|| REVIEW || Verlet Swing (Nintendo Switch)

Developed By : Flamebait Games                                          Published By : Digerati
Category : Puzzle, Platformer                                        Release Date : June 14, 2019

Have you ever wondered what you'd get if you combined the usage of Link's hookshot from Ocarina of Time with the fast-paced puzzling platforminess of Portal. Well, if you have, your answer lies within this neatly presented game, Verlet Swing from Flamebait Games. Prepare yourself to enter 100 levels of increasing challenge that will test your skills. 

This game doesn't even try to fool you by presenting some sort of story to indulge yourself with as your progress from level to level. No, there's no story needed...although it might help to explain some of the odd things you'll come across in your play sessions. In theory, the levels are simple : you'll start at a singular point, and you'll need to shoot out your hookshot to grapple onto any number of objects, repeating the process until you find yourself at the end goal which is a big void of an orb floating in the air. 

Aside from your hookshot, the only thing you can really do is control your body a bit in the air between swings, with swinging being your main means of navigating. Your levels will be filled with various objects, some placed to be used as an anchor point for your hookshot, with others placed as obstacles. Not everything can be used as a grapple point, but you'll notice which things you can use because when your aiming reticle passes over it they'll become outlined and/or turn a little yellow. 

One of the most important pieces of information that will be useful to you is constantly displayed in the bottom right corner of your display. This is the current speed you are moving at. It's important since in addition to swinging the traditional way, vertically, if you are carrying enough momentum you'll be able to swing horizontally too. It's a move that you won't use often, but you will need at moments, and it's pretty fun if you master it. 

With a hundred levels to play, you'll be treated to a wide range of things populating your levels. They start off with normal objects like statues, some trees, and straight up walls to make your progress not so easy. There is also a fair share of anchor-orbs situated around that can prove to be markers for an ideal path through the level if you can avoid swinging into things (since if you hit anything you'll be dead). Eventually, you'll find yourself using giant koi fish and even pizza slices to swing off of. 

If you enjoy challenging platformers like Portal then you'll absolutely feel at home in this game. Everything is tough but fun, with the challenge amped up so much on some levels that you'll be wondering how it could be remotely possible that it only took 12 seconds to complete it. As tough as the levels can be, if it's not enough of a challenge the game comes complete with leaderboards so you can see how much faster other people are before attempting it yourself and then quitting because clearly the other person must be cheating. 

Difficulty aside, Verlet Swing is a great game, and the vaporwave soundtrack is upbeat and lively to keep your spirits somewhat lifted if you find yourself failing the same level repeatedly. I loved the different feeling of swinging through the levels instead of just running and jumping. Doing it this way really makes you (or tries to make you) pay attention to how fast your going and using your momentum to your advantage. Trust me, you'll enjoy feeling like Spider-Man, or a first-person Harry Potter speedrunner Tarzan-swinging around. No matter what platform you get this game on, make sure you get it.

 

Game Rating : 8/10

Game Played On : Nintendo Switch
Also Available On : PC (Steam), Playstation 4, Xbox One