First-time Nintendo 64 developer Sucker Punch Studios jumped onto the scene with a highly original 3D platformer. The design philosophy behind the title is simple -- rather than build the platformer around the main character, the software house opted instead to focus on the interactivity of the 3D environments he travels. To that end, Rocket employs an advanced physics engine which allows the main character, a lovable unicycle-based robot named Rocket, to travel and experiment with colorful, platform-esque worlds with realistic gravity and inertia. Every object has its own set of lifelike attributes that must be "weighed" into consideration when solving puzzles.
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I'm probably just bad at this game. The concept is really cool and trying to do a physics based game on the N64 is a daring idea, but it doesn't totally work since the N64 can't really handle physics well enough for what this game is trying to do. Not that a remake will ever happen, but if it did, I would 100% play it.
Crazy that the developers of one of the most finicky, janky 3D platformers of all time went on to make Ghost of Tsushima.
Rocket: Robot on Wheels is a strong first outing for Sucker Punch that unfortunately never left much of a legacy.
A collectathon, the game utilizes Banjo-Kazooie's approach to level design by focusing on small-scale levels with collectibles (in this case, tickets and tokens instead of puzzle pieces and music notes) that you can grab all in your first go -- no move-gating like you see in Banjo-Tooie and DK64. The smaller scale allows the game's unique moveset and surprisingly robust physics engine to take center stage. Players need to manage Rocket's speed carefully, as conserving momentum plays a key role in many tricky platforming situations. The game otherwise tasks players with using magnets, tractor beams, an ice ray, and plenty more in a puzzle- and physics-laden venture. At its high points, Rocket: Robot on Wheels is genuine, interesting, and loads of fun.
Taking only about 9 hours to 100%, Rocket: Robot on Wheels adds up to a lean, exciting experience that stands out amidst other more traditional fifth-gen 3D platformers, even if its flavor of puzzly physics-based platforming doesn't ultimately reach the same quality as run-and-jump classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Mario 64.
Similarly, there are a few sour points that hold the game back from the top of the genre. The levels are fairly lifeless aside from generic enemies that can be dispatched with one one tractor beam ground pound. When combat isn't a focus, enemies don't contribute to a level feeling "populated." The level design as a whole is not especially colorful or memorable, which diminishes the quintessential collectathon experience of wandering around a 99% completed level searching in vain for that last missing collectible. Finally, while the game's physics-based approach to movement is overall very impressive, the occasional vehicle or move is simply clunky, unresponsive, or just plain boring to use.
If you like collectathons and can tolerate some early 3D game jank, Rocket: Robot on Wheels deserves a look, both for its quality and for its unique approach to the genre.
A collectathon, the game utilizes Banjo-Kazooie's approach to level design by focusing on small-scale levels with collectibles (in this case, tickets and tokens instead of puzzle pieces and music notes) that you can grab all in your first go -- no move-gating like you see in Banjo-Tooie and DK64. The smaller scale allows the game's unique moveset and surprisingly robust physics engine to take center stage. Players need to manage Rocket's speed carefully, as conserving momentum plays a key role in many tricky platforming situations. The game otherwise tasks players with using magnets, tractor beams, an ice ray, and plenty more in a puzzle- and physics-laden venture. At its high points, Rocket: Robot on Wheels is genuine, interesting, and loads of fun.
Taking only about 9 hours to 100%, Rocket: Robot on Wheels adds up to a lean, exciting experience that stands out amidst other more traditional fifth-gen 3D platformers, even if its flavor of puzzly physics-based platforming doesn't ultimately reach the same quality as run-and-jump classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Mario 64.
Similarly, there are a few sour points that hold the game back from the top of the genre. The levels are fairly lifeless aside from generic enemies that can be dispatched with one one tractor beam ground pound. When combat isn't a focus, enemies don't contribute to a level feeling "populated." The level design as a whole is not especially colorful or memorable, which diminishes the quintessential collectathon experience of wandering around a 99% completed level searching in vain for that last missing collectible. Finally, while the game's physics-based approach to movement is overall very impressive, the occasional vehicle or move is simply clunky, unresponsive, or just plain boring to use.
If you like collectathons and can tolerate some early 3D game jank, Rocket: Robot on Wheels deserves a look, both for its quality and for its unique approach to the genre.
I distinctly remember writing a scathing review for this when it came out. Chill out little dude, it's fine.
