1997 · Altar Games · Puzzle

Fish Fillets NG

A challenging puzzle game featuring two underwater agents dealing with home invasion...

Released: 7 April 1997
Platforms: Android Linux Windows macOS
Genres: Puzzle
Developers: Altar Games
Publishers: —
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Science fiction Comedy

About

Fish Fillets NG, originally known as Fish Fillets, is a puzzle video game developed and released by Altar Games in 1998. The objective of the game is to find a safe exit for both fish in each level. Similar to other sliding puzzle games like Sokoban and Klotski, Fish Fillets includes several unique elements and rules.

›Story

Once upon a time there were two fish. They worked for a fishstitution so secret that even they didn't know its name. It investigated UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects), searched through wrecks of land-based vessels known as "floating saucers" and carried out DIVER (Deeply Interesting and Very Expensive Research). One day, one particularly nasty UFO invaded the underwater realm, wreaking havoc as it zigzagged along the ocean floor.

It struck the little house of the two fish and destroyed it beyond recognition. As our heroes set out on their quest to restore the peace, they learned that the Agency has put them in charge of eight different missions. Only when they complete them all do they have a chance to get back home. Their only consolation is the Agency's motto: The solution is out there…

Keywords

aliens
female protagonist
multiple protagonists
freeware
blocks
dancing
level selection
airplane
copyright infringement
darkness
single-player only
anthropomorphism

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game features two fish, both controlled by the player, who must navigate through levels by moving objects and overcoming obstacles to reach a safe exit together. Unlike traditional sliding puzzle games, Fish Fillets NG incorporates gravity, causing unsupported objects to fall until they land on another surface. If an object falls on either fish, it results in the fish's death, and the level must be restarted to continue. One fish is larger and capable of lifting or pushing specific objects (such as steel items), adding an extra layer of complexity to the puzzles.

Additionally, players cannot slide objects over the fish's back, as this is equivalent to an object landing on the fish. However, if a fish is supporting an object, it can move back and forth underneath, and objects can be carefully slid off the fish's back if they are moving onto solid ground. The game features background music and includes animated effects on many levels, although these elements typically do not influence gameplay.

Development

The game was originally created by Czech video game developer Altar Games and released commercially in 1998. In 2002, it was relicensed and released under the GNU GPL-2.0-or-later on SourceForge. In 2004 fans created a new version ("Next Generation") based on the open-source release. The fan community ported the game to many other operating systems, created an extra branch of levels, and translated it to many languages.