#0025 Qix

Okay, today we're looking at Qix (is it pronounceed Quix? Or maybe Kix?) a fun little puzzle, or maybe action game, I don't know, it's genre is classified as “Qix”, so take that as you will. The game was developed by by Space Invaders fame Taito.

Okay, so before I describe this game to you, everyone should go play this, just so you can know what I'm actually talking about. Don't worry, I'm still going to describe the game, but this game is so different from anything that has come before or after it, it's best just to play it for yourself so that you can actually see what I'm talking about. You can play a fairly accurate flash version here.

Okay, did everyone play this game? No, Just me? Alright, I'll try and explain it, but be prepared to get confused.

In this game you play as a small diamond who transverses outer edge of the screen. Your goal is to “claim” at least 75% of the playing field. At the start of the game, the entire playing field is a large empty rectangle containing the Qix, a Windows 98 screens saver that makes beautiful, graceful, delicate, smooth rage inducing sweeps across the screen within the confines of the active playing field. You must claim as much area of the screen as possible by drawing lines that divide said playing field. Whenever you complete a closed shape, the captured area (whichever side does not contain the Qix) becomes solid. You must capture at least 75% of the playing field to move on to the next level. If the Qix touches an incomplete line, you lose a life. If you get touched by a “spark” which are small enemies that transverse the outer edge of the active playing field you lose a life. If you stop in the middle of making a line a “fuse” starts to chase you up your incomplete line. If the fuse touches you, earn 1,000,000 points and are rewarded a crown for being the greatest gamer of all time. No I'm kidding, you lose a life.

This game... Is probably one of the most frustrating games I have played since Lunar Lander. The sounds are kind of creepy, the graphics and colors are functional, and easy on the eyes, but still very rudimentary, the Qix would be cool looking if it wasn't out for my blood. The game is all about strategy and waiting for just the right moment to try and make your weird looking box thing but you can't take your time and plan your strategy because you're constantly being hunted by the hotheads from Super Mario World. Every time I try to divide the screen by any significant amount, just as I'm a millimeter away from the edge to complete the shape the Qix will immediately leave it's tiny little corner it stayed for most of the game and shoot over to my beautiful incomplete line as if I were doing some sort of geometric mating dance. The Qix then laughed at me saying, “What, you didn't think it would be that easy did you”. Effectively killing my dreams. This game is frustrating, and unfair, and sadistic, and made me want to throw my keyboard off a 30 story building and I can't stop playing it.

Yes, for all the flack I've given it, I can't deny that it is actually really addicting and honestly a different experience from anything I've ever played before. And in an age (80's) where 60% of the market is flooded with Space Invaders clones. Anything different, no matter how frustrating is refreshing. I'll even go as far as to call it fun as long as you're a masochist, because while yes, the game is hard, and irritating, finally imprisoning that stupid vector that humiliated you so many times is very rewarding. The game is nearly impossible to describe to anyone who has not played it, and I'm actually curious as to how this was pitched to the producers back then,

“This game is about drawing lines, you have to draw lines across the screen while not getting hit by other lines before your line can be drawn.”

“Does it have explosions?”

“When you die you turn into little ripples across the screen”

“Does it take place in Space?”

“It doesn't have any setting”

“Does it have cute chiptunes?”

“It has creepy ultra low bass vibrations.”

“Is it about killing aliens?”

“it's about math”

“Sounds like a hit, put it into production immediately, I want this in arcades before summer break starts.”

While it doesn't sound like a classic on paper, and I can't recommend it for purchase, I at feel that you should go play it if only because it's unlike anything you've ever played before. And that's not something that happens very often in the video game industry.

Oh, and this marks the 25^th game I've played from the list! Only 976 to go!

Up Next: Scramble