This game is a big mixed bag. On one hand, it's very surprising to see a licensed game branch out from it's usual generic "2D Sidescroller" genre, but it's welcome, especially if that genre is a Pikmin clone. It even incorporates a streamlined charge mechanic before Pikmin 3 Deluxe did it. They also tied new units to a mission like structure spread across 3 islands which encourages backtracking later on in the game. Combat isn't amazing, but it's very streamlined and easy to pick up for anyone. The first island is even structured very well with plenty of puzzles and secrets to find. I was about ready to give this game 3 1/2 Stars and gush about how it's criminal that no ones playing this game any attention. Sadly, this game is hampered to death with MAJOR problems. First off, it's impossible to access the map of the current island you're on. This makes going through the games very similar hallways confusing at times and can cause a headache when you just want to get to where you need to go. While annoying though, I was still willing to overlook this problem as I was still enjoying this game very much. Unfortunately, this all ended once I got to the third island. This level is an absolute nightmare. Glitches and bugs were endless here. My units were constantly getting stuck on nothing and even downright disappearing out of nowhere. The game even straight out crashed after one point! Not to mention how inconsistent the checkpoints are in this level as they start out few and far between and then get more constant near the end. The puzzles are also very haphazard and the secret treasures are just randomly dropped out in the open with no cleverness like the previous two islands. The bosses are also very underwhelming. Just spam enough units at them and avoid their very delayed attacks and they go down within a minute or two. In the end I really wanted to love this game and recommend it as a hidden gem of underappreciated licensed games, but the game really trips over its own feet and gets trampled at the finish line. If the curiosity of this game is eating away at you, Rent it or pick it up for $5. It's short enough that you won't regret it, but for everyone else, you're not missing a thing here and are fine with skipping it.

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2021


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