Iris.Fall (Nintendo Switch) Review

By Luke Hemming 10.03.2021

Review for Iris.Fall on Nintendo Switch

With very little buzz made about this 3D platformer bar an intriguing trailer and promising visuals, Iris.Fall is most likely not on anyone's radar, meaning that the threat of being lost in a sea of Switch indie titles looms. Take the leap down the rabbit hole, however, and what presents itself is an intriguing little escape into a monochrome wonderland - for a few hours, at least.

Iris, the curious titular character, begins her adventure by taking the totally sensible decision to follow an incredibly shifty looking cat out of her bedroom window and into the night, eventually finding herself at an even shiftier looking building. Cats, being the tormentors they are, ensure Iris follows said feline into the remnants of the structure, thus beginning her journey.

The mechanics that feature throughout its 2-3 hour runtime are presented instantly and players are given a simple introduction on the shadow shifting gameplay that will serve until the endgame. Reminiscent of the Nintendo DS classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Iris.Fall allows players to navigate obstacles with a fascinating shadow element. Item out of reach? No problem. Take control of your shadow persona and navigate the passable terrain, created by the shapes cast by objects in the dimly lit environment. It's a great idea used well but what really makes the trip worth taking is that this is only a small part of a larger puzzle system.

Screenshot for Iris.Fall on Nintendo Switch

All areas that Iris explores are purposefully designed and each room may take advantage of shadow switching. Often, though, they will incorporate a completely different type of brain bender. It's both a highlight and punishing barrier at times. Fresh ideas are always welcome and knowing that the next room may play perfectly into how your brain is wired keeps the excitement at a high. When it doesn't, however, the game grinds to a halt as you randomly pull levers and push any button in the vicinity until stumbling onto a solution. Thankfully a hint system (which is practically essential) will point out any interactions available and items to nab. All interactions are both satisfying and rewarding, often resulting in a story beat presented as a beautiful but unnerving shadow box play or puppet show.

"Unsettling" is the most appropriate adjective to describe the majority of Iris.Fall, with dulcet piano keys overlaying a monochrome palette, which is in turn laid over crumbling architecture and often Escher-esque platforming layouts. Mechanical monoliths often litter the environment, towering over Iris and lurching into life with precise player manipulation. Colour is used incredibly well to emphasise a certain area or object. So sparing is the use of colour, in fact, that when there is a glimpse of a bright hue, there's an instant sigh of relief and feeling of hope for the future.

Upon reaching the credits, replayability isn't really an option. There's no incentive to play through again, except to maybe grasp the full explanation behind the puzzle that suddenly just worked with no real thought process. Collectibles could have been a simple addition but it's easy to see how these might have detracted from the experience and narrative as a whole. The real goal is to put together the story of Iris in the clues littered around the levels, and in the interactions she has with the world.

Screenshot for Iris.Fall on Nintendo Switch

Cubed3 Rating

7/10
Rated 7 out of 10

Very Good - Bronze Award

Rated 7 out of 10

With its short playtime, Iris.Fall doesn't overstay its welcome and presents an interesting distraction that never bores. Variety is the spice of life in this instance, so it's unfortunate that new elements are sometimes introduced that are so baffling that players may be discouraged from seeing the story through to the end credits. For those that do, however, a beautiful and unsettling adventure awaits with some great mechanics laid over some even greater visual design and cues.

Developer

NEXT

Publisher

Numskull

Genre

Puzzle

Players

1

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  7/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

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