Gravity Circuit is a Mega Man-like game, with hints of Strider and Bionic Commando mixed in. After the first level you're presented with 8 long levels that can be played in any order, culminating in a boss fight. Like the Mega Man games for the NES, Gravity Circuit is HARD. I got to 2 boss fights but was decimated in seconds. I walked away, thinking I just had to accept it was beyond my skill level. Then I came back the next day with a turbo controller and started a new save file on easy mode. This made the game significantly more palatable, although it still puts up a hell of a fight. This will be blasphemy to some people, but the inclusion of easy mode puts this above all the classic Mega Man titles in my book. I respect that some people enjoy a challenge, but normal mode sucks your health like a sponge and there always seems to be some robot or missile locked on to your location. It's nice that there's a mode for scrubs like me who just wanna have a good time.
The pixel art was what really made me want to play GC; the game looks beautiful and the music is stellar. While the platforming controls are really tight, they fall short by requiring your character to use a grappling hook to traverse level hazards sometimes. I know the meme is that every game is improved by a grappling hook, but the physics of swinging, gaining momentum and attaching to surfaces just feel off here. It's a shame because everything else (running, punching, wall jumping) feels flawless. Thankfully the hook is not always needed, not to the point that it ruins the game experience anyway.
Gravity Circuit is challenging, but still a very fun time. If you've played Mega Man, you'll know whether or not easy or normal or hard mode is the right way to go, that's your choice. But I'd recommend the average player go with easy mode and wait for a sale, $22 is a lot for a game that can be finished in under 6 hours.
The pixel art was what really made me want to play GC; the game looks beautiful and the music is stellar. While the platforming controls are really tight, they fall short by requiring your character to use a grappling hook to traverse level hazards sometimes. I know the meme is that every game is improved by a grappling hook, but the physics of swinging, gaining momentum and attaching to surfaces just feel off here. It's a shame because everything else (running, punching, wall jumping) feels flawless. Thankfully the hook is not always needed, not to the point that it ruins the game experience anyway.
Gravity Circuit is challenging, but still a very fun time. If you've played Mega Man, you'll know whether or not easy or normal or hard mode is the right way to go, that's your choice. But I'd recommend the average player go with easy mode and wait for a sale, $22 is a lot for a game that can be finished in under 6 hours.