Given that the Sly Cooper series was an integral part of my video game upbringing, the N64 Sucker Punch developed title Rocket: Robot on Wheels definitely piqued my interest. On top of that piece of information, hidden gems from gaming’s past generations whose humble legacy is concealed to its original console tend to hit a particular synapse in my brain and cause a salivary sensation. Naturally, with all of the circumstances surrounding Rocket: Robot on Wheels, seeking this game out and playing it was a requisite in satiating my esoteric cravings. However, simply because Sucker Punch upholds a glowing reputation as a studio with an impressive streak of high quality with their IPs, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate from Robot on Wheels in terms of its individual merits. Admittedly, none of Sucker Punch’s products are acclaimed due to pioneering anything revolutionary for the progress of the medium. Sly Cooper was a second-generation 3D platformer series, and the distinction of directly descending from a broad crop of older games inherently means that its attributes are borrowed and bruised from excess usage. What gave Sly Cooper that original edge was its ingenious creativity with those tired tropes, which is the testament to Sucker Punch’s strength as a developer for any of their properties. Rocket: Robot on Wheels might be another 3D collectathon platformer during the genre’s peak, but the expectation of Sucker Punches creative innovation is what solidified my interest in Robot on Wheels.
Exhibit A of Rocket on Wheels’s uniqueness is the game’s premise. The game’s world is an amusement park run by the old and eccentric engineer/entrepreneur Dr. Gavin. Rocket is his primary maintenance robot with a Mega Man-like relationship to Dr. Gavin’s Dr. Light. Of course, this can only mean there is a Dr. Wily in the midst, and that’s Jojo. It’s amusing how raccoons were still incorporated into Sucker Punch’s games before Sly Cooper was even a thought that crossed their minds. Did someone on the staff have one as a pet or something? Anyways, this ring-tailed mammal is no charming rogue, but a vindictive little stinker out on a mission of vengeance. He’s tired of playing second banana to the park mascot Whoopie, a fat blubbering walrus who is incapable of any abstract thought. Using his superior intellect, Jojo takes Whoopie hostage along with all of the park’s tickets and tokens for good measure. He has also tinkered with the park to make it as uninviting as possible before he ultimately assumes position as park leader. Rocket now has to reclaim the park before it falls entirely into a dictatorship at the hands of a scurvy trash panda.
Lo and behold: Robot on Wheels is a Banjo-Kazooie clone. I had a hunch that the game would be at least some degree derivative, and it doesn’t come as a surprise that its inspiration stems from every 3D platformer on the N64’s favorite cheat sheet. The borderline dreamscape hub draped with stars is an ascending climb with the levels as detours, and those levels are designed like non-linear playgrounds where the player must be proactive in seeking out the collectibles through completing objectives through exploration. Swap the jiggies from Banjo-Kazooie with lettered ticket stubs and no one is bound to notice the stark similarities, right? I realize this sounds like an indictment of Robot on Wheels for being overly pastiche, but this isn’t the case at all. I quite like Banjo-Kazooie’s overall design and some of my favorite games are those that shamelessly ape it. It’s all a matter of what Rocket on Wheels does with the Banjo-Kazooie formula to discern itself from not only Rare’s bird and bear duo, but all of the other imitators. Fortunately, this aspect is where Robot on Wheels shines as Sucker Punch are a team of creative geniuses. Firstly, the game’s amusement park theme is a wonderful constant throughout each level. “Clowney Island,” a carnival themed area on a beach island like the real-life attraction it’s title alludes to, is the first area of the game with a traditional depiction of an amusement park setting. After that, the developers go buckwild with the possibilities. “Paint Misbehavin’” is ancient Rome in a paintball park, “Mine Blowing” is a goldmine prospector cavern, “Arabian Flights” is an Arabian journey on a magic carpet, “Pyramid Scheme” is an Aztec jungle/volcano etc. (I’m just now noticing all of the bad puns…) My favorite area from a conceptual standpoint is “Food Fright,” a Willy Wonka factory meets an Alice Cooper stage set hybrid with chocolate rivers, candy spiders weaving sugar webs, and a lake of boiling…marshmallow? While all of these themings are radically different like the typical range of diversification in a 3D platformer, what’s impressive is that that theme park atmosphere of thrilling fun is always prevalent no matter the scene.
