Combining platforming, puzzles, and speed runs
Inertia: Escape Velocity HD is an impressive combination of genres, making a challenging, but addictive game.
At the core, Inertia: Escape Velocity HD is a puzzle game requiring players to collecting pieces of scrap. What the game adds is impressive gravity physics that changes the way Inertia: Escape Velocity HD plays. Players use gravity to maneuver through levels, attempting to collect scrap.
The challenge is that Inertia: Escape Velocity HD uses angles and obstacles to create multi-leveled areas. Players use the direction of movement to guide Hermes (the main character) around each stage. Turning off his gravity moves him in that specific direction, so jumping and turning his gravity off will cause him to float in that same direction.
That mechanic changes the entire way players will approach Inertia: Escape Velocity HD. Later levels add different level obstacles that can affect the way Hermes travels. Some levels contain boosters that propel Hermes through shields and others feature repulsors that push Hermes in the opposite direction he was traveling.
Inertia: Escape Velocity HD’s different levels all use the physics and inertia gameplay in awesome ways. Even when levels feel unfair, there is usually an easy way to approach areas.
Inertia: Escape Velocity HD adds a level timer, gauging the amount of time to complete levels. Inertia: Escape Velocity HD unlocks new levels depending on the amount of scrap players collect; there is a competitive element in trying to beat these standard times. It adds to the replayability because once the level is familiar, the goal is to complete speed runs.
Inertia: Escape Velocity HD also features very impressive graphics. The multilayered levels feature high detail and the background also adds a feeling of three dimensions even though the game is played on a two dimensional plane.
Hermes is highly detailed and while it cannot always been seen during the game, there is a lot of animation in his movements. Each level presents new things to see, even the small lighting effects in Inertia: Escape Velocity HD are some of the most impressive for a puzzle game.
Combining all the elements of Inertia: Escape Velocity HD together creates a reason to play through each level multiple times. The variety of levels and smart difficulty progression creates a challenging and addictive experience.
Inertia: Escape Velocity HD is one of the smartest and visually impressive puzzle games available.
