Koloro (Switch) Review

Auto Run Jumper

Koloro essentially mixes the auto-running and platforming of Super Mario Run with a simplified visual style to something like Limbo.  Gameplay couldn’t be more simple as only a single button is used to jump, wall jump, and slide a cube to the exit of a single screen platform maze.  There are all sorts of hazards to prevent you from reaching the other side, like spikes and switches, and casual fans of Super Meat Boy should feel right at home.

The ultimate goal of the game is to find your sister, playing as a whimsical little girl. What is strange, is the girl somehow transforms herself into a cube and must puzzle platform her way through hundreds of levels. Nothing about the story makes sense and almost would have been better without it as it is just shoehorned on top of a platformer.  How can this girl transform into a perfectly square cube? Why does she need to travel through each stage in sequential order? Why can’t she pivot and just walk the other way at will? The story doesn’t make any sense in conjunction with the gameplay.

There is a co-op mode for two players, over 300 levels, some optional secret items to collect, and an occasional boss battle. The game also keeps track of fastest completion times for those willing to speedrun the campaign so there is quite a bit of content to play through for the $10 price tag. Each death, which will happen quiet often, results in an instant respawn which is a welcome feature. Some stages will only take a few seconds to complete but others might take a couple minutes. It can be frustrating to die right at the end of a difficult stage that takes two minutes to beat but that is the nature of this type of gameplay. 

Music is actually a highlighting element of Koloro as each jump creates a tone that aligns with the soundtrack.  This aspect alone provides the personality of the overall package; this game would not be the same without this.  Unfortunately, with such a strong emphasis put on the audio presentation, it is a shame that the music skips a beat upon death or when restarting. Also, the only way the player interacts with this game is through one button that makes the playable square jump.  Unfortunately, there is only one type of jump which makes some stages annoying. For example, tapping the button does not create a short hop whereas holding down the button does not make a longer jump. The single height jump makes some platforming and wall bouncing overly difficult.  The spikes seem to have some unfair collision detection too. 

This auto-running, puzzle platformer type of game seems to be a dime a dozen these days.  Just browse the marketplace on your mobile device to see for yourself.  While Koloro is not the best game in this genre, it is not the worst. If you own another QubicGames Switch eShop title, there is a promotion currently available in which you can buy other QubicGames’ games for 50% off.  If you are a big fan of Super Meat Boy and want to play something a little more child friendly with your youngster, Koloro can provide an afternoon of entertainment.

More Enjoyable Than: Semblance (Switch)

Better Than: Flappy Bird (Mobile)

Also Try: Nihilumbra (Switch)

By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com

Twitter: @ZackGaz