Perfect Universe is an action game developed by Will Sykes Games, though I use the term action mainly because it isn’t a turn-based game or one that relies on time and gives you free movement. Split up into several different game modes, Perfect Universe gives you control in many different ways, from gravity to limb movements to collect items and finish the levels ahead.
Game modes
Across the several game modes, both single player and multiplayer, you will control 3 separate characters with their own design and control scheme,
Starting with the Male character, who has the ability to jump and glide, moving the left Thumbstick to control if he goes up and down, following through with momentum for prolonged glides.
Mr Legs has his two legs controlled by each Thumbstick in a ragdoll fashion, using your stick movements to move the legs you can walk, jump and grab onto surfaces.
The rocket is rotated with the Thumbstick and you control the thrusters with the A button.
Perfect Moon – This is the most straightforward game mode to start off with, with basic platforming gameplay combined with the gliding mechanics. You must collect stars to complete levels whilst avoiding danger areas.
Moon Life – Going for more of a controlled approach with Mr Legs you will need to manoeuvre you way around obstacles to collect enough leaves to complete the levels.
Star Light – Use your rocket to collect enough firecrackers to complete the level… I think you get the picture by now.
Moving on from the single player modes, if you select Sports day you can then play with friends in 6 multiplayer modes. Golf, dodgeball, balloon popping, football and more await you in the multiplayer modes and can be quite fun with the right people.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Perfect Universe is very diverse, with 3 separate control schemes it really offers you a wide variety and play. Basic platforming, ragdoll physics, rocket control all the while having to deal with changing gravity. Changing from one character to another can be a bit jarring at first with the concept of new controls, but with practice and time you will be able to swap seamlessly.
Perfect Universe is rather simple, with rarely more than 3 buttons being used for the entire game, but the way it designs its levels and mechanics makes it so much more complex then it seems. With a star rating per level there is tons of replay value to get better times and compete with friends in multiplayer. However the game does fall a bit short in the excitement area, with the music really not accompanying an atmosphere of energy or determination.
Overall thoughts and feelings
The music in Perfect Universe is calming and smooth, being a joyful accompaniment to the menus and levels. Although it isn’t perfect, with a lack of energy filled tracks or change in genre it can become quite boring after a while, adding to the repetitive gameplay that creeps up on you past levels 20. There is also a certain lack of sound effects, making the space you play in feel very empty and devoid of life, which it is and makes total sense, but for an artsy game like this some more attention to sound would of gone a long way.
Standing at around £6.99 right now, and being put into bundles for even cheaper, Perfect Universe is a nice game to waste a couple of hours on or to play with friends. But the fun doesn’t last for long, the concept of gravity and control can seem rather interesting and first but dull out after a few levels. For the price, the game might be worth it, but not as a main entertainment piece, more of an accompaniment to another game or something to kill a few minutes whilst waiting on other things to happen.
Sadly, Perfect Universe just emulates what has been available for far too long with a price tag attached. Website like Newgrounds, Miniclip and the like have had similar concepts already made, with some arguably better art direction and music. That isn’t to say that Perfect Universe is bad or poorly designed, but with the option of a free version that includes other styles, it might not exactly be worth it.
Perfect Universe gets a 6/10, it is a fun game at first and will really appeal to those who love to be at the top of the leader boards. However the fun doesn’t really last for too long, splitting the design between 3 characters with 3 different control schemes means that focus was taken away from making the individual characters amazing and deep. Playing the first 5 levels of each game mode will pretty much give you all the impressions you need of the over-arching game. If you can get it for cheap or on offer then I suggest it, even to try this game to see if you can find the enjoyment that is buried inside.
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