Eversion

This is definitely not a game for everyone. It is a game that will abuse you without any hint of remorse. But, those able put up with it will find something special in Eversion that can't be had anywhere else.
 
Eversion follows a single rule from start to finish: appearances are deceiving. The game appears to be a platformer; it is not. The game appears to be colorful and cheery; it doesn't last long. The game appears to be easy; you will be cursing everything around you before you finish.
 

Though you could stubbornly try to wring every gem out of the levels the first time you play through, I recommend you simply play to the end grabbing what comes naturally. Even if you do feel compelled to collect every gem the first time, as the difficulty ramps up your resolve will be challenged. If you can give up on the gems, you allow Eversion to demonstrate that even without the puzzle elements, it is a competent, traditionally minded platformer that is rewarding on its own terms.  The controls are very tight, with a good mix of air control and momentum thrown in to make for some challenging tests of reflexes. They eventually became a source of frustration for me, but perhaps they were merely what I found to take my anger out on.
 
In the end, you should to return to previous levels to collect any gems you may have missed. You surely will have noticed the presence of the puzzles the first time around in your struggle to reach the end, but collecting every gem will prove to be no less of a task. It is at this point the simplistic level design reveals itself to be a world devilishly crafted puzzles. It doesn't have to take long, but it will take some careful exploration and execution to collect them all. It's worth it to see the final 8th world which is different between the (free) original and Steam versions.
 

Eversion showcases an awareness of its medium that is essential to any work of art. Though Lovecraft is the only listed inspiration, the developer is able to subvert the expectations of players established by generations of Mario games. Direct visual references are one obvious tool in use, but some instances of clever level design also come in to play before the game is complete. 
  
Though it is more difficult than most gamers will put up with, Eversion is worth trying. I would like to award it 5 full stars, but some small part of me is keeping that half-star to itself in retaliation for the punishment Eversion inflicted on me. Difficulty aside, amongst the crowded field of indie puzzle platformers, Eversion has earns its place alongside some of the greatest, including  Braid and  VVVVVV. If you love-hate either of those two the way I do, then you might just love-hate Eversion as well.