Upon first impressions of Ruffy and the Riverside, it is a charming, puzzle-solving platform indie game that should not be passed up if you enjoy a creative adventure.
Remedies of the Past
The indie platform is filled with creative ideas. Its design resonates with classic games like Paper Mario and 3D world platformers such as Banjo Kazooie and Super Mario 64. Character illustrations are like paper-thin 2D art, with no 3D depth to them. Each illustration’s colors animate in a loop, giving it an artistic look. Every character animates even when standing still. Enemies and the environment itself are in 3D, where most of your exploration takes place. It is definitely a unique approach that’s rarely seen.
Some of the 3D designs look a bit dated such as the trees and a few of the textures. However, this should not deter players from giving it a try.
Copy & Paste
In the game, you play as Ruffy, a bear-like creature with the ability to copy and paste objects. This is where the game gets creative and tests your puzzle-solving skills. You will need to take an object, copy it, and apply it to another object within a timed limit. For example, to climb up a waterfall, you can copy the green vines nearby and apply them to the waterfall, turning it into climbable vines. These techniques and problem-solving skills will be necessary throughout the game.
During your adventure, the camera can sometimes get in the way with its auto adjustments or not adjust enough to where you need it to solve puzzles. For example, to make a plant grow to be climbable, you’ll need to water it. Initially, it may be challenging to figure out what to do unless you adjust the camera angle higher in the air to see a cloud not raining. Then, players must copy the rainy cloud and paste it on the cloud that’s not producing rain. Players will encounter similar puzzle scenarios that may require multiple trial and error attempts, which could test the player’s patience.
A Joyful Time
Ruffy and the Riverside offers an enjoyable adventure with a unique approach to problem-solving. Its creative design is distinctive enough to capture players’ attention in this 3D world. If you enjoy 3D platformers with some flair, this adventure is worth jumping into.
A PlayStation 5 code provided for this article. Ruffy and the Riverside is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam.