New Super Lucky's Tale is a 3D platformer game for PS4, Switch, XBONE and PC which was developed and published by Playful Studios.
It is a enhanced version of the 2017's original game, and it is a sequel to 2006's VR title Lucky's Tale for Oculus Rift.
First of all, this game is one of the first title that came out on both PCs and Consoles mainly focused on non-VR aspect, unlike the first game, which I think it is a smartest way to gain more audiences that fully preferred more on gaming home consoles over the VR headset.
The game is kinda just like the classic 3D platformer from the mid-90s with similar design and mechanics which reminds me of Super Mario 64 which is one of my all-time favourite N64 classics back in my days, so I am very glad to see the developer team wanted to make their own 3D platformer series to attract more attention to those who mainly loves the 3D platformer in general.
The original version that was exclusively for Microsoft platform including XBONE and PC released in 2017 had gained mostly average scores which the developer team was hoping for the game's success that sadly it didn't work out for them till they decided to enhanced the whole game making it a first title being featured for multiplatform releases including PS4 and Switch in between 2019 and 2020 had gained much better reception than the original and improved the overall sale figures which is likely believe this franchise had gained nearly 3 million players.
The enhanced version has fixed the issues that was found on the original including improved camera system, enhanced visuals, re-written plot, remixed levels, and all content from original game included which I believe they have acknowledged the original game's faults thanks to fan's feedback which is the reason it took 2 years to revamped the whole game making look entirely new from the original.
I had such fun of spending time playing this game because it feels like it's a reminiscent of classic era of 3D platformers since I've played stuff like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie which I had a blast playing these stuff from my childhood days.
This game is somewhat pretty solid that has all the charm it's deserves featuring nicely animated presentation, lovable little protagonist, unique worlds filled with adventurous levels, great showdown with bosses, and solid controls, but some parts like the game's length, the actual difficulty, and overall replay values which I will explain further more on the review.
So without go further do, let's start the review.
Presentation
The game starts off with Lucky's siblings and parents belonging to the Guardian Order who exist to protect the Book of Ages until the evil Jinx then betrayed the other Guardians to claim the book for himself causing Book of Ages reacts to Jinx's magic by pulling Lucky into the book which separates his older sister Lyra who struggled to save him.
Lucky is now on a quest to find his way to reunite his family by collecting lost pages to reopen the portals to the other worlds within the book.
The opening story in the game is remarkably simple and easy to follow that involves the evil wizard, who are formally been a Guardian and close friend of Lucky's father, taking revenge on the Guardians after his world been vanished, leaving him and his children becoming the lone survivors which is the reason why he's plotting to capture not just only guardians, but Lucky been dragged into the Book of Ages as Lucky sets off his adventure to reclaim all the pages that been stolen by Jinx's villainous children dared to challenge him.
I believe the idea of the story concept is kinda almost reminds me of how Gex the Gecko got dragged into TV station from Gex, then you have 4 college students being strucked into video game world from Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and of course seeing Macaulay Culkin turned into cartoon like illustrations from Pagemaster which I liked the idea of having main characters being dragged into different worlds and their quest to find the way to return back at the real life world kinda worked pretty well in the game.
Lucky as a little fellow in the game is quite lovable fox with big huge eyes and his swifty tail which also shares with his curious personality and being cutesy which I got to admit it's actually an decent looking character that could have been a another perfect video game mascot if the 2017's original version doing well on the Xbox platform which sadly did not happen after making decision to re-release the game as the expanded port on non-exclusivity platform instead.
Along with cool protagonist, it also has the cast of bosses such as Master Mittens the Ninja Cat, Tess the Tinker, General Buttons and his clumsy sidekick Lt. Fluffinstuff, Lady Meowmalade the Diva Cat, and lastly Jinx the big fat wizard are pretty solid in the game.
I do really appreciate the concept of the whole presentation that is almost just like the classic era of 3D platformer you're expecting from the game. It has 5 different worlds locations such as the floaty worlds of Sky Castle, the old country land of Veggie Village, the grand canyon of Wrestful Retreat, the sunny tropical of Gilly Island, the spooky nightmare of Hauntingham, and the relaxing hut of Foxington which is quite an appealing to look at during the exploration of both level portals area and in-game action.
It also shares with really cool themes in each levels such as the old farm house, countryband concert, tropical beach area, disco dancefloor, man-made stone that moves, atlantic underground, sandy bridge site, carnival festival, choo-choo ghost train, and 80's retro-neon style stage.
Overall, it has good opening story, decent protagonist, and appealing level presentation.
Gameplay
You take control of Lucky in 3D platform perspective of world select which has locations of levels and puzzles to visit as you entered into portal that leads you into the main level where your goal is to collect many 4 missing pages per objectives such as obtaining hidden pages that can be found in secret areas, gather 300 coins as possible, collect 5 Lucky's letters can be located somewhere in level, and being able to complete the stage which rewards you with missing pages that are required to reach at the new areas.
You move Lucky around with the left thumbstick and using the right thumbstick to move camera that will help you to navigate around the area, and he has ability to double jump used for platforming play, swift attacking enemies with his tail, ground pounding objects, and being able to dug burrow underground.
There are many of hazardous environments and smaller enemies may attack you in some levels such as stinging bee shoots you with homing stinger, a scary looking flower can squash you like a pancake, canon shootouts ball of flames, bug can hurt you with charge attack, a huge-ass egg can roll into you, and try avoid touching hazardous stuff like moving flames and spikes, as well as falling into pits from folding panels.
