Resquid

Sometimes shooting, stabbing, burning, shocking and freezing random enemies just doesn't cut it anymore, and you may want to be the hero without having to resort to any form of violence.  If that is what you seek, then you're already looking for something more casual and light-hearted to play, while still providing you with enough of a challenge to keep you interested. One title that fits both criteria perfectly would beResquid, a cutesy 2D side scroller that gives the term "shoot'em up" a whole new meaning.

The premise of the game is rather, yet heartwarming; you are a squid, and your job is to save as many other squids from the dreaded Kraken that is going to eat you all. You do this by creating bubbles to trap the stationary squidlings, and then push them up towards the light (and apparent safety). The bubbles can be big enough to encompass more than just one squid, and you have to do everything as fast as possible, since you'll be on the move, with the Kraken close on your tail (or tentacles).

The game adds an extra layer of difficulty in that whenever the Kraken gets a hold of a squid you failed to save; your playing field will become narrower and narrower, thus also limiting your range of movement. This makes it so that if you do manage to lose squids, it will most likely mean the beginning of the end since the game will get harder due to your now reduced mobility.

Resquid surprises us with a premise never quite seen before in other games, and the fact that it gives a new meaning to the term "shoot'em up" is nothing but a bonus.