Upin & Ipin Universe Reviews
Adventure game inspired by the beloved Malaysian series that unfortunately fails to deliver on its promises
Upin & Ipin Universe is a heartfelt celebration of kampung life that will charm nostalgic players and younger audiences alike. It’s brimming with personality, curiosity, and low-stakes fun, but its technical limitations and lack of polish hold it back from wider appeal. As a digital sandbox, it succeeds in capturing childhood imagination, but players looking for tight controls, refined structure, or expansive storytelling may find its charms stretched thin. Those drawn to its cultural roots and laid-back pacing will find Upin & Ipin Universe an affectionate, if occasionally clumsy, open-world hug.
Good luck finding people willing to pay its current RM177+ price tag though, even if it's for supporting locally-made games. Because I feel most children with taste would be incredibly insulted by this broken-down offering that lasts about 3 hours tops.
The graphics in Upin & Ipin Universe are beautiful and give a real flavour of a Southeast Asian tropical village. Riding the tandem round the village was a definite highlight. Unfortunately, the uncontrollable camera and timed mini-games made playing Upin & Ipin Universe a frustrating and stressful experience. For a game based on a children’s animated TV series, it didn’t portray the childhood fun I was hoping for.