Meet and talk with new friends, powerful allies, and enigmatic travellers.
- Explore the beautiful and strange geography in the overworld, towns, and environments surrounding Whiteforge City.
- Super customizable difficulties and play styles: choose between Complete, Story-only, or Gameplay-only options to make your experience your own.
The screenshots below are taken from the Steam version of the game.
There's no fixed release date for this one just yet, but Ratalaika Games tells us that we should expect it to arrive on Switch "later this year".
Do you like the look of this one? Keen on learning more? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 29
I don't know, nothing about Ratalaika Games has particularly stood out to be so far. They've been porting a number of their games to Switch recently.
Looks bland. A bit like Megaman X without enemies or the possibility to shoot.
Nice, this has been on my Steam wishlist for a while but I'd much rather play it on Switch.
Get these guys working on the reboot of Captain Novolin and Bronkie the Bronchiasaurus.
So this guy has a shield but no one to protect himself from? Also no weapons? Will the game even have enemies? Or just obstacles to avoid?
Not that it really matters, I suppose, but the unnecessary capitals in the titles of articles containing titles of games make them harder to read.
@Shambo agreed 100%. They can keep the capitals if they really want but at least use quotation marks or italics for titles.
As for this game, I have to say it looks amazing and the music too. Will keep an eye on it.
looks like it's worth checking out. if it gets a physical
@molliolli182
I had to check, but the hair made me doubt... and indeed:
"From the creators of ‘Anodyne’ comes a grand story about Aliph, a lowly power plant technician for Whiteforge City, who finds her world turned upside-down after a routine maintenance trip goes awry. Now, working directly with Whiteforge's Mayor Biggs to face an unknown menace, Aliph must navigate her newfound power and influence to save the city."
The only reason I'm saying this is that I couldn't tell it myself, and the hair gave away that it might be intentionally so. Or is it politically incorrect to assume someone doesn't identify as either gender because they look like they're (designed by) a SJW?
@Shambo I guess I did not read that part well enough. But as my defence, I have played many games with androgynous characters I think I subconsciously thought it was the case here.
If one wants to think something is politically incorrect, these days it can be so. Not sure if that's a good thing or not.
But, may the protagonist be whatever the creator want's it to be, it doesn't make me like or dislike the game more. And same goes in real life, if a person is cool, the gender/genderness doesn't really matter to me.
I was playtesting the game and completed it 100% (along with other projects at the time: The Count Lucanor, Metagal, Peasant Knight, etc.) I assured Ratalaika it would be a great fit (for Wii U back then - obviously most projects moved over from Wii U to Switch).
I'm glad to see Ratalaika adding this unique platformer/adventure to their catalog after all these minigames. I declined to translate it though, maybe that's why it's been delayed so much? The game has so much story, so much smart, witty and emotional dialogue, even songs, it would have took me around 3 months of work just for one language. Wasn't feasible at the time.
Ironically Ratalaika's minigames (which are pretty forgettable in core gamers' eyes) sell MUCH better than the quality games. That's why RG still keeps making them. Without the profits of the minigames we would not be getting gems like The Count Lucanor or Even The Ocean.
Anyway, Even the Ocean reminded me of Teslagrad in a distopian world with a good story and nice original platform puzzle physics. I recommend it as it's one of Ratalaika's best releases, especially if you like puzzle-platforming, and story-based adventure games.
At some point you have to realize that "vaguely brown, corpulent female protagonist with blue or purple hair that straddles the line between girly and tomboyish" is slowly becoming the new "30-something white guy with a stubble" – the "default" protagonist design. Except one doesn't pretend to be anything noteworthy or progressive.
The effect on me is contrary to what the creators likely intended: instead of getting intrigued or interested in the game I am immediately turned off, as it looks like there's little imagination at work here, with possible vaguely political undertones (ugh).
@SKTTR I don't believe you, I have yet to meet a game tester that does not end up absolutely hating the game they worked on! Unless you're in the localization business, language people usually don't have to endure as much BS from the game and the devs.
@SmaggTheSmug Before I assisted in game development, I was a reviewer for a long time, so even though I'm burned out on most of the games I worked on, I can still tell bad games from good ones.
The only thing that comes close to BS in the companies I worked with is when there's no time or memory to implement all the good ideas. Most BS indeed comes from the consumers that buy cheap shovelware instead of something that was made with a soul.
This "looks" good, but I'll wait to know more. I'll keep an eye out. Hey NL, any chance of an Anodyne review btw?
@SmaggTheSmug Yeah when I see people trying to heavily politicize a video game I am immediately turned off. Personally I always get annoyed when people try to shove their politics down your throat in a video game, it makes it feel like they are trying to indoctrinate me into their ideology as opposed to delivering me a fun gaming experience.
Environment issues? I’m in. Hopefully it arrives before I’m bombarded with all the 1st party games that will release this year that I’ve been itching for.
Hmm. I'll wait on reviews but I may give it a go. Anybody played the steam version?
I’m here for the comment section
@SKTTR Hey, cool to see you almost translated it! I did the coding/design/music/a little writing for the game.
@Dogorilla thanks, glad you're looking forward to it! (I'm one of the two developers.)
@molliolli182 Hi, I'm one of the co-creators of the original PC version - the game is based around obstacles you avoid. So a little like super meat boy in that sense?
@Mamabear Hi, I'm one of the co-creators of the original PC version. Yep, the game has a heavily environment tinted story! There are around 50,000+ words.
@MeloMan Hi, I'm one of the co-creators of the original PC version! Check out some of the Steam reviews - it's a pretty 'chill-out' platformer.
@Galenmereth Hi, I'm one of the co-creators of the original PC version - it's muscle!
@SmaggTheSmug Hi, I'm one of the co-creators of the original PC version! As far as I can tell, this character design is still rare. If you'd like feel free to point me to other games using this design!
@seanhantani I appreciate that, thank you!
@seanhantani I've seen it all over cartoons and comics (especially webcomics). Glimmer in She-Ra comes to mind. Half the passengers and the driver in Neo Cab shown look like this. Rose Tico from Star Wars could also qualify. There was also this metroidvania without jumping whose name I cannot recall.
I am exaggerating a little, but it's a design that seems more like a checklist than actual design. Brown skin - check. "Unusual" body shape - check. Female - check. Pink or purple hair - check. Here's your oh so quirky and progressive protagonist.
I mean no offense and I am sure you and your team has put a lot of work and heart into this project. I'm just explaining my impressions.
@seanhantani Thanks a lot, appreciate it!
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...