Penny's Big Breakaway Reviews
Penny's Big Breakaway is a masterful 3D platformer. The team at Evening Star manages to make the transition from 2D to 3D platforming mostly flawlessly, far different from the blue hedgehog that started their game development journey. Evening Star has proven that they're the studio that should handle 2D Sonic, and with Penny's Big Breakaway, they've proven that they could handle 3D Sonic as well. They can do it, but they want to continue pursuing their own independent IP, which is just as good. Penny's Big Breakaway is something that no platformer fan should miss.
Penny's Big Breakaway is a fantastic debut from Evening Star and a must play for platformer fans everywhere.
Penny’s Big Breakaway achieves what it sets out to do in many areas, creating a stylish game with a fun, rich moveset that incentivizes and rewards masterful play, but is hampered by a few design flaws and a steep difficulty spike early on.
Penny's Big Breakaway is an enjoyable audition, clogged by the usual 3D platform trappings but fun and colourful enough to get away with it. Hopefully this is the first of many adventures to come.
Penny’s Big Breakaway proves that the art of busking is never easy, but it is always worth it. Those that can wrangle Penny and Yo-Yo’s tricks - and not get caught up in the strings - will enjoy going around the world for a high score.
While definitely rough around the edges, I thoroughly enjoyed Penny's Big Breakaway. There is a lot to get out of its levels whether it's a faster time, higher score, or all of its collectibles but I don't even need a specific reason to play through them again because controlling Penny is entertaining enough in and of itself. If you're looking for a fun and fast 3D platformer then look no further. 🪀
Penny's Big Breakaway is a very pleasant foray into 3D platforming at the turn of the millennium. Somewhere between SEGA evocations and Nintendo suggestions, the Evening Star production convinces and entertains mainly thanks to the yo-yo gimmick, capable of inserting fresh gameplay dynamics even in a very traditional context. Unfortunately, not all sections come into focus, as well as some play mechanics lose sharpness to a keen eye. Nevertheless, it is a title that will entertain and amuse fans of the genre as well as nostalgic gamers.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, Penny’s Big Breakaway is a stylish 3D platformer with a novel world, that is limited by dodgy control and imprecise platforming. The game is frustrating at worst but sleek like Sonic 3 (on Genesis) at best.
Penny's Big Breakaway captures the playful energy of early 2000s platformers but struggles with bugs and outdated issues, making it a visually appealing yet flawed experience.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
"Goes up and down like a yo-yo."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Penny's Big Breakaway embodies the best of the era it's emulating and showcases just what Evening Star is capable of when not tied down by an existing IP. Its surprisingly technical platforming and momentum-based systems make for a satisfying play, even if it can be a bit much to wrap your head around when you start out. I can't wait to see what Evening Star does next, because just like Penny auditioning for the gala, this debut is an exciting look into their potential and their future.
Penny’s Big Breakaway is a game in which the idiomatic expression “first you find it strange, then you understand it” is perfectly applied. The first impact causes some strangeness and confusion to more modern gaming sensibilities, but as we progress and master the mechanics better, we find a real pearl in this experience. It will not yet be a milestone within the 3D platform genre, mainly due to some inconsistencies and some technical problems that disturb the experience, but it is a game that leaves us with our mouths watering, and praying that Penny ends up leaving in more adventures in the future.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Playing Penny’s Big Breakaway washed me over with a wave of nostalgia that Sonic Mania was already supplying. There are some tricky moments everyone needs to be careful when playing on the controller and that is your right thumbstick. I’ve died several times because my thumb flicks the thumbstick and the yo-yo does a trick that kills my jump. I’ve given my thumb a Homer style strangling for its betrayal. I delightfully bestow the Thumb Culture Platinum Award upon this gem of a game.
Penny’s Big Breakaway is a good game but its show isn't surprising and the commands don't always flow like I'd prefer. There aren't big issues nor big qualities to highlight, making it recommended especially for people who love 3D platformers and colorful games with a cartoon feeling.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Penny’s Big Breakaway is an interesting game and its trailer draws attention but the actual presentation isn't as good as expected. The issues obfuscate the qualities and, for that reason, the game may not please most players, especially if you aren't used to 3D platformers. I'd wager that alternative modes with limited, decreasing time, that is, where we already know the limit from the start, would be a good alternative to intertwine with the limitless stages.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Penny's Big Breakaway brings the essence of 32-bit platform games to 2024, with an extremely satisfying character to control in a game that comes within inches of excellence, if not for some very frustrating bugs.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Penny's Big Breakway is a faithful homage to a simpler time in the industry. As a 3D platformer, it excels at showcasing why the genre is timeless.
Though Penny’s Big Breakaway wears a bit thin by its end, the 3D platformer is a lot of fun in bursts and features lots of fun ideas that I hope to see refined in future titles. The colorful style and plethora of play styles make it worth the time of platformer fans, and I look forward to the next game from Evening Star.
Someone will look at a screenshot of Penny's Big Breakaway and know it was a game made for them. It's colourful, has some head-bopping tunes and features a simple yet playful main mechanic in the yo-yo. There's plenty of fun to be had here, even if it's a real yo-yo of a package.
"...these knots aren’t enough to halt Penny’s Big Breakaway’s momentum. From solid level design and an extremely well-done character controller, this game is an easy recommendation for the momentum-favoured platformer player."