Reviews of VVVVVV on the net

[SoulEye]

Post any reviews of VVVVVV you can find in this topic!
I'll collect them in this first post when I feel like it, so don't be bummed out if I make it look like you're repeating something...

As a side note, it was reviewed in the March issue of the paper magazine PC Gamer, with a score of 83%.


Best reads:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/01/12/wot-i-think-vvvvvv/
http://electro-candy.co.uk/2010/01/20/an-open-letter-to-terry-cavanagh-a-vvvvvv-review/


Generally negative reviews:

http://scibbe.com/index.php/2010/03/02/indie-game-review-vvvvvv/ "I love the idea of VVVVVV, but it needs a spit-shine and a few more ways to push the gravity-flipping to its limits."

http://www.aditmo.com/?p=474 "In truth, I hate beating up on this game because, as I said at the onset, it's a fun game."

http://spelbloggen.se/vvvvvv-upp-och-ned-och-upp-igen/ (SWEDISH) "It is a simple but very challenging task, and you are sure to swear more than once over some areas."


Generally positive reviews:

http://thebbps.com/articles/reviews/review-vvvvvv-pcmac.html "This game has me addicted and swooning over it.  It's retro, but new.  Classic, yet innovative.  And above all, a helluva lot of fun."

http://www.talkingaboutgames.com/reviews/pc/5573-review-vvvvvv "it's hard to deny that VVVVVV is a brilliant platformer"

http://pc.ign.com/articles/106/1068331p1.html "it certainly deserves the exposure"

http://zeboyd.com/2010/01/23/vvvvvv-review/ "if you're looking for a great memorable experience like Braid or Portal, then I highly recommend VVVVVV"

http://www.edge-online.com/features/review-vvvvvv "that challenge itself makes you appreciate the precision and quiet brilliance with which the whole thing has been pieced together"

http://www.bytejacker.com/blog/review-vvvvvv-terry-cavanagh "the primary reason it's so easy to keep playing VVVVVV is because it's so much damn fun"

http://diygamer.com/2010/01/sir-isaac-newtons-welcomevvvvvv-review/ "a shining example of how to blend simplicity, polish, difficulty and excellence"

http://savygamer.co.uk/2010/01/08/vvvvvv-revvvvvview/ "had it come out 20 years ago, there would probably be a mediocre spin off RPG called VVVVVV: Battle network, and you'd probably see a hi-res reimagination of that happy little spaceship captain on lunchboxes across the globe."

http://www.destructoid.com/review-vvvvvv-160087.phtml "Score: 10 -- Flawless Victory"

http://vvvvvv.en.softonic.com/mac  "Retro gaming has never been this good"

http://funeffect.com/wp/2010/01/review-vvvvvv-terry-cavanagh/ "immense fun - it's exciting, challenging, and downright glorious with a stunning soundtrack that will flip you on your head."

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/01/13/get-this-flipping-ou.html  "a confident and novel refinement of simple platform play"

http://jayisgames.com/archives/2010/01/vvvvvv.php "VVVVVV is a challenging and rewarding experience"

http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2010/01/review_vvvvvv_terry_cavanagh.html "Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy"

http://game-central.org/2010/reviews/vvvvvv-review/ "Games like VVVVVV make me proud to be a PC gamer"

http://kotaku.com/5449094/vvvvvv-micro+review-aaaaaah "VVVVVV is a fantastic little indie game that's worth experiencing for the well rounded exploration of its relatively simple gameplay mechanic, its incredibly smart level design and spectacular retro audio-visual presentation."

http://www.gamecritics.com/brad-gallaway/vvvvvv-review "Sporadic difficulty notwithstanding, it's certainly a credit to Mr. Cavanagh that a project with VVVVVV's basic graphics and simple controls can feel so completely energetic and entertaining. Much more than it initially appears"

http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/48668 "The ability to flip gravity combines with some brilliant level design and creates one of the most enjoyable platformers I have played in a long time"

http://arcadewasteland.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-going-to-say-two-things-right-now.html "VVVVVV: The Most Exciting Experience Since Avatar ... VVVVVV is a stunning piece of game design which takes a simple concept and executes it with a style and flair worthy of your attention." * Indie Game Of The Month *

http://retrogamedepot.com/blog/indie/retro-spotlight-vvvvvv-pc-new-release-from-distractionware "VVVVVV is a breath of fresh air and the gaming experience alot of us have desired in a long time."

http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2010/01/17/vvvvvv-review/2 "one of the best indie games we've seen in a long while ... 8/10"

http://www.avclub.com/articles/vvvvvv,37139/  "Perhaps the best Commodore 64 game never made."

http://gamerlimit.com/2010/01/gamer-limit-review-vvvvvv/ "It punishes and tricks you, but the entire time, like the perpetually optimistic hero, you will be grinning"

