Pivot XL
- May 14, 2018
- Adamvision Studios
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"Pivot XL" is a physics-based puzzle game where players manipulate and rotate various shapes to reach the target location. With a minimalist art style, the game offers a relaxing and satisfying experience as players solve increasingly complex levels. The game also features a level editor, allowing players to create and share their own challenges.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Pivot XL is a highly addictive and fun arcade game that can be played with just one button, making it accessible and easy to pick up.
- The minimalist design and simple mechanics create a unique gameplay experience that encourages players to improve their skills and beat their high scores.
- The game features a catchy soundtrack and smooth controls, providing a satisfying experience that keeps players engaged for short bursts of play.
- Many players find the controls confusing and frustrating at first, leading to a steep learning curve that may deter some from enjoying the game.
- The graphics and overall presentation are considered too simplistic, resembling low-effort mobile games rather than a polished PC title.
- Some reviews mention a lack of depth and replay value once achievements are unlocked, making it feel less rewarding in the long run.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its unique yet simple mechanics that are both addictive and fun, making it suitable for casual play. While some players find it frustratingly shallow, others appreciate the innovative twists on basic concepts that keep the experience engaging and challenging. Overall, the controls are smooth, and the fast-paced nature of the gameplay encourages quick decision-making and personal improvement.
“Unique but simple gameplay and very addictive and fun to play while watching TV for 20 minutes!”
“I enjoyed the gameplay, despite its simplicity, and I like that the further you get into the round, the more interesting the obstacles get and the more frantic the gameplay becomes.”
“The controls and graphics are buttery smooth, and the gameplay is addictive.”
“The gameplay here is brain-numbingly shallow and simple; the game seems to have been designed for toddlers on iPads (although this never made it to the app stores it was designed for).”
“They share the same graphical and sound assets and some rules (like being controlled by a single button), but are distinguished by their game mechanics.”
“Pivot, for example, has a simple, one-button mechanic that has you change the direction that the orb is moving as it goes in a circle, while grabbing other white orbs and avoiding other shapes, all while going for the high score.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered simplistic and low-quality, reminiscent of early arcade titles, with limited options for improvement. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and find the visuals smooth, many criticize the lack of substantial graphical enhancements, especially for a PC game. Overall, the visuals are seen as mediocre, failing to meet the expectations of modern gamers.
“Reminiscent of the earliest of games, but with the elegance of modern visuals.”
“The controls and graphics are buttery smooth, and the gameplay is addictive.”
“Nice music, sound effects, visuals, and the gameplay is fun/challenging; I recommend this! 🖤🖤”
“While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic low-quality vector art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
“Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the mediocre 2D visuals.”
“Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with many users praising it as the best soundtrack in the Adamvision series. Reviewers highlight its hypnotic rhythm that enhances gameplay, making it both enjoyable and engaging, while also noting the effective sound effects and volume control options available. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's fun and challenging atmosphere.
“I'm honestly not sure what to say, it's just as good as ding dong xl and poosh xl, although this has the best soundtrack of any Adamvision game so far!”
“During the early stages of a run you feel mesmerized by the hypnotic rhythm of the movement and music, but when your score passes a certain point, the adrenaline starts pumping and your mind sharpens as everything accelerates to hectic speeds.”
“Although frustrating at first, the game definitely grew on me :) the music is fun, and I enjoyed the unlockables.”
“Usually there’s something not quite right with cheap minimalist games, whether it’s lack of Linux support, annoying music, or a minor but irritating glitch.”
“During the early stages of a run, you feel mesmerized by the hypnotic rhythm of the movement and music, but when your score passes a certain point, the adrenaline starts pumping and your mind sharpens as everything accelerates to hectic speeds.”
“The options menu has various resolution options, fullscreen toggle, volume slider adjustments for both sound effects and music, and the option to toggle vibrations on or off.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a mix of replayability experiences; while some users find it highly addictive with infinite replay value, others note limited replay options. It serves well for quick sessions, making it suitable for casual play, though the tutorial may require multiple attempts for clarity.
“And yet, it is somehow super addictive and highly replayable, with your goal being to beat your previous high score.”
“Good for filling a spare few minutes here and there, and lots of replay value.”
“This is a $1 game with infinite replay value.”
“There's not a lot of replay value.”
“Good for filling a spare few minutes here and there, but there's not much replay value.”
“The main menu has an optional but replayable tutorial that briefly explains how the game works, but it wasn't very clear to me the first time and took me a few tries just to get a feel for how the game plays.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Adamvision is characterized by its clever transformation of simplistic mechanics into something unique and entertaining. Players find the game amusing, although it may take some time to adjust to its quirky controls.
“Adamvision has a funny way of taking simplistic mechanics and ideas and turning them into something special.”
“Funny little game.”
“It takes a while to get used to the funny controls.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game primarily revolves around unlocking various cosmetic designs for characters, which do not affect gameplay or behavior. While players can enjoy a range of visual styles, such as the blue neon circle with a pink tail, the core mechanics remain unchanged across different designs. Enemies, however, are visually distinct, allowing players to anticipate their actions based on their shapes and colors.
“You have a variety of character designs and colors to choose from (once unlocked) – my favorite is the blue neon circle with the bright pink tail – and the enemies all have distinct shapes and colors, so you know how they’re going to behave.”
“After you’ve played for a while and collected some points, you can unlock various character designs. While they are just cosmetic, they add a fun layer of personalization to the game.”
“After you’ve played for a while and collected some points, you can unlock various character designs, but they are just cosmetic and behave the same way.”
“You have a variety of character designs and colors to choose from (once unlocked), but they don't offer any real gameplay differences.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is generally perceived as solid, with immediate-use items functioning effectively to enhance gameplay by allowing players to manipulate obstacles on screen. However, the presence of these items suggests a reliance on power-ups rather than addressing potential underlying stability issues.
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is highly engaging, as players enjoy the challenge of making quick decisions during gameplay while also strategizing and refining their mechanics and performance between sessions.
“It's a ton of fun and a challenge both in-game, making split-second, nearly subconscious decisions about routing, and in between games, figuring out the mechanics and successful strategies to improve personal performance.”
