FATHOM
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Developers	Adam Saltsman
Released	2009
Genre	Action
Modes	Single player
Platforms	Flash
Input	Keyboard
Website	homepage

FATHOM is a Flash game by Adam "Atomic" Saltsman, made with Flixel.

GameplayEdit

FATHOM starts as a 2D action game with the player controlling a soldier. After running and gunning through some nearly harmless robots, the player encounters an undefeatable boss. Inevitably, the player will fall and end up underwater. From here, the player can use their gun to propel themselves and light deep, dark areas while they explore.

ReceptionEdit

The game is notable for beginning the game one way, leading to a series of expectations, and then, after the player loses (or dies) to a boss, slowing down, changing the control scheme, and removing most of the action in favor of exploration. The contrast between these two modes of play if of some controversy; some have said that the first part of the game tricks players, and then the game betrays their expectancies later on. Some critics felt the game was trolling players, whereas others admired the contrast and the cryptic ending. It has been called an art game by some.

TriviaEdit

• FATHOM was the first game made with Flixel, and intended to show off what Flixel can do.
• FATHOM bears no similarity to the original Fathom for the Atari 2600 by Rob Fulop of iMagic, and Adam Atomic never heard of Fathom when making FATHOM, however, both are similar in being considered art games by some, and in having an underwater and overwater part of the game, and totally different control schemes for those two parts of the game.

External linksEdit

• Play it here!