The project will be live on Kickstarter for only a few more days.
In recent weeks, an intriguing project has emerged from the depths, drawing attention with its originality and surreal sense of humor. While it may not have made a massive splash, it is undeniably captivating—and for that reason, we believe it deserves to be brought to your attention. We’re talking about GOLDFISH, a charming marine-themed pixel art Metroidvania brought to life by Italian solo developer Gabry Corti.
Launched on October 11 with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, the project quickly gained traction among fans, reaching its initial funding goal of $1,071 (approximately €1,000) in just one week. However, this was merely the first step. Thanks to the incredible support received, the project has quickly surpassed its original target, now standing at 200% of the goal, with $3,716 (around €3.491) raised.
Curious to learn more and see what this project has in store for you? Stay with us to uncover all the details.
Once upon a time, there was a drunken fish yearning for immortality
No, we’re not losing our minds—these are indeed the absurd premises that drive our protagonist’s quest: a quirky, lovable, anthropomorphic pirate goldfish (Carassius auratus), perpetually drunk and desperately searching for a tantalizing elixir that, according to legend, is said to grant immortality.
Why is our protagonist always in a state of drunkenness? Who can say? Perhaps it’s simply his way of facing life with a bit more ease, or maybe he’s become an alcohol addict. Or perhaps— and this seems the most plausible explanation—he believes that sampling every type of alcohol is the only way to confirm that he’s attained the elusive immortality. According to the legends of the Aquarius world, there exists a mythical bottle of exquisite gin, hidden somewhere in the world, that is said to bestow eternal life upon the fortunate soul who drinks from it. All that remains for our protagonist is to find it and become the first immortal fish in all of Aquarius.
However, the journey to acquire this seemingly magical gin will be anything but easy. Whispers of its existence have spread across every corner of Aquarius, even the most distant reaches, captivating the ears and stirring the curiosity of all manner of sea creatures: crustaceans, mollusks, marine mammals— from the smallest fish akin to you, to the mighty predators of the deep—all ready to do whatever it takes, to get their fins— or better yet, their claws— on the contents of that bottle. This means that if you truly desire it, you’ll have to earn it with blood.
Fortunately, not all the creatures you encounter in Aquarius will be enemies, tricksters, or deceivers bent on hindering your journey. Throughout your oceanic journey, you’ll also cross paths with a few allies—individuals in dire need of your aid or merchants eager to assist you in your quest, offering sustenance, new gear, weapons, or enhancing your tools and armaments—all at a fair price, naturally.
A tried-and-true gameplay formula, familiar yet always effective and well-loved
Let it be clear: GOLDFISH doesn’t seek to reinvent the wheel, nor is that the creator’s intention, fully aware of the fierce competition within the genre. However, perhaps this is exactly what makes the design philosophy behind the game so appealing: by drawing on the most compelling elements of renowned Metroidvania games, which have become essential benchmarks for many developers.
Let us clarify: this statement does not imply—nor remotely suggest—that the game lacks its own unique identity or, worse, is devoid of original features that distinguish it within its genre. On the contrary, this project boasts several captivating qualities that distinguish it admirably. Among the most notable is the delightfully exaggerated humor that infuses every element of the game, from the dialogue to the outlandish forms and expressions of the marine creatures inhabiting Aquarius. The result is a caricatured world filled with absurd characters, bizarre situations, and an overarching premise that is exquisitely outlandish.
Another core strength, serving as both backdrop and a thematic focal point, is the surreal underwater setting and the wide array of marine species that populate the game’s sprawling aquatic universe. You might ask, “What’s new here? This isn’t the first or last game to explore such a setting.” But the point lies not in what it does, but in how it does it—the quirky underwater world and its colorful cast of aquatic creatures are brought to life with a vibrant, imaginative flair that feels refreshingly unique. While it may not revolutionize the genre, its execution remains undeniably captivating.
Lastly, we must turn our focus to the gameplay, an area where the developer seems to have poured substantial effort, , as evidenced by the material shared thus far. Drawing inspiration from the finest elements of acclaimed Metroidvania games, one of the most notable features here is the design of the boss fights.
Equally remarkable is the developer’s dedication to world-building and level design, which weaves together a diverse array of elements, including platforming, a vibrant and well-distributed game world, what appears to be an intriguing non-linear exploration, and a gradual evolution of skills. This approach not only boosts replayability but also entices players to revisit areas, driven by the ever-present possibility of having overlooked something. Such a sense of discovery is essential, as abilities gained along the journey become indispensable—not only for navigating biomes that constantly challenge players to apply their evolving skills to overcome environmental obstacles, but also as critical tools in combat and in the thrilling boss encounters that await.
Naturally, before drawing any conclusions, we eagerly anticipate the chance to immerse ourselves in GOLDFISH firsthand. This will grant us a deeper understanding of its gameplay mechanics, allowing us to assess whether the developer’s carefully crafted formula, controller in hand, can truly achieve the intended impact envisioned by the creator.
There’s still time to support the campaign
Though the campaign surpassed its funding goal several days ago, now is certainly not the time to slow down. As showcased on the campaign page, an array of enticing stretch goals awaits, and the developer is more committed than ever to unlocking each one. Among these, “Arena Mode” has already been achieved — an exhilarating, action-packed mode where players face unrelenting waves of enemies, collecting valuable loot from their fallen foes.
Upcoming goals include a Nintendo Switch port at €5,000, a boss rush mode at €10,000, Aquarius’s ruthless bounty hunters at €15,000, and thrilling, high-stakes naval battles at €25,000, with even more surprises yet to be revealed.
For those interested in backing the game, now is an ideal time to choose your support tier. We particularly recommend the “Exclusive First Prototype” for €25, which offers early access to the game’s prototype, a complete copy upon release, and your name in the game’s end credits — a meaningful way to support the developer as the campaign approaches its final days.
Currently, GOLDFISH does not have an official release date or a Steam page for wishlisting. To stay updated, follow us here or check out the game’s accounts on X and Instagram.
An early demo of the game is also available on its itch.io page.
That’s all for now. Until next time!
