‘Reflexio’ Review – Adorably Engaging
Damn, Reflexio is so cute it almost makes me want to own the main character, Joey, apparently an adorable little koala, as a pet. But I hear koalas are nuts, so I’m cool, really… a game is fine. In the hustle-bustle of the Diablo III release and who knows what other games you’re playing, Reflexio is an honest bit of change. It’s a cutesy puzzle-platformer which seemingly borrows ideas/mechanics from other games, but impressively hones them to ensure a far more unique experience — it’s not an indie ripoff. Box Jellyfish Studios, whose name I still don’t quite understand, should be proud as they have done a fine job with a friendly platformer that offers a relaxing play-through and (generally) little frustration.
Reflexio is pretty conventional, except for a twist: you can flip surroundings horizontally, vertically and diagonally. It’s not too new of a concept since games such as VVVVVV have done the flipping mechanic before (although in that game, you flip yourself, rather than your surroundings). I’m sure there’s plenty of other platformers that use the same sort of setup, but I’m impressed at how well Reflexio manages to pull it off. It’s not an overtly complex concept; your kids should be able to pick this up and play it, and so will whoever else, for that matter.
The game supported my wired 360 controller and it was a seamless experience — one that made me think about how well the game would do on the Xbox Live Indie Games platform. None of the levels are out-of-this-world difficult, so it’s definitely not a Super Meat Boy or VVVVVV in that sense, but Reflexio carries an undeniable charm that makes you want to play through the game. It’s just light-hearted fun that’s soft on the eyes and puzzling enough to be enjoyable, but not frustrating.
The only real downside to Reflexio is that it doesn’t excel at anything beyond being a casual puzzle-platformer. That’s not to say it’s a bad game or not worth a playthrough, but it’s difficult to recommend Reflexio over, say, Super Meat Boy – for the same audience, at least. On the other hand, it’s a fun little title for $4.99 that the entire family should be able to play — but for me, a gamer in his 20s looking to kill things and challenge my gamership, it’s not overtly enticing. Although, to be honest, I really do enjoy cutesy games such as this because they provide a nice kickback to other over-complicated and demanding games I play. In essence, it’s like a gaming lullaby — not because it puts you to sleep, but because it’s just so calm and easy-going, you just let it do what it does best.
Obviously, this game isn’t for everyone. You’re probably not going to show off your high scores or even discuss the depth of some of the puzzles, but you will have a pleasant time working on its challenges. The music may get a little repetitive, but it’s not too bad and you can just play your own soundtrack anyway. I think Box Jellyfish Studios did a good job, but I can’t see this as a game for the hardcore gamers, maybe for their little brothers and sisters. In any case, it’s still a cool little puzzle-platformer!
Reflexio is available on Desura and Box Jellyfish Studios’ website. A free demo is available, so be sure to check it out!
Review summary Pros:
A cute puzzle platformer; engaging twist in gameplay; relaxing and pleasant
Cons:
Perhaps a little short; unlikely to appeal to more hardcore audiences
Rating: 80%
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Arsen Nazaryan (31 posts)
As a long-time gamer and previous contributor to DIYGamer, Arsen is a fan of the indie gaming scene and hopes to find as many gems as possible. He is also a singer-songwriter, fronting the L.A.-based Indigo Child. When not gaming or playing music, Arsen can be found scouring Reddit and worshiping Arsenal Football Club.
