Many thanks to Press Engine and Renaissance PR for supplying the Preview code.
FixFox is an upcoming wholesome adventure game due to be released on March 31st on Steam. I’ve had a chance to try out the game for a preview. Let’s get fixing.
In order to survive the catastrophe of climate change on Earth, humankind modified themselves to take on animal traits. Using fur from this genetic splicing helps humanity cope with the freezing weather and hibernate through interstellar flights. This furry future is where the story of FixFox takes place.
FixFox
A Fox who fixes
You play a fox called Vix, a pretty useless space mechanic, who is mothered by a talking toolbelt who’s been with him since he was a young child. Our adventurers have unfortunately crash-landed on the strange undiscovered planet of Karamel. With little chance of being rescued, Vix sets out with Tin to explore the strange new terrain.
The planet of Karamel is in disarray and in need of fixing up, which is handy considering our adventurer has a talking toolbelt. However, regular tools have been banned on the planet, so Vix and Tin had better get smart and find some replacement tools.
Puzzles abound
Puzzles abound in FixFox as the duo set out to help the friendly and quirky locals, from friendly robots to feuding faction members, all with problems they need help solving. Better get your thinking cap on and think outside the box as solving puzzles requires some unusual tools. For instance, in one of the puzzles, I had an electrical problem and needed potassium added to help fix the problem.
I had picked up a couple of coins, a lettuce and tomato sandwich and a banana in my item bag. Banana contains potassium, I thought, let’s use it and see what happens, and low and behold, it was the correct choice.
Think outside the Box
I like puzzles that are different from the normal puzzle games and make you think outside the box. Fixfox is full of them.
You’ll use items you find as unconventional tools, like toothbrushes, bananas, and bottles of apple juice. Any items you find must be identified by the Oracle, which adds a new name to the item like renaming a bandaid I found as tape.
Exploration
Exploration, puzzles, crafting and repairs, and relationships are key components of Fixfox. So it pays to look around and search every corner of the planet and talk to all the friendly locals to get clues.
You’ll also discover hidden stashes left by pirates, repair friendly household appliances, and sample tasty local delicacies. One of the local delicates I sampled was some soup; I love how the action of eating is performed in the game; it is very lifelike.
Pixel-art Graphics
Environments range from farmland and space to snow-covered woods. You can freely explore Karamel on foot or climb on Vix’s scooter and clear a path of obstacles with a hefty power loader.
FixFox is distinctly retro in style with pixel-art graphics and a top-down view for the player. When I was playing the game, I thought it would have been nice to see Vix from a different perspective than the top of her head. There are cheerful chiptunes to accompany you on your trek.
The game ran quite well for it being a preview code. While I was playing the game, the developers, Renelike, were constantly updating it. So any little hiccups such as frame rate judder should all be ironed out before the game is released.
You can check out the FixFox Steam page here and add it to your Wishlist so you will be reminded of the release of the game on the 31st of March.
The game looks cute. I might check it out when it releases.