While it’s always tough to show up on a Nintendo system with a platformer, with the long shadow of Mario looming over you, I can’t imagine it’s much more fun to come to the party with an action-adventure game in tow either, given the legacy of the Legend of Zelda series. Despite the intimidation level that no doubt brings with it, I’ve been impressed with some of the ingenuity a variety of indie developers have shown in being sure to differentiate themselves in one way or another from that iconic series. Cassette Boy can absolutely be added to that list, and though it has opted for a more simplistic look visually, it does manage to bring the goods with its more unique take on puzzles involving perspective.

What you get out of this is an adventure that manages to stand apart for a unique visual style and sense of puzzling flair. Once you’ve learned that shifting the perspective you view the gamespace from will allow you to block out specific elements like doors, then allowing you to circumvent them since they don’t exist, the possibilities can make for quite a bit of fun. It’s absolutely the game’s greatest strength, and since traipsing through its varied dungeons will continue to add new tools and wrinkles to the mix, the intellectual challenges don’t really let up.

Where the experience comes back down to Earth a little, is when you spend some time with the details. While the controls do generally work well enough, at times mechanically the game can be a little aggravating. Part of the problem is directly tied to the switching of perspectives when paired with the game’s pretty flat overall look. The fact that objects or doors can manage to disappear can be fun, but navigating specific areas when the textures of things like walls all end up looking the same, with no shading or other clues to help you get a sense of depth, demonstrate where that simplistic look can backfire. It isn’t game-breaking by any means, but it does point out a weakness. Another small issue comes with the game’s combat, which is admittedly less of an overall focus, but since it is present as a key part of the overall experience it could have been more refined and varied in order to help the game as a whole feel more rewarding. Nonetheless, adventure fans with a love for unique puzzling opportunities should still enjoy this, just for everyone else the results may vary.