G.G Series: Vertex

Genre: Arcade

Players: 1

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Review:

Vertex is an Arcade-style game released on the Nintendo DSi via the DSiWare service in 2015, as well as being made available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. In this game, players shoot at falling shapes Shmup-style, but must use one of three types of shots based on how many vertexes (corners) of those shapes aren’t filled in.

The presentation here is pretty simple, using 2D visuals depicting simple geometric shapes against a black background, backed by repetitive energetic music. In other words, this game’s presentation isn’t likely to thrill you.

Unfortunately, neither is the gameplay. I just don’t see how anyone thought that it would be a good idea to take gameplay loosely similar to a Shmup, remove all the faced-paced action, and replace it with… counting corners on shapes. That almost makes this sound like an educational game, except anyone who’s not old enough to count to three probably wouldn’t be able to understand this game, and anyone who can count to three will quickly grow bored with it.

Look, I’ll give credit where it’s due, Vertex does at least try something different. I can’t say there’s another game that I’ve played that’s quite like this. But that in and of itself does not make for a good game, especially when said game just has you repeatedly counting the corners on shapes. Do yourself a favor and play something else.

tl;dr – Vertex is an Arcade-style game that’s a little like a Shmup, but where you must use three types of weapons based on the number of sides missing from the geometric shapes you’re firing at. If you think counting the corners on geometric shapes over and over and over again sounds fun, you may find something to like here, but most players will want to skip it.

Grade: D

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