Every now and then a video game comes along that gleefully and unashamedly embraces the medium.Super Mario Galaxy 2,Psychonauts 2, Astro’s Playroom- not so much love letters to video games as they are love letters to joy itself, to the very act ofplaying. Of having fun.
Having played through the first four chapters ofDevolver Digitaland All Possible Futures’ new adventure gameThe Plucky Squire, I can say with no small amount of confidence that it’s one of the most dazzlingly inventive and refreshingly irreverent games I’ve played in a very long time.
On the surface,The Plucky Squireis aZelda-inspired top-down adventure set within the confines of a storybook, which in itself is already a killer concept for a game.
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Devolver Digital
The first chapter introduces us to protagonist Jot, and tells us of his many battles with the evil wizard Humgrump. We’re quickly shown the basics - swing swords, push blocks, roll to dodge - then it’s off to fight the wizard and save the day. Standard fare.
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If you’ve been followingThe Plucky Squireat all, you’ll know, of course, that there’s more to the game than the storybook. It’s not long before events conspire to tear Jot from his 2D world and into the real world. Ultimately, Jot learns to jump between the two realms, and this is when the real meat of the adventure kicks in.
Devolver Digital
Like the very bestNintendogames,The Plucky Squirehas based its entire DNA around one very simple concept, mining it for a wealth of unexpected puzzles and bizarre scenarios. Being able to leap from the pages of the book and into the real world means Jot can quite literally think outside the box when it comes to passing obstacles.
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There are plenty of word puzzles like this in the first few chapters ofThe Plucky Squire, and playing around with them is a ton of fun. Clearly All Possible Futures knows we want to screw around with certain word combinations and not just go straight to the correct solution, which is no doubt why when I placed the word “empty” next to a giant bug blocking the way forward, it immediately deflated like a cheap balloon. Not even close to the solution, but hilarious all the same.
Exploring the 3D world outside the book is also just as much fun as staying inside the book. This is a child’s bedroom, and All Possible Futures absolutely runs with the concept to create a genuine playground filled with adventure. Jot can leap into post-it notes to reach new heights in a veryLink Between Worlds-inspired move, for example. During my preview there was one particular section in which I had to climb inside aMagic: The Gathering-style trading card for an RPG showdown with the elf inside to claim her magic bow.
Devolver Digital
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The Plucky Squireis, in short, a sublime piece of work packed full of touches designed to put a big, dumb smile on your face. It’s a game that manages to throw out surprise after surprise, and I already can’t wait to see what elseThe Plucky Squirehas for me when it launches next month. Believe the hype: this one is a real GOTY contender.
Topics:Devolver Digital,Preview,Playstation Plus,Indie Games,The Legend Of Zelda
