Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
Yes, I know. A game that openly states that it took inspiration from infographics sounds like it may possibly be the dullest thing known to man, something David Brent would have cooked up to keep Wernham Hogg on track.
Fortunately, Metrico is nowhere near as bad as it sounds. In fact, it’s an engaging if somewhat infuriating puzzler, guaranteed to give those who hated maths terrible flashbacks. Players guide their avatar through a selection of abstract worlds, each requiring them to overcome obstacles, mainly in the form of interlinked geometric shapes.
An example: in one level the player’s path to the other side of the screen is blocked by four differently-sized bars (from bar chart fame). The obvious solution is to jump over them, but doing so lowers another bar across the exit. So instead, running on the spot on each bar will gradually level them all out, enabling an unhindered run through to the exit.
Later stages are more complicated still, requiring some intricate dexterity via use of the rear touch pad, gyroscopic sensors, lateral thinking and creative swearing. It’s an inventive game, one which asks players to consider the interlocking nature of the environment and their role in making it all work.
Sadly, it’s also a game whose inventiveness is at the mercy of the Vita’s control mechanisms. Rotating the unit to manipulate elements of the world is good in theory, but the wonky implementation often means you’ll be contorting both your arms and head just to see the screen while achieving the desired effect. Later stages make extensive use of this sort of interaction, and it can be immensely frustrating to have to reset your physical position – and as such the progress made on the puzzle itself – due to the sensor.
That aside, Metrico is a interesting puzzle game, albeit one that can sometimes feel like it’s down to trial and error: a lot of times you’ll have to show your working out. Still, it’s free right now on PS Plus, and is definitely worth checking out.
