Harold Halibut invites players into a captivating narrative set aboard a city-sized spaceship now submerged in an alien ocean. This ark-like vessel fled Earth’s brink of a cold war 250 years ago, seeking a new habitable world for humanity’s survival. Players take on the role of Harold, a youthful lab assistant to the ship’s lead scientist, Jeanne Mareaux. While many aboard have resigned themselves to life on this sunken vessel, Mareaux persists in her quest to relocate it to a drier, more hospitable environment.
Amidst the daily bustle and diverse characters of the FEDORA I, Harold finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue and discovery. His routine tasks are suddenly disrupted by an unexpected event, thrusting him into an extraordinary journey that holds profound implications for Mareaux’s ambitious plans to relaunch the ship. As players delve deeper into the game, they unravel the mysteries of this vibrant retro-future world alongside Harold, exploring themes of friendship, resilience, and the quest for belonging—a journey that promises to redefine the very concept of home.
Overview
Harold is a technician on the spaceship, responsible for various maintenance tasks to keep the vessel operational. The spaceship has been stranded in the alien ocean for decades, and the crew’s hope for returning home is fading. As Harold goes about his daily routines, he starts uncovering secrets about the ship’s origins, the reasons for its journey, and the mysteries of the alien ocean.
Features
- Handcrafted Visuals: Everything in Harold Halibut looks like real models because it’s all made by hand using special techniques, making the game look unique and charming.
- Voice Acting: The characters in the game speak in English, making the story feel more like a movie with their voices bringing the game world to life.
- Diverse Characters: You’ll meet many different characters in the game, each with their own personalities and stories that you can learn about by talking to them.
- Exciting Storyline: Harold Halibut has an interesting and engaging story that combines drama, humor, and suspense, keeping you entertained as you explore the game world.
Protagonist
The protagonist is Harold Halibut, a human-like character who is not actually human but rather an aquatic species evolved to resemble humans.
Setting
The game is set on a vast spaceship, which serves as humanity’s last refuge after leaving a dying Earth. This spaceship is entirely underwater, creating a fascinating environment where life has adapted to this aquatic existence.
Themes
Friendship and camaraderie play a significant role as Harold interacts with other crew members, forming bonds and alliances. Exploration and discovery drive the narrative, with Harold venturing into uncharted territories within the ship and the ocean depths.
Gameplay
Players control Harold as he navigates the spaceship, interacts with characters, solves puzzles, and unravels the overarching mystery. The gameplay combines adventure, exploration, puzzle-solving, and story-driven elements to create an immersive experience.
Visuals and Design
One of the game’s standout features is its handmade art style, with every detail meticulously crafted and animated by hand. The visuals blend realistic environments with a touch of whimsy, adding to the game’s unique charm and atmosphere.
Emotional Depth
Beyond its sci-fi setting, “Harold Halibut” delves into deeper themes of identity, purpose, and the human (or humanoid) experience in the face of adversity and uncertainty. The narrative unfolds in a way that prompts players to contemplate the meaning of life, friendship, and the choices we make in challenging situations.
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Story
Harold lived in Fedora 1, a futuristic city where everything was regulated, even down to the color of credits needed for tube travel. He had a habit of getting into minor troubles, like forgetting to top up his tube card with the correct credits. One day, while he was at the Fine Secretary’s office trying to sort out his unpaid fine, Major approached him about his tube card management.
Major scolded Harold for not following the new credit regulations for tube travel, which had recently changed from green to blue credits for onward journeys to the social district. Harold tried to explain that he had made an honest mistake, but Major insisted on taking him to settle the fine.
As they were about to leave, an announcement interrupted them, calling all inhabitants of Fedora 1 to gather at the Agora theater for important information. Harold was intrigued but had to follow Major to settle his fine first.
At the Fine Secretary’s office, Harold’s ticket home was paid for by Mrs. Vanard, a kind gesture since Harold couldn’t settle his fine immediately. Mrs. Vanard reminded Harold to be more responsible with his tube card management in the future.
Afterward, Harold rushed to the lab where he worked as an assistant to Professor, a scientist working on various projects related to the environment and space exploration. Professor tasked Harold with checking on the filter station and feeding the fish in the lab’s aquarium.
While at the lab, Harold interacted with Sai, another lab assistant, who was experimenting with creating new fish food. Sai was passionate about his work and shared his ideas about improving fish nutrition with Harold.
Later, Harold encountered Tommy, a shop owner, who was feeling down about personal issues. Tommy confided in Harold about his relationship problems with his wife, Bridget, and Harold offered some supportive words.
