Vectronom Review – Bumpin’ Blocks

Vectronom is a compact rhythm game that uses simplicity to its advantage. The music fits the platforming perfectly, and trying to match the beat of a track is as enjoyable as it is challenging.

Vectronom
Developer: ARTE
Price: $10
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (reviewed) and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a Switch code for review

Vectronom immediately interested me when I first checked it out at GDC earlier this year. In concept, it’s a simple rhythm-based platformer of sorts. Combining European dance music with challenging platforming puzzles is certainly novel, and it works quite well in Vectronom.

Throughout the entirety of Vectronom, there’s a number of different mechanics that make puzzles steadily become more and more difficult. One level has you jumping on disappearing platforms behind a wall, with only the beat of the song to guide your movements. Another stage has floor panels that will bounce you in the direction that you approach them from, making for some intense challenges that test your timing and quick-thinking. You have unlimited lives in Vectronom, so you’re free to try levels in as many different ways as you wish.

That’s not to say there’s no incentive to do well; quite the opposite actually. Being untethered to lives means you can try to perfectly bounce to the beat of the background music. You’re scored for how many collectibles you grab, and how well your movements corresponded with the beat, meaning it may be worth it to just try again if you’re jumping in a very off-rhythm fashion. It’s fun to experiment with different routes and bouncing patterns, and the short nature of the game’s levels make it an ideal fit for the portability of the Nintendo Switch. The full game itself is a bit short, however, so I do wish there were more levels.

“The music of Vectronom is an essential part of the game, and the EDM-inspired soundtrack is the perfect music to bounce to.“

As mentioned before, the visuals are simple but striking. Your cube, the platforms, the occasional obstacle, and the colorful backgrounds are the only visuals in the entire game, each of which is one (sometimes rhythmically-changing) color. These colors always pop when contrasted with one another, especially when they alternate to the beat of the background music.

The music of Vectronom is an essential part of the game, and the EDM-inspired soundtrack is the perfect music to bounce to. The beats get stuck in your head immediately, which definitely helps with making well-timed bounces for higher scores.

The Final Word
Vectronom is a fun, simple, bite-sized rhythmic platforming/puzzle game that, while somewhat short, is a worthwhile title for fans of EDM or challenging platforming.

MonsterVine Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 – Great