Glimmer in Mirror

Don't you love a silky smooth, colorful platformer that's fluid in every way? Glimmer in Mirror attempts to create a satisfying platforming experience by refining every gameplay element. Without prior knowledge of the title, the initial screens and videos look like players can find satisfaction with a gorgeous game world, brilliant movement, and a promising storyline.

Yes, Glimmer in Mirror is yet another Metroidvania game. However, the title stands out from the pile with its more bombastic, vibrant stature compared to other indie releases we've seen recently. That alone gives us the incentive to give this intriguing title a try. But we all know things can look fabulous but deliver a remarkably average experience, so we better play to gauge its genre-worthiness.

Mirror, Mirror in the Sky

Firing up Glimmer in Mirror for the first time is everything you'd hope the game would be for a Metroidvania. Movement is smooth, combat is satisfying, and a beautiful world surrounds you as you casually explore each level. The title is complemented by an inspiring soundtrack, plenty of variation in design, and a generally high standard of gameplay.

There is that niggling factor that everything looks too beautiful, and maybe the aesthetic compensates for below-average mechanics or bland progression. Anyone who might have been skeptical might have a point when trying to accomplish tasks within Glimmer in Mirror. The fundamental issues become apparent when controlling your character, where basic actions like jumping and dashing could use work.

The narrative is entrancing, but the sad truth is that poor translations bog it down. It dampens the beautiful world surrounding the player, but it is manageable with some gameplay motivation. Glimmer in Mirror's fluidness and vibrant aesthetic still plasters over the cracks that will likely be fixed as it runs through its early access stages.

So can Glimmer in Mirror hold up against the Metroidvania classics? Absolutely, but it undoubtedly needs work in refining gameplay and character control. A lot is currently missing in puzzles, abilities, and narrative sensibility. However, these things will likely be improved as player feedback avalanches into the developer's inboxes.

Lost in Reflections

Glimmer in Mirror is already a solid title where its polishing proves to be a real winner amongst a Metroidvania fan base. Despite lacking areas such as movement and combat, you already get the impression that the game can hold up to highly-regarded genre classics such as Hollow Knight and Ori and the Blind Forest. The groundwork is all there for something enjoyable.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• The beautifully crafted game world
• Vibrant and colorful visuals
• General combat and puzzle-solving are satisfying

Cons:

• Movement abilities feel lacking
• Occasional stuttering in the game

Glimmer in Mirror is a two-dimensional platformer where a girl with blue braids, Shiro, jumps on the branches of magic trees and reveals the truth about the ruined civilization. Flying bees with a meter diameter body, muscular living giants, robot monkeys - shoot them with energy!

Gameplay:

• The player will be able to find special cards that improve the skills of the main character
• Locations are: wild overgrown jungle, ruins of a brown city, narrow dungeons
• Summon spirits to fight on your team