That gameplay mechanic is absolutely fantastic – a point which I don’t think comes across in this commentary. You mentioned that the visual style falls short, and I certainly agree with that, but there’s so much more to the game’s flaws. In fact, other than that basic gameplay mechanic, I can’t think of anything I like about it.

The level design, for instance, is bland and the boss encounter is a joke. In gameplay terms, the encounter works as an introductory level fight, but I just can’t look passed the fact that the enemy (whoever he is) has trapped you in a room that is clearly designed in such a way as to allow you to defeat him. This is done all the time in games, of course, but it’s much less distracting and much more satisfying when the room is designed with the appearance of functionality.

Instead of a big square room with conveniently placed magnets which can launch the enemies projectiles back at him along a conspicuous track, why not achieve the same effects within a believable scenario? Perhaps it is the enemy’s firing range and his projectiles are supposed to be launched back? Perhaps, instead of tracks, there are exhaust pipes? With a more fleshed out premise to the game, making more realistic and compelling scenarios would be easier, but that’s the general idea.

I really do love the magnet-inspired gameplay of Polarity and I can’t express my disappointment enough at how much the rest falls short. We saw with Narbacular Drop that an innovative idea can be fostered into something spectacular (it became Portal); I hope something like that happens here.