Ovivo

About Ovivo

Ovivo is a puzzle platformer where you control a character that shifts between black and white states. Developed by IzHard, it released in 2017 and blends abstract visuals with rhythm-based mechanics. The game’s world uses color as a core mechanic, switching between black and white alters platform visibility, environmental hazards, and puzzle solutions. With a focus on minimalist art and cryptic storytelling, it challenges players to interpret its themes of balance and duality. Available on most platforms, from PS5 to iOS, it’s a short but stylized experience. The story revolves around OVO, a being born from opposing forces, navigating symbolic landscapes while collecting fragmented narratives.

Gameplay

Each level forces you to toggle between black and white. In one color, platforms vanish; in the other, they reappear. You’ll backtrack, solve puzzles by manipulating color-based switches, and avoid hazards that activate depending on your state. Movement is smooth but precise, with small platforms requiring timing. The soundtrack pulses in time with level transitions, adding urgency. Bosses and environmental puzzles escalate complexity, like syncing color shifts with rotating obstacles. Collecting symbols triggers story snippets, but their meaning is left to player interpretation. Sessions are bite-sized, but repeated attempts to unlock achievements or beat personal time records can extend gameplay.

What Players Think

Community ratings average 4.5/5 stars, with 36% of players completing the game. Metacritic scores 71/100, IGDB 79.5. Players report 4.2 hours on average, though 15% unlock achievements. The rarest, ”The story is written”, sits at 5.4%. Moods skew toward wonder (68%) and curiosity (52%), with some nostalgia (34%). Critics praise clever mechanics but note a lack of depth. One review says, “It’s a clever gimmick that falters in the third act.” Achievement hunters grumble about obscure unlock conditions, but casual players enjoy the zen-like pacing. The game’s short length splits opinions, some call it “charming but brief,” others “a cryptic gem worth revisiting.”

PlayPile's Take

Ovivo is worth playing if you like abstract puzzles and experimental aesthetics. At $14.99, it’s a low-risk purchase. The 31 achievements add replay value, though 15.6% average unlock rate means some require patience. Skip if you want a story-driven experience, narrative is sparse and interpretive. The platforming is tight but basic, best suited for fans of games like Limbo. It’s a quick, meditative escape for $15, but don’t expect lasting engagement. For what it is, it nails the balance between simplicity and challenge.

Storyline

In the world of OVIVO, Black and White exist in harmony. By constantly intertwining and replacing each other, they maintain balance. The main character named OVO was born of these two halves and has the ability to switch between them. OVO travels through the metaphorical world, overcoming dangers and collecting mysterious symbols. These symbols will help you unravel the story of this world, but how you interpret it is completely up to you.