CreaVures is a Puzzle Platformer by Muse Games, where you play as five 'CreaVures' (controlling two in tandem), each with a unique ability that helps them to traverse the environment. The game was released for PC and Mac in 2011, and ported to iOS in 2012. It had a Kickstarter in February 2011, but the game was already essentially finished by then, and they only asked for $3000 (and received $5,334) to help it launch.
The story is as follows: Much has changed in recent memory. The forest’s swirling light, once plentiful, is now cast so thin you can barely see through the darkness. The symphonic night has gone quiet, save a lone voice: the forest is calling. It needs your help. You know what must be done, how to save your mother forest. Will you? Go gather the others. They are waiting for you. Together you must venture deep into the forest, to bring her back from the brink.
Hurry, before the light is lost!
This game provides examples of:
- Background Boss: Both bosses: the Trout-creature in the swamp, and the Falcon Elm. Interestingly though, you never actually attack them.
- Bioluminescence Is Cool: The Game!
- Death Is a Slap on the Wrist: Checkpoints are frequent, so little progress is lost.
- Floating Platforms: Giant dragonflies fulfil this role here.
- Flunky Boss: Every so-often, the Falcon Elm will summon a few birds.
- Fungus Humongous: There are present during the cave level.
- Glowing Eyes: Practically every character in the games possesses eyes that glow a serene white.
- Goomba Springboard: Giant, yet friendly beetles essentially act as moving platforms on land.
- The Lost Woods: The game is mainly set in a wood at night-time, where seemingly every other plant is capable of purple bioluminescence.
- Meaningful Name: All the CreaVures names are based on their ability: Bitey, Pokey, Zappy, Rolly, and Glidey.
- Not Quite Flight: Glidey the bat-like creature can glide.
- Planimal: The Falcon Elm
- Rolling Attack: How Rolly wards off aggressive creatures.
- Scenery Porn: Man, the forest sure is pretty! The bioluminescent purple light contrasted against the night's darkness certainly makes for a rather unique experience.
- Shock and Awe: Zappy’s main schtick.
- Spike Shooter: Pokey the porcupine is an expert at shooting purple quills.
- Shout-Out: One of the achievements is called "My Neighbour Trout-oro", and another is "Can't Let You Do That Falcon Elm!"
- Teamwork Puzzle Game: You need to regularly switch between the animals in order to deploy their unique abilities at the right time and in the right order.
- Underground Level: The Caves.
- White-and-Grey Morality: Arguably. Early on it's stated that the other creatures in the forest are only acting aggressively because of the loss of light, and the two bosses seem more territorial than anything else.