Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Fish Fillets II builds on its predecessor’s clever puzzle mechanics, inviting players to guide Agents Tina Guppy and Max Flounder through 112 intricately designed levels. Each stage challenges you to rearrange crates, move steel beams, and manipulate underwater environments so both fish can reach the exit safely. The core appeal lies in the cooperative interplay between Tina’s small stature and Max’s brute strength: Tina slips through narrow tunnels that are impossible for her partner, while Max hefts heavy objects out of the way.

New to the sequel is the ability for characters to carry objects while swimming downwards and even to pass items over each other’s backs. This addition deepens the strategic possibilities, as you must now think in three dimensions: will you lift a block while ascending or descend with a crate to clear a submerged passage? The joystick-and-click controls remain intuitive, though the sheer variety of interactive elements—cranks, submerged wheels, and breakable barriers—ensures that every level feels fresh.

Riddled with occasional trial-and-error moments, Fish Fillets II rewards patience and lateral thinking. When a heavy steel plate threatens to crush your characters, you’ll need to pause and map out each move, anticipating how one shift may open a new path or trap you indefinitely. Thankfully, the branched level structure prevents frustration from spiraling: if you find yourself stuck, you can pivot to an alternate corridor and continue your mission without losing momentum.

Collectible starfish add an extra layer of motivation. Scattered across the labyrinthine stages, these glimmering treasures grant access to bonus picture puzzles, behind-the-scenes videos, and secret rooms. As you accumulate starfish, you also earn the “Joker feature,” allowing you to skip an especially thorny level—perfect for casual puzzlers or players keen to experience the full narrative without gridlock.

Graphics

The visual charm of The Fish Fillets II stems from its hand-drawn backgrounds and detailed sprite work. Every level presents a unique aquatic environment, from sun-dappled shipwreck corridors to shadowy undersea caverns brimming with coral formations. The color palette is both vivid and varied, using warm golds in sandy areas and deep blues in the abyssal trenches, making navigation intuitive through consistent color cues.

Character animations are subtle but effective. Tina Guppy’s tiny fins flutter convincingly as she darts through tight gaps, while Max Flounder’s bulk makes every lift and push feel weighty. Object interactions—such as the satisfying clang of steel beams or the creak of wooden planks—are accentuated by crisp sound effects that complement the visuals without overwhelming the senses.

Despite being a 2D puzzle game, the sequel employs clever layering to give a sense of depth: foreground elements like swaying seaweed partially obscure the action, while background layers feature parallax scrolling that shifts smoothly as you pan the camera. This approach enhances immersion and reminds players that there’s more to explore beyond the immediate puzzle area.

Bonus screens, unlocked via starfish, display polished concept art and animated cutscenes that enrich the game’s atmosphere. Though simple, these vignettes reinforce the game’s quirky tone and reward diligent explorers with behind-the-scenes glimpses of the developers’ creative process.

Story

In this whimsical sequel, our heroes—Agent Tina Guppy, a petite golden fish, and Max Flounder, a robust blue fish—must rescue Virgil Crab, the younger brother of King Crab, a millionaire businessman turned rap star. Virgil’s kidnapping sets the stage for a high-stakes underwater caper, with the notorious serial killer Jack the Fisher standing as the prime suspect. It’s an amusing premise that never takes itself too seriously, but strikes the perfect balance between intrigue and lighthearted fun.

Traversing beneath sunken piers, abandoned oil rigs, and secret research labs, the pair uncover clues that deepen the mystery around Jack the Fisher’s motives. Along the way, six new NPC characters lend assistance—some offer helpful hints, others challenge you with riddles, and a few provide essential tools to advance. Each encounter enriches the narrative tapestry, weaving humor and suspense into the puzzle-solving experience.

Despite limited dialogue, the game conveys its story through environmental storytelling and simple animations. A drifting note here, a bloodstain on a metal plate there, or the scuttling silhouette of a hermit crab in the background all hint at Jack’s sinister activities. This minimalist approach sparks the player’s imagination, encouraging them to piece together the story as they maneuver through each stage.

In true branching-path fashion, uncovering alternate routes often reveals hidden story fragments—secret corridors marked by starfish that illuminate Jack’s backstory or reveal Virgil’s own daring attempts at escape. These additional scenes enrich the main narrative and make every starfish collected feel narratively significant, not just a collectible token.

Overall Experience

The Fish Fillets II strikes a harmonious balance between brain-teasing puzzles, charming visuals, and an engaging narrative. Its 112-level campaign offers hours of exploration and mental gymnastics, and the branched structure ensures that no single dead end will stall your progress indefinitely. Whether you’re a die-hard puzzle enthusiast or a casual gamer seeking a mellow adventure, the game adjusts to your pace.

Starfish-driven bonuses and the Joker skip feature add layers of accessibility and replayability. Ideal for players who relish completing every secret room or those who simply want to experience the story without excessive backtracking, these mechanics cater to diverse playstyles. The ability to sidestep particularly challenging puzzles ensures the game remains enjoyable rather than punishing.

Presented with thoughtful audio design, a light-hearted soundtrack, and a consistent thematic throughline, Fish Fillets II feels like a polished indie gem that deserves a spot in any puzzle lover’s library. The cooperative dynamic between Tina and Max is as fresh as ever, and the sequel’s new mechanics breathe life into a familiar formula without overcomplicating it.

In the end, The Fish Fillets II delivers a satisfying suite of underwater puzzles, a charmingly offbeat storyline, and a world rich in detail. For anyone seeking a clever, relaxed, and slightly quirky gaming experience, this sequel is well worth exploring. Dive in, collect those starfish, and see if you can outsmart Jack the Fisher to rescue Virgil Crab once and for all.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10