To grab players’ attention, games often need to shine right from the start, and The Plucky Squire accomplished just that during a Nintendo Direct back in 2022. I’ve been closely following its development, captivated by its unique twist on a fairy tale storybook aesthetic. Brought to us by the fresh team at All Possible Futures and the established indie publisher Devolver Digital, this game unfolds within a charming storybook universe where reality bends in fascinating ways. Its visual allure often leaves people intrigued, but it raises the question: is it merely a flashy spectacle, or is there more depth to it?
The storyline centers around Jot, the squire hero of a beloved children’s book series, renowned for repeatedly thwarting the villainous Humgrump. This tale unfolds predictably, right up until Humgrump discovers a way to oust Jot from his own narrative. With the aid of friends and the wizard Moonbeard’s magic, Jot embarks on a journey that involves leaping in and out of the book, grappling with the villain to ensure that the enchanted stories continue to captivate young readers. While the tale does take a few turns, it largely adheres to the classic hero-vs-villain blueprint. It’s entertaining, sure, but it lacks the element of surprise, especially as the game progresses into later stages.
The standout feature of The Plucky Squire involves this exile from the storybook, transforming Jot from a hand-drawn hero into a lively 3D character with a claymation-like charm. Players are then free to navigate the desk where the book resides, exploring delightful mini-dungeons crafted from paper and desk paraphernalia. These adorable settings require players to switch between 2D and 3D perspectives and interact directly with the book to solve puzzles. One puzzle tasked me with revisiting previous pages to retrieve a needed item, while another involved lifting the page to slide an obstructive block across my path. Visually, it’s an ingenious mechanic that succeeds when aptly deployed.
Exploration hinges significantly on combat, which feels reminiscent of the classic Legend of Zelda. Armed with a sword and rolling ability, players can discover collectible light bulbs to purchase new moves, such as a sword spin or increased damage. These additions, although not essential, diversify the otherwise repetitive combat. Enemy variety also contributes positively, offering familiar gameplay with pleasant diversions into mini-games that serve as welcome touchstones for players.
The game bursts with an array of mini-games, from miniature versions of punch-out battles and stealth segments to rhythm challenges and less enthralling archery contests. These fleeting games pop up unexpectedly and disappear just as swiftly, lacking depth and easily forgotten once completed. Word puzzles scattered throughout the world offer fleeting amusement, allowing players to manipulate text to surmount obstacles, yet their execution often feels too predictable to offer any real challenge.
Arguably the game’s most significant issue is its lack of depth. The mechanics are entertaining yet paper-thin in presence, often easily forgotten after engagement. Punch-out sequences and word puzzles could have shined had they been refined and expanded, but they often felt like missed opportunities. The game often unveils puzzle solutions, signaling its lack of faith in players’ problem-solving abilities, ultimately rendering the experience insultingly easy.
Despite these critiques, All Possible Futures has crafted a visually stunning creation, weaving a whimsical fairy tale with artistic finesse. Perhaps their ambitious endeavor suffered from tackling too many concepts at once, but the delight within the simple gameplay and narrative remains. Any frustrations dissipate as you delve further into the game’s brisk eight-hour runtime. Although it slightly falters near the end, I still recommend The Plucky Squire, especially for its captivating transition from hand-drawn 2D to 3D visuals—a memorable experience that underscores the potential of games as an art form, despite its technical shallowness.