Each of the levels has different kinds of platforming segments that involves stuff like hitting switches to unlock sealed door, carrying your headless friend Geovanni safely at the finishing line, gather 3 chickens into farm-fence, recruiting 3 missing musician safely to concert, destroying sound equipment that hypnotising people, defeating many foes as possible resulting into next path, flip the coloured panels to get across through paths, and win many prize ticket to gain prize as reward.
I also liked the segments in 2D side-scrolling levels such as changing the level dimension from foreground to background perspective, evading away from launch canon and hazards, and endless race through to the finishing line while collecting many coins and diamonds.
The game also shares with cool puzzle-solving levels such as the underground segments where you need to place a matching statues into the correct spot and then you have marble puzzle game where you take control of Lucky inside the marble as your goal is to collect many coins as possible to complete the puzzle, then finally it also has small puzzle time attack such as collecting all coloured coins as possible in time limits which rewards you with the nice bonus such as extra lives, diamonds, and letters.
So far, the rest of the levels are quite as fun which I had a blast of collecting many missing pages as possible to gain entry at the next area is just like playing good old retro-style 3D platformer.
I love the design of the structures that is easier to explore around the levels while searching and collecting stuff in the game as well as discovering the hidden secrets area and solving puzzles that feels quite engaging to play especially having the whole level being re-designed for this version is also keeps the game look more refreshing and new at the same time.
I do find the game is ridiculously easy for most part such as the boss battle which is a good showdown, but it can get easily damaged after 3 hits as well as the rest of the stages are bit simplistic which is fine for younger players, but I don't think it will appeal to serious pro gamers which it could have been a bit better if the game comes with 3 difficulties options, and the game is rather short compared with any of 3D platformer games which only takes 5 to 6 hours to beat the game due to game only has 5 main worlds, so it would have been nice if they added 3 more worlds in the game to expand the game's length as well as adding some playable characters would benefit the game's replayability.
The best part in the game is the Foxington mini-game area where your task is to beat the challenging levels to obtain all the 16 medals which is a decent bonus being packaged in the game.
The gameplay mechanics controls pretty well for most part which I had no issue with controlling the character like being able to run around, double jumps, ground pounding, and dug burrow underground works pretty nicely in the game, so I am glad this version has fixed the camera controls that makes it easier to navigate the level's surrounding which really adds up the overall playability.
Overall, it has great platforming segments, nicely made level's structures, cool puzzles, and decent controls.
Graphics
The graphics is nicely redone which is a huge stepped up from the original version featuring a better use of colours details and lighting effects, the environmental level design is looking comical and appealing that made the whole area handles beautifully. The character's design is remarkably cute and adorable that made both heroes and villains look more recognisable throughout the game thanks to charming animation style, which the developer team did a great job on the overall game's design that appeals to the fans of the 3D platformer in general as well as the young children would liked these kinds of setting that fits perfectly for their taste.
Overall, it has better colour details and lighting effects, comical level design, and adorable characters.
Music and Sounds
The game does have a solid soundtrack for most levels has a fair shares of both orchestrated as well with some catchy tunes. It sound like it came almost from typical Nintendo's platformers like a bit mix of Yoshi's Woolly World and Super Mario Galaxy crammed together which is kinda sounds awesome for most part and I also liked the sound design in every levels which is also has great use of atmospheric noises and actual in-game sound effects.
It did had the voice narration at the opening scene which is actually okay, but not perfect as any platformer game can do lot better when it comes for the character's voice.
Overall, it has solid soundtrack, impressive sound design, and fine voice narration.
Special Features
The enhanced version packaged with all content from the original's DLCs such as 1 new world (via Gilly Island) and challenge mode (via Foxington) which is a nice bonus, but then again I wish they add 3 more world and some playable character could have been bit better.
It does have in-game unlockable costumes to pick your favourite outfit which is also nice too.
Overall, fine content.
Advantages
Good overall presentation on levels
Cute and adorable protagonist
Great platforming gameplay with additional camera system
Charming graphic design
Solid in-game soundtrack
Fine additional content
Disadvantages
Short length playthrough
Ridiculously easy to beat
Small replayablity
Final Verdict
Presentation 8/10 - good opening story, decent protagonist, and appealing level presentation.
Gameplay 7/10 - great platforming segments, nicely made level's structures, cool puzzles, and decent controls.
Graphics 7.5/10 - better colour details and lighting effects, comical level design, and adorable characters.
Music and Sounds 8/10 - solid soundtrack, impressive sound design, and fine voice narration.
Special Features 7/10 - all content from the original's DLCs included and unlockable in-game costumes.
Overall 7.5/10 - We all know the original version is quite an misfortune at the beginning, but as a now re-released port with many enhancements and couple in-game content did give the game a second chance that is now becoming a charming 3D platformer that I actually enjoyed it because it's takes me back to my old days of retro gaming where I've spent more time of playing Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie on my N64.
This game is surprisingly fun to play thanks to numerous of levels to playthrough, great playability for platforming and puzzles, charming graphic design of colours and design, and it's perfect for younger players will able to get a hands on with the game pretty well, so I am glad that the New Super Lucky's Tale feels more definitive than the 2017's original version thanks to improved camera system, re-designed levels, and additional enhanced visuals which really helps the game a lot.
It's an overlooked 3D platformer title that could have deserved much love from those who grew up playing an particular genres, so I say it is a solid recommendation to all classic 3D platformer fans.
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