Parasite

Parasite is a platform-adventure game released unofficially on July 11th 2009, and officially on July 13th 2009. The player takes control of a parasitic alien squid creature Throughout the game the player must take control of various creatures of the planet to traverse the terrain also must pass checkpoints and reach the end of the level.

Controls
left right Left and right - Move

up Up - Jump

X key - Destroy possessed creature (if controlling one). If the squid is not controlling a creature, it will pass gas.

Z key - Perform a certain action with possessed creature

Level 1
(Skipping the introduction is possible, like all games). The parasite will hop out of his ship; the player must then go forward. A bunch of trees will come in view. The player must jump on them and climb to the top. The player must go left and a big forest spirit will be seen. The big forest spirit, when walked past, will make a checkpoint (If the parasite is killed he will respawn there). There is another tree near there. The player must jump up on it and walk across it. More trees are there. The player must climb down them and another big forest spirit will be found. Up ahead is a winged cat. The player must jump on it to enslave it (the player must jump only on it's head or it will destroy the parasite). Now it is possible for the parasite to fly. The player must fly up straight and trees will be at the right side. The player must go right and there will be a forest spirit marking the end of the level.

Level 2
The player must move forward and there will be chunks of land and in between pools of water. The player must jump over the water onto the land (for the water will kill the parasite). After that, there are thorns that should be jumped over by the player. Some trees are ahead. At the top of the trees is a winged cat. The player must jump on it and fly to the right side. There are more trees. The player must fly up and a big forest spirit will be encountered. The player must fly to the left and avoid the other cats (for they can kill the parasite's enslaved one and send him to his death). Some spikes appear at the end. The player must fly over them and another big forest spirit is at the end of the level.

Level 3
A winged cat is close by and so is a group of trees. Fly up beside the trees and there will be a small maze of platforms. Manoeuvre the cat around the platforms (thorns cling to some parts of the platforms) and a forest spirit will be next to another winged cat. Fly past him and fly down wards. There many other winged cats flying back and forth. If you get hit by some and the parasited winged cat dies, don't worry: just fall to the bottom. Grab another cat (if it was destroyed) and fly to the right. A barrier of wood is to the right. Fly up and next to a forest spirit is a bear (bears are very useful creatures that can smash barriers and punch enemies). Once it is enslaved smash a barrier to the right by using the z key. Next are some more barriers but they are on the ground. Use the up arrow key to smash it. Another is next then go forward and another bear is there. Use the z key to punch it. After it is defeated smash a barrier. There will be a ledge to high to jump. Press the x key and the bear will self destruct allowing the Parasite to reach the platform. Another bear is near. Jump on it and punch the bear next to it. Destroy another barrier, one last bear, and walk to the last forest spirit to complete the level.

Level 4
Go to the right and there will be a bear. Jump over it to enslave it and destroy a bear that is next to it. Break a barricade and you will find a snail, which can harm you in contact. Snails can not be enslaved, however, by using a bear they can easily be destroyed. Up ahead are many snails. After that there is a forest spirit. To the right are three bears. After defeating them happy gas will be encountered. Happy gas destroys whoever you have enslaved but won't hurt the parasite. Move through it and drop down onto a small platform below. A bear will be encountered. Use him to smash a barricade on the ground. More happy gas will destroy him. There are some some trees and also snails on them. Jump from tree to tree avoiding snails. At the end of the level is a forest spirit. {{Vid|}|audio=u}}

Level 5
In this level the first thing encountered will be thorns. First a flat patch of thorns that can easily be crossed, then a group of thorns that may cause some difficultly to get over. Once that is hopped over a crate will be seen. Climb up a bunch of trees to reach a winged cat. Fly the winged cat down to the place with the crate then press z to pick it up and move it. A object will move and the parasite can now gain access to the rest of the level. A Forest spirit is near by. Fly up a small maze of platforms to find another Forest spirit and a Winged Cat. There is a crate nearby pick it up and bring it down on the snails nearby. Carry the crate over to where some happy gas is (located to the right) and there will be a bear. Use the bear to push the crate and it will hit the side of a place making two objects to rise up allowing the parasite to  go further. Drop down onto a small platform where to one side will be a Forest spirit,and to the other a bear. Make a check mark then enslave the bear. Walk forward and there will be a button. Crush it using the bear. A place will open up. Kill the bear and jump through it. Be very quick though for this on closes faster then normal. Go forward and enslave a Winged cat. Fly right and avoid the rest of the Winged cats. Once a area with two buttons is reached fly to the right or left and fly up. Some trees should be near to the side. At the top of the trees is a crate. It is the same on both sides. Put the crates on the buttons and go below. A forest spirit is marking the end of the level.

