Mekorama Review (Nintendo Switch)

Game: Mekorama
Genre: Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch ( Also on Consoles and Mobile)
Developers|Publishers: Martin Magni | Ratalaika Games|Rainy Frog
Age Rating: EU 3+| USA E|AUS G
Price: EU €4.99 | USA $4.99 |AUS $7.50 | CA $7.75| UK £4.49
Release Date: 26th March 2020

Review code used many thanks to Rainy Frog

Martin Magni’s 3D puzzle game Mekorama was originally released as a mobile game in 2016 and received critical acclaim, it has now been ported to the Nintendo Switch.

Robot B

The premise behind Mekorama is that a cute little yellow and black Robot called B, he Is probably named B as he has the colouring of a Bee, anyway he has crashed landed on a cubic planet where your task is to guide B through a series of obstacles and creatures to eventually reach the red maker that signifies the end of the stage.

To direct B around the stages you use the Touchscreen by tapping a square where you want B to head to. Since each space is broken up in a grid-like fashion, it’s quite easy to figure out exactly where Robot B needs to go by tapping individual squares. You can also interact with the environment by rotating blocks, activating levers, or by simple pushing a block out of the way to make the path clear.  For added fun there are enemies placed on some stages and it’s up to you to make sure Robot B avoids them.

Swivel The Puzzle

To see how to solve each puzzle you can spin the puzzle left and right by sliding your finger on the screen, stopping exactly where you want to so you can find the secret to solving the puzzle. Early stages are somewhat procedural but as you progress the stages become more maze like and require more puzzling out of how Robot B is going to reach the red marker.

For the most part Mekorama is easy to get into, especially since the first few stages do a good job of showing you how to play. If you do happen to get stuck on a stage there is a hint system that will supply you with two cryptic clues on how to progress.

Plenty of Puzzles

All the puzzles in Mekorama are sectioned off in to Easy, Medium, Tricky and Hard with 25 puzzles in each section and a total of 100 puzzles in all. 50 of the puzzles are new to the game for the Nintendo Switch release. You can only move to the next section of puzzles once you have finished all 25 puzzles in one section.

If you find 100 puzzles has not wetted your appetite for puzzling, you can try your hand at creating your own Mekorama puzzles in the Make your own Levels section of the game. Here you will find all the blocks, robot pieces and lots more to get creative with and build your own puzzle, once it’s finished you can try it out. It’s not an extensive Make you Own Levels tool but it’s a nice add on to the game.

Visuals and Controls

I like the clean look of Mekorama, there is only the puzzle on screen so there are no distractions for the player and they can just concentrate on completing the puzzle. The physics engine ensures everything moves realistically, such as platforms, and balls. Robot B himself is interesting to watch as he waddles from block to block, arms swaying and his large head swivelling as he moves. His movement is very lifelike and how you would imagine a tubby robot to walk.

The background music is created based on the initial tap sequences as you tap the screen to move B around, it’s a brilliant and well thought out idea.

As I’ve mentioned previously  you can control Mekorama via the Touchscreen by tapping where you want Robot B to move. Moving the camera around so you can see the puzzle is done by swiping either Left or Right and for the most part the controls do work well. Though sometimes you can move a platform up or down by accident as you’re moving the camera around but it’s not a major issue.

Mekorama can also be controlled with the Joy-stick and buttons, a little dot icon is on screen for you to move it to where you need  B to move to and press A and off B will go. Again this control system works just as well as the touchscreen controls.

Conclusion

Mekorama is highly polished and accessible puzzle game with plenty of puzzling fun. The gameplay is relaxed and simple, allowing for quick pick up and play session or longer sittings to flex your brain cells.

For a few pounds it costs to buy the game I highly recommend that Mekorama has a spot on your Nintendo Switch. After all who could resist little cute Robot B?

Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot