VVVVVV

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local)

.

Review:

VVVVVV is a Platformer that’s about as simple and unassuming as they come, yet it does what it does so well that you’d never tell looking at screenshots and video just how amazing it is.

On the surface, this is a game designed to look like an old Commodore 64 title. Characters are simple and flat-colored, even generic looking, and “enemies”, such as they are, are also flat-colored, designed to look like what would have passed as clip art back in the C64 era, even at times seeming completely random. Your own character is basically just a stick figure with a smiley face. This is not an impressive game to look at.

But what it lacks in graphical prowess, it makes up for in just about every other way, starting with charm. While the graphics are about as much of a throwback as you can get, they have plenty of personality, and the game’s chiptune soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal.

The gameplay, similarly, starts unassuming and simple, and shows hidden depths. You can basically only do a few simple commands – walk left or right, or this game’s replacement for the “jump” button, reverse gravity. You’re limited in how you can use this ability, too – it can only be used while you’re on the ground. Yet, with these simple commands, this game delivers a fantastic experience.

Largely, this is due to the game’s level design. The game’s world design bears some resemblance to a Metroidvania, but areas aren’t gated off and you can take them in any order. In order to find and rescue all of your crashed ship’s crew, you’ll ultimately end up exploring just about all of it, but you can head off in whatever direction you feel like.

The world is subdivided into smaller sections, each of which takes and adds a twist to the gameplay. In one section, there are thin lines that bounce you in the opposite direction. In another, two sides of the screen are tied together to endlessly repeat until you escape in a different direction. Each area makes full use of its own unique quirk to the fullest, finding all sorts of interesting ways to utilize this. Given the game’s simplicity, the amount of variety in its level design is really refreshing.

Be aware that this game can be really challenging, and you will likely die a lot while playing it. Thankfully, checkpoints are plentiful, and the game gets you back into the action super-quick, so this is rarely ever something that gets overly frustrating.

However, the game does have one glaring flaw (besides its simple graphics) – it is depressingly short, clocking in at around an hour to beat. This game is so good, it outright begs for more content. Heck, I would have really dug a Mario Maker-style level builder for this. And while the game does have extra challenge levels and challenge modes to tackle, it still leaves me wanting more. Still, while it lasts, it is an absolute blast.

The Nintendo Switch version of the game includes all previously-released expansion content, as well as a new (gimmicky) local co-op mode. What’s more, unlike other versions of the game, the Nintendo Switch version runs at 60FPS, one of the rare occasions when the Switch version of a multiplatform game has the best framerates. Which… makes the Nintendo Switch version of VVVVVV the definitive version of the game.

With this being the case, if you haven’t gotten VVVVVV yet, it’s well worth a look. It may not look like much, and it may be way too short, but it’s still one of the best platformers to come along in a while, and the Switch is the best place to play it.

tl;dr – VVVVVV is a gravity-changing Platformer designed to look like an old-school Commodore 64 game, but its simple exterior hides an extremely well-designed game underneath, with a memorable soundtrack, excellent level design, and a really good challenge level. Also, the Nintendo Switch version is the definitive version of the game, with more features and a better framerate than other versions. It’s just a shame that the game is still too damn short. Still, it’s amazing while it lasts.

Grade: A-

^{You can support eShopperReviews on Patreon! Please click HERE to become a Sponsor!}