The Plucky Squire review

The Plucky Squire review

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that The Plucky Squire has stolen not just my heart, but my entire collection of gaming trophies as well! From the moment I first laid eyes on its trailer, I knew it was destined to be a classic.


Regardless of individual views, we’re all familiar with the idea of love at first sight, and for me, that moment came when I saw The Plucky Squire’s trailer last year. It was like the video game version of love at first sight! As 2024 drew closer, I eagerly included it in my list of most anticipated games. Since then, every sneak peek from All Possible Futures and Devolver Digital has only heightened my anticipation. Now, the wait is finally over – The Plucky Squire has been released, and I’m just as captivated as I had hoped!

In a nutshell, Jot is an ordinary fantasy character who battles against the antagonist Humgrump, basking in the affection of his fans. Growing tired of being defeated by the virtuous, Humgrump devises a new strategy to rule the realm. Upon discovering that their world is merely a children’s book, this malevolent figure concocts a scheme to eject Jot from the pages and seize control of the narrative. It falls upon our hero, armed with his sword and the power of paper, to save the day yet again, with some friends lending their support on this journey.

The Plucky Squire review

Initially, The Plucky Squire commences in a straightforward manner. Observed from above, you guide Jot on his journey through woods and meadows, slashing enemies along the way, which brings to mind a 2D version of the Zelda series, minus some additional features. However, the gameplay soon deviates, featuring screens where the action transitions to side-scrolling view, followed by numerous other changes.

In the realm of The Plucky Squire, written text holds immense power, subtly woven into the game’s surroundings. Words can be moved around or removed, altering the environment in intriguing ways. For instance, a “destroyed” bridge could transform into a “complete” one, making passage effortless, or a large obstacle frog may shrink to a size where you can simply step around it. This creative mechanism leads to some ingenious puzzles as the game unfolds, and discovering different word combinations is an enjoyable challenge throughout.

2D puzzles are quite enjoyable initially, but eventually, you’ll transition into an engaging 3D realm. Jot can battle enemies and navigate environments in three dimensions, however, he will need to switch between dimensions to progress through certain sections. In these parts of the game, you can jump into and traverse intricately designed paper drawings. This feature is executed in numerous delightful and awe-inspiring ways that I’ll leave for you to discover on your own.

The Plucky Squire review

Dipping into The Plucky Squire book at various points will aid in solving numerous riddles, but as you advance, you’ll uncover additional abilities that allow you to alter the game world in diverse manners. Initially, this ability lets you rapidly move between pages within the game (considering each page is essentially a screen), granting access to the puzzle pieces required. This is merely one of several powers that character Jot can utilize, and each new power introduces an additional level of intricacy to puzzles that are enjoyable to solve.

Engaging with the somewhat literary riddles found in The Plucky Squire is quite captivating, yet it’s just one aspect of this game. What sets it apart are its numerous original mini-games scattered throughout, such as the boss battle reminiscent of Punch-Out!! against a honey badger, which has been teased in trailers several times. I won’t reveal any more of these delightful surprises, but I will mention that they add a nice dose of variety and make experiencing Jot’s tale enjoyable.

The Plucky Squire review

Above all else, The Plucky Squire’s enchanting appeal truly shines brighter than any other game feature. Few games can capture such an abundance of positivity and delight, as seen in its heartwarming narrative with a beautiful message, to the vibrant, eye-catching graphics that consistently bring a smile to my face. On those gloomy days, this game serves as a comforting embrace, perfect for banishing those case-of-the-Monday blues.

The Chivalrous Page met all my expectations, but I’ve found that the tempo of the game sometimes falters. There are numerous narrative segments that disrupt the gameplay rhythm, and when I’m eager to tackle word puzzles or battle insects, these interruptions can be frustrating. The beginning of the game is particularly leisurely as you wait for additional mechanics to unfold, although the appeal kept me going during those initial stages without much effort. However, I was eager for things to pick up speed.

The Lively Knight’s Quest is an amusing and delightful game filled with intellectually stimulating word puzzles, exciting dimension-jumping action, and a diverse range of content that ensures you won’t want to put it down until the end of Jot’s tale. While there may be moments where the speed could be improved, the unquestionable optimism of this graphic novel journey is truly captivating.

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2024-09-17 19:16