Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland has amazing visual and music that help capture the look of the cartoon, but with a touch of a button, you can swap to an 8-bit visual and musical style that feels like a game that would have come out on the NES and actually is thanks to the developer. But how is the actual gameplay?
Well, when I saw the trailer I got the feel that the game would end up being a mix of Super Mario Bros. 2 and Bonk and while Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland s not exactly done in the way I expected, I was not fully off the mark. The game controls extremely well and after a level to teach you how it all works, the game starts in full. There are Reptar coins to collect, puzzles to solve and enemies to deal with and it feels just right.
My observation earlier about how I thought the game would play ended up being half prophetic as while there are some Bonk elements that were clearly inspired by HudsonSoft’s game, the real influence is Super Mario Bros 2. The different babies you control all play like stand ins for Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad, complete with the same mechanics. Before you complain that this sounds like a rip-off, it is not. It is a game that is paying tribute to one of the best games ever made, including non linear and vertical stages including the famous digging stages, not to mention that you can pick up enemies to throw them.
There are other influences as well, such as the aforementioned Bonk, and