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Finlay's Fathoms

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Developer: Coral Tree Productions
Publisher: Coral Tree Productions
Genre: RPG > General
Released: Feb 01, 2006
Players: 1

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- Finlay's Fathoms Review

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We don�€™t get many video game protagonists that happen to be a dolphin. In Finlay�€™s Fathoms you not only play a dolphin, helping other sea animals, but you do so in an RPG-style fashion. Not since Echo has there been a dolphin as memorable as Finlay. Saving fish, defeating anti-environmentalist and upgrading your skills mold together really well in this game.

As you progress through the linear story, you travel around in the sand-box type stages, defeating enemies and helping save the ocean. Most of the enemies are your fellow sea creatures who have been contaminated by the fisherman and other human-related hazards. Other foes include fisher boats, plant life, and other undersea water creatures.

Mission outlines are given to you at the start of the stage by communicating with Finlay�€™s friend, Leon the lobster. With a click of the left mouse button, Finlay can talk to Leon, move around the play area, and chase down foes. When you start you�€™ll have one mission per stage, and as the game progresses you�€™ll take on two or three tasks per stage. Since each stage is setup like a sandbox type environment, you can freely venture around some designated areas, gaining experience points by helping friends and recovering items.

The RPG elements, as I may have skimmed over earlier, are done with surprising skill. For instance, there are abilities such as power bubbles that disinfect your fellow comrades, fire shields to protect you from incoming danger, or ice breath that freezes your enemies. The interesting part about the weapons, is that they can be strengthened on each level-up, or you can earn new abilities depending on your level and skill.

You can also equip magical and rare items that your enemies drop. While the items themselves are simple things like turtle shells or pearl necklaces, there are dozens of different items and variations designated for specific levels with certain abilities. For example, you can retrieve a gem or relic that increases your spell casting ability or an item that increases your damage, resistance, etc.

Much of what you�€™d expect from an RPG is found in Finlay�€™s Fathoms. Even the sometimes repetitive gameplay when training or trying to level up, that can hamper on the pace of the game�€™s story and progress. Since there is no world map, enemies grow stronger based on stage progression rather than enemies being strong during a particular part of the story. So training is an essential aspect of growing strong enough to defeat foes later on in the game. Thankfully your lobster pal, Leon, will help you during your adventures and grows stronger with you.

Graphics:
The graphics aren�€™t anything exceptionally groundbreaking, or new to the game industry. However, this game has an original enough look to catch anyone�€™s eye. The animations are seemingly fluid with no stutters, jumps, or breaks between key frames and transitions. The lighting and undersea effect is also very convincing and smoothly rendered. When battling the boats above sea level it�€™s also neat how you only see the shadows of the boats and the hooks dangling in the water. Visually, this game is very competent, especially with the beautiful underwater effect of the ocean.

Sound:
This game�€™s audio is most notable for the music. What a soundtrack. I love theme-related music that matches the environment and settings. This game has captured the undersea sounds and music in an amazing, clear arrangement. Seeing and hearing this game for the first time is enough to warrant a second session of playtime.

Gameplay:
An RPG underwater adventure would be one of the last games I would think to have fun and captivating gameplay. Yet, Coral Tree Productions has managed to make a legitimately fun adventure game that embodies all the necessities for a classic RPG. The items, level up mechanics and options to upgrade and equip new and improved abilities are something I found very engaging. Using the mouse to talk to Leon, switch items, equip new abilities, and interact with the environment was easy and far from clunky.

Concept:
With the exception of the repetitive training logic to get stronger, this game holds its own with insurmountable originality. The training concept though, is something no RPG could escape without making a disaster of the battle system itself. Finlay�€™s Fathoms has managed to incorporate all the immersion from an adventure game. Yet simultaneously, it retains a good amount of excitement with battles that don�€™t require time units or turns. Kudos to Coral Tree Productions.

Value:
For the price, you get a game with a lot of longevity. The replay values are harbored in the ability to change and upgrade various abilities and skills, and not to mention 20+ levels of gameplay. Some levels can take up to a half-hour to complete...depending on your skills and your equipment. Realistically this game is cheaper than most other adventure games and gives you just as much--if not arguably more--gaming values.

Fun:
If you like role-playing elements, leveling up, and adventure games, you�€™ll definitely think this game is fun.

Recommendation:
If you�€™re not sure about any of this game�€™s concepts or ideas, at least try the game out and see if you like it. The music alone is worth giving this game a try. However, if you�€™re an RPG fan looking for an adventure game with a bit of twist, you�€™ll be right at home with Finlay�€™s Fathoms.
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By: William Usher
Posted: Friday April 28, 2006