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Reviewing platformers is often a thankless task for us reviewers, mainly due to two reasons. Firstly, there's a strong emotional attachment to this genre, particularly among older players who fondly remember classics like Super Mario and Crash Bandicoot. These iconic games set the standard by which all others are measured, adding an extra layer of scrutiny to any new platformer.
Another factor contributing to the challenge of reviewing platformers is that these titles aren't assessed through the same lens as other games. In this genre, the narrative and, at times, even the graphics are considered less crucial. The primary criterion is the enjoyment factor; if the game is fun, it generally earns a positive evaluation.
Yet, what Penny's Big Breakaway offers fails to deliver an impressive fun factor or high-quality gameplay. To be frank, there's nothing particularly noteworthy in any segment of the game, as each aspect lacks that certain spark.
Story
In platformers, the storyline is often not a critical factor, and the absence of a narrative usually goes unnoticed since the primary emphasis is on enjoyment and, I would say, a positively challenging experience. Penny's Big Breakaway adheres to this principle, where the story merely functions to inform players that there is some plot about why the protagonist, a little girl Penny, is navigating through the game.
The narrative unfolds in a specific kingdom where the bored king seeks entertainment. In response to his proclamation, Penny arrives as an entertainer with her Yo-Yo. However, at a pivotal moment, Yo-Yo rebels and, in an unconventional move, undresses the king, leaving him in only his underwear. Taking offence, the king condemns Penny to the dungeon. Throughout the game, players navigate Penny as she escapes from the king's soldiers, who happen to be penguins, across diverse levels.
The narrative in this game is notably unimportant, attempting humour through occasional cut scenes. Unfortunately, these efforts fall flat, and the absence of actual speech further hinders the experience. Instead, inarticulate sounds are subtitled to convey information about the unfolding events.
If you're seeking a sophisticated story, this is not the right place, as Penny's Big Breakaway doesn't offer that. It's worth noting that the absence of a compelling narrative won't significantly impact the game's rating, as it's a less crucial aspect of the overall experience.
Gameplay
Penny's Big Breakaway can be described as a true classic 3D platform game with a fixed camera perspective. Players don't have the option to control the camera; instead, it dynamically adjusts its position, moving closer or further away based on the game's assessment of the situation.
The implementation of this approach is notably flawed as it significantly limits level exploration, confining players to areas dictated by the game. Furthermore, the dual controls for the Yo-Yo on the right stick pose challenges. Given the 3D view, the natural instinct to use the right stick for camera rotation often results in unintentional double-pressing of the Yo-Yo command or dash. This frequent occurrence can be frustrating and may lead to unintended falls into the abyss.
The Yo-Yo takes centre stage in Penny's Big Breakaway, intending to offer unique mechanics that distinguish the platformer from others. However, in practice, these mechanics fail to bring the anticipated distinctiveness to the game.
Fundamental mechanics include the standard jump, followed by a double jump facilitated by the Yo-Yo. The Yo-Yo serves multiple purposes, such as swinging in the air, acting as a zip line or slingshot, and engaging with special areas where you spin the Yo-Yo in a circular motion to either ascend or descend from platforms. Essentially, the entire traversal system in the game centres around this versatile tool.
Frequently, the direction in which you aim the Yo-Yo is compromised due to the suboptimal camera positioning. For instance, when you aim Yo-Yo, sometimes you won't have a clue where Penny is looking because the camera's positioning is wrong, and as a result, you might shoot it in the complete wrong way. Since the pace is everything in this game, that often results in the loss of one of your lives.
The Yo-Yo is also employed for striking penguins and managing crowds by spinning it in circles. Speaking of penguins, it's noteworthy to highlight that, apart from the scarce bosses, they constitute the sole adversaries in the game, and their artificial intelligence (AI) leaves much to be desired.
Concerning the game's levels, they are relatively sparse, and their designs are mostly uniform, featuring similar obstacles throughout. However, at the conclusion of certain levels, players encounter boss fights, which are intricately designed and somewhat enhance the overall impression of the game.
A major drawback, and potentially a game-breaking aspect for me, is the lack of meaningful exploration within the levels. Throughout the game, collecting coins seemed inconsequential, as their utility was practically nonexistent for me, except for contributing to end-of-level statistics.
Apart from collecting coins, there are side quests in the levels where you assist NPCs, contributing to the end-of-level assessment. However, the predominant focus on evading enemies in the game diminishes the significance of these tasks. Coupled with subpar controls and inadequate camera positioning, I frequently overlooked these elements and could not find any sort of engagement, which is particularly disheartening.
It's worth noting the presence of a checkpoint system in the game, which was somewhat confusing to me. Essentially, you have a total of four lives, meaning you can either be captured or fall into an abyss four times, and each instance leads you back to the checkpoint. However, the system allows you to return to that checkpoint again if you lose all four lives, rendering the concept of having four lives somewhat inconsequential.
Overall, the gameplay in Penny's Big Breakaway feels somewhat incomplete to me, lacking a distinctive element. It fails to distinguish itself from similar games, and the crucial ingredient that should make it truly enjoyable seems to be elusive.
Graphics and Sounds
Finding a subtle way to express it is challenging, but Penny's Big Adventure comes off as an unappealing game attempting to mask its shortcomings with a distinct art style that, at best, is just that and, at worst, reveals a lack of quality and creativity in world-building.
All the levels seem remarkably similar, giving the impression that you're playing through the same level repeatedly throughout the game. The colour palette appears dull and vacant, and I'm unsure if it's intentional, but there's a noticeable issue with object rendering. When in proximity, objects appear normal, but as you move away, they tend to pixelate, resulting in an unappealing visual effect.
If the intention behind this was to showcase a unique art style, it must be said that the execution is quite subpar, as it easily comes across as a huge graphical minus.
The character appearances and their models give off an outdated vibe, as if they were created for older consoles and configurations. While this may not necessarily be deemed a negative aspect within the game's genre, it becomes evident that the visual style harbours numerous flaws upon closer inspection.
Regarding the sound aspect, there is neither much to commend nor critique. As previously mentioned, the game lacks voice acting and relies on inarticulate sounds. The music and soundtrack, fitting for this genre, feature lively rhythms that align well with the constant chase sequences.
The Yo-Yo ejection sounds are genuine, and the sounds accompanying jumps, spins, and other mechanics are well-executed, leaving no room for complaints.
Conclusion
Personally, I wouldn't recommend playing Penny's Big Breakaway, as it fails to distinguish itself from similar platformers, lacking fresh gameplay mechanics. Moreover, even within the realm of classic mechanics, it falls short and remains below average in terms of quality.
Combine the unappealing art style and overall lacklustre graphics, and you're left with a game that fails to stand out in any meaningful way. Skipping it won't result in a significant loss.
The Good
Yo-Yo mechanics and versatility- Decent sound presentation
The Bad
Repetitive level design- Lacklustre graphics
- Unclear story
- Poor camera positioning
- Mediocre enemy AI
- Non-existent exploration
