Double jump, burrow underground and swish your bushy tail to defeat foes. These are just a few of the joys you’ll encounter playing the 3D platformer game New Super Lucky’s Tale. You’ll play as a young energetic fox named Lucky, who does this all in style whilst wearing a stupendous bright blue cape.
This is the first time this little foxy critter has appeared on PS4 with the expanded version of the game. New Super Lucky’s Tale is actually a sequel to a game that came out on the Oculus Rift back in 2016, which was simply called Lucky’s Tale. However, you do not need any experience with the prior game to enjoy the sequel.
Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that New Super Lucky’s Tale is clearly aimed at a younger audience in mind with its delightful and colourful design, but with its N64 platformer vibes it’s hard for anyone that grew up in that era not to find this game appealing to some degree.
The plot follows feisty Lucky Swiftails’ adventures safeguarding the Book of Ages against the fiendish Jinx and his Kitty Litter minions. In Lucky’s bid of hunting down the lost clover pages, it will take him to many different worlds where he will meet a bunch of charming characters, such as a cute golem, wrestling yetis and many wiggly worms. All the characters you’ll encounter in the game are endearing, perhaps the Kitty Litter squad the most with ninja Master Mittens taking centre stage with his iconic and funny line “I VANISH!”
The worlds you travel through take the form of five hub worlds that are reminiscent of many classic 3D platformers. Choose one of many levels from the hub world, and after collecting a certain amount of clover pages, you’ll be able to enter a boss fight and then rinse and repeat in the next hub world.
Each level you tackle in the game will vary from different platformer styles. Some will take inspiration from 2D side-scrollers where you could be running from left to right, dodging fiery balls of flames or leaping from platform to platform. Other levels are more inspired by 3D platformers which involve exploring the environments to uncover the secrets, whacking some foes like caterpillars and bees with your foxy tail or helping out the local folk by helping to round up some chickens on the farm.
Nevertheless, the way you collect the clover pages is achieved by a series of tasks on each level. These include either completing the level in its entirety, scooping up a hidden page that is often found by exploring a concealed environment, collecting 300 coins that are scattered across the level, and so on. There are also mini levels lurking within the hub world where you can collect an odd clover page or two that usually entails completing a simple but fun puzzle. These worlds and levels are incredibly joyful to explore even if sometimes the challenges presented are often too easy.
On the graphics side of things, the game is incredibly vivid with its bright colour palette. It’s almost like a children’s storybook has come to life, which is very charming to see. You can customize Lucky’s outfit and hat as well when you progress further into the game, with new outfits bought with the coins you collect. Because who doesn’t want to dress up a fox in a swag top-hat?
The game is reasonably short, and even after collecting every single clover page and all the collectables it took less than six hours to complete the whole game. Of course, the game is designed for a younger audience, and it’ll probably take smaller hands a little bit longer but it really does feel easier than your average 3D platformer game. You certainly won’t have to stay up all night to get lucky.
New Super Lucky’s Tale is a worthwhile venture for those who are young at heart. However, this may not provide too much of a challenge compared to some of the hard-hitting platformers that are out there. Regardless, with its charming characters and vibrant levels, this is a game that the whole family can enjoy for a few hours, especially the happy-go-lucky.
New Super Lucky's Tale PS4 Review
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Overall - Fantastic - 8/108/10
Summary
New Super Lucky’s Tale is a really enjoyable and light-hearted platformer with an adorable cast of characters. This adventurous fox will take you through a bunch of fun and cheerful levels, which after playing through – it’s hard to be in a bad mood.
Review Disclaimer: This review was carried out using a copy of the game provided by the publisher. For more information, please read our Review Policy.
Reviewed using PS4 Slim.
