‘Ugly,’ developed by Team Ugly and published by Graffiti Games, takes you on a side-scrolling, platforming adventure with a plethora of puzzles thrown in to challenge and frustrate you along the way.

There is a loose story attached, told through interactive memories, and it fleshed out so much of the gameplay. Stuck in the twisted and fairytale-like mind of a nobleman, you must confront the memories of your torment and pain, facing darkness that may be just too ugly to bare. Behind this energetic game is actually an emotionally deep tale of loneliness and despair – a story I was dying to witness unfold as I conquered each area. Ugly, the character himself, is one you are rooting for from the very beginning, the poor little lost soul.

The controls are a traditional WASD layout with a few keys sprinkled away to respawn and control your mirror ability. Thankfully, it is also controller compatible. The controls are easy to master, but in no way is this game easy, and the puzzles strewn throughout this desolate mansion are quite challenging.

The gameplay is definitely refreshing and innovative with a twist on the traditional platforming of the most generic kind. In this game, you have the ability to mirror yourself. This means you can swap places and phase through things you couldn’t in your original body. This allows you to reach things and enter rooms that were blocked off to you.

This can be challenging at times as you try to figure out whether you can reach somewhere either vertically or horizontally, but once you solve the puzzles in each room, it feels so rewarding as you grasp that key to enter a new area. The boss fights are equally rewarding, with creative puzzle designs and attack sequences.

The only gripe I did have with Ugly was the respawning. At the push of P, you can respawn at the beginning of the room if you make a mistake. Unfortunately, any keys you have collected along the way evaporate with your body, meaning you really do need to start all over again, and it’s definitely tedious in a boss fight that has multiple elements to tackle. Say goodbye to that hard-earned reward.

Graphically, in a cartoon art style, Ugly is adorable. Each new room is teeming with little details that attract your eye and add depth to the tale within. Boss fights also have fabulous art design and charisma; the artists of this game should definitely be proud of their hard work.

The backing audio compliments the mood well, with whimsical and almost sorrowful music keeping you company for the journey for answers you must undertake.

Overall, Ugly is definitely not ugly at all, but it reminds you that, for some, the world around can be. With interesting puzzles, innovative mechanics, and a fabulous art design, Ugly will have you coming back over and over again to seek just that little bit more bit of the story. Ugly? Pfft… Not everything that glitters is gold, and this is one golden title.

Written by: Stacey