Walking and jumping is apparently revolutionary according to this. For a metroid inspired game, it lacks the deep mechanics seen in metroid such as high-speed running, wall jumping, grappling, dashing, etc.

The rotating gimmick itself loses its novelty when you realize the game constantly requires you to rotate until the next platform is available. The rotating is only used otherwise in puzzles that could have been done better even without the gimmick in my opinion.

The biggest problem with the game is that it never rewards you. Solving puzzles and getting cubes only adds 1 to your cube counter each time. In a game like metroid, each time you figure something out you get a new ability that not only gives you access to new areas, but also allows you travel in new ways or fight new enemies, making maneuvering more fun and varied. In fez you slowly walk, hop, and rotate throughout the entire game.

The game may be aesthetically pleasing due to the combination of colors and whatnot, but if you analyse each asset individually you’ll begin to notice how amateurishly drawn they really are. Older games tried to push their hardware limitations as much as they could. Fez on the other hand takes advantage of the retro style to be lazy with the art, passing it off as minimalist retro pixel art.

If you’re looking for an artsy “atmospheric” game and don’t mind shallow gameplay, then this game is for you, but otherwise just play metroid. I’m being a bit harsh on the game but 10/10 is completely unreasonable.