Sometimes you boot up a game knowing it’s not going to change your life, and that’s kind of the point. Fiz and the Rainbow Planet is exactly that sort of experience: a modest, earnest indie platformer that wears its heart on its sleeve and invites you along for a cozy, colorful journey.
Nostalgic, Vibrant and Charming
From the moment the game starts, Fiz and the Rainbow Planet makes its intentions clear. The pixel art is vibrant without being overwhelming, leaning heavily into bright colours and soft fantasy vibes. Dragons, floating platforms, glowing orbs, it’s straight out of the Gameboy Advance era and I mean that as a compliment.
You play as Fiz, a young dragon living on the cheerful Planet Longa. After a prophetic nightmare where the world loses its colour and life, Fiz is tasked with preventing that future from becoming reality. It’s a simple setup, but one that fits the game’s tone perfectly.
Simple yet effective
The design philosophy here is simplicity. Fiz and the Rainbow Planet is built around a very small control set, just a few buttons, and it sticks to that idea throughout. You move, jump, and switch between different dragon characters, each with their own abilities.
This character-switching is where most of the game’s puzzles and progression come from. You’re rarely asked to do anything mechanically complex; instead, the challenge comes from understanding who to use and when. It’s approachable, readable, and refreshingly low-stress.
One neat twist is the game’s use of perspective. Certain areas, called Dimensional Sanctuaries play with depth. Now it isn’t anything crazy by today’s standards. But it was a throwback to when games really experimented with inventive ways to stand out. I heard my inner child say Woah! the first time I turned the corner in this 2D platformer.
Platforming as simple as the narrative
This is not a precision platformer. Players are not bombarded with punishing jumps or fast-paced combat. Fiz is much more interested in exploration and atmosphere than raw mechanical skill.
Levels encourage you to wander, poke around, and enjoy the scenery. There’s a gentle rhythm to the game that makes it easy to relax into, almost meditative at times. That said, the pacing can occasionally feel uneven, especially if you’re eager to move on to the next area. Leaning into the relaxed vibes is the soundtrack. It’s pleasant, sometimes whimsical, and occasionally forgettable, but never grating. Sound design overall is serviceable, though clearly constrained by the game’s small budget.
Narratively, Fiz doesn’t try to be profound. The story is straightforward, delivered through brief interactions and environmental hints. It’s about protecting the world, believing in yourself, and stepping into responsibility, classic themes, handled with sincerity rather than irony.
My Conclusion
Fiz and the Rainbow Planet is a game that knows exactly what it is, and just as importantly, what it isn’t. It’s not flashy, it’s not huge, and it’s not trying to reinvent the genre. Instead, it offers a short, colourful adventure that prioritises accessibility, charm, and heart.
This isn’t Celeste but if you enjoy Gameboy era platformers I can recommend you give this a try.
