Ruffy and the Riverside Reviews
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.
With its energetically vibrant world that'll keep you smiling and clever puzzle-filled platforming, Ruffy And The Riverside has everything you'd need for an excellent 3D funfest. đ»
Ruffy and the Riverside is a solid entry into the 3D platformer genre. I felt so nostalgic while playing it, especially when I stumbled across a hidden room where âBanjo was here!â was written on the wall. I definitely suggest giving this game a try and certainly if youâre a 3D platformer sicko like me. I finished this game at around 16 hours by doing a good amount of side quests, but thereâs still plenty of collectibles and achievements left!
As a whole, Ruffy and the Riverside is a charming game that is fun to play. Anyone that has nostalgia for late 90s 3D platformers will feel a sense of familiarity that hits all the right notes. It's an adventure that is clever with its approach to puzzle solving, while still managing to be lighthearted and not overly difficult. A few minor bugs can eventually be ironed out to make an already solid experience even better, despite some of the more challenging sections that will still stump a few people along the way.
Ruffy and the Riverside is an enjoyable experience and clearly draws inspiration from platformers from the early â90s and beyond. With its unique SWAP mechanics and neat presentation, featuring hand-drawn visuals, this platformer caters to gamers of all ages and skill levels. The game is surprisingly deep with a lot of NPCs to engage with, plenty to collect and lots of puzzles thatâll see you clocking around 10 hours of gameplay. For the reasonable price of ÂŁ16.99, itâs well worth the cost for the amount youâre getting in return.
Ruffy and the Riverside offers precise platforming with retro charm which, thanks to the unique SWAP mechanic, adds an additional layer of puzzles to the gameplay making the experience truly special. The puzzles range in difficulty and the optional content, of which there is a fair amount, particularly had me really use my brain. While the dialogue is entertainingly written, it could have been a bit less text-heavy for my taste. On the other hand, the game's visuals are simply enchanting, and the characters are all endearing.
Review in German | Read full review
As an avid fan of the 3D platformer, the indie space is quickly growing into a thriving hot spot of the genre, with Ruffy & the Riverside joining the ranks of A Hat in Time and Poi. Utilizing a creative mechanic not seen in other 3D platformers, while having a strong identity and a striking art direction, Ruffy and Pip's adventure is a riverside worth visiting.
"Charming, inventive, but unbalanced" Ruffy and the Riverside is moving and full of ingenuity. Its distinctive Switch mechanics add a clever twist to classic platformers, and its vibrant world is a visual delight. However, the game often suffers from limited puzzle depth, a repetitive structure, and disappointing combat. Despite its clear ambition, its execution stumbles in key areas.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
It may be influenced by a whole host of games from 25 years ago, but it never borrows from any of them so blatantly that it just feels like youâre playing a clone or a lesser version of a much better game. Itâs its own game, with its own identity, and thatâs enough to set it apart.
"The right approach and mindset, but the developers need a bit more experience."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
There are exciting moments in Ruffy and the Riverside, an adventure platformer with a copy-and-paste mechanic used to solve clever puzzles, but the lack of variety and depth in how its core mechanic is implemented undermines the game's good intentions.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ruffy and the Riverside feels like a platformer straight from the past, in a good way. Clearly inspired by the greatest 3D platformers out there, it stands out as a varied, beautiful, and fun take on the genre, and has the potential to be remembered for years to come.
For players who really love quirky indie platformers, there may be enough charm here to make it worth a look.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a charming and creative adventure that shines with its hand-drawn art direction and original texture-swapping mechanic. Despite its technical and design limitations, it offers a light, fun, and accessible experience â ideal for those seeking something different and welcoming. A game that may not reinvent the genre, but it captivates with its personality and good ideas.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ruffy and the Riverside is a vibrant 3D platformer bursting with nostalgia, inventive puzzles, and colourful papercraft visualsâpure joy for classic game fans!
Ruffy and the Riverside cleverly apes classic platformers while delivering a gimmick that makes it feel fresh and modern. In fact, its whimsical nature, built around an intriguing gameplay mechanic, gives it a classic Nintendo vibe. The story sets up for future adventures, and considering this is the developerâs debut title, they are future adventures I would love to see made.
Ruffy tries, and succeeds to some extent, in blending nostalgic textures with a faster and more current gameplay, delivering a fun, well-localized, and striking game that will certainly appeal to the old guard and can be a great starting point for new players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
In Ruffy And The Riverside, the special FLIP mechanic stands out, allowing players to reshape the game world however they want. Set in a compelling story with entertaining humor and peppered with varied, motivating puzzles and creative platforming sections, the game time flies by quickly. The charming, colorful comic book look, the cute characters, and especially the lively music create a cheerful atmosphere. Optional collection tasks provide additional long-term motivation. Only a few minor weaknesses detract somewhat from the gameplay. For example, there are occasional incorrect collision queries, which cause Ruffy to have heavy legs, especially when climbing stairs, and isolated bugs. Furthermore, loading stutters during some area transitions in the Riverside environment and, in some cases, long walking distances in the main quests without an extensive fast travel system slow down the flow of the game a bit. All in all, however, the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones. I surprisingly enjoyed my trip with the cheerful bear Luffy. I would therefore say that the goal has been achieved: Luffy And The Riverside can compete with well-known classics such as Crash Bandicoot, Klonoa, and Paper Mario, and makes its own unique contribution with FLIP.
Review in German | Read full review
Ruffy and the Riverside is a challenging game to review. Its collectathon gameplay is a blast, and its mission variety deserves praise. Its audiovisual presentation is equally commendable, paying loving homage to the games that inspired it. However, the elements that surround the core experience â the story, the combat, the menus â chip away at the fun. Hopefully, Zockrates Laboratories UG can use Ruffy and the Riverside as a springboard to greater heights. Whatâs here is a welcome addition to the collectathon genre; just keep your expectations in check before you jump in.
For everything that Ruffy and the Riverside tries to do, especially when compared to other 3D platformers, the gameâs style and gameplay really stand out to give it a nice bit of charm. Itâs got a fun and catchy soundtrack to boot. At the same time, if youâre not somebody whoâs into solving puzzles and donât really like looking around for items, Ruffy might not be your cup of tea.