Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse

It's not uncommon for children's games to be made halfheartedly. Why bother if the intended audience hasn't seen much and can't really tell if the product isn't very good? But sometimes, a completely different approach is taken, resulting in games that can be enjoyed by adults as well. The latter is the case with Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse.

Plot - 8/10

The story is simple but fun to experience. Freddi and Luther - two fishes and best friends - come to school one morning to find out that some 'ghost' has attacked the other pupils and stolen their toys. They set out to catch the perpetrator and restore justice. To do this, they need to build a trap - but first, they must collect various parts. Which parts? They change in each playthrough, and each has a small and interesting story behind it. And that's basically the whole plot - collect parts to build a trap. Obviously, the game encourages you to play at the very least twice to get the most out of it.

Gameplay - 10/10

The core gameplay is simple. Collect some things in the world and find use for them, to finally get the trap parts. It reminds me a little of hidden object games. But Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse took an interesting approach to a seemingly straightforward concept. Since the game doesn't highlight every interactable object - as that would take away a good chunk of the gameplay - it makes everything interesting to interact with. Tap on a shellfish? It opens, and someone peeks out. A coral? No problem - there might be fish hiding inside. And not just fish. Is that a stone on the ground? Oh, okay, it can turn into an alien computer. Or a TV. Or who knows what else.

This isn't even a complete list of all the possible interactions. Another example - you can paint on the blackboard in the classroom using chalk in different colors, mathematical templates, and even stickers.

Graphics & Visual Design - 8/10

Despite being released in 1996, Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse still looks great - for the most part. A good chunk of graphics is indistinguishable from any modern games of the similar genre, and the visual design is consistent as well as beautiful. The only problem is - the game lacks resolution because of its age. I'm not sure how it works, but large portions of the background can easily be seen as pixels of an unidentifiable origin - while everything else around them looks crisp and sparkling.

Soundtrack - 8/10

The game's music is lively and dance-inducing. Especially the songs you can request from different characters - at which point Freddi and Luther start dancing along. A funny and comforting sight.

Atmosphere - 10/10

Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse does a great job of making you feel like a kid fish detective. It's reminiscent of simple yet captivating cartoons like Scooby-Doo and DuckTales. 

Verdict - 9/10

This game can be completed in about an hour, but it's packed with positive emotions. If you're looking for deep plots or something more 'grown-up', it won't work for you. Otherwise, it's a perfect underwater escape with enticing characters and interesting places to visit.