TAGAP: The Apocalyptic Game About Penguins

TAGAP: The Apocalyptic Game About Penguins (or just 'TAGAP' for short) is a computer action game series for Microsoft Windows, released as freeware. The first game, TAGAP: The Apocalyptic Game About Penguins, was released via the Internet in July 2007 and the sequel TAGAP 2 followed four years later in July 2011. In TAGAP games, the player controls cyber-penguin Pablo on his quest to save the Earth from the conquering plans of evil madmen. In the first game the antagonist is the lunatic Dr. Glowenko,
References to other games
TAGAP has many inside jokes scattered throughout the game, most of them only relevant to people in the video game industry. For example, one Tokyo billboard (pictured) advertises the "forthcoming game" "Pimps at Sea", which is the code-name Bungie Studios has used for the Halo game series while they were in development. TAGAP also features miniature versions of Dopefish, the cult-favourite game characters originally created by Tom Hall. They can be found swimming in the Antarctic waters on one of the levels. Project leader Jouni Lahtinen is a huge fan of the Doom series, and TAGAP pays homage to them several times. For instance, in an early office level, the names on office booths are the names of the marine as seen in the Doom novels, original designs and the (the marine character in Doom was never officially named in the game).
While TAGAP 2 doesn't feature as many direct game homages, it has plenty of other pop-culture gags and references. For example, parking lot of a nightclub is occupied by famous TV show cars - KARR, Ferrari and Mustang version of KITT - and the church featured in the game is one of "Tuxology", a fictional religion celebrating the Saint Tux, the Prophet of Freeware Gospel. The soundtrack, again composed by Petja Heiskanen, also has a few subtle references, including a score track Funking Up Wagner, a Hammond-rendition of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries Mikrobitti, Finland's largest computer magazine, has given the game good reviews, and has included the game on their annual DVD, 'Huvi & Hyöty Romppu 2008' (Entertainment and Utility Disk).
While TAGAP 2 had a bit harder time finding its spotlight in the changed digital distribution landscape, it was still received with well among critics and gamers alike, including but not limited to as being the GameTrailers co-host Daniel Kayser's 'BattleCry of the Week' on EpicBattleAxe.<ref name="EpicBattleCry Skirmish 125"/>

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