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Developed By: Iji
Review By: BlackRaven
Written on: Saturday, January, 17th, 2009 at 12:47:01 pm
Rating: 86%
Site: here
System: Windows
Download: here

Iji is a platform-adventure game released in the later half of 2008. The main character, Iji, the game's namesake, wakes up alone in a hospital-like facility only to slightly later hear the doctors being killed outside the door. A crackling voice on the speaker tells her to hide. This voice, seemingly her brother, tells her that the facility has been the target of an alien invasion. I won't divulge any more of the story, since that would spoil the experience.

I initially had some gripes with the game-play, like the slower than average movement of the character and that you can't shoot while jumping, but these are minor issues that you get used to fairly quickly. The combat works and is enjoyable. There are also many weapons to find, and most of them can be combined to form entirely new weapons. The game has an rpg-like element in that you level up when you get experience and there are numerable stats for you to raise. One of the most notable ones is 'hacking', which is often used in the game. By using that skill you trigger a mini-game where you have to connect two points in a labyrinth without touching the walls. This enables you to open locked chests, doors and sabotage the weapons of your enemies from behind.

Some people may have problems with the visuals in the game. Sure, the cutscenes as well as the sprites of the main character and others are certainly 'programmer art' so to speak, but they do have their charm. For one thing, they're reminiscent of such a classic as 'Out of this World' from 1991, and additionally they are very well animated. The backgrounds though are pretty detailed, using pixel art rather than the vectors of the sprites.

The music is one of the high points of the game, being almost all original and professionally done. The one track that isn't original they still have permission to use, if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, the music really increases the atmosphere of the game, which already was superb to begin with. The sound effects are also generally good, although not comparable with the music. One cool thing is that the voice of the main character changes depending on how you play the game. But you'll have to figure that one out for yourselves.

Lastly, I'll provide some general hints for you. Look everywhere. There are lots of secrets. Read everything (you'll gain more from the story that way). You can be a total pacifist if you want (except for like two bosses), and it'll change some things subtly. Don't forget to combine weapons when you're able to.

Some final words: In my opinion, this is probably the best free indie game to be released in 2008 and it's even more notable that such an extensive game is made entirely by one guy. Play it. Until next time, au revoir.

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