It’s always a bit odd when you run into games that are composed of an unusual pairing of elements. Sometimes those are expected to work together directly, like pretty well anything roguelike, taking gameplay you know and spicing it up with new elements. Other times it can feel more like they’re two different ideas that have simply been bolted together, letting you experience one for a few beats, then move to the other, and then back again over and over. Love Eternal falls into that former category, featuring a story twinged in some disturbing imagery and psychological horror, as well as challenging gravity-inverting platforming the likes I haven’t seen since the somewhat infamous VVVVVV.

For the most part this plays out swinging between those two pillars, establishing the story or continuing it in somewhat small vignettes, and then having you complete multiple rooms of platforming challenges that will test your timing and technique. The platforming here is absolutely not for the easily-frustrated or faint of heart. It will test you, but thankfully I’ll say that at least the controls themselves won’t be an obstacle to your success. Your timing and a feel for how your momentum will shift as gravity switches from one direction to another are essential to success, but when avoiding spikes and other traps from side to side while keeping your mind on your vertical situation it can be tough to be on top of both at the same time.

To the game’s credit, new elements will continue to be introduced that further complicate matters, including an orb that will restore your ability to invert gravity again without first touching the ground. These can make for some particularly tense moments, as you need to get everything right to first hit the orb, and then manage to keep yourself alive until you’re able to get to the next save point. Thankfully those are spaced at pretty reasonable intervals, being sure to set up sections that will test you, but not being cruel either by forcing you to endure extended torturous stretches without some relief. In my mind the somewhat creepy and weird story beats are just the icing on the cake, but you’ll need to be sure you enjoy the base flavor of the platforming action if you’re going to get the most out of the experience.