Mirror Boy

Mirror Boy is a very short Action-Puzzler made for the IGMC 2014.
You deflect projectiles with your mirror and push foes around (who doesn't like throwing enemies into lava?) while you try not to run into lava or traps.

The main focus is obviously getting alive through your stages, but additionally a sweet story is being told.
Our hero is part of the lineage of heroes battling the evil witch. And being pushed onto the quest, he should take on the legendary sword that has been passed down for generations... but doesn't. Instead, he takes kindly to a mirror - thus naming him Mirror Boy (even if he looks more like a girl to me).
The story bends the common hero-tale trope and is very cute while it makes a realistic point and gives our "hero" a little bit of personality.

The music is catchy, doesn't destract from the gameplay and is very enjoyable.
Gameplay itself runs very smoothly as well - your mirror can be around your character at any angle. Reflected projectiles fly towards your courser, not according to the degree the projectiles come in.
The stages require different methods and tactics, from simple protection to breaking a way open to moving forward while all kinds of projectiles and enemies are directed at you.
As enemies knock you back a little bit, you have to be careful when battling them.
Furthermore, as there are lava and spikes all around you, you have to be careful not to overstep anything. With all this combined, you will need to time your advance properly.
It isn't too difficult, overall. With tactical thinking you will get through the stages without any major difficulties. It was in no way frustrating and could even be a little bit more challenging than it is right now.

So far the only gripes I have are that you can knock yourself out with projectiles if you do it improperly, and that it is easy to overstep an edge towards the next spike. I often thought myself safe when I actually was activing a nearby spike.

The graphis are nice and simple, but lack variation. The colour-scheme red-blue isn't bad, but as your hair is red and firing towers purple, it was a rather limited roster. Given how short this game is, though, it is not holding you down one bit.

It is a clever, fun action game that is certainly worth its time. It is also an idea that is worth expanding.
Go play it.