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/vvvvvv-review "it's excellent for its entire length"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuTSEyfcocY  "A DEFINITE buy"

http://talkingaboutgames.com/reviews/pc/5573-review-vvvvvv "VVVVVV is a brilliant platformer with great ideas"

http://www.thebbps.com/articles/reviews/review-vvvvvv-pcmac.html "It's retro, but new.  Classic, yet innovative.  And above all, a helluva lot of fun."

http://electro-candy.co.uk/2010/01/20/an-open-letter-to-terry-cavanagh-a-vvvvvv-review/ "An Open Letter to Terry Cavanagh" (a must-read)

http://vi.deoga.me.uk/2010/01/review-vvvvvv-pc/#more-2385 "VVVVVV is a true gem of a game"

http://www.torontothumbs.com/2010/01/19/review-vvvvvv/ "Cavanagh has already made a name for himself <snip>, but VVVVVV shows that he can bring that spark of ingenuity to larger projects. He may be a bastard, but he makes a good game."

http://www.thunderboltgames.com/reviews/article/vvvvvv-review-for-pc.html "there's not a dull moment to be had in this tight, rewarding and above all blisteringly fun package"

http://www.onthestick.com/111/on-the-stick-3-s-indie-games-vvvvvv "That's damn impressive."

[joniho]

I was just about to post the Destructoid review. Congrats on the perfect 10 Terry.  

[Wobbles]

I'm really disappointed with the Kongregate comments.  Most of them are really negative and posted by people who can't handle a challenge.  Then again, it's a community used to getting complete games for free all the time, but they're REALLY annoyingly negative and immature.  Seriously, "driller is impossible"?  God help those people if they ever play the entire thing.

[Applekid]

I'm really disappointed with the Kongregate comments.  Most of them are really negative and posted by people who can't handle a challenge.  Then again, it's a community used to getting complete games for free all the time, but they're REALLY annoyingly negative and immature.  Seriously, "driller is impossible"?  God help those people if they ever play the entire thing.

It's attention span, I think. I like the analysis by Edge-Online where they point out the generous checkpoints and copious amount of lives and how it amounts to you having to do things perfectly ONCE. But it takes practice.

As far as them being bitter it costs... it's more honorable what Terry's doing charging outright for it than what some other developers do and shove ads in everywhere. I think it was on Kongregate, actually, a while ago when I played a game that started with TWO mochi ads and an additional one between each level. If you want to make money on the game, just ask and I'll pay if it's worth it.

(oops, slight derailment. LOL)

[Buttons]

Not really a "review" per se, but I wrote a little post about it and another game here: http://thegutterblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/hoggy-vs-vvvvvv/

[(Other) Terry]

http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2010/01/review_vvvvvv_terry_cavanagh.html

Hell of a row going on there, too. Funny how polarised the popular opinion is. You coudl probably track down some specific genetic difference between the two classes of people 

My wife (who had a speccy and has finished Treasure Islan Dizzy, so she understands pain) can't see what I see in the game, but I think she recognised the look of glee on my face...

(Edit: Kotaku have picked it up - http://kotaku.com/5446500/vvvvvv-scratches-the-instant-death-by-spike-itch)

[SoulEye]

Bump!

[Requiem]

More an interview with Terry than a review, but...

The Escapist

[Shasharala]

Even though Yahtzee generally gives negative reviews I think it would be quite interesting to see him do one on this game...

[Terry]

Thanks for this, Souleye!

By the way, the game's Metacritic rating is pretty good so far Unfortunately it hasn't had any user reviews yet, though - if anyone here feels like rating or reviewing, it would help me out a lot!

[dinx2582]

An 83 is "pretty good"?  It deserves an even higher one for that matter.  You don't need to be humble!  You and Magnus have created an instant classic.

I'm glad this game is getting all of the praise that it so obviously deserves.  The only problem now is, aside from more awesome levels/music (which you guys totally should do), how the HELL could you top this?

Incidentally, do you plan to ever disclose sales data?  Not so much the money part, I'm just curious to see how many copies have sold.  I bet it's a shit-ton.

[Terry]

It's not a shit ton, but it's ok It's probably a bit early to be releasing sales data, maybe later in the year!

[standish]

IGN reviewed the game today (2/10) and gave VVVVVV a 75, here's the full review: http://pc.ign.com/articles/106/1068331p1.html

It looks like the reviewer doesn't really know the game well. Under gameplay he mentions wishing for controller support, and under lasting appeal he makes no mention of the time trials, flip mode, super gravitron, and no death mode, instead he uses the word "collectibles" which makes it sound like he never made it to the secret lab.

[Arkatox]

Didn't see this thread before.

Here is my review from last year: http://rjhorst.blogspot.com/2010/12/vvvvvv.html

And yeah, that "last year" part was a joke. Last year, 2010, just ended yesterday.

[The Brass]

VVVVVV has gained some fame on GameFAQs. It was voted the 5th best indie game of the year, and a top ten list has it as the second best indie game on Steam.