14 DAY TRIAL // 
Side-scrolling "running" games that combine lengthy levels and tough designs have become quite popular nowadays, especially on mobile phones or tablets, and Geometry Dash, coming from RobTop Games, is no exception, first appearing on iOS and Android and now surfacing on the PC platform.
The studio has brought forward a solid version of the game, boasting great-looking visuals, a wide variety of user-created levels, and the same tough stages seen on the mobile versions.
Can Geometry Dash pull off a perfect run or should it retire from the race? Let's find out.
Gameplay
Geometry Dahs doesn't boast a story and it's not even necessary, as you don't require a lot of motivation to ensure that your playable character – a block that can be customized depending on how many things you unlock – survives through the levels.
In terms of actual gameplay mechanics, you guide the block through different levels created by RobTop as well as through stages made by members of the community. Things start off rather simple, as you just have to avoid spikes by timing your jumps on platforms, but you soon encounter the grueling difficulty of the title.
“Many platforms are very small, there are dangers everywhere, and the fact that your character moves on its own makes every stage a test against time.”
However, while the difficulty can often feel really tough, it doesn't cross into the unfair territory. Sure, there are some jumps that obviously lead you to death, but with enough repetition, your bring to life the old saying "practice makes perfect."
Speaking of practice, each stage can also be run in an actual practice mode that allows you to lay down checkpoints from which you respawn when dying. In a regular level, a death means restarting the whole stage, but here you just go back to your latest checkpoint. This mode is great for actually practicing the game but you're invited to try it out without these helpful mechanics if you want to unlock the stars for that stage.
Another major reason for finishing a stage in normal mode is that you can enjoy the special song in that stage. Almost all levels match the beat of the track and it becomes a joy to progress through the stages. However, it also becomes a bit tiring to constantly listen to the first part of the song when going back to the beginning.
Besides jumping around, you'll also have to guide a special ship in different portions of the level, which makes the whole title turn into a sort-of Flappy Bird-like experience. Other portions of certain levels are upside down, which certainly messes with your mind after completing levels the good old-fashioned way.
There are also bounce pads, special circles that allow for a double jump, and a few other mechanics that are introduced during different levels. While they seem pretty simple at first, the constantly changing color schemes and the hectic pace can make it disorienting when you try to complete the tougher levels.
Regular stages made by RobTop are quite good and perfectly timed to the music, but you can also make your own levels using the pretty solid editor included with the game. You can set up platformers, dangers, boosts, and much more, while picking from an array of different songs to complement your creation.
If you're not feeling imaginative, you can try out the many different user-generated levels already present in the game, some offering really imaginative experiences. They can be sorted via popularity but also in terms of difficulty, with three different categories.
Visuals and sound
Geometry Dash is a gorgeous-looking game, boasting vibrant colors, a solid framerate, and really good animations that complement the gameplay without trying to distract players from their actual task. The color scheme changes rapidly throughout a level but some transitions are better than others and can even result in a bit of a confusion.
The soundtrack, as I've mentioned above, is absolutely phenomenal, with all sorts of house and techno music complementing the action on the screen flawlessly thanks to the great level design. Even the music from the user-generated levels is pretty good, so you won't find that big of a drop in quality. Sure, the constant restarts make the beginning of the songs wear a bit thin, but you can always try out a new stage in case you get frustrated.
The Good
- Huge variety of levels
- Impressive soundtrack
- Sharp colors and visuals
- Plenty of bang for your buck
The Bad
- It can be a bit too difficult
- Retrying levels makes some songs get annoying