What separates Robot on Wheels from the ilk of Banjo-Kazooie clones even further is the vast range of objectives present for each area. There are thirteen tickets to collect in each area of the game, so thank God the game provides such an eclectic mix of tasks. The substance of the various objectives is too numerous to mention, so I will do everyone a favor by listing some highlights. Ring challenges were very commonplace
across the 3D platformer genre, and they make their usual appearance in Robot on Wheels. Still, each of the ring challenges here provide enough variation from their standard implementation because Robot on Wheels features a different vehicle, testing the player’s proficiency with their mechanics. Out of the silly hot dog cart, the mechanical dolphin, etc., the one that stands out is the gliding motorcycle with bat wings which is definitely the vehicle with the steepest learning curve. Many platforming puzzles involve the tossing of objects with Rocket’s tractor beam like the magnet section in “Arabian Flights” and blowing open cracked crevices in the earth with bombs in “Mine Blowing.” The physics engine isn’t up to par with something like Half-Life, but the fact that something like this was implemented in a 3D platformer on the N64 is an admirable point of ambition. Parasitic mushrooms cling to Rocket so he can execute a series of high jumps, and soaring around the “Arabian Flights” area with the magic carpet looking for tickets feels so liberating. The absolute best feature Robot on Wheels offers is the rollercoaster maker in “Clowney World” where the player can make their own roller coaster AND ride in it once they are done. There is also a puzzle portion of this section where the player must also mold their creation to hit five numbered checkpoints along the way. Forget the ring challenges; I don’t care if this is Rollercoaster Tycoon light, I’m disappointed that this is only present in only one of the areas.
Robot on Wheels is also much more difficult than Banjo-Kazooie and most other 3D platformers of the era. After the second area of “Paint Misbehavin,” the areas become progressively more linear, and the problem that resides with that is the game’s penalty for dying mirrors that of Banjo-Kazooie as well and Rocket will be respawned at the beginning marker of the area. Incorporating this was fine in Banjo-Kazooie because every notable sight was only a few meters away from the spawn point. In Robot on Wheels, having to trek all the way back around creation where the last death occurred feels like a severe punishment. Staving off death in Robot on Wheels can be an especially tense excursion because the game has a strict margin of error throughout with sections that feel like tests of endurance. The consistent sections that test the player’s meddle are the one unlocked after collecting all of the machine's parts scattered around the area. The player earns a ticket for simply finding them all, but another section is revealed involving a lengthy swath of platforming. One brush of air from the vents for the one in “Arabian Flights” will send Rocket back upward and the electric polyhedron overhead will shock Rocket as an added punitive measure for a small error. Carrying a bomb from its origin to an exposed crack in the walls with Rocket’s tractor beam apparatus also caused me a ton of auxiliary damage when it really shouldn’t have.
Admittedly, platforming in Robot on Wheels was always going to have complications considering the design of the playable character. Rocket checks off all the criteria for charisma and cuteness like a worthy platformer mascot should. Still, one can see the glaring issue with his character design in that he was not built with legs or arms, the essential anatomical pieces for things like balancing on tight platforms. I assumed from his design that the game would primarily offer narrow platforms to balance on with Rocket’s spinning wheel or a ton of sections where he rides on tracks, and these kinds of sections are certainly prevalent. But on top of this, Rocket is forced to perform incredible feats of ascension that would make Mario say “fuck this.” Rocket is as slippery as a bar of prison soap, and I can’t say I’m surprised considering we’re all playing as a AI unicycle. One might suggest skipping any section involving tight platforming because the non-linearity of the collectathon usually permits the player to skip any undesirable tasks. While this completion criteria is implemented in Robot on Wheels, I get the impression that the developers actually desire the player to go the distance with the tickets. Not only does the last level have a lofty number of tickets to unlock it, but the cavalcade of linear platforming challenges that the crafty vermin Jojo has set up as the game’s finale is contingent on the assumption that the player has experienced all of the hardest platformer challenges the game offers. If Rocket dies during this prolonged finale, he’ll have to start at square one. Also, that paint section early on in the gauntlet is so fucking persnickety that I wonder if the developers tested it.
My faith that Sucker Punch would take the then-tired 3D platformer genre and craft something unique and flavorful out of it has been undoubtedly vindicated. Still, I think all of the blatant issues that mar Robot on Wheels is that Sucker Punch were so focused on making their 3D platformer debut title distinguishable among the formulaic sea that was flooding the gaming landscape at the time that they never considered if their ideas would be practical. Rocket: Robot on Wheels is an awkward and unbalanced 3D platformer experience that augments the genre with so much flavor, yet strips too much of its foundation that is too crucial to replace. It’s like a mishmash of delectable sauces and spices with a base dish that isn’t too solid. All in all, it’s not too shabby for a first-time developer, and the positive attributes seen in Rocket: Robot on Wheels would persist for their superior future titles.
