VVVVVV Demo

As you probably know by now, looks can be deceiving in video games, which is why simple-looking games can exceed expectations by quite a lot, while triple-A productions can end up being shallow and without substance. Regardless of the end result, every title is worth a chance in order to properly assess its quality.

VVVVVV is a simple retro-platformer in which you basically have to run and jump around the levels as fast as you can, in order to make it out alive. There are no intricate mechanics to take into consideration, nor a deep story to make you ponder on the meaning of life. Instead, all you get is a tough challenge and most likely ulcers.

The story starts with your character and a few of his friends in a teleporter, which is theoretically set up to take them to a specific location. Obviously, things go a tad wrong and they each end up in different places far away from each other. Since you are their captain, it is your duty to navigate the dangerous environments in order to rescue them all.

In order to get around, you use the game’s defining mechanic: the ability to reverse gravity at will. Although it may sound a bit complicated, this is actually the developer’s idea of replacing the classic jump function. Hence, whenever there’s a gap that needs to be traversed, you can jump onto the ceiling and just walk above it. Naturally, things get incredibly more complicated than this and the later levels require a lot of coordination, patience, and nerves of steel in order to complete.

Being a retro-platformer, the graphics are about as classic as they can get. In fact, it features even less colors than you would normally find in such a game, which only makes it more original. The level design is fascinating, on the other hand, especially since it transmits a lot without too much detail, although this is also helped by the fact that the soundtrack is sublime as well.

All things considered, VVVVVV is a special game and it can certainly take up a few hours from you, especially if you enjoy a challenge. The simple graphics and the beautiful soundtrack work together superbly as well, which should complete the experience and make it memorable as well.