Ruffy and the Riverside
" Quirky action-adventure with innovative texture swapping and charming art, but excessive dialogue "
Ruffy and the Riverside Review
Ruffy and the Riverside is a charming 3D puzzle-platformer that blends nostalgic inspirations from classic titles like Banjo-Kazooie and Zelda with a unique texture-swapping mechanic. Players explore a colorful open world filled with puzzles, collectibles, and quirky characters rendered in a distinctive 2D-on-3D art style. The swap mechanic, which allows altering environmental textures to solve puzzles, is widely praised for its creativity and fun, though some find it underutilized or occasionally unclear.
Despite its charm, the game faces criticism for pacing issues due to frequent and lengthy dialogue cutscenes, which some players feel disrupt flow and reduce engagement. Platforming elements are generally simple, and combat is minimal and easy. Technical issues such as limited display options and occasional performance hiccups on Steam Deck were noted. Overall, it offers a cozy, whimsical experience best suited for fans of lighthearted puzzle adventures and nostalgic platformers, with a recommended purchase especially on sale.
Highlights
Players consistently praise the game's unique swapping mechanic that creatively integrates puzzle-solving with environmental interaction. The art style—a colorful blend of 2D characters in a 3D world—is frequently described as adorable and nostalgic, evoking classic platformers. The music and soundtrack complement the whimsical atmosphere, enhancing immersion. The open world invites exploration with plenty of collectibles and side quests, providing a rewarding collectathon experience. The game's vibe and character design bring a joyful, playful charm that many find irresistible.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's excessive and lengthy dialogue sequences, which disrupt pacing and frustrate players seeking more gameplay. The platforming is described as too simple and lacking challenge, with combat being minimal and unengaging. Some puzzles feel repetitive or underdeveloped, and the swap mechanic can be confusing due to unclear explanations. Technical shortcomings such as lack of display and graphical options, no windowed mode, and occasional performance issues on devices like the Steam Deck were also noted. Additionally, some players found the story and character motivations underwhelming or unearned.
Pros
- • Innovative texture swapping mechanic adds creative puzzle-solving depth.
- • Charming and nostalgic art style with vibrant, colorful environments.
- • Engaging and catchy soundtrack enhances the whimsical game atmosphere.
- • Open world filled with collectibles and rewarding exploration opportunities.
- • Smooth and responsive controls with enjoyable character movement.
- • Rich character design with quirky, memorable NPCs.
- • Good pacing in the demo, showing potential for better flow.
Cons
- • Excessive dialogue and cutscenes disrupt gameplay flow significantly.
- • Platforming is simplistic and lacks challenge or technical depth.
- • Combat is minimal, easy, and often feels unnecessary.
- • Swap mechanic sometimes unclear and underutilized in puzzles.
- • Lack of display options and no windowed mode frustrate players.
- • Some puzzles feel repetitive and lack variety.
- • Performance issues and freezes reported on Steam Deck.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
As Ruffy, the Chosen One, you'll harness the magical power of SWAP, and use it to transform the game world. With SWAP you'll change the sun into the moon or ice into lava while overcoming countless puzzles and effortlessly manipulating objects to your will. You can turn a stone into wood to create a boat or swap a wall into rubble to clear your path, and much more as you fight, jump, and ride hay bales throughout the adventure. The unique SWAP ability opens up endless possibilities, making every moment feel magical and full of surprises.
Ruffy just won't stop! When the 3D world ends, he leaps into new 2D levels to collect even more treasures, but watch out - many obstacles must be swapped before you can safely pass through walls. Use your cleverness and the magical SWAP mechanic to transform objects and unlock new paths in your delightful adventure!
Explore the marvelous open world of Riverside, where Ruffy embarks on playful side quests, masters challenges, and collects magic treasures across seven distant regions. Ride hay bales, perform tricks on secret rails, and discover unknown areas as you meet the mysterious Etoi and team up with the Fish Gang to defeat bully sharks. Unleash your creativity by designing your own textures with Pix, transforming the game world into your personal adventure filled with surprises around every corner.
List of features:
Use and master the power of SWAP to transform elements in the game world.
Overcome various puzzles through creative manipulation of objects.
Engage in exciting adventure elements like fighting, jumping, and skating.
Solve puzzles and find treasures in challenging 2D levels
Unlock seven outer regions, each with unique challenges and settings.
More than a dozen characters offering new exciting quests.
Use dreamstones to create and apply custom textures to main game elements like stone, waterfalls and more...
Enjoy a magical atmosphere with a focus on exploration and discovery.
Gather various collectibles, such as butterflies, dreamstones, Etoi creatures, and coins, each contributing to gameplay and customization.
Nintendo Life
“Ruffy and the Riverside might be one of this years best platformers”
PC Gamer
“A delightful texture-swapping adventure packed full of creativity. Highly recommended.”
Alpha Beta Gamer
In Ruffy and the Riverside, you wield the magic SWAP to Copy & Paste textures - turn ice into lava or waterfalls into vines! Explore, fight, skate on straw bales, and unleash your imagination in this quirky open-world action game. Dive into an adventure that lets you literally change the world!