Super Meat Boy is an excellent game that is brilliantly crafted and entirely entertaining (even despite its difficulty).
Gameplay: 4/5
+ One important thing to note at the start is that there is a distinct difference between playing with a keyboard and playing with a controller. I played half the game using the keyboard and did pretty well, but once the patch was released and I was able to use a controller everything felt so much better. The handling was more precise, the levels grew easier, and overall it was a lot more enjoyable. Of course, there is a huge warning at the start of the game that a gamepad is a better choice over the keyboard, so keep this in mind if you're struggling with a keyboard. But anyways, the controls are very easy and once you play for a little bit and learn the nuances grow real familiar. You have the directional buttons left and right and then you have a jump button (which can be pressed and released quickly to do a short and swift jump or can be held down to do a longer and higher jump) as well as an action button that by default makes Meat Boy run. Even though that's all there is to the controls, there are very subtle things that need to be learned in order to progress later in the game. One thing that I really didn't like about the controls was the subtle drift that can happen when you're running or after you land from a jump. By this, I mean that usually when you come to a stop Meat Boy will glide, and often times I felt that the glide was just a little too much. Granted after playing enough you will get used to this, it's just something hard to adjust to if you're used to Super Mario World platforming controls. As far as levels go, they start off easy but very soon they get increasingly harder. Basically you have to run, jump, and overcome all sorts of obstacles (saws, lasers, missles, salt, lava) that are strategically placed between you and Bandage Girl. After beating the game, though, I can honestly look back and say that the game does a terrific job of leading and teaching the player with each new level/world. So yes, there are real hard levels but if you progress properly through the worlds then you shouldn't have too much of a problem beating most of the levels.
Story/Presentation: 5/5
+ The cutscenes are hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time--something that is hard to balance simultaneously but this game does so well. The story pits you as Meat Boy (a boy made of meat), who has his girlfriend (Bandage Girl) stolen by Dr. Fetus (a fetus in a jar wearing a tuxedo). That simple description should clue you in to the wonderful absurdity that the two developers use throughout. To tell the truth, a huge motivation for me to keep beating the levels and bosses were to see how the story unfolded and how hilariously bizarre it would end. I've only beat the light world and unlocked one ending (apparently when you beat the dark world there is another ending), but I imagine that the dark world ending will be as satisfying as the rest of the cutscenes.
Graphics: 4/5
+ The graphics are simple and perfect for a 2D platformer. One impressive aspect of the graphics is that there are retro warp zones where you play a level that is a throwback to the 4-bit and 8-bit platformers of yore. The care that was put into recreating these levels are a treat and you can tell that Team Meat (the developers) have a warm place in their heart for the classics. These throwbacks are just one more part of the game that you can tell were crafted by real passionate gamers.
Value: 5/5
+ There's no reason not to buy this game. I bought it at the presale rate of $10 but the standard price of $15 is still a steal. Not only do you have over 100 standard levels but each level has a par time and if you beat it faster than the par time it will unlock a dark level. This dark level has harder challenges than its light counterpart and also has a par time with it. In addition, there are hidden warp zones and glitch levels (plus a bonus world after you beat the game). Not to mention there are a bunch of characters to unlock that each have their own special ability. Some of these characters are unlocked by beating warp zones and others are unlocked by collecting bandages throughout the levels. These bandages are placed out of the way in dangerous spots throughout various levels and will challenge you to go back and replay levels in order to collect them. Plus the fact that there are leaderboards to compete with other people to get a faster time, and the developers have said they will continue to support Super Meat Boy with extra content (including a level editor). What more could you ask for? Honestly, do yourself a favor and go buy this game.