iji

Iji is a freeware 2D sci-fi action-platformer released in 2008, developed by Swedish indie designer Daniel Remar. The game follows Iji Kimura, a young woman who awakens aboard a remote research facility during an escalating alien invasion. The story unfolds through in-game dialogue and cutscenes, and the player’s choices shape the outcome, including multiple endings.

Gameplay blends platforming with shooting, puzzle-solving, and stealth. Players navigate a large station, acquire and upgrade weapons and abilities, and decide how to treat enemies and civilians. The branching narrative is driven by moral decisions, such as whether to spare or kill adversaries, rescue or abandon survivors, and whether to assist rival factions. These choices influence faction relations, available missions, and endings.

Development and release: Iji was created primarily by Daniel Remar and released as freeware for Windows, with later ports to macOS and Linux. It was built in the GameMaker engine, a popular tool for indie developers at the time. The game is noted for its ambitious scope, non-linear storytelling, and the integration of ethical choices into the core gameplay.

Reception and legacy: Critics and players praised Iji for its mature themes, atmosphere, and narrative depth, particularly its branching endings and character-driven storytelling. Some criticisms included repetitive combat and uneven pacing. Iji remains regarded as a pioneering example of a narrative-driven indie action game and influenced later developers exploring choice-driven gameplay in 2D action-platformers.