Ugly, by Graffiti Games, is a puzzle platform game that uses a new game mechanic that really mixes up the puzzle platform genre. In terms of how the gameplay is mixed up it utilizes a unique game mechanic that utilizes the game’s dark tones as part of the game design. Moreover, this dark aesthetic is evident starting from the main menu’s song and enhances the melancholic tones. This is all thanks to how the game is designed all focusing on telling a grim story while ensuring the player enjoys the game. Graffiti Games has produced a dark tale in Ugly from the gameplay, music, all culminating in the game’s design.
The gameplay for Ugly is built on solid foundations as the platforming genre has not drastically changed over the course of time. Moreover, the gameplay while simplistic is well thought out especially on the Nintendo Switch with some easy to pick up controls that can be understood easily. One unique game mechanic the game introduces is mirroring, allowing the player to interact with the game in a new way. This mechanic enables the game developers to further develop puzzles for this game which utilizes physics or teleportation. In regards to how this mirror mechanic functions one example is to look at the Super Mario 64 DS where one level focuses on player using a mirror to solve a puzzle to enter the next area. However, this mechanic has been further explored to the fullest in Ugly making the game really shine as a puzzle platformer. While great gameplay is necessary for a good game the music is a key part in setting the tone of the game as it is what players head first when playing the game.
Upon booting up the game the player is introduced to this melancholic piece that projects this unsettling and lonely atmosphere. The melancholic tones are present in the game are all showcasing the loneliness of the player character symbolizing how empty they really are in a similar manor to the empty halls they play through. This focus on creating an unsettling atmosphere lends itself to the composer trying to convey a story to the game while making sure that the game remains fun. Balancing these two ideals in a musical composition is quite a task as there needs to be a harmonious balance that needs to occur. Furthermore, this balance needs to allow the player, playing the game to remain properly motivated. By finding a balance the composer needs to make sure that the melancholic sounds are not overpowering the motivational tones, and vise versa. By striking a hard to achieve balance the player can successfully understand the tone of music and how it can represent the game’s themes. All of which culminates into how the game is designed and the core themes present.
Ugly, by definition, is a rude word, and can often leave a mark on a person psychologically depending on how frequently the person hears that word. The game really utilizes the word “ugly” by making the player-controlled character have exaggerated physical traits that exemplify horrible features. This is further pushed in how the character controlled by the player really is when nearing the ending of the game realizing what they have done. It also shows how cyclical self-deprecation really is and this is evident in climax of the game. The ending really hammers home the concept of how dark this game and without spoilers really demonstrates how ugly a person can become.
Graffiti Games have made an excellent puzzle platformer that perfectly captures dark tones in a self-contained game. Aside from that, the gameplay completely changes the way the player is meant to take on the various puzzles they can encounter. This is then perfectly matched with the melancholic music immersing the player in the sad tones being portrayed in some of the songs. Eventually this all stems from the dark themes being portrayed in Ugly and what they are meant to convey. Ugly is a 7/10 game as the dark tones are not really for everyone, but the gameplay is something that should be explored more by the entire platform genre with it being a very good reason to pick this game up.
For more information, visit https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/ugly-switch/
Related: Reviews by Kyle Manila
I would describe myself when interacting with games as a strategist with a pension for stealth and loud explosions.
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