Thanks to Digerati for the review code
Title: Spectrum
System: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Price: $11.99
Release Date: 08/20/2018
Presentation
Spectrum goes with a simplistic look not unlike what we’ve seen previously with INK and Hexologic, using very basic color schemes and simplistic menus, while also sporting a zen themed soundtrack. It’s not a combination that I haven’t seen before, so there’s little else to note.
Gameplay
Spectrum is a slow-paced platformer where the main goal of each level is to carefully glide and avoid obstacles before making it to a portal at the end. You use the B button to glide through the air, and the A button to make a downwards glide, while using the left stick to move around, leading to a gentle set of controls where you simply have to maintain your balance and adjust to the weight of your black spirit.
The game has four chapters, each with ten levels in a Light World and ten more levels in a Dark World. Each level also has three challenges to complete, requiring that you complete the level in record time, avoid taking any damage whatsoever, and collect every single white orb scattered throughout the stage, all in one go. With moving colored obstacles that won’t hesitate to damage or instantly kill you, the task certainly won’t be easy.
The dark world levels will only unlock upon completing the corresponding light world counterpart, and these are significantly tougher levels with more lethal level designs, which makes completing the three optional challenges for those stages more difficult, but even the light world levels begin to get tough when you enter the third world, even if it’s nowhere near as difficult as the dark stages.
Exclusive to the Switch version of the game is a two-player race mode, where you go through a few levels in order to see who can reach the exit first. It’s pretty unimpressive, and not really worth checking out for any reason besides curiosity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spectrum is a fairly simplistic platformer, going for a more “zen” feel that I’ve seen time and time again, and while it does manage to be a serviceable game to relax with, there’s not much else to it. An unimpressive multiplayer mode and only eight worlds doesn’t make this title feel like it’s worth the $12 pricetag at all, and while it will work for a challenging game if you want to give fully completing it a shot, don’t expect much depth to the gameplay whatsoever. Decent for a relaxing time, but nothing that’ll engage too much.
I give Spectrum a 6 out of 10.