------
Attribution: https://erockreviews.blogspot.com
Exhibit A of Rocket on Wheels’s uniqueness is the game’s premise. The game’s world is an amusement park run by the old and eccentric engineer/entrepreneur Dr. Gavin. Rocket is his primary maintenance robot with a Mega Man-like relationship to Dr. Gavin’s Dr. Light. Of course, this can only mean there is a Dr. Wily in the midst, and that’s Jojo. It’s amusing how raccoons were still incorporated into Sucker Punch’s games before Sly Cooper was even a thought that crossed their minds. Did someone on the staff have one as a pet or something? Anyways, this ring-tailed mammal is no charming rogue, but a vindictive little stinker out on a mission of vengeance. He’s tired of playing second banana to the park mascot Whoopie, a fat blubbering walrus who is incapable of any abstract thought. Using his superior intellect, Jojo takes Whoopie hostage along with all of the park’s tickets and tokens for good measure. He has also tinkered with the park to make it as uninviting as possible before he ultimately assumes position as park leader. Rocket now has to reclaim the park before it falls entirely into a dictatorship at the hands of a scurvy trash panda.
Lo and behold: Robot on Wheels is a Banjo-Kazooie clone. I had a hunch that the game would be at least some degree derivative, and it doesn’t come as a surprise that its inspiration stems from every 3D platformer on the N64’s favorite cheat sheet. The borderline dreamscape hub draped with stars is an ascending climb with the levels as detours, and those levels are designed like non-linear playgrounds where the player must be proactive in seeking out the collectibles through completing objectives through exploration. Swap the jiggies from Banjo-Kazooie with lettered ticket stubs and no one is bound to notice the stark similarities, right? I realize this sounds like an indictment of Robot on Wheels for being overly pastiche, but this isn’t the case at all. I quite like Banjo-Kazooie’s overall design and some of my favorite games are those that shamelessly ape it. It’s all a matter of what Rocket on Wheels does with the Banjo-Kazooie formula to discern itself from not only Rare’s bird and bear duo, but all of the other imitators. Fortunately, this aspect is where Robot on Wheels shines as Sucker Punch are a team of creative geniuses. Firstly, the game’s amusement park theme is a wonderful constant throughout each level. “Clowney Island,” a carnival themed area on a beach island like the real-life attraction it’s title alludes to, is the first area of the game with a traditional depiction of an amusement park setting. After that, the developers go buckwild with the possibilities. “Paint Misbehavin’” is ancient Rome in a paintball park, “Mine Blowing” is a goldmine prospector cavern, “Arabian Flights” is an Arabian journey on a magic carpet, “Pyramid Scheme” is an Aztec jungle/volcano etc. (I’m just now noticing all of the bad puns…) My favorite area from a conceptual standpoint is “Food Fright,” a Willy Wonka factory meets an Alice Cooper stage set hybrid with chocolate rivers, candy spiders weaving sugar webs, and a lake of boiling…marshmallow? While all of these themings are radically different like the typical range of diversification in a 3D platformer, what’s impressive is that that theme park atmosphere of thrilling fun is always prevalent no matter the scene.
What separates Robot on Wheels from the ilk of Banjo-Kazooie clones even further is the vast range of objectives present for each area. There are thirteen tickets to collect in each area of the game, so thank God the game provides such an eclectic mix of tasks. The substance of the various objectives is too numerous to mention, so I will do everyone a favor by listing some highlights. Ring challenges were very commonplace
across the 3D platformer genre, and they make their usual appearance in Robot on Wheels. Still, each of the ring challenges here provide enough variation from their standard implementation because Robot on Wheels features a different vehicle, testing the player’s proficiency with their mechanics. Out of the silly hot dog cart, the mechanical dolphin, etc., the one that stands out is the gliding motorcycle with bat wings which is definitely the vehicle with the steepest learning curve. Many platforming puzzles involve the tossing of objects with Rocket’s tractor beam like the magnet section in “Arabian Flights” and blowing open cracked crevices in the earth with bombs in “Mine Blowing.” The physics engine isn’t up to par with something like Half-Life, but the fact that something like this was implemented in a 3D platformer on the N64 is an admirable point of ambition. Parasitic mushrooms cling to Rocket so he can execute a series of high jumps, and soaring around the “Arabian Flights” area with the magic carpet looking for tickets feels so liberating. The absolute best feature Robot on Wheels offers is the rollercoaster maker in “Clowney World” where the player can make their own roller coaster AND ride in it once they are done. There is also a puzzle portion of this section where the player must also mold their creation to hit five numbered checkpoints along the way. Forget the ring challenges; I don’t care if this is Rollercoaster Tycoon light, I’m disappointed that this is only present in only one of the areas.
