VVVVVV (Nintendo Switch) Review

A puzzle-platformer gives off images of slow-paced, methodical, thought-filled antics, with lots of planning required to move on. VVVVVV is more visceral, relying on immense levels of skill, and sometimes a modicum of sheer luck, to traverse the treacherous terrain. The aim is to navigate Viridian through a strange universe and rescue his crew members that have been tied up in tricky situations, whilst also figuring out why there is such unusual interference all around affecting them.

Rather than running and jumping around through retro-themed platform stages, VVVVVV leans on gravity shifting as its core mechanic. Want to leap over a gap? Well, try flipping the main character and watching as he finds himself now falling upwards, through the air, until hitting what was previously the ceiling, or underside of a platform. Run along further, and then flip again to head back in the other direction, passing over whatever previous obstacle was hindering progression.

This theme is then taken and stretched out in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways, usually with enemies and a multitude of spikes in the way to up the ante. There are also some areas where upon flipping, players must shift gently to the left or right whilst falling, carefully avoiding spiked walls before landing on a small platform and needing to do the same again, but in reverse…all to collect one of the hidden items. It really can be a gruelling affair, but never in a way that is unfair to those in control, instead pushing their skills to the extremes. Mix in some conveyor belts that whisk you away upon landing, tightropes that fling you around, and even walkways that lead off the screen to another place, and more casual gamers will be near to tears as death befalls them far too regularly.

For anyone really struggling to make headway, though, there are various options that can be switched on, with the most powerful being one that removes death from occurring - useful for those that get tired of constantly dying and just wanting to explore the world freely. The thing is that VVVVVV is too short, overall. For all its difficulty, once cracked, there is not much to work through, and given the multitude of checkpoints and infinite lives, those that try, try, and try again will find it all over quicker than expected. For purists, there are mirrored modes and time trials available, at least.