Glyph has come as a bit of a surprise. It’s landed on Switch to no real fanfare, yet offers up a tightly designed platformer that’s not as throwaway as it seems. Initially it looks nothing more than a Saharan set …
Glyph has come as a bit of a surprise. It’s landed on Switch to no real fanfare, yet offers up a tightly designed platformer that’s not as throwaway as it seems.
Initially it looks nothing more than a Saharan set Monkey Ball, as you move your spherical glyph through linear maze based stages – where you have to avoid the sand (that is everywhere) at all costs.
But soon you learn a range of moves including jumps, glides, and body slams. These all join a range of standard obstacles that are used in very short stages that can often take just a minute or so to complete.
Finishing them that quickly isn’t simple though, as the game ramps up the difficulty quickly. It teases you into trying quick leaps, and often rushing headfirst across sandy chasms is the only way to progress.
Momentum is everything in Glyph, and this is something that will either enthrall or infuriate you.
It’s built towards speed runs, and getting into a groove finishing a level in one clean sweep – barely stopping, barrelling along without hesitation – is immensely satisfying.
There are moments where it feels a little too difficult to control though, with bouncing in particularly feeling a little floaty. It’s never enough for the game to feel broken, but a fair few players certainly won’t have the patience to put up with the game’s wrinkles.
The presentation is also a little rough at times, being more serviceable than stunning. Glyph has clearly been put together as a back-to-basics style platformer, and does occasionally feel a little too pared down for its slightly high price-point.
Glyph will no doubt end up leaving many cold – despite the game’s setting. Those who do warm to its charms will find it to be a diamond in the rough though.
