Penny's Big Breakaway Reviews
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.
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 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
An ingenious combo-driven challenge that's speedy and fun.
Penny's Big Breakaway combines retro gameplay with modern indie innovation to create a stylish 3D platformer that plays well and radiates creativity.
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 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 is big on ambition, for a studio the size of Evening Star they have turned in a title that is a cut above the 3D action adventure norm, most of the time. At its best, Penny's is vibrant, colourful and packed with imaginative ideas and mechanics. The use of momentum feels natural and the level design feels intuitive. The overall presentation is excellent and is backed by a banging soundtrack that brings the game to life. That said, there are moments where Penny's Big Breakway crosses the threshold from difficult/tricky and into frustrating territory. Whilst not bad enough or frequent enough to ruin the experience, it did create moments where I felt I needed to put the controller down and take a break. Overall though, in a genre flooded with competitors, if you are looking for something different, Penny's Big Breakaway could be just the ticket.
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 a fantastic debut from Evening Star and a must play for platformer fans everywhere.
Penny's Big Breakaway is, in a way, a platformer I've always dreamed of: I've always wondered what it would be like if Sonic had a smooth transition to 3D and this seems to be the answer. Jokes aside, the game is quite fun and really an excellent original game for what it is, and although it is impossible to disassociate the genre and the hedgehog's inspirations, the more games like this we have, the better, and this is a perfect hit.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
It’s a shame so many problems weigh on this otherwise enjoyable adventure. Even with the screen-crowding, bugs, and depth-perception troubles, I still look back fondly on the superb level design and movement mechanics. But because of those important detractors, Penny’s Big Breakaway lands as a solid 3D platformer unable to swing to the great heights it felt destined for.
"Goes up and down like a yo-yo."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
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.
While Penny’s Big Breakaway maintains everything that wowed players in Sonic Mania’s presentation, Evening Star’s transition into 3D isn’t without some stumbles and trips. A few fixes, like being able to bind the dash button away from the swing button, or some more keen playtesting to iron out certain sections that feel like work to get through, and this game could reach greatness.
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
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.
"...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."