This Week's Waste of Time

I've heard that in a video game before. I don't believe it anymore.

It's no secret that when it comes to video games, I love platformers (ie., run-and-jump based games). Browser games often fall into this category because of the simplicity of the platform genre. So when a new one is released, I'm usually all over it. Case in point, the latest from Terry Cavanagh, VVVVVV.

That's right, the name of the game is the letter "v" six times. I'm going to guess it's a reference to the deadly spikes that are often found on the ground, walls, and ceilings of games like this. Although it could just be that Cavanagh got lazy. Turns out he doesn't like naming his games or levels, going so far as to employ his friend to name the more than 100 levels.

Cavanagh of Distractionware (a business name far better than the name of my column) has been featured in this column before. Check my post on his romantic, afterlife platformer Don't Look Back.

The game doesn't follow the standard platform archetype to the letter, replacing the usual jump button with an ability to reverse gravity. The story and characters are simple and charming, the no-frills graphics and chiptune music are well executed, while the myriad checkpoints make things move along quickly and pleasantly. That is, until the free demo nears its somewhat truncated conclusion. I admit to dying probably 200 times at a certain point before mastering the timing of one of the final levels. You can download the full game for $15 – although that would be antithetical to the purpose of this blog column – but by the time you've finished the demo, you will likely have had enough.

Click here to play VVVVVV.

E-mail [email protected] if you're brought to tears or begin contemplating suicide. I'm a pro at talking people down.

Enjoy.