Alright, so at the time of writing this I've only finished the first world, but I can already tell this will be a fantastic game. I grew up on collect-a-thons, with the likes of Spyro and Banjo, and I have been looking for something to tide me over till Yooka-Laylee next year. Fortunately, Mervils manages to scratch that itch just fine.

If you've never played the genre, basically there are multiple levels full of hidden collectibles and challenges, and the main goal is to get as many collectibles as you can. In the first world, there were tough platforming sections, tricky puzzles, and a few combat minigames, including a great boss at the end of the 3rd level. It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait for the whole game to be available.

There are a few problems I have with the game, however. Firstly, the motion control segments like the tightrope in 1-2 feel bad to control. I'm not saying they should be completely scrapped, just reworked to be a bit more forgiving and fun. Secondly, I wish there was a page for getting 100 or so coins in a level to give completionists more things to do. Speaking of completionists, this is a game genre made for them, and I feel that the game could really benefit from extra stuff to unlock when a world is 100% completed, such as 1 heart runs or time trials.

That is not to discredit the game, however, as even though it is in early access, this is easily worth the $10 admission price, and I can't wait to see where the devs plan to take us in the future.

Very minimal use of VR. The only two VR aspects of this game are looking around (with some sight-based aiming) and taking input from the VR controller (but not interacting with the environment at all with them, just using buttons). And you'll have a better time if you don't use the VR controllers, and use a gamepad instead.

Also, everything about this game feels unpolished. The voice talent, the graphics, the plot, the stock photo of Balazar for every exposition segment.

Played just about everything on the Vive to date and haven't come across anything quite like Mervils yet. This game would have at least 8+ hours of platforming gameplay and is highly addictive, polished, made in Unity so you know its sharp, and really well put together. Jump on it - Highly recommended.

There are 12 levels (4 majorly different worlds each with 3 levels). This game is incredible.. you have to get on board if you at all liked Mario 64 or Zelda 64. Sure Mervils wont be as amazing at either of those major titles but its the closest there is on VR right now, and thats no slight of the devs of Mervils because they have done such an absolutely brilliant job. Wait till world 2-1... which is where im up to still with plenty to go. Very cool minecart level. This is easily an 8+ hour game with bosses at the end of each world im tipping (there was 1 at the end of World 1). Platformer/collectionist/adventurers.. dont think - get this now.

Can't get pass level 11 due to cannonballs not reaching the enemy ships.
Played on valve index and xbox controller.

Also the game doesn't support valve index controller.

This game is a no for me based on how the character controls - jumping and moving feel weightless. Enemy combat is also very simple as you run in, swing your sword, then run away -it feels tedious. Finally, although the game does a good job and mixing up what you have to do (shooting yourself out of cannons, dk carts, unique puzzles), I found a lot of the experiences to be poorly executed.

Play luckys tale instead!

For those of you who just want a reason to buy it, here are the pros.
Things the game does well:
+strongly themed worlds
+Long experience
+hidden collectibles
+Diversified gameplay (donkey Kong karts, blast your self out of a cannon, puzzling, platforming, combat)

Finally a well made non demo/early access game! Very cool and fun so far!... But I seriously got to get back to it now....

*edit*
2 hrs in.... that went fast... well I can say this... Its really great. I have only beat one world and not even completely, with 3 more worlds, character upgrades, etc still left I'm absolutely loving this game.

Seriously this game is worth so much more compared to what developers are selling early access games for! honestly this coming from an indie developer is like a 9.5/10 (only thing being that the voice acting though good could have been a little better *IE the first world Dragon*)

But seriously stop reading reviews!!! You got to get this game! BUY IT!!

Did you play Mario 64? Or Zelda Ocirina-0-t.

If so you will be on familiar ground in Mervils adventure. Graphics wise, it looks very similar to Lucky's tail, except with better enemy design. Bright primary colors are the word of the day. The gameplay will be familiar to, it's like a simiplified platform game crossed with a simplified action adventure game. The stages are diaromama\your looking down from above style. There's light gear upgrades you can buy (in game money) and fairly simple quests you need to complete to get pages. Pages are what you are collecting, they are hidden all over the levels, somethings questing,sometimes fighting, and some times just getting to a doffocult place will land you pages, which you need to progress and unlock different gear classes.

All in all its a good platformer/adventure game, Maybe not up there with the all time greats, but good enough on its own. It kept my interest better than Luckys Tail did, and I've only beaten 1 world so far

One of the most overlooked VR games in my opinion. Mervils is extremely fun and well optimized. The visuals are excellent and I really enjoy the simple art style. Lots of content here and great level designs. I agree that it does sit somewhere between Mario & Zelda. Great game!!

I was looking for something to sit down and play on a Monday night on my Rift. Something lighthearted to relax with for a little bit instead of running around serving food or being jump scared for the umpteenth time and this was perfect! Cute graphics, interesting storyline, and well worth the $10 I paid for it. Only finished the 1st land so far (and not completely) but so far it's just right. Not too quick, not too long to finish each part. It's a little simplier than the games I am used to, so while it is a good relaxing time passer for me on a night before work, I think younger kids would be able to play and get enjoyment and satisfaction as well. I'd say it's along the lines of Lucky's Tale and I wish people would make more relaxing games for VR like this for when you want to be in VR but not jump around like a fool.

This game is seriously a jewel among VR games. It fascinated me like no Vive game yet and I played a considerable amount of them. First of all the game's content adds up to roughly 7 hours of gameplay, which is, how you surely know, top notch in today's VR gaming. Given that you can spend a lot of cash on very short VR experiences, the 20 bucks for this one feel like a free giveaway.

You play the game in 3rd Person perspective, meaning you stand in the level, controlling and following around your character. Your character's movements result from your thumb sliding over the controllers round touch button, which feels very smooth and allows precise movements. So you are basically your character's coach behind his shoulder, observing from above, looking where to go next.

The game consists of 4 worlds, each has 3 levels and each has a boss fight. As I jump&ran and adventured my way through them, I couldn't help but get serious Zelda and Mario64 vibes.
What was especially fascinating to me was how the developers brought variation to the game. Every single level tells another unique story. One time you have to help people gather equipment to fight a dragon, another time you are recruiting a pirate crew, then you go solve the puzzles of a mysterious temple or just have a jolly good time sliding down a rapid ice slide.
The fact that every level feels new and has fresh ideas prevents this game from ever getting repetitive and you will wish for more once you have it finished.

As I am a huge fan of boss fights, I was excited to play a VR game with bosses in it. If you like boss fights, you will find some delicacies in here. Keep an eye out for the boss of world 3, which was easily the most intense VR experience I had and, because of standing in the very atmospheric arena myself, one of the most outstanding boss fights I played.

If you enjoy adventures, do yourself a favor and get that game. It is a pioneer in VR adventures and I truly hope, that many future games will take inspiration from it.

If you want to check a few scenes of gameplay I leave you the link to my playthrough of the whole game, where you can check out every level.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSo-GL7j5xrpgkToLJfEMe-lHkxWNGhG