The Plucky Squire is a game that undoubtedly creates a lasting first impression. Enthusiasts have been keenly awaiting the release of Devolver Digital’s latest platformer adventure, which captivated players with its smooth transitions between 2D and 3D gameplay. The lively color scheme, whimsical narrative centered around a magical children’s book, and relaxed gameplay definitely garnered a significant audience.
Now that it’s officially launched, let’s dive into whether this magical journey succeeds or if this tale is best left on the neglected bookshelf. Continue reading for our comprehensive review of The Plucky Squire.
Embark on an Adventure in the Land of Mojo in The Plucky Squire
The narrative unfolds within a storybook titled “The Plucky Squire”. As the name suggests, it follows the protagonist, Jot. Jot, together with his companions Violet and Thrash, is destined for an adventure to confront the wicked sorcerer Humgrump. However, when Humgrump becomes aware of his role as the perpetual antagonist doomed to defeat, he decides to take charge of his fate.
Humgrump alters the narrative of the realm by expelling Jot from the book using unprecedented magical powers. This rupture in reality catapults the hero into the “real world”- the bedroom of a child named Sam. With determination, Jot navigates through both the 2D world of the book and the 3D realm of Sam’s room to thwart Humgrump’s schemes.
The journey spans several chapters, traversing various biomes in the enchanting land of Mojo. During the 8 to 10 hour gameplay, players will encounter diverse NPCs, both friendly and antagonistic, some of whom can be rather verbose. Overall, it presents a delightful tale of camaraderie and cooperation that, although it may not be groundbreaking, perfectly aligns with the game’s whimsical essence and endearing storyline.
A Memorable Quest Awaits
As Humgrump leaves chaos in his wake, Jot and his team must pursue him to remedy the havoc he has wreaked. Players achieve this by navigating between 2D and 3D universes through green portals, collecting essential items to progress through the storybook. This structure is reminiscent of Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda series, especially within the 2D segments.
In the storybook, Jot and his surroundings resemble a hand-drawn animated tale. Players guide him across the pages, solving puzzles, traversing hazards, and enhancing his abilities. As they journey from point A to B, players are encouraged to explore thoroughly, gathering “lightbulb”collectibles and artistic elements concealed in secret locations.
These collectibles can be utilized at shops to unlock new skills and upgrades. Beyond battles, Jot and his allies are presented with various puzzles ranging from simple lever-finding tasks to more intricate word challenges.
The 2D segments highlight the unique mechanic of altering the environment by changing words within sentences found in the book. For instance, swapping “Water”in a description on the Boogie Beach level with “Ice”freezes the liquid, allowing Jot to cross effortlessly.
This concept may feel familiar to fans of the celebrated indie puzzle game Baba Is You. While the word puzzles here are less intricate and more linear, they still provide enjoyable variety. In the 3D world, things evolve further. Jot retains all his abilities and gains the power to physically interact with the storybook using magical gauntlets.
Initially, he can flip pages to transport objects (or even words!) between different areas, and later, he can manipulate the book’s layout, making elements slide to aid his progression. He also acquires “Stamps,”capable of freezing items within the book or creating a multipurpose bomb usable for both destruction and weight support.
The action-adventure mechanics remain solid regardless of Jot’s dimension, with Zelda-style “dungeons”blending into platforming segments in the 3D realm and stealth challenges. Jot navigates through fortresses of toys and dollhouses, and he can scale walls مشابه to Super Mario Odyssey or The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The fusion of 2D and 3D elements is flawlessly executed, allowing The Plucky Squire to stand out despite drawing clear inspiration from other titles.
Slicing, Dodging, and Jumping
Combat in The Plucky Squire is intentionally straightforward, reflective of its overall simplicity. Jot can engage in running, dodging, and swordplay. Players can enhance abilities purchased from shops using lightbulbs, introducing moves like spin attacks, jump slams, and sword throws, which become vital against the various unique adversaries featured in the game.
From basic foes like trolls to more prominent bosses, the game showcases impressive spectacles blending different combat mechanics. One encounter may have players engaging in rhythm-based elements to deflect projectiles while another might require Jot to transition between worlds to dismantle dangerous blades using the Stop Stamp.
These mini-games exemplify how The Plucky Squire successfully mixes gameplay styles, delivering a polished and entertaining experience.
Visuals, Performance, and Audio
Unlike cutting-edge titles such as Black Myth: Wukong or The Talos Principle 2, The Plucky Squire employs Unreal Engine 4 technology. It showcases stunning visuals without placing excessive demands on hardware resources. The review was conducted on the following specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-12650H
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX3070Ti (8GB)
- SSD: 1 TB NVME
At native 1440p with maximum settings, the performance exceeded 70-80 FPS in the 3D world and surpassed 100 FPS in the 2D world. However, a few bugs were encountered, including instances where Jot became stuck in geometry and a key required for progression being trapped out of bounds.
The Plucky Squire lacks a manual save feature, compelling players to rely on checkpoints for quitting and reloading, which may require replaying sections of the game. A more significant concern arose during a sci-fi mini-game where Jot was unable to utilize his weapon. Thankfully, players can opt to skip mini-games, avoiding the need to restart those sections entirely.
Final Thoughts
Despite some minor setbacks, The Plucky Squire offers a delightful experience that is a must-play for fans of action-adventure and platformer genres. The seamless transition between 2D and 3D dimensions, combined with diverse mechanics and inventive mini-games, keeps the gameplay engaging even when it risks feeling repetitive. While the cheesy dialogue and lengthy expositions may not resonate with everyone, the core gameplay experience is a captivating indulgence.
The Plucky Squire
Reviewed on: PC
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Developer(s): All Possible Futures
Publisher(s): Devolver Digital
Release Date: September 17, 2024
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