Review: Exception

A new 2.5D platformer has arrived on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, and PC Platforms. It’s name is Exception. I think the developers gave the game this name because they wanted their platformer to be an exception to every other platformer that has already been created. How does it stand out though, and does it truly hit the mark?

30 Second Review

+ Leaderboards

+ Speedrunners Welcomed

+ Unique Level Design

– Story Doesn’t Matter

– Annoying Cutscenes

Flip The Script

Exception is an interesting platformer at first glance. You play through the levels, but the design of the levels are multipurpose, because you’ll trigger in game mechanics that’ll rotate, flip, or out right relocate you within the stage. This is a refreshing take on the platformer genre, and made the action combat platforming mechanics that much more enjoyable. The only thing that I was missing in the early stages of the game to have completely won me over was a double jump. However, you can wall jump back and forth to reach higher ground, so there is that.

While playing Exception, you can grab data logs, and these are kind of like the currency of the game for your upgrades. So your character will grow and develop with you while you play the game. Be sure to go with upgrades that fit your play style, because you’re going to need them in order to complete the levels as quickly as possible.

Exception has boss battles, and while this is a plus to the game, it’s also kind of a drawback. Even though you have these big glorious bosses that fill the level, they are actually quite easy to beat, and this was kind of disappointing. It’s like the game had these moments of brilliance with level design, but then the developer was too afraid to make it too challenging. However, this may be a plus; if you have a younger gamer at home, this would be a good platformer for them to play and not get overly frustrated.

I think Exception is a game that everyone could beat and find something to enjoy with it. All the levels are timed, and there are things you can do within the levels to score time reduction bonuses, like beat enemies, destroy objects, collect items, and so forth. The leaderboards will keep you coming back for more trying to achieve all that you can. On the Nintendo Switch version I currently rank between 3rd and 5th on most levels, but I’m sure that’ll change in the coming weeks as more people discover this title.

Exception is a game that is perfectly suited for hand held play. You can easily take it on the go and start and stop at any point, and with most levels only taking 30 seconds to a couple of minutes to beat it’s a great game for pick up and play. I got about 3.5 hours of battery life from my system, and I think that’s because the game is super bright and colorful and I play at the highest settings.

How Did It Come To This?

Oh the story. The story in Exception is pretty uninspired, unlike the game play. The gist of it is, a grandmotherly type figure got a computer virus on her computer via an email, and the digital world has turned into chaos. You are a rogue program that is trying to put a stop to this, but are you up to the task? My biggest recommendation is to just skip the story all together, keep it to the gameplay, and anytime you see a cut scene just tap the button till you are away from it.

Which brings us to the biggest problem with the cutscenes. In Exception, a cut scene will start, but it will wait for you to input the next part of the cut scene. So you’ll see a backdrop with no dialogue popping up, oh wait I need to hit a button, and then you’re just tapping a button over and over until the cut scene ends, and they end as mysteriously as they began. This is jarring and completely takes away from what the gameplay has to offer. Also, I’m just not sold on the story. I mean, this is the best they could come up with? Just the imagination and creativity in the game doesn’t match the story at all, and that’s why I think you should just do yourself a favor and skip the story completely.

Some mechanics were a little annoying and took some getting use to in Exception. For instance, you’re standing before a huge gap. Okay I better get a running start to leap across to the other side. You have to condition yourself to press the jump button before you get to the edge. If you get to the edge and press it, you’ll fall. If you start falling and try to jump, you’ll fall. The timing is so critical, and I found myself falling quite a bit until I just realized, yolo it and leap of faith it near the edge.

The Platformer Price

For review purposes, the Nintendo Switch version of Exception was used. You can find it on the Nintendo eShop for $14.99. However, being that it’s also on Xbox One, PS4, and Steam PC you can acquire the game on their digital store fronts as well. I think if you want to wait for a sale, $9.99 is probably the price I’d most likely pay for the game. Exception is rated E for Everyone.