Metrico+ is a colorful platformer that weaves puzzle solving into its gameplay. Spanning over a couple of hours, it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
The game is divided into six worlds and each world contains about fifteen puzzles to solve. Some are very simple, but some can be very complex and difficult to tackle. I spent about two to three hours playing the game and I feel that the length is perfect for this type of game. At times the puzzles got incredibly difficult and it took me forever to figure out the solution. Solving the difficult puzzles results in a rush of excitement and keeps you drawn in.
In the first world, the platforming and puzzle solving is relatively simply. The platforms move depending on your movements. For example, moving left might move a platform to the right, but moving right moves the platform to the left and jumping might lower or raise a crucial platform. Finding the perfect movement sequence is key to solving the puzzles. As you progress in the game the puzzles and platforming introduce new mechanics. You gain access to a gun and you can destroy enemies in the levels. Killing these enemies also moves the platforms similar to jumping or moving.
My favorite mechanic was a teleportation skill of sorts. You can swap places with the enemies. The puzzles that incorporated this into the solution were my personal favorites because they pushed me to think in creative ways.
My only issue with Metrico+ is that it fails to tell a compelling story. Then, I guess puzzle games aren’t supposed to. However, I recently spoke with a developer who said that if Tetris were made today, it would need some type of narrative. I think I agree with that. The character you play as transforms over the course of the game, but the evolution is never explained. The lack of a real story was very disappointing and I think a good story could have been told with just a little more content.
Summary
If you love puzzle games, I suggest you check out Metrico+. It’s fun and pushes you to think in creative ways. For $14, you can’t go wrong!
Jonathan was a regular ICXM contributor between 2015–2017, publishing 57 articles across opinion pieces, game reviews, Windows and PC, and Xbox news. Their work focused on hands-on reviews, platform commentary, and breaking-news reporting during the Xbox One X launch year and Microsoft’s wider Play Anywhere / UWP gaming initiative. They post on X as @jtainsworth13.