Gish

2005 IGF Award Winner
Reinventing the Platformer with Physics

At first glance, Gish might appear to be a classic arcade-style game, something like Sonic or Mario Brothers. First glances can be deceiving: yes, this is a sidescrolling platformer, but the actual gameplay is very different, because it's based on a physics engine. Gish, the tar ball who is the title character, needs to get momentum to get up and over objects, controls how high he jumps by compressing and extending himself, can move objects by gaining momentum and running into them, walks on walls and ceilings by making himself "sticky", and so on.

What Gish demonstrates, in fact, that combining an old-school approach with a newer technology (in this case a physics engine) and exploring the possibilities of that combination can produce highly engaging and wholly creative gameplay. There's life in the platformer yet.

The Developer Says
Gish isn't your average hero, in fact he's not your average anything... see Gish is a ball of tar. A Sunday stroll with his lady friend Brea goes awry when a shadowy figure emerges from an open man hole and pulls Brea into the ground below. Following Brea's calls for help Gish suddenly finds himself in the subterranean sewers of Dross, a long forgotten city filled with twisting corridors, evil traps and some of the most demented creatures imaginable.

With his gelatinous structure as his only means of defense Gish must follow the echoing cries of his damsel in distress deep into the earth below. What freakish creatures dwell in this subterranean land? Who is Brea's captor? And just how far down does the rabbit hole go?

Life isn't easy when you're a 12 pound ball of tar...

Full Version includes:

• Dynamic Physics and Real-time Lighting
• Destructible environment
• 34 Story levels
• Over 20 Collection levels
• 6 unique VS. mode
• 28 different VS. levels
• Many hidden "secrets"
• Over 10 different types of Enemies
• 5 "Super Secret" Levels

Reviews

"A simple idea can be elaborated upon with terrific results"
   - New York Times

"A great sticky glob of gaming goodness... the freshest platformer i've played this year"
   - 85%, PC Gamer UK

"definitely an indie game that you should check out"
   - Gamers Info

"Gish is worth the $20 without any question... it provides more fun and quality than many other games that cost twice the money"
   - Gamers with Jobs

"In fact the only negative I really see in the game was that the demo doesn't really give you a glimpse of how good the game really is. I would strongly recommend that you check out the game play video as it shows a better glimpse into the world of Gish...and what a wonderful world it is!"
   - 100%, Game Tunnel

"Chronic Logic has once again bowled me over with a game that is at once simple yet deep and involving. A challenging platformer, a clever puzzler, and physics toy box, Gish is a singular game both in content and in quality."
   - 95%, Game Chronicles Magazine

Awards

2005 IGF Grand Prize (Seamus McNally Award)

2005 IGF Innovation in Game Design

Game Tunnel's Game of the Year

Game Tunnel's Adventure Game of the Year

Home of the Underdogs Top Dog Award