The game starts with a manga-style opening and a very bland story. Tobe’s sister suggests they go on a real adventure, and for some reason she hits him. It’s kind of brutal- I would have just said “please.” The game does put a bit of humour in, and likes to break the fourth wall by saying, “Not you- you keep playing” with the characters facing the screen.

Within the first level, we see where the game gets its name. We’ve been introduced to Tobe, and the first level is very, well, vertical. It’s kind of like diving into a hole, but at the bottom there’s a treasure chest that makes the hole blow up. By gathering items, such as balloons and ropes, you make your way down, saving chickens on the way. Yes, chickens. I have no idea why. You also open small treasure chests by mashing B and hoping that Tobe will at some point open it, and eventually large treasure chests, which are opened by timing the button pressing in the middle of a bar.

The controls feel pretty jammy are really awkward to master. This isn’t so much of a challenge- it’s just bloody annoying. They don’t seem to respond too well, and the jumping often fails due to this. Before long, we see added difficulty and challenge with the introduction of falling rocks, spiky floors, and spinning, floating, spiked blocks of doom! We’re also faced with fast-locking doors and awkward wall-running segments.

The game is broken into smaller parts, or “worlds,” which are a lot like Mario, and each smaller level is called an “Act.” So instead of getting, say, Level 5, you’ll have World 2 Act 1. There are a total of 4 acts in each world and 4 worlds, giving the game 16 levels. They then break it down some more with short cut-scenes.

It has Co Op, which is a plus, but the game just really isn’t that fun. Sure, it is for a little while, but not for long, and you’ll soon see your joy plummet more than the levels demand. They try to add some variety with fresh licks of paint, such as ice-themed areas, but it simply doesn’t work. It also has a very upbeat and annoying soundtrack. It seems fine at first, but it really, really pushes down on your nerves after a while. The graphics are pretty simple but easy to see and do compliment the game’s style.

Basically, the game is fun, but not for long. And if you stick it out through the full game, you’ll be finding yourself pretty bored, unless you only play it occasionally.

Games: Tobe's Vertical Adventure, Platforms: Xbox Live Indie Games, Genres: Platformer, Publishers: Microsoft Game Studios, Developers: Rayteoactive