Robot on Wheels is also much more difficult than Banjo-Kazooie and most other 3D platformers of the era. After the second area of “Paint Misbehavin,” the areas become progressively more linear, and the problem that resides with that is the game’s penalty for dying mirrors that of Banjo-Kazooie as well and Rocket will be respawned at the beginning marker of the area. Incorporating this was fine in Banjo-Kazooie because every notable sight was only a few meters away from the spawn point. In Robot on Wheels, having to trek all the way back around creation where the last death occurred feels like a severe punishment. Staving off death in Robot on Wheels can be an especially tense excursion because the game has a strict margin of error throughout with sections that feel like tests of endurance. The consistent sections that test the player’s meddle are the one unlocked after collecting all of the machine's parts scattered around the area. The player earns a ticket for simply finding them all, but another section is revealed involving a lengthy swath of platforming. One brush of air from the vents for the one in “Arabian Flights” will send Rocket back upward and the electric polyhedron overhead will shock Rocket as an added punitive measure for a small error. Carrying a bomb from its origin to an exposed crack in the walls with Rocket’s tractor beam apparatus also caused me a ton of auxiliary damage when it really shouldn’t have.
Admittedly, platforming in Robot on Wheels was always going to have complications considering the design of the playable character. Rocket checks off all the criteria for charisma and cuteness like a worthy platformer mascot should. Still, one can see the glaring issue with his character design in that he was not built with legs or arms, the essential anatomical pieces for things like balancing on tight platforms. I assumed from his design that the game would primarily offer narrow platforms to balance on with Rocket’s spinning wheel or a ton of sections where he rides on tracks, and these kinds of sections are certainly prevalent. But on top of this, Rocket is forced to perform incredible feats of ascension that would make Mario say “fuck this.” Rocket is as slippery as a bar of prison soap, and I can’t say I’m surprised considering we’re all playing as a AI unicycle. One might suggest skipping any section involving tight platforming because the non-linearity of the collectathon usually permits the player to skip any undesirable tasks. While this completion criteria is implemented in Robot on Wheels, I get the impression that the developers actually desire the player to go the distance with the tickets. Not only does the last level have a lofty number of tickets to unlock it, but the cavalcade of linear platforming challenges that the crafty vermin Jojo has set up as the game’s finale is contingent on the assumption that the player has experienced all of the hardest platformer challenges the game offers. If Rocket dies during this prolonged finale, he’ll have to start at square one. Also, that paint section early on in the gauntlet is so fucking persnickety that I wonder if the developers tested it.
My faith that Sucker Punch would take the then-tired 3D platformer genre and craft something unique and flavorful out of it has been undoubtedly vindicated. Still, I think all of the blatant issues that mar Robot on Wheels is that Sucker Punch were so focused on making their 3D platformer debut title distinguishable among the formulaic sea that was flooding the gaming landscape at the time that they never considered if their ideas would be practical. Rocket: Robot on Wheels is an awkward and unbalanced 3D platformer experience that augments the genre with so much flavor, yet strips too much of its foundation that is too crucial to replace. It’s like a mishmash of delectable sauces and spices with a base dish that isn’t too solid. All in all, it’s not too shabby for a first-time developer, and the positive attributes seen in Rocket: Robot on Wheels would persist for their superior future titles.
------
Attribution: https://erockreviews.blogspot.com
Been playing a few N64 3D Platformers lately, and I remembered that Nitro Rad talked about this one. I decided to emulate it pay a lot of money for it on eBay, and it ended up being one of the best in the genre.
This game isn't too far removed from a game like Banjo Kazooie, as most progression is gated from tokens and tickets that you collect throughout sandbox stages. However, what really sets this game above other collectathons is that most variety is still focused in platforming, and the more puzzle-focused sections are still really fun. The titular Rocket has a very simple moveset. Initially, all you can do is move around, jump, and pick up and throw items. While your moveset expands as the game goes on, it's clear that the focus here is on two other elements. First is interaction with the environment. The game gets a lot of mileage out of the grabbing and throwing. Aside from just using items as stepping stools for getting to greater heights, some items have unique properties or need to be broken to get something else out of them. There's also the standard "Bring the thing to the thing", but that can also be fun when you remember certain moves can't be used while holding an item. All of this brings a puzzle twist to many platforming challenges, which is true among all of the unique stage gimmicks as well.
