The Perfect Pencil Review: A Surreal Metroidvania Journey on Nintendo Switch
Indie developer Studio Cima’s The Perfect Pencil arrived on Nintendo Switch in March 2024, instantly turning heads with its unmistakable hand-drawn art style and thought-provoking themes.
As the latest entry in the ever-popular Metroidvania genre, The Perfect Pencil sets itself apart not only through its striking visual direction, but also by tackling heavy psychological themes rarely explored in mainstream platformers available on the Nintendo eShop. Players guide John, the protagonist, as he wakes up in a disquieting world teeming with bizarre monsters and dreamlike landscapes.
Rather than relying on a straightforward narrative, The Perfect Pencil opts for a symbolic journey—asking players to dive deep into the themes of self-reflection and confronting inner demons.
While the subject matter might not resonate with everyone, those drawn to introspective experiences will find it surprisingly relatable and deeply immersive. The core gameplay loop embraces classic Metroidvania conventions: discovering interconnected regions, unlocking new abilities, and revisiting previously inaccessible areas.
Combat is direct yet enjoyable—John wields an oversized pencil to dispatch the unnerving enemies roaming each surreal environment.
Boss encounters, which frequently represent personal fears or psychological barriers, stand out for their imaginative if sometimes unsettling designs, echoing the atmosphere of cult favorites like Silent Hill, but within a side-scrolling adventure framework. One of The Perfect Pencil’s signature systems is John’s unique analysis ability.
Sporting a projector-like head, John can scan his surroundings—objects, characters, or environmental details—revealing hidden story threads and world lore.
This mechanic actively rewards the curious, encouraging players to engage with every aspect of the world to better understand both John’s story and his state of mind. Visual presentation is among the title’s strongest suits.
The meticulously crafted hand-drawn art brings every character, enemy, and background to life, imbuing each area with a distinctive identity.
The haunting soundtrack and atmospheric effects further contribute to the unsettling, dreamlike ambiance.
Enemies and bosses are particularly memorable, with designs that often reflect how John perceives himself and his struggles. Despite its many strengths, The Perfect Pencil’s save point system may present a hurdle for some players.
The intervals between save stations are notable, occasionally forcing players to retrace significant ground after a misstep.
While this can lead to frustration, it doesn’t detract from an otherwise polished gameplay experience.
The title runs smoothly overall on the Nintendo Switch, and the controls reliably support the precise platforming required in more challenging sections. While the gameplay formula doesn’t break new ground for the Metroidvania genre, The Perfect Pencil delivers a compelling blend of exploration, narrative mystery, and original mechanics.
Those who enjoy surreal platformers that reward investigation and thoughtful storytelling will find plenty to appreciate.
While the journey is far from cheerful, its memorable presentation and psychological depth make The Perfect Pencil a noteworthy addition to the Nintendo Switch library, demonstrating how indie studios continue to find new creative ground in classic genres.
As the latest entry in the ever-popular Metroidvania genre, The Perfect Pencil sets itself apart not only through its striking visual direction, but also by tackling heavy psychological themes rarely explored in mainstream platformers available on the Nintendo eShop. Players guide John, the protagonist, as he wakes up in a disquieting world teeming with bizarre monsters and dreamlike landscapes.
Rather than relying on a straightforward narrative, The Perfect Pencil opts for a symbolic journey—asking players to dive deep into the themes of self-reflection and confronting inner demons.
While the subject matter might not resonate with everyone, those drawn to introspective experiences will find it surprisingly relatable and deeply immersive. The core gameplay loop embraces classic Metroidvania conventions: discovering interconnected regions, unlocking new abilities, and revisiting previously inaccessible areas.
Combat is direct yet enjoyable—John wields an oversized pencil to dispatch the unnerving enemies roaming each surreal environment.
Boss encounters, which frequently represent personal fears or psychological barriers, stand out for their imaginative if sometimes unsettling designs, echoing the atmosphere of cult favorites like Silent Hill, but within a side-scrolling adventure framework. One of The Perfect Pencil’s signature systems is John’s unique analysis ability.
Sporting a projector-like head, John can scan his surroundings—objects, characters, or environmental details—revealing hidden story threads and world lore.
This mechanic actively rewards the curious, encouraging players to engage with every aspect of the world to better understand both John’s story and his state of mind. Visual presentation is among the title’s strongest suits.
The meticulously crafted hand-drawn art brings every character, enemy, and background to life, imbuing each area with a distinctive identity.
The haunting soundtrack and atmospheric effects further contribute to the unsettling, dreamlike ambiance.
Enemies and bosses are particularly memorable, with designs that often reflect how John perceives himself and his struggles. Despite its many strengths, The Perfect Pencil’s save point system may present a hurdle for some players.
The intervals between save stations are notable, occasionally forcing players to retrace significant ground after a misstep.
While this can lead to frustration, it doesn’t detract from an otherwise polished gameplay experience.
The title runs smoothly overall on the Nintendo Switch, and the controls reliably support the precise platforming required in more challenging sections. While the gameplay formula doesn’t break new ground for the Metroidvania genre, The Perfect Pencil delivers a compelling blend of exploration, narrative mystery, and original mechanics.
Those who enjoy surreal platformers that reward investigation and thoughtful storytelling will find plenty to appreciate.
While the journey is far from cheerful, its memorable presentation and psychological depth make The Perfect Pencil a noteworthy addition to the Nintendo Switch library, demonstrating how indie studios continue to find new creative ground in classic genres.
