Platformers have been in the market for many years; some of the greatest classics we know today started in this genre. Games like Mario Bros. featured maps that tested the player’s dexterity, while titles like Rayman Legends stunned with their art style and co-op antics. While the genre is still strong, Ugly doesn’t try to be just another platformer with tried-and-true gameplay mechanics or a predictable story. This title strives to do more with this genre and achieves it, which we loved during our brief but tantalizing Ugly preview.
Ugly Preview: A Game That Defies the Genre
Gameplay: Mirror, Mirror in the Middle
The developer Team Ugly launched its PC demo on the Steam store during Steam Next Fest. It lasts about 40 minutes, enough time to present some of the core gameplay elements of Ugly. At first sight, our preview of Ugly showed us it is a game where you have to solve puzzles in a fun and creative way.
The player must advance through each stage with the help of a magic mirror. This crystal fragment allows players to create a mirrored hologram of the protagonist. This hologram will help the player go through walls or climb by copying the actions performed by the original character. The mirror also allows you to swap places between the original and the copy to advance.
The controls reminded me of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, one of the genre’s latest games. Initially, the controls can be challenging, but as we advanced in the demo, the mechanics became easier to grasp and the concept made itself clear.
The controls were tight and responsive, which is essential if you want a platformer to stand against the great to even good games in this crowded field these days.
Story: More Than Meets the Eye
From the beginning of the demo, the game makes it more than obvious that the protagonist has a problem with alcohol, which is a key aspect of Ugly’s story. The player can see how the entire background is full of empty bottles, which react to our every step. The messy scenery shows the character’s instability. The walls were full of paint or chalk drawings only give us more of an ominous idea about how they relate to the story.
The drawings portray a man who seems be power hungry, being abusive to his wife and two children. This same father is also shown mocking and humiliating one of his children and his stormy relationship with alcohol. There will be points where along with the crystal, the player will discover disturbing scenes where the father interacts with his family. It’s definitely a dark and mature storyline, with serious tones. I’m curious as to how this will play out in the full experience.
Graphics & Audio: A Biphasic Delight
Another point we invite players to pay more attention to is the music. In the length of this Ugly preview, the theme mainly sounds subtle, elegant, and magical. It imbues the feeling of fantasy surrounding the player, but it feels increasingly nostalgic and with a hint of sadness. That is until the game presents you with flashes of the past; this is where the melody becomes stressful and disturbing. You can hear how the past can cause pain just by encountering a memory. The contrast is a nice touch by Team Ugly, and one that is doing a good job of carrying the heavy themes of the story to the platforming and music.
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Conclusion: A Tantalizing Start
If you’re looking for a fun platformer, but with a darker tone and mature story, Ugly deserves a chance when it fully launches. Its themes have much to offer, with dynamic gameplay that will entertain as the story presents some ugly truths. Ugly is tentatively slated to release later this year on PC and all major consoles.