Level 6
There will be a bunch of trees near the start of the level. Climb up them and jump onto the floating platform. You will see a new enemy called a Warthog. Jump onto it to enslave it. Now press z to fire deadly goo balls. Use the up and down arrow keys to change the angle in which you fire. Jump down onto a platform below you and fire the goo balls (for there are multitude of snails near by). After destroying the snails move forward and some more trees will be seen. Change the angle so it is pointing up and fire (There are also snails in the trees). Destruct the Warthog for (you can not jump) then climb up the trees. A forest Spirit will be found There is another pig. Jump on it and shoot the rest of the snail on a small clump of trees. Self destruct the Warthog and hop out of the hole. Outside the hole is another pig. Take over him then walk forward. There will be a button. Aim the Warthog's goo at it and a area will open. Shoot it's goo again and take out some snails. After the snails is some happy gas. Drop down to the bottom and a Forest Spirit will be found. Go forward and there will be another Warthog. Enslave it and keep going. Drop down onto another platform and there will be another Warthogs. The same for the next platform. Next is a clump of trees with many snails on them. Destroy them with the Warthog. At the bottom of is a blocked area with two buttons. Shoot a goo ball at them and a Forest Spirit marks the end of the level.

Level 7
In this level head right and you will find a acorn cannon. The acorn cannon will shoot acorns in a medium pace. Work your way through them and a clump of trees will be encountered. Climb up them and more acorn cannons will be found. After going past them you will find a winged cat. Enslave it and another row of cannons will be seen. Go through them if that is desired or by pass it. To by pass it fly up to where some happy gas is. Fly the closets you can get and your cat will be destroyed. And the parasite will land on some platforms and be able to cross safely. There are some more acorn cannons. Jump down and another winged cat will be found. Fly up and around the cannons and a forest Spirit will be encountered. Happy gas is around it and your winged cat will be destroyed. There are some more cannons. Time your jumps to get pass them. Climb up some trees and another Forest spirit will be encountered. After that is a out of order cannon. Jump into it change the angle with the up and down arrow keys then press z to fire. A acorn holding the parasite will be shot. Change it's angle using the up and down keys. That acorn will explode when it hits the happy gas at the end. Another will be found. Don't change the angle, shoot forward. A forest spirit marks the end of the level.

Level 8
Walk forward and a you will see a new kind of enemy called a Beetle. It cannot be enslaved because of its armour. Avoid it and hop from one platform to the other. A cannon will be found. Jump into it and press x to launch yourself. Follow the line of small forest spirits. The acorn will then be destroyed by happy gas. A large forest spirit is near by. Hop into another cannon and fire away. It is okay if you destroy the missile, as there are more cannons near by. At the end of the level is a large forest spirit.

Level 9
Walk to the right and magical moving tree stumps will be encountered. Follow them down till you get to the bottom. Run quickly for a gigantic tree stump will crush you. A smasher squirrel will be encountered. Jump on his head and use the right, left arrow keys to control how fast and what detection the spiked end of the smasher squirrel goes. Use the down arrow key to bring it close in. After destroying all the beetles around him destruct him and move forward. A Warthog will be found. Enslave him and shoot the snail in front. Turn the angle so it faces up then shoot the goo balls up taking out the beetles. There are some trees with snails on them. Use the Warthog to take them out. Don't destroy the Warthog but move onto the moving stump. Once at the top shoot the beetles there and move onto the stumps. Don't destruct the Warthog! Move onto the big stump shoot a beetle and a button to open a door. Jump onto a box and up onto a tree. Jump onto a nearby smasher squirrel and kill all beetles. Destruct him and go to the right and grab a winged cat. Weave under the smasher squirrel grab the bow and fly up. Fly up till a bunch of stumps and spike are near. Go through them and a button will be seen. Put the box on the button and a area will open up with a box. Grab the box in the area and make your way back. Put the box on the right where there is four buttons. Put the box on two of them. Go back for the other and put it on the remaining two. A area will open up with a forest Spirit marking the end of the level.

