08: VVVVVV

This week we discuss Terry Cavanagh’s indie gaming masterpiece VVVVVV. Inspired by the Commodore 64 generation of games, this game presents a tough challenge to even the most experienced gamer, while still clocking in at a descent length. Clever level design and a great focused game mechanic make this game shine.

The game is available:
– Steam for Mac, PC, and Linux – $4.99
– Direct from Develper DRM free for Mac, PC, and Linux – $4.99 (or $7.50 with the soundtrack)
– From the Nintendo 3DS eShop
– Coming soon for several other platforms including PSVita, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Ouya

Expect the game to take between 2 to 4 hours to complete depending on your skill level and willingness to persevere against sometimes absurd difficulty.

Pre-show topics

• American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett (Novel)
• Paranoia RPG
• Kero Blaster for PC
• Kero Blaster for iPhone
• Mario Golf

Links for this episode

• The name’s meaning and other curiosities
• QWOP
• Shahid Ahmad of Playstation on the Directional Podcast
• Interview with developer Terry Cavanagh from Rock Paper Shotgun
• Playing VVVVVV on the iPad (YouTube link)
• Terry Cavanagh’s website featuring many of his flash games
• Super Meat Boy
• The Gravitron (…oh god the graviton…)
• The Elephant Secret… Revealed!

There is no spoiler break for this episode, as we all concurred that there wasn’t really that much story to spoil.

Correction: Raygan stated that the game was available on the Humble Store but this is not the case. It was previously included in a Humble Bundle but it is only available through Steam and DRM Free through the developer’s website, sold using the Humble Widget. We regret the error.

What is The Short Game?

A podcast about video games that respect your time