Ovivo

OVIVO is an interesting platform experience that succeeds thanks to its mechanical simplicity and its artistic nature working completely in tandem. Simple one button controls allow you to instinctively wobble your way through beautiful monochrome environments, as a thoughtful synth music score pulses on in the background. There’s an intriguing mysticism dripping from the otherworldly images that make up the levels, if only you’re inclined to look, making OVIVO a game best enjoyed by players who value a contemplative artistic expression over tough, technical gameplay.

Ovivo is a very barebones puzzle platformer with one simple mechanic. While this isn’t anything you haven’t seen before, I actually found Ovivo to work a bit better than I expected, since the controls are very tight and the simplicity of the levels make this a relaxing romp with little frustration. The $7 pricetag is pretty steep for a game like this, but considering the many, many other puzzle games on the Switch eShop that fail to nail the same relaxation factor as Ovivo, I can at least Ovivo props for sticking to a simple concept and doing good with it.

Ovivo is quite simply a truly unique game offer story telling through game play with out the use of speech or text. The experience and flow of the mechanics behind the game tell the story, and the graphical artwork on offer is mesmerising. With a chill out stance in terms of gameplay, the whole package intertwines perfectly, and although it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, you should all take the time to look into this wonderfully created game, and appreciate its very existence.

Originally released in mid-2017 and now making its way to the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One, OVIVO is a platformer centered around a mind-melting mechanic: you can swap between the positive and negative space in each level and use their opposing gravitational pulls to build up momentum and avoid hazards such as spikes and pits.

While some people may be looking for a similar experience to Super Meatboy, full of stressful levels that require some serious reflexes and problem solving, OVIVO offers the exact opposite. It's a relaxing experience that doesn't really challenge the mind or reflexes, instead it's more like weaving your way through a maze of fantastic artwork. Overall the game has nice simple mechanics and some lovely visuals and audio, however it falls short when it comes to difficulty, replayability, and price.

An artistic platformer of sorts that's best played in a relaxed state.

OVIVO may be a bit artsy for some people, but the game is relatively short and always throwing something new your way. Even if it doesn't leave a lasting impression, the game is good while it lasts.

Big things come in small packages, and much like its levels, OVIVO shows that it's not about getting caught up in the details; it's about looking at the bigger picture.

Filled with a relaxing soundtrack and delightful minimalist visuals, Ovivo is a mellow game that has a feeling of whimsy across its world. While the presentation may be a bit lacking, this game is a unique treat in the platformer genre.

OVIVO might look simple, but its clean design hides a complex world of imagery, illusion, and intrigue.