FREE: Iji on a netbook

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Retro? Very!

Do you like 2D-platform games with a cyberpunk, Jazz Jackrabbit style of gameplay and a story about aliens invading the earth and you’re the only cyborg left that can save the planet along with your brother?

The game feels like a mix of Jazz Jackrabbit, Deus Ex, Resident Evil and Terminator. You play as Iji, a brown-haired girl who starts with a shotgun and picks up more badass weaponry as you complete levels, and your only goal is to use them against the Tasen and Komata, both extraterrestrial species that have invaded earth and intend on killing each other, except you come into the picture as the ‘human anomaly’ and therefore both of these groups also want a piece of you.

The game is simple, you play with your arrow keys and a few buttons, with no need for a mouse at all. You shoot, dodge bullets, and hack locked storage boxes, bots and other things that will allow you access to ammunition, weaponry and weapon upgrades. You’ll collect experience points and upgrade your attributes which will allow you to carry more ammo, use more powerful weapons or have more health, etc.

Iji is sad. The truth hurts her.

Along the way, Iji will realise conspiracies that she will pick up reading logbooks written by both the Tasen and Komata. Inside both of them, they will record down tips and bits and pieces that will add to the storyline and overall appreciation of the apocalyptic world that Iji is stranded in.

Gameplay is very simple, but it is one of the most addictive freeware out there. Iji has what I call the Terraria syndrome – it might not look good, but it certainly is excellent once you’ve played it, and if you’re like me, can’t stop playing it because you wanna get to know the storyline and just love the platform-shooter gameplay. Each level, called Sectors, take about 12-minutes to play, and therefore it won’t ruin your life like Terraria will.

This game is probably better for people with some patience to read each logbook’s contents, as they can be quite lengthy for the “TL;DR” crowd who might lose out on bits of the story. Also, some other annoyances are the limited experience points system – you can only get 5-levels’ worth of upgrades each Sector, which becomes a disincentive to explore the level once you’ve hit the cap.

Kill a boss, get cool effects like a boss

Playing Iji on a netbook is no problem at all. While the game is configured for 4:3 screens, it doesn’t look one bit blurry or stretched. You just need to download the game off Daniel Remar’s website.

Like

Simple gameplay, but very addictive

Good storyline

Small size, runs excellent on a netbook

Dislike

Lots of reading!

Small annoyances such as limited levelling

Verdict

Iji is free, and it’s fun. If you like platform-shooters, and need something that will help you pass the time while you’re flying or taking the long bus home, Iji is a manageable, easy-to-play game that can last quite a while.

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