The Plucky Squire, released in 2024, captivated audiences with its initial trailers, promising a unique blend of 2D and 3D action-platforming within a child’s storybook setting. Does the final product live up to the hype? Absolutely. This charming adventure delivers on its initial promise and offers a delightful experience for players of all ages.
Jot, the protagonist, is the hero of a beloved children’s book series. Alongside his companions, Violet and Thrash, he embarks on adventures in the whimsical land of Mojo, often thwarting the schemes of the villainous wizard Humgrump. However, the narrative takes a fascinating turn when Humgrump discovers he’s a character within a story and uses his magic to rewrite the rules, ejecting Jot from the pages of his own book. Thus begins Jot’s newest quest: to restore order and reclaim his narrative.
alt text: A screenshot from The Plucky Squire showing Jot in a top-down perspective within the pages of a storybook.
The narrative is consistently endearing, with writing that’s both accessible for younger players and witty enough to engage adults. While the story is primarily lighthearted, certain sections, like a stage themed around heavy metal music, incorporate clever references that might resonate more with older players. The Plucky Squire achieves the difficult feat of being genuinely enjoyable for all ages, avoiding the pitfall of catering solely to children.
The game’s most striking feature is its stunning art direction. The vibrant colors and dynamic animations, particularly during the storybook sequences, create a visually captivating experience. While the visuals outside the book are still impressive, the in-book sections are truly breathtaking, making each return a visual treat.
alt text: A screenshot from The Plucky Squire showing Jot from a side perspective navigating a 3D environment.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, The Plucky Squire boasts engaging gameplay that constantly evolves. It cleverly blends genres, incorporating elements from classic Zelda titles, Super Mario Bros., Punch-Out!!, Resogun, and even retro bubble shooter games. This constant shift in gameplay mechanics keeps the experience fresh and exciting, consistently surprising the player.
A core gameplay mechanic involves Jot jumping between the storybook world and the “real” world. This dynamic facilitates intriguing puzzles that require players to navigate both dimensions to overcome obstacles. As Jot acquires new abilities, these puzzles become increasingly complex and satisfying to solve.
While the puzzle design is generally excellent, a few minor technical hiccups were encountered. Occasionally, puzzle elements would clip into the environment, hindering progress. However, these issues were easily resolved by reloading a recent save and didn’t significantly detract from the overall experience.
In a gaming landscape often dominated by live-service and free-to-play models, The Plucky Squire is a refreshing reminder of the creativity and innovation possible within the medium. It’s a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and offers a unique blend of captivating visuals, diverse gameplay, and charming storytelling.
In conclusion, The Plucky Squire is a highly recommended title for those seeking a charming and inventive gaming experience.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The Plucky Squire is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 using a pre-release copy provided by the publisher.
