History VideoGame / SwimIkachan

''Swim, Ikachan!'' is an exploration platformer with RPG elements made by Creator/StudioPixel, who would go on to create ''VideoGame/CaveStory''. The game is often cited as a 'practice' by Pixel in preparation for the aforementioned ''Cave Story''.

In this game you are Ikachan, a young squid who lives in an underwater society constantly ravaged by earthquakes and facing a food shortage problem. He must explore the world, gain powerups, eat fish, and eventually face off against the tyrannical ruler Ironhead.

The game can be found [[http://tinsanity.net/ikachan/ here]]. It has also been released on the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS eShop.

There's also an Ikachan microgame available for download for those who own ''VideoGame/WarioWare: DIY''.
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!Tropes found in this game:
* BigBad: Ironhead. [[spoiler:But {{subverted}} in that he's not really evil, just very concerned about him and his people being cut off from the rest of the sea.]]
* BigEater: Carry, which presents a problem with the food shortage going on.
* BrokenBridge: Some parts of the cave are inaccessible until you talk to the right people, at which point a couple earthquakes will open up the paths needed to continue.
* TheCameo: Ironhead would later appear in ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' as a boss aided by an army of Porcupine Fish, and if you beat him without getting hit, Ikachan shows up and you get an item that alludes to the game's ending. In a less visible way, the game also features an early version of ''Cave Story'''s engine.
* CoolMask: Ironhead's mask, hence his name.
* TheDragon: Carry, Ironhead's bodyguard.
* EventFlag: Earthquakes are triggered by dialog. However, they're delayed until you complete conversations with some other people.
* EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods: The protagonist, of course.
* FakeLongevity: Averted; It's not very long, and you can beat it in just over an hour.
* {{Metroidvania}}: Like ''Cave Story'', this game's progression is based on finding equipment and using it to overcome obstacles. The game world is one large area, with separations being either a BrokenBridge or an obstacle that can only be overcome with an item or ability.
* MisterDescriptor: Ikachan's name, translated from Japanese to English, comes out simply as "Mr. Squid".
* RPGElements: Collecting fish and killing enemies grants XP, which increases your maximum health and allows you to attack stronger opponents. It doesn't provide bonus damage.
* SchmuckBait: There's a chamber full of fish that comes with a sign "Curiosity killed the cat". Indeed, the moment you enter this chamber, the entrance closes. Since the new barrier is unbreakable without ability to thrust sideways, you will be left to die on a(n in)conveniently placed spike-bed.
* SpaceIsAnOcean: {{Invoked}} in the ending. [[spoiler:Once Ikachan and company escape the cave, they find themselves in outer space, yet still thinking that there could be (sea)food out there.]]
* TakeYourTime: Even when [[spoiler: the big, cave-crushing quake hits]] just as you've taken the last person save Ironhead into [[spoiler:your spaceship]], you can still twiddle your thumbs and nothing will happen.
* UnderTheSea
* WorthyOpponent: Ironhead considers Ikachan this after being defeated by him.
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There's also an Ikachan microgame available for download for those who own ''WarioWare: DIY''.

The game can be found [[http://tinsanity.net/ikachan/ here]]. It has also been released on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

* TheCameo: Ironhead would later appear in ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' as a boss aided by an army of Porcupine Fish, and if you beat him without getting hit, Ikachan shows up and you get an item that alludes to the game's ending. In a less visible way, the game also features an early version of Cave Story's engine.

* Metroidvania: Like Cave Story, this game's progression is based on finding equipment and using it to overcome obstacles. The game world is one large area, with separations being either a BrokenBridge or an obstacle that can only be overcome with an item or ability.

* TheCameo: Ironhead would later appear in ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' as a boss aided by an army of Porcupine Fish, and if you beat him without getting hit, Ikachan shows up and you get an item that alludes to the game's ending. In a less visible way, the game also features an early version of CS's engine.

* EventFlag: Earthquakes are triggered by dialog. However, they're delayed until you complete converstaions with some other people.

* RPGElements: Collecting fish and killing enemies grants XP, which increases your maximum health. It doesn't provide additional damage, but allows you to attack stronger opponents.
* SchmuckBait: There's a chamber full of fish that comes with a sign "Curiosity killed the cat". Indeed, trying to enter this chamber will shut the entrance and should you come without ability to thrust sideways, you will be left to die on a(n in)conveniently placed spike-bed.

* PufferFish: One of the food items that Carry has you {{fetch| quest}} him is a [[CallARabbitASmeerp globefish]] platter. Sure enough, when he eats it, he gets poisoned and has to relieve himself of his bodyguard duty.

''Swim, Ikachan!'' is an exploration platformer with RPG elements made by Creator/StudioPixel, who would indeed go on to create his MagnumOpus ''VideoGame/CaveStory''. The game is often cited as a 'practice' by Pixel in preparation for the aforementioned ''Cave Story''.

''Swim, Ikachan!'' is an exploration platformer with RPG elements made by StudioPixel, who would indeed go on to create his MagnumOpus ''VideoGame/CaveStory''. The game is often cited as a 'practice' by Pixel in preparation for the aforementioned ''Cave Story''.

* MismatchedEyes: Ironhead.

* TheCameo: Ikachan and Ironhead would later appear in ''VideoGame/CaveStory''. In a less visible way, the game also features an early version of CS's engine.

The game can be found [[http://tinsanity.net/ikachan/ here]].

There's also an Ikachan microgame available for download for those who own WarioWare: DIY.

In this game you are Ikachan, a young squid who lives in an underwater society constantly ravaged by earthquakes and facing a food shortage problem. He must explore the world, gain powerups, eat fish, and eventually face off against the tyrannical ruler Ironhead.

* TheDragon: Carry, Ironhead's bodyguard.

* LetsPlay: There's [[http://everything.raocow.com/game.php?id=92 one]] by {{Raocow}}.

* RPGElements