Ruffy and the Riverside Reviews
Ruffy and the Riverside is an enjoyable return to the colourful 3D platforming romps of the late 1990s, and it's one that brings its own clever idea to the table, rather than just simply copy/pasting everyone else's homework. With nods to Mario, Zelda, Crash Bandicoot and more, levels jam-packed full of fun puzzles and the easy, breezy nature of Ruffy's copy-pasting abilities at the heart of it all, this is one of the better odes to this sort of caper that I've played and, performance issues aside, a very impressive debut to boot.
Unfortunately, the few bosses and enemies present here are quite bland, and though the environmental puzzle-solving is initially unique and rewarding, it eventually stalls out in creativity and challenge. Overall, Ruffy ends up feeling a bit inconsistent, but it's still a cute, enjoyable indie that has me looking forward to future efforts from Zockrates Laboratories.
Ultimately, Ruffy and the Riverside is a game we wanted to like, but despite its attractive visual style and unique ideas, it never really comes together in a satisfying way. While there's some fun to be had running around in the semi-open world, it never evolves beyond that.
Ruffy and the Riverside's swapping mechanic is great fun, but I wish it would shut up and give me more organic opportunities to use that mechanic.
A gorgeously presented modern twist on the classic 3D platformer, Ruffy and the Riverside is positively glowing with charm. Featuring a cavalcade of fun environmental puzzles that take advantage of its unique copy-and-paste "SWAP" mechanic, a delightful blend of hand-drawn spritework and rendered environments, and cheeky writing that makes you fall in love with its silly little characters, this is a perfectly lovely adventure with tonnes of heart.
Ultimately, Ruffy and the Riverside is an excellent homage and possibly the most fun I’ve had with an indie platformer since A Hat in Time or Nikoderiko. Ruffy and the Riverside was clearly made by a team that knows and loves the genre.
Ruffy and the Riverside is an unbelievably fun and imaginative 3D adventure-puzzler. In some ways, it feels like it could have been a third Tomba! game due to its playful visual style that goes against the grain. Not everything works as intended, and it could use an extra pass of polish, but pound for pound, this is one of the more ingenious 3D platformers out there. If the developers can iron out some of the irregularities, Ruffy and the Riverside could be all it can be.
Ruffy and the Riverside is one of those pleasant surprises that charms with its simplicity and fun thanks to the SWAP mechanic. A game that draws a lot of attention for its beautiful art direction and that, despite drawing from the sources of Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie and other great names in the genre, doesn't live in their shadow. Quite the opposite, Ruffy is a game full of soul that rescues the essence of good old platform titles.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It performs well on Switch 2, which is where I reviewed the game, and has a lot of content for completionists to sink their teeth into. Some of the puzzles can be frustrating or obtuse, but the unique swapping mechanic makes for a fun departure compared to other 3D action-adventure experiences. It may be a bit Ruffy around the edges, but this Riverside is one that I was happy to dip my toes into.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a whimsical platformer that blends clever puzzle mechanics with charming storytelling. While its unique element-swapping feature brings refreshing gameplay twists, occasional pacing issues and vague objectives slightly hinder the experience. A visually delightful and inventive indie gem.
Ruffy and the Riverside doesn’t reinvent the 3D platformer, but it certainly carves out its own special space in the genre with its creative swapping mechanic and gorgeous presentation. The swap system is clever and adds meaningful depth, the world is charming, and there’s enough content to keep players engaged for hours. And sure, it has some rough edges such as the floaty controls, camera quirks, and occasional puzzle that doesn’t hit the mark, but the overall experience remains fun and imaginative throughout.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a celebration of what makes platformers great. It invites you into its whimsical world, hands you a unique tool, and says, “Go have fun.” And that's exactly what you'll do. The swap mechanic, despite its rough edges, is one of the coolest puzzle-platforming ideas in recent memory. The worlds are vibrant and full of wonder. And the joy of collecting, discovering, and experimenting never really stops.
While its SWAP mechanic can feel limited at times, it is nonetheless a charming example of a passion project come to life. The world, its characters, and the general gameplay are wildly entertaining. There is strong potential for a sequel, one that could allow more freedom in how the SWAP mechanic is used. Regardless, Ruffy and Riverside is a fantastic time, and a game that can easily satisfy those wanting a trip down the Nintendo 64 lane, or young kids who want a fun alternative to Mario.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a very creative and fun game. The visuals are very good, the controls are great, the NPCs are charismatic and funny and overall it doesn't leave anything to be desired in any aspect... except for the optimization on the Nintendo Switch.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ruffy and the Riverside is a joyful little game with a really inventive gameplay loop. It mixes elements from open world adventures, logic-based puzzles, and the level structure of classic 3D collectathons to create something that is truly unique, whilst still being accessible, and not at all condescending. It also helps that its visuals are great, and its sense of humor is completely on point.
Ruffy’s adventure has enough spins on the formula to stand out, especially the creative swap mechanic and some ideas beyond the opening levels, but I feel like there’s a lot of unforced errors in this title, which made me not enjoy myself as much as I hoped I would.
Ruffy and the Riverside is an incredible culmination of inspiration and innovation, offering hours of fun in a wacky world with a wonderful new duo. Zockrates Labs have gone beyond my expectations with their first game, and I hope we get to have more adventures with Ruffy and Pip in the future.
Ruffy and the Riverside deliver a refreshing, creative experience that embraces joy and imagination. While it’s occasionally held back by mechanical rough edges and spotty guidance, its inventive mechanics, expressive art style, and sheer sense of fun make it a journey worth taking, especially for those who love to experiment and explore. With a bit of patience, this colourful world will reward players with moments of magic and delight.
Ruffy and the Riverside is full of whimsical exploration and joyful personality. You don't have to look any further to experience a bright, colourful, and animated world this summer!
Ruffy and the Riverside delivers a platform game that pays homage to the classics while also being its own original entry. The core mechanics are innovative and the visuals are utterly charming, and despite the unconventional pace of the plot and the rather flat progression, the game is guaranteed to be fun for fans of 3D platformers.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review