#The Plucky Squire – Destructoid

I’ve been enthusiastic about The Plucky Squire since Devolver Digital first introduced it again in 2022. Although I don’t often love platformer video games, I used to be immediately drawn to its peculiar, dimension-bending mechanics and a specific kind of artwork model I’ve been aware of for years.

I used to be apprehensive at first, too. I’ve had my coronary heart damaged one too many instances, banking on my admiration for its model, solely to wind up with a messy, incoherent, or straight-up boring ordeal. There was a small a part of me harboring hesitancy, hoping this wouldn’t be the identical. Fortunately, making an optimistic-fueled gamble with my time paid off, and I walked away happier than ever earlier than after venturing out of my consolation zone. Effectively, besides throughout a number of puzzles, however that lies completely in my problem-solving talents.

The Plucky Squire (PC [Reviewed], Nintendo Swap, Xbox Collection X/S, PlayStation 5)
Developer: All Potential Futures
Writer: Devolver Digital
Launched: September 17, 2024
MSRP: $29.99

All through The Plucky Squire, you play as a well-known hero named Jot whose purpose is to thwart the villain, Humgrump’s, plans of spreading evil and chaos throughout the land of Mojo. Whereas it begins as your typical 2D RPG expertise of defeating monsters and chapter bosses, you’ll quickly study the place the sport’s meat and potatoes come from: Jot and his pals are all characters in a e book, and due to Humgrump’s magic, you’ll be able to hop between dimensions and advance your journey in the actual (nicely, sport) world.

I’ll come proper out and admit it: the jumps between 2D and 3D maps have been already sufficient to promote me on the sport earlier than I even hopped in and checked every part out for myself. The final time I skilled something remotely comparable was once I performed Tremendous Paper Mario. I went in already feeling wanting to play, and that solely continued to develop as The Plucky Squire proved simply how far you’ll be able to push creativity and gameplay experimentation when you mix a number of sport genres below one title.

After I say a number of genres, I imply it in one of the simplest ways attainable. At its core, it’s an action-adventure sport that seems like your commonplace “hero saves the day” premise, however there’s an entire lot extra you’ll discover as you proceed ahead. I even received to play a quick rhythm sport alongside the way in which, initially catching me off guard however making me chuckle as I spotted what was occurring. You’ll be able to spend a couple of minutes preventing enemies, solely to search out your self again on the desk flying across the map utilizing rockets. There are a ton of seemingly random components thrown into the combination, nevertheless it makes for some hilariously entertaining moments.

With that mentioned, the sport depends on this loads. The Plucky Squire takes round 9-10 hours to finish, and through this, you’re launched to so many options that, every now and then, it will get a little bit hard to recollect every part. You’ll additionally briefly use a number of one-off talents for numerous bosses or puzzles earlier than they disappear, leaving you both desirous to strive it once more or being grateful you by no means should do it once more. I discovered most of them fairly enjoyable, however a number of had some funky mechanics that have been a tad troublesome to manage. Typically, a trusty sword is all you really want. Both that, or I’m not meant to wield a bow.

Talking of fight, anticipate to combat loads. In each the 2D and 3D world, you’re continuously up in opposition to random enemies and surprisingly distinctive chapter bosses. One thing All Potential Futures and Devolver Digital pulled off notably nicely right here is supplying you with a motive why all these monsters are simply form of right here. You even have distinctive battles for practically each boss, so that you received’t have to fret about mindlessly slashing your sword round for minutes straight every time. If something, my solely want was to have extra to do within the 3D world, as most of its pleasure got here from later chapters.

I may say this a few good chunk of The Plucky Squire itself. On one hand, it’s a e book that follows a linear story of getting a courageous hero set off to defeat an evil villain. On the identical time, there’s barely any alternatives to enterprise off the crushed path and set off on transient aspect adventures or exploration. The puzzles add some selection and alternative to discover. Past this, you’re set on one explicit path with no method to differentiate one playthrough from one other until you return to search out each collectible.

Fortuitously, this results in a significant plus: the story. All the sport takes place in a storybook and the world past it, and it manages to weave every part collectively completely. That is the place linearity additionally serves as a power to make the plot simpler to know, digest, and immerse your self in with out getting too distracted. Each facet of The Plucky Squire — the visuals, panorama, characters, and even audio — is all fine-tuned to suit and improve the story. Whether or not you’re in search of stunning artwork, comedy, or occasional unhappy moments, you’ll see all of it right here. There are even loads of puns, which I used to be more than pleased to understand.

It’s clear proper from the beginning that that is Jot’s story, although. Whereas this doesn’t come as a shock, particularly with him being the Plucky Squire himself and the primary protagonist, the opposite characters are both there to offer you info or comply with you round as Jot does every part. A couple of finally show you how to out later within the story, however for the primary few hours, they virtually function distractions relatively than companions. Some areas give the same vibe, appearing as locations you’ll be able to run round in and take a look at however not essentially work together and immerse your self in. They’re simply form of there, whether or not you prefer it or not.

Even with that mentioned, I actually loved exploring the sport’s environments, particularly the 3D panorama. Getting misplaced in all of the muddle jogged my memory of how messy my desk often is and received me to do some organizing. I’ve forgotten simply what number of instances I by chance discovered collectibles as a result of I went behind the unsuitable bottle of paint, wood block, or tree, nevertheless it cracked me up each time it occurred. You’ll be able to even change the world by way of phrase manipulation, making for some wacky shenanigans if you happen to seize the fitting phrases later.

The Plucky Squire manages to expertly craft an adorably fascinating story filled with lovable characters, satisfying narration, and near-perfect parallels between its 2D and 3D worlds. Whereas some components want only a bit extra polish, it exceeded my already excessive expectations and gave me practically a dozen hours of snickers, enjoyable, and psychological train. Plus, nicely, seeing its forged of cute little characters all of a sudden flip into buff badasses is a good bonus.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}