Fixfox – Spotlight
In FixFox, Vix is the narrator, and Tin is his anxious but well-intentioned robotic companion. When it comes to her “space germs,” she can be a bit of an overachiever because she’s so infatuated with them. FixFox appears to be a wholly original idea on paper. Outside of virtual reality platforms, there aren’t many games in which a player has to fix things in space as the primary gameplay loop. What’s more, is this a fun loop or just a gimmick?
Put your drinks down and buckle up, everyone. Due to the fact that we’re about to launch!
There’s a lot more meat to FixFox’s story than most players realise. The FixFox universe has a lot going on, despite its lighthearted humour and simple appearance. There are numerous plot points that explain why the gameplay is the way it is. And it’s a fast-paced story that keeps you interested. Vix, the main character, is sent on a job, but she ends up on a planet that she had not intended to be on. He has to find his way back to where he came from from here on out. On top of all that, the planet he lands on has a ban on all tools, which complicates things. It’s at this point that Vix’s uniqueness and skill set come into play. Robots on the planet have a lot of broken things because there are no tools to fix them!
Introducing Vix, a hero who has the ability to use all kinds of objects in ways they weren’t meant to be. In the absence of a screwdriver, spoons and coins can be used as tools. Electrical tape is made out of plasters. Doughnuts are transformed into… no, don’t go there yet. However, you get the idea. At all times, the humour that springs from this game’s unique premise is as fresh and genuine as the game itself. “Aristo-crackpot,” “violent nutmeg,” and “aristocrat crackpot” are just some of the witty one-liners that Tin, Vix’s sidekick, can be heard saying constantly. These are not only hilarious lines, but they also perfectly capture Tin’s personality, as she is protective of Vix and unable to fully swear due to her polite and helpful nature. FixFox’s world is its most compelling feature, even if you ignore the game’s plot and gameplay. The planets Vix visits are mainly populated by robots. As a result of this, everyone appears to be extremely courteous and unthreatening.
Even the pirates have a good attitude. When I was mugged by some passing pirates, they apologised and handed me a free toothbrush because they felt bad about stealing just one cute cloud sticker. At some point in the game, the pirates reveal that they are actually building hospitals, which proves that they aren’t just showboating. There is no mention of violence in the press release from the game’s developer. Because of this, he’s been able to compensate for the lack of combat in the game with a plethora of humorous, playful and even downright silly aspects. “Big, bold and bright” is the guiding principle behind this title’s aesthetic philosophy. Colours are beautiful, just often slightly muted, to give a stylised appearance. Selecting items is accomplished by pushing them to the top of the screen, which makes the menus delightfully chunky.
To put this in context, FixFox is a great example of how an indie developer can do more than just work within budgetary constraints for a small team. In order to tell a specific story, it was decided to go with a more simple visual style, using an appropriate aesthetic to ensure that everything works together beautifully and cohesively.’ FixFox is a shining example of how to get a lot done visually on a shoestring budget. FixFox’s gameplay revolves around repairing items. The items that need to be repaired don’t vary greatly, but the tools that are used to fix them do. For FixFox, the element of surprise and intrigue takes on a variety of guises. Whilst there are no secret areas, per se, there are lots of areas to loot objects. Cracks in the desert ground, for example, are an example of a biome-specific variation. You can also use your space bike to zip around the biomes. This is a lot of fun, and it doesn’t get monotonous.
It is possible for gamers to take shortcuts in the form of ‘underbots’ if they fall asleep while driving. Even so, these don’t really help or serve as a substitute for fast travel. A few times a year, The Order comes down and snatches some of the player’s reward or loot items. It is possible for pirates to steal one object at a time if they take over nine loot areas in a single day. As a fun break from the monotony of the game’s recurring routine, this adds some humour and encourages the player to go to sleep. Reset the number of receivable items per day with radios, for example. Overall, the game’s gameplay is enjoyable and varied, thanks to the combination of completing the main quest and numerous side quests while completing a wide range of tasks. Biome-specific musical compositions are created. The game’s sound effects are also well-done, with the desert and forest biomes each having their own distinct soundscapes.
FixFox has no voice acting, but the dialogue never gets old. High-quality comedy script and eye-catching animations from text and NPC talking heads are to blame for this. For me, FixFox’s freshness and uniqueness were exciting when I first discovered it. What we have here is clearly an old-school gamer who wanted to make their own brand new entry into this crowded field of video games. The fresh and relaxing dynamic of fixing objects with weird items had me hooked, while the story and variety of main narrative quests kept me going. FixFox is one of the most relaxing games you’ll ever play, but that doesn’t mean it lacks structure. The game’s story, gameplay, graphics, and even the size of the biomes have all been carefully considered. You can see the care and attention that went into this game from the moment you open the box.
FixFox’s main story takes about 8-10 hours to complete because there aren’t any unlockable extras. For the price, this package’s duration is quite impressive. Once the game is over, it is over. It’s not as if you’re going back to Planet Karamel just to take a deep breath of sugary air. In this game, there are no additional bonus features or collectibles.
