Basic Information
Platform	Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch, 3DS, PS4, PS Vita, iOS, Android
Price	$4.99
Developed by	Terry Cavanagh
Release Year	2010

Introduction#

This is my first time writing a game review, so I apologize if it seems messy. With that out of the way, I have had VVVVVV (pronounced “Vee”) for many years, and beaten it many, many times. I even made a (very bad) let’s play video on my YouTube channel (I removed it, and for very good reason). So why is this game so good? Let’s take a look at each aspect of it.

Graphics#

This game, like many other games in my Steam library, uses retro-themed graphics. Now, unlike later games (Celeste, Shovel Knight, etc.) that would really nail the retro aspect, VVVVVV’s graphics don’t really stand out that much. Now, the game isn’t “ugly” by any means, but if you’re looking for groundbreaking graphics, go look somewhere else.

Gameplay#

The core concept of VVVVVV’s gameplay is beautifully simple: a platformer game where you flip gravity instead of jumping. This simple innovation is further complemented by the creative level design, and the unique mechanics in every major area. For example, one area contains lines that flip your gravity when you pass through them, and one area contains wrap-around effects on the sides of the screen, so you teleport to the other side of the screen when you walk off. All of these make VVVVVV one of the most unique platformers ever made, gameplay-wise.

Now, I should something important about how the game is structured. The main goal of the game is to rescue all of your crewmates, who are spread out all across the game’s map. Most of the map is empty space, with nothing really of note except for a few shiny trinkets. (More on those later.) I’m not really a fan of open worlds with nothing to do in them, but at least there are teleporters to help get around, as well as hidden terminals that reveal the entrance to a crewmate’s sector, greatly reducing exploration time. Speaking of crewmate sectors, these are the areas you have to go through to rescue a crewmate. There are four of them, and you don’t have to explore them in any particular order, so the game feels very non-linear. At any rate, the crewmate sectors are definitely where the game really shines.

Audio#

Another highlight of the game is its soundtrack, with many retro-styled tunes by Magnus Pålsson. The music style really matches well with the game’s artstyle, and all the songs are really catchy and well-made. (Especially Potential for Anything. Personal fave.) The sound effects are pretty minimal, which is great, as it allows me focus on the bangin’ music rather than than how I’ve died 50 times on the same room and made no progress. Speaking of which…

Difficulty#

I’m not going to beat around the bush here: this game is HARD. While the main mechanics are pretty simple to understand, many parts of the game require a good degree of precision to complete. This is especially compounded by the fact that every obstacle in this game kills you in one hit, from spikes to ghosts to lies. (Seriously.) Also, the game has collectibles, which are simply known as “shiny trinkets,” and there are 20 of them for you to find. While a few of them are pretty easy, many of them demand impeccable timing and reflexes to complete. (Thanks to this game, I am now traumatized by the words “Veni, Vidi, Vici.”) Collecting all 20 trinkets unlocks a special mini-game, but personally, I don’t think that it’s worth collecting all the trinkets just to play it. If the base game is too easy for you, there’s No Death mode, and plenty of player-made levels that amp up the difficulty even more, such as Golden Spiral and 333333. While I can’t really put a number to the game’s difficulty, I’d say it’s easier than Celeste and Super Meat Boy, but harder than Shovel Knight.

Story#

VVVVVV’s story definitely feels like an afterthought, much like the retro games it takes inspiration from. I don’t really see this as a bad thing, as the story is not the game’s main focus. The story is pretty simple to sum up in a single sentence: spaceship crashes in an unfamiliar dimension, save all of your crewmates to get back home. Each of the crewmates have their own unique personalities, but they all feel pretty bland. Once again, that’s not really a problem, as the story isn’t the main focus of the game.

Playtime and Price#

VVVVVV is a pretty short game, taking probably 4 or 5 hours to beat on a first playthrough. Today, I can easily beat the game in under an hour, but only if I go for the easy trinkets. Meanwhile, a talented speedrunner can beat the game, with all trinkets, in under 30 minutes. The game’s short length (if you don’t count the community-made levels) makes sense, especially due to its price point. The game was originally $15 at launch, but it has since been permanently lowered to $5. At the time of this writing, the game is currently on sale on Steam for $2.49, making it a complete no-brainer.

Conclusion#

VVVVVV is definitely a solid game, with an amazing price point, but the high difficulty and simple graphical style might turn some people off. However, if you’re looking for a lovingly-made blast from the past that will kick your ass, I can’t recommend VVVVVV enough. Overall, I give this game an 8.7/10.