1 person found this review helpful
Recommended
6.2 hrs last two weeks / 6.2 hrs on record
Posted: 17 Feb @ 6:46pm

I haven't had this much freedom and enjoyment with a character's movement in 3D since... Super Mario Sunshine? A Hat in Time sort of comes close, but not quite to that same level. It definitely feels like it's been a while, man alive. On that note, I think the moveset you get here allows for some of the best platforming I've ever experienced. Holy moly, this was a short but sweet journey and one I'll be coming back to!

Honestly, my only issue is that until you find the map, it's SO easy to get lost. Even so, it's available early on and it feels so good to play! Your full moveset is so darn fun and expressive for options to get around! One of the highlights of the game for me was heading to the theatre and being told I'm not allowed in. I saw the gigantic wall in front of me and thought "Huh, I wonder if I can clear that." I darted around the room and found myself climbing higher and higher until finally, zoom! Right over the wall I went! I looked back at the closed gate and smiled at my accomplishment and charged forward into the theatre!

I used to consider FLUDD from Super Mario Sunshine the best form of movement I'd ever experienced in a 3D platformer. Heck, part of what got me interested in A Hat in Time was a mod that let me use FLUDD in the game. The game was a joy to play even outside of that, but I can't get over how much Pseudoregalia expands upon what you can really do with your movement options and only gets better from the start!

The way the game naturally shows you how everything works by asking you to experiment or having you follow a route that intuitively shows you how to use the ability. A great example of this is when you get the wall kick, where you can see a reflection of light bouncing off walls in a similar manner to how you can use the kick to bounce off walls, and said light guides you forward as well for this small segment. It's the little things in life, you know?

I love how the hand of the developer knows when to guide and when to let you figure things out on your own. Absolutely, I recommend this game! There's so little like it out there and that needs to change! If you enjoyed the kind of movement you could perform in games like A Hat in Time, Super Mario 64, and Super Mario Sunshine, you NEED to play this game. Worry not, there are no moments of automation or things like camera-locked wall jump sections with only one way of approaching platforming sections. Every room is a canvas and every ability is a new type of paint for your brush. Now go create some art!
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