Who needs Paper Mario when you have Ruffy and the Riverside. This adorable and fun 3D platformer stands out with its unique “copy and paste” mechanic, allowing you to creatively manipulate the environment. The game blends classic platforming elements, like jumping and battling enemies, with innovative puzzle-solving mechanics, all wrapped in a charming, hand-drawn aesthetic.
The story of Ruffy and the Riverside is lighthearted, fitting perfectly with its colorful, paper-craft world. You play as Ruffy, a cheerful bear with a magical ability, as mentioned, to “swap” textures and properties of objects in the environment. Your goal is to explore the world and uncover secrets while interacting with a cast of quirky, medieval-inspired characters. The demo provides a solid glimpse of what to expect from the game, emphasizing intuitive star collection over pure combat. While it carries a retro Super Mario vibe, it stands firmly on its own.
The platforming is solid with simple combat mechanics
The game’s world is divided into seven outer regions, each featuring unique challenges and settings. From lush forests to icy lakes, every area feels distinct and offers ample opportunities for exploration and discovery. The demo teases future adventures with blocked-off areas, leaving you eager to see what the full game has in store.
Now, how does the swap mechanic work? For example, you can turn water into ice to cross a lake or transform stone blocks into wooden crates to create a path. This mechanic could also be used in clever and varied ways. One example involves entering a wall to reach a star: to do this, you must defeat a boss residing in the water. This particural wall is actually made into 2D space, while the outside world is 3D. To defeat the boss, you need to replace the water with lava, then switch the lava back to water, and finally re-enter the wall to collect the star. This is just one of many creative applications of the swap mechanic.
The platforming is solid, with responsive controls and well-designed levels. While Ruffy’s moveset isn’t as complex as some other platformer protagonists, it fits perfectly with the game’s pace and style. You’ll jump, skate, and fight your way through the world, with just the right amount of challenge to keep things engaging without becoming frustrating. Combat is also straightforward yet satisfying, punching enemies and using a variety of smashes and slams is more than enough to overcome them. It strikes a balance between simplicity and fun, keeping the experience interesting without making it overly difficult.
A very fun game that encourages exploration
As already emphasized, the game takes a cue from Super Mario Odyssey with 2D side-scrolling sections within the 3D environments. These levels offer a nice change of pace and add variety to the gameplay. The world of Ruffy and the Riverside is also packed with collectibles, including butterflies, dreamstones, Etoi creatures, and coins. These items contribute to gameplay and customization, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny.
On the other hand, the game is full of interesting puzzles and obstacles you need to avoid. In fact, nothing here is too difficult, and it requires you to carefully examine your surroundings and make a few decisions. The point is that puzzles are an integral part of the game and follow you at every step, meaning you’ll always find yourself dealing with something, whether it’s walls of fire or simply the opportunity to reuse the copy and paste mechanic, allowing you to turn water into leaves to climb to a higher elevation.
Visually, Ruffy and the Riverside is a treat. The game’s hand-drawn, paper-craft aesthetic is charming and unique, with lush watercolors and thick white outlines that give it a storybook feel. The environments are vibrant and detailed, with a medieval-inspired aesthetic that adds to the game’s whimsical tone. The 2D sections, with their crudely-illustrated look, provide a nice contrast to the 3D areas. The sound design is pleasant too, with a magical, atmospheric soundtrack that complements the game’s tone.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted and visually stunning platformer with a unique twist, Ruffy and the Riverside is well worth checking out. It’s a game that rewards creativity and curiosity, offering a magical adventure that’s as fun as it is charming.
English (UK) 
Hrvatski