Metrico

When it sticks to its best features, Metrico is a stupendous experience. When it pushes the envelope, it’s far too obtuse to enjoy.

Exploration and experimentation that's clever but runs out of steam far too quickly. [October 2014, p83]

The concept behind Metrico is both innovative and unique in the platformer genre. Most of its puzzles are clever and quite satisfying to complete. However, others become physically uncomfortable due to the game mechanics related to the unique characteristics of the PlayStation Vita.

It is flashy fun, a succinct use of the Vita’s abilities, but the game burns quick and leaves nothing to chew on afterwards, like an infographic that missed its own point.

Metrico is an ingenious and unique Vita puzzler heavily weighed down by gimmicky controls and technical issues.

Metrico isn't a bad game. On the one hand, you're immediately captivated by the unique gameplay. On the other, the interface keeps hindering your progression and immersion.

While I applaud Metrico for using the Vita’s various tools, it is a game I might not be fully comfortable playing at a park bench or bus ride. I can only imagine the puzzled looks I get as people see me twist the handheld in different directions. And when the game requires the camera, I had better be in an area with a good light source.

The first half of Metrico is challenging and interesting. The second half is just irritating, due to the schizophrenic use of all the input methods of PSVita.

Metrico is a visual and auditory delight: a sumptuous treat of a game with presentation that consistently impresses. However, a short running time, combined with occasionally shonky controls and a slightly frustrating central premise means that its gameplay never really lives up to its grand graphical grace.

Metrico has lots of good intentions, with original visuals and attitude, but its insistence in using all of Vita's control methods ends up being a big problem.

Metrico is beautiful puzzle-platformer with a great minimal, infographic-inspired aesthetic complemented by an awesome soundtrack. Unfortunately, the game gets in its own way by focusing on gimmicky Vita controls. It has moments of greatness, but ends up just being "good".

Metrico has interesting visuals and creative mechanics, but getting stuck brings your enjoyment to a full stop.

Metrico looks and sounds the part of a critical darling, but laborious controls and empty narrative agency mar this chromatic trip.

The concept of using metrics based on your character’s own movements to manipulate a living infographic that you need to platform on is one that sounds great in design, but the execution of said concept needs to be tweaked before I could recommend that anyone spend much time with Metrico. Sadly, it does feel like you’re just bringing work home with you.

This infographically-inspired puzzle game only lasts a few short hours, but for most it'll be a case of dipping in and out between bouts of frustration. [Nov 2014, p.80]

With a bit of restraint and more focus on the types of relational challenges that it does well, Metrico would have been an easy recommend to fans of the fringe. In its current state, it's an aggravating equation that produces unhappy results.

It is disappointing to see a game like Metrico take so many wrong turns and squander so much promise. It becomes yet another example of a game burdened by creep, one that started with a simple premise that becomes buried by complexity.

The presentation is excellent but by trying to use every trick in the PS Vita’s book the game does far more harm than good to the portable’s reputation.