Level 10
Go right and pass some magically moving logs. In the next area you will find a crusher squirrel. Jump on him and use the right and left arrow keys to move him. Use the down key to crush things. Use him to crush the snail in the area. Move the squirrel to the right then hop off him using x. Climb up some trees avoiding snails. A forest spirit will be found. A bear is near by. Enslave him and punch the beetles. Work your way down then press the up arrow key to do a ground pound and brake some barriers on the ground. A forest spirit is near and happy gas is around it. There is some more magically moving big logs. Weave around them and another crusher squirrel will be encountered. Use him to squash beetles by pushing them against the wall. Move up and to the right to where a small platform stops you from moving to the right. Hop of the squirrel onto the small platform and hop onto one above and across till a area with snails is reached. Grab another crusher squirrel and crush the snails (if you want). Move through the electrical barriers till a button is reached. Rest the squirrel on the button and hop off. A forest spirit marks the end of the level.

Level 11
Hop on a Winged Cat and grab a bee hive using it's tail. Fly down to the left hand side and drop the bee bomb on the snails. A forest spirit is there. Fly through some Happy Gas and find another cat. Near the cat is a forest spirit. Grab a bee hive and drop it on some beetles above. Fly through the gap flooded with happy gas, onto a moving stump. Drop down and keep doing that till three blocks one below the other is found. Jump on those and go down find a cat. Pick up a bee hive and drop it to kill the beetles near the area. Fly forward and grab the box that is a area with snails. Crush the snail with the box and drop it on a button to open a area. Go into the area then the drag the box in to the area. Fly with the box through the maze of thorns till you find a button. Put the box on it then go back and get a bee hive. Fly through the maze and drop the bee hive on the beetles in the maze. A forest spirit marks the end of the level.

Level 12
In this level a enemy called the space bee will be encountered. Space bees will try to attack when you come close. Get into the out of order cannon and fire. Go to the left side and go through the maze of platforms till a Big forest spirit is found. Get into the out of order cannon and go back to the first area. Jump in the other cannon and go up. Go to the left and another Big forest spirit is found. Jump into the other cannon and go back to the first area. Shoot up and go a bit to the side. Go up a area and another forest spirit is found. Go back to the main area jump into a cannon and fire left. Go up a bit and through another area to find another Big forest spirit. Go back to the main area, jump into the cannon and go left. Keeping going up till a line of small forest spirits is seen. Weave through the small maze till a Big forest spirit is found. After getting all of the five in any order the level will be completed. The ship will come to the Big forest spirit last touched.

Level 13
Level thirteen, unlucky number thirteen. It is probably unlucky because the new can't be enslaved deadly enemy called the armadillo is introduced. The armadillo will roll into a ball and roll towards you quickly. Jump over it and onto a place it cant reach. Work your way up and pass armadillos and a Big forest spirit will be encountered. Two armadillos are on the next platform. Jump over them and keep going. The next platform also has two. After clearing that a Big forest spirit will be encountered. Next are several armadillos on a platform but there is gaps in between. After passing that a Big Forest Spirit will be encountered. Some moving stumps are encountered. Just like the armadillo part crawl onto one and when it gets high jump onto the lower one (The moving stumps o when one gets high the lower one is like a gap). Do that till you find a platform. Move onto the stumps till a area with a bear is reached. Enslave him then move onto the stumps. Smash any barriers that block the bear from moving. When the bear gets back to that area ground pound. Drop onto a lower platform and punch a armadillo three times to destroy it. The rest of the platforms are like that. The last platform will have a armadillo. Punch it to destroy it. Destroy a barrier and move forward onto a barrier three quarters underwater. Stand on it then destruct the bear reaching the last Big Forest spirit.

