Gravity Circuit is a very pleasant indie surprise that captures the essence of classic 2D action platformers while offering its own unique spin on the genre. Developed by Domesticated Ant Games and published by PID Games, the game sets players in a futuristic world threatened by the re-emergence of the Virus Army, a formidable foe bent on world domination. As the lone operative Kai, equipped with the titular Gravity Circuit, players set out on a thrilling journey to save the world from chaos and destruction – we did so on a PlayStation 4.
The game’s narrative might not be groundbreaking, but it serves as a decent enough backdrop to the action-packed gameplay, providing some plot twists and character development and keeping players engaged throughout the adventure. At its core, Gravity Circuit is a fast-paced, challenging platformer with combat mechanics though. The gameplay draws inspiration from the beloved Mega Man X series, offering a similar level of speed and precision that MMX fans will appreciate. Kai’s movement and combat feel responsive and satisfying, allowing players to execute fluid combos and send enemies flying. The addition of a grappling hook further enhances the versatility of Kai’s moveset, enabling both dynamic combat and creative platforming.
Gravity Circuit features a unique upgrade system that rewards players for rescuing civilians and defeating bosses. The ability to unlock Burst Techniques and Booster Chips adds depth to the gameplay and encourages experimentation with different loadouts – though you can only equip four of them at once. This ensures that you don’t get too overpowered, and gives the game some replay value as well.
The level design showcases the developer’s creativity, with each stage offering its own set of mechanics and challenges. The game maintains a steady difficulty curve, with some levels providing more straightforward encounters and others requiring a more advanced skillset. The introduction of well-placed checkpoints and a forgiving respawn system helps eliminate a lot of frustration, ensuring an enjoyable gameplay experience with a nicely balanced level of difficulty.
Visually, Gravity Circuit embraces an 8-bit aesthetic, paying homage to classic platformers of the past. Sprites are well-designed, backgrounds are fluidly animated, and projectiles are distinct, making it easy for players to distinguish between friend and foe. The game strikes a nostalgic chord while delivering modern-day polish to keep things visually engaging, while the action is backed up by a great soundtrack that blends synth, metal, and electronic styles, with different tracks to suit different energy levels in the various levels. The tracks evoke a sense of nostalgia for players familiar with the retro era of gaming, making the music a standout feature that’ll stick with those who fondly remember the classics.
Gravity Circuit’s main drawback lies in its relatively short playtime. Completing the game on normal difficulty can be achieved within a few hours, which might leave some players wanting more content to explore. However, the inclusion of New Game+ and Circuit Mode provides some replayability for completionists and speedrunning enthusiasts. But despite its short campaign, Gravity Circuit stands as a shining example of a modern-day homage to the classic era of 2D action platforming. It offers a refreshing take on the genre, avoiding the frustrations of artificial difficulty spikes while delivering a fluid, engaging, and challenging gameplay experience. Fans of classic platformers, particularly the Mega Man X series, will find Gravity Circuit to be an absolute gem that successfully captures the spirit of retro gaming with a touch of contemporary nuances. One of the standout indies of 2023.
Score: 8.8/10
Press Play Media 