The general stage variety is great as well. It's all themed around an amusement park and most levels fit that. The first level is pretty standard, but the second is a paintball fight mixed with ancient Rome. Another is Halloween themed, with the first half being filled with candy and the second with spooky monsters. It also helps that the stages are well-designed in general. While the game is non-linear, most stages aren't necessarily a wide-open field, instead being interconnected areas. Many individual challenges will wrap around to a central location, activating something that makes any backtracking easier, and usually these conveniences persist even if you die. The only real exception is the final level, which is a linear gauntlet. While this is fun, it is a little too punishing. Unfortunately, the final level also doesn't take advantage of the other focus of the game: The vehicles.
Now, if there's two things I dislike in platformers, it's combat sections and vehicle sections. However, this game does the latter very well. Instead of being some random detour from the core gameplay, the vehicles here are something you have to earn, and you drive them in the same areas you can traverse on foot. or uh... wheel. They're also just really fun to use. Not only are they a quick way to travel, but the objectives are usually very simple and platforming-focused. It was the biggest thing I was worried about going in, but they nailed it.
This game also did something kooky. There's no bosses. Not one. Honestly? Good. Even if the final level was a bit too punishing, it stuck to the game's strengths. Not every game needs combat, much less a 3D Platformer.
I do think it's worth mentioning that one way that Banjo Kazooie trumps this one is in its characters and comedy. Gruntilda was a consistent presence in that game, and was a very effective villain. Rocket has a similar setup to Banjo all things considered, but there's not really a focus on characters or comedy at all. I was fine with that, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Overall, this is the definition of a hidden gem. One of the best 3D Platformers I've played. I know that Sucker Punch went on to make the Sly Cooper series, so I'm definitely checking those games out. I'm split between an 8 and 9, but I'll give it the benefit for now. 9/10.
This game isn't too far removed from a game like Banjo Kazooie, as most progression is gated from tokens and tickets that you collect throughout sandbox stages. However, what really sets this game above other collectathons is that most variety is still focused in platforming, and the more puzzle-focused sections are still really fun. The titular Rocket has a very simple moveset. Initially, all you can do is move around, jump, and pick up and throw items. While your moveset expands as the game goes on, it's clear that the focus here is on two other elements. First is interaction with the environment. The game gets a lot of mileage out of the grabbing and throwing. Aside from just using items as stepping stools for getting to greater heights, some items have unique properties or need to be broken to get something else out of them. There's also the standard "Bring the thing to the thing", but that can also be fun when you remember certain moves can't be used while holding an item. All of this brings a puzzle twist to many platforming challenges, which is true among all of the unique stage gimmicks as well.
The general stage variety is great as well. It's all themed around an amusement park and most levels fit that. The first level is pretty standard, but the second is a paintball fight mixed with ancient Rome. Another is Halloween themed, with the first half being filled with candy and the second with spooky monsters. It also helps that the stages are well-designed in general. While the game is non-linear, most stages aren't necessarily a wide-open field, instead being interconnected areas. Many individual challenges will wrap around to a central location, activating something that makes any backtracking easier, and usually these conveniences persist even if you die. The only real exception is the final level, which is a linear gauntlet. While this is fun, it is a little too punishing. Unfortunately, the final level also doesn't take advantage of the other focus of the game: The vehicles.
Now, if there's two things I dislike in platformers, it's combat sections and vehicle sections. However, this game does the latter very well. Instead of being some random detour from the core gameplay, the vehicles here are something you have to earn, and you drive them in the same areas you can traverse on foot. or uh... wheel. They're also just really fun to use. Not only are they a quick way to travel, but the objectives are usually very simple and platforming-focused. It was the biggest thing I was worried about going in, but they nailed it.
This game also did something kooky. There's no bosses. Not one. Honestly? Good. Even if the final level was a bit too punishing, it stuck to the game's strengths. Not every game needs combat, much less a 3D Platformer.
I do think it's worth mentioning that one way that Banjo Kazooie trumps this one is in its characters and comedy. Gruntilda was a consistent presence in that game, and was a very effective villain. Rocket has a similar setup to Banjo all things considered, but there's not really a focus on characters or comedy at all. I was fine with that, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Overall, this is the definition of a hidden gem. One of the best 3D Platformers I've played. I know that Sucker Punch went on to make the Sly Cooper series, so I'm definitely checking those games out. I'm split between an 8 and 9, but I'll give it the benefit for now. 9/10.