Level 14
Go left and avoid the acorn cannon timing your jumps. Grab a winged cat and fly up to get a Big Forest spirit. Fly back to the first area. Fly up and some Elite winged cats appear. Elite Winged Cats cannot be enslaved. Fly up and a Big Forest spirit appears. After that fly back down and go right avoid the cannons. Fly up and a Big Forest Spirit will be found. Grab another cat (If the parasites one was destroyed). Weave through more Elite Winged Cats and drop down A Big Forest Spirit will be found. Fly up and go forward avoiding Elite Winged Cats till a Big Forest Spirit is found. That marks the end of the level.

Level 15
Go forward and the next drop be careful for their is a warthog that shoots goo balls frequently. Grab the pig and drop down onto the platform. A armadillo will appear. Shoot three goo balls to destroy it. Go to the side an get onto a moving stump. Shoot any beetles then walk onto the next platform and aim the goo balls up. This will take out more beetles in the air. Destruct the Warthog up and jump onto a cat. Grab the box beside the cat and fly up. Keep flying up till two moving stumps and happy gas are found. Drop the crate onto the stumps and move onto a stump. The cat will explode and the box will fall of onto a button. Go get a bear and push the crate to the left side where a big forest spirit is. Drop down and get another bear. Punch the box and then ground pound on some barriers. Go right and destroy a bunch of snails. Destruct the bear and go right and back up to the top. Grab the other bear and ground pound again on another bunch of barriers. Punch the box again and ground pound to brake some more barriers. Once down put the bear underneath some small trees and jump up to the top. Go right and back down to the another bear. Drop down and punch the box again. Drop down and punch the box into a hole. Go back up, grab a bear, drop down two times and punch some more barriers. a new area can now be accessed. Find a cat and take it. Fly back to the area with the barriers and grab the box. Fly to another moving stump and put the box on it. Go through the happy gas and grab another cat. Grab the box and put it on another stump. Go to the other side and grab the box again. Go to the left and put the box on another stump that is moving up. Jump up ahead of the stump and grab a bear that is near by.Punch the box and it will hit a switch allowing the parasite to gain access to another area. Jump up onto some trees and grab a warthog. Go forward and shoot some snails that are on platforms. Work your way down and on the last platform shoot two armadillos. Grab a bear and walk to the left. Smash some barriers and go back. Grab a cat and go pick up the box near the barriers. Fly back and up till a button is found. Place the box on the button and a area will open up with a Big Forest Spirit marking the end of the level.

Level 16
Go to the left and jump in a cannon. Shoot a button to the side to open a area. Get back in the cannon and shoot up. Follow the line of small forest spirits till a area with a big forest spirit is reached. Jump into another cannon on the right side. Follow the line of small forest spirits again and hit a button. The parasite will fall down onto a platform with a cannon on it's side. Jump into the cannon and angle it so it points up. It will hit a button in the process and will send you up past the other button you hit into a place with a big forest spirit. After getting The big forest spirit jump into another cannon and go back to the bottom. Jump in a cannon and go around the platform and a big forest spirit will be found. Jump into the cannon on the side. Fire then follow a line of forest spirits. Avoid two moving stumps and hit a button on the side of a wall. The parasite will fall into a cannon. Shoot up and into the new area. A big Forest spirit will be found. Jump into another cannon on the left wall. Shoot forward and follow the green arrow that should point to another forest spirit. Jump into a cannon on the right side and shoot up. Follow the green arrow and avoid some moving stumps at the top.Do not go into the open area but up and around. Go through a area to the right where some beetles are. Hit a button and the parasite will fall to the ground and area will be opened. Jump into another cannon and go through the area. Up, on top of a platform is another big forest spirit. Go back to where there is a opening and fall onto the moving stumps. They will take the parasite to another cannon. Jump into it. Follow the green arrow till a wall is reached. Go up and around till a button is found. Press it and the parasite will fall into the cannon below it. Go up and into the area and the last forest spirit is found marking the end of the level.

Level 17
Go left and grab a Warthog. Aim the goo balls up and shoot up (This will get rid of some space bees in the air. After doing that destruct the pig and grab a winged cat. Fly to the very top then go left. Avoid some space bees and reach the top where some beetles are. Go through them and likely the cat will be destroyed. A big forest spirit is nearby. Grab it quickly and be careful for two armadillos are near by. Move to the end and a bear will be found. Enslave it then go right. Break some barriers and move to the right. Happy gas will destroy the bear but there is another down below. Grab that bear and break more barriers working your way to the left. More happy gas is below and another bear. Go right and the bear will land on a platform with a armadillo. Destroy or evade the armadillo and drop onto another platform with another armadillo. Break some more barriers on the ground dropping onto another platform with a Big forest spirit. Go right and destruct the bear. Go past some large moving stumps quickly or the parasite will be killed. At the end of the area with the large moving stumps is two small moving stumps side by side. Jump on top of it and more will appear. Be very careful and walk onto another moving stumps when it comes close or else the parasite will be killed. Once all of the moving stumps have been passed a big forest spirit will be to the left. After getting the forest spirit go right and grab a winged cat. Go down through the moving stumps. After clearing the moving stumps a forest spirit can be found to the right. Destruct the cat and go to the right. Drop down a hole and there will be two moving logs. To by pass them stay in the place where the parasite can jump. When the log comes jump up and the parasite will land on it. Get off of it and go walk behind it. Then when another area where the logs switch jump and the parasite will land uncrushed. Jump and let the other log pass then walk forward and drop down another hole. The same thing will happen three times. On the third time the parasite will drop down onto a platform. Go right and a big forest spirit marks the end of the level.

Level 18
Go forward and enslave a Bear. Make it smash some beetles and three bears. Some barriers will be found. Smash them then ground pound. The Bear will fall onto a platform. Go to the left and a Big Forest Spirit will be found. Kill two Bears in front and go through four acorn cannons. Destroy some more barriers and ground pound. The bear will land on a platform next to a Forest Spirit. After touching the Forest Spirit grab a Winged Cat. Go to the left and grab a crate. Fly around and kill any snails on crates (Caution for if any snails touch a Pig that is near, it will be killed and it will be impossible to complete the level). Grab the crates and put them in the water close to the Pig making a bridge. Enslave the Pig and walk across the bridge. Two moving stumps will come. Get the Pig on it. As the stumps move up shoot any snails on the trees. After destroying all snails, destruct the Pig and jump onto the trees. Climb up the trees and a Big Forest Spirit will be found. Go right and avoid any snails. Go up and another Pig will be found on a platform. Use the Pig to destroy any pesky snail that get in the way. Getting to the ground some large moving stumps appear. Destroy the pig and go through them timing the Parasites movements. At the end of the stumps is a Big Forest Spirit. Grab a Bear that is next to it and jump on to moving stumps. Smash any barriers. Once the top is reached jump into a cannon. U-turn and go through the passage to the right. Above is a brown button. Hit it then touch a Big forest spirit. Go back and grab a Cat. Grab a crate and fly through the passage and put it on a yellow button. Fly back down to the bottom and grab another Bear. The area that was previously blocked will now be opened. Use the bear to destroy any beetles, armadillos and a space bee. A Big Forest Spirit marks the end of the level.

Level 19
Jump into a cannon and go up. Follow the green arrow till a Big Forest Spirit is reached. A cannon should be directly above it. Hop into it and shoot up. Then go to the left. Another Big Forest Spirit should be seen. After grabbing that jump into another cannon below and U-turn around. Go up and strait. Then turn up and follow the pathway that should lead to a Big Forest Spirit. Jump into another cannon. Go up and into a area where acorn cannons are being fired. Go down and follow the green arrow to another Big Forest Spirit. Jump into the cannon beside the check point. Fire up and be careful for it is a maze of spikes. Up above is a platform, land on it. Jump onto a winged cat and fly it to the line of happy gas (Be careful of the cannon) it should land on another cat. Keep doing this till some trees is reached. A Big Forest Spirit is on top of them.Climb down and some more cats are seen. Do the same thing as before. The last winged cat should be flown down and another cat will be found. Grab that cat and fly down. A line of acorn shooting cannons will be found. Fly the cat past them and a Big Forest Spirit will be found marking the end of the level.

Interactive Objects

 * Out-Of-Order Cannons - These let the player fly around on an acorn using the right and left keys to steer. Also it is possible to destroy creatures and press buttons.
 * Acorn (Parasite) - A rocket is simply an acorn that is shot out from an Out-Of-Order Cannon.
 * Big forest spirits These can be touched and 500 points will be gained. Also if the Parasite dies he will be re-spawned at the last Big Forest Spirit he touched.

Creatures susceptible to enslavement
Some creatures seen in Parasite can be possessed by the alien for their special abilities.


 * Winged Cat - Winged Cats are cat-like creatures with four pink butterfly wings. Once turned into a slave, a Winged Cat can help the player fly to high places and also carry things with their tails.
 * Bear - Bears are large blue bear-like creatures that are super-strong. Once enslaved, it can be used as heavy weight, can break wooden barriers, and punch enemies.
 * Warthog - Warthogs are pig-like creatures that can shoot goo-balls. Once turned into a slave, Warthogs can be used to shoot enemies with deadly goo-balls. Also its goo balls bounce of walls and can press buttons. However, it cannot jump.
 * Smasher Squirrel - Smasher Squirrels are squirrel-like creatures that ride in machines with a large spiky controllable ball; when enslaved, it is the ball you control. Use the left or right arrow keys to change direction and increase the speed it spins. Use the down arrow key to bring the ball in for closer range.
 * Crusher Squirrel - Squirrel-like creatures that,when enslaved, can control a block of wood to crush enemies.

Hazards

 * Acorn Cannons - These shoot acorns in a pattern. If the acorn is touched it will destroy the parasite or, take on heart away from a in slaved creature.
 * Happy Gas - Although non-harmful to the parasite, it will automatically destroy any possessed creatures once in that zone.
 * Water - Found underneath platforms (sometimes), or between platforms. The water will instantly kill the parasite.

Enemies
(Enemies refer to creatures that the alien cannot enslave.)


 * Snails - Snails can not be enslaved because of their snail shells. However, when enslaving a Brute, the player can punch the Snails to death, when enslaving a Cat Flap, the player can pick up boxes and drop them on Snails, and when enslaving a warthog they can be shot to death.
 * Beetles - Ladybug-like giant insects that can't be enslaved because of their hard shells. But, the player can still smash, punch , and shoot them.
 * Space bees - The Parasite's feared enemies. A long time ago, he barely made it off of their hive planet. These yellow fiends cannot be enslaved because of their hard, spiky shells. Space Bees can be punched, smashed, or shot but not killed by a acorn fired out of out-of-order-cannon.
 * Armadillos - Armadillos can not be enslaved because of their tough, hard shells. They can roll into a ball and roll after the player. They can be punched to death or shot at by goo balls. They take three punches and three goo balls to destroy.
 * Winged cats - Winged cats fly in a specified pattern and can be used to fly around if enslaved. They can also pick up boxes with their tails.
 * Elite winged cats - Elite winged cats have a helmet and cannot be enslaved. They will follow the parasite.

Pick ups

 * Small forest spirits -They are seen scattered abroad the levels and are worth 50 points.
 * Dragonflies - They are worth 50 points.
 * Red bugs - They are little pink creatures on the ground. They are worth 50 points.
 * Butterflies - Flies around. Worth 50 points.

Beta elements
Discovered on Simon Hunter's website are three images not seen in Parasite: a stump with part of the side eaten and a stone which appears to be the pivot for an acorn cannon.

Awards
Parasite was ranked the twelfth best game of 2009 by Gamasutra.

Glitches

 * On level 8, if the player passes the final spirit while still on the acorn rocket, the Parasite will jump off while another Parasite will stay on the acorn.

Trivia

 * The game was unusually released on Saturday as Nitrome games are only released on weekdays (Monday - Friday). Parasite was not the first game to be released on the weekend, Cosmic Cannon was released on Sunday.