After realizing that the second half of the game was too difficult for me to play in front of my children - they can only watch daddy attempt the same level so many times before they get bored - I finally pushed through Armillo. I am glad that I did because the game is a thoroughly charming 3D platformer that fans of this neglected genre should not miss.
Armillo - which is both a Wii U exclusive and only $8 in the eShop, BTW - is equal parts Super Mario Galaxy, Marble Madness, and Sonic Spinball (with just a dash of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes thrown in for good measure). In it, you control the titular character and, briefly, his brother, as he rolls around small planets and moons collecting orbs, rescuing his friends, solving basic puzzles, and fighting engaging in relatively challenging boss fights. He moves quickly, and controls wonderfully in a Marble Madness sort of way. (Some later levels throw a few control issues at you, similar to the famous "Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy" level in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. At that point, you realize just how well the game controls otherwise.) The game spans five galaxies, each with four worlds, and it can be beaten pretty quickly. You receive a medal each time you beat a level, however, and obtaining a gold medal in each level is quite challenging. (I gave up on that goal about half way through the game.) The game also has 20 hidden levels, and you must defeat at least eight of those to unlock the final boss. These levels are play in 2D, and IMO, were the game's weakest segments. (The controls in those sections are little too floaty, and the time limits are a little too strict.) Finally, the game has two "bonus" levels, one of which contains a completely unexpected - but nonetheless totally awesome - Shovel Knight cameo. (Seriously, it came out of nowhere, and it was as shocking to me as GladDos' cameo in Rush.) Accordingly, the game contains enough content to keep most experienced 3D platforming fans busy for quite some time, but not so much that it wear out its welcome.
The game also poses a modest challenge, and I had to <gasp!> restart some levels after failing them completely. Fortunately, the game allows you to spend the orbs that you collect on various upgrades (e.g., more life, more starting lives, more time in bonus areas, etc.), and these upgrades make the game more manageable.
Finally, while the game sounds great and has great atmosphere, it is not a graphical powerhouse and stutters occasionally. (Basically, it looks like a HD version of a PS2 game.) This did not bother me since the art direction was so solid, but those looking for a game to show off the Wii U's graphical potential should probably look elsewhere.
In sum, I highly recommend this game, and fans starved for quality 3D platforming action should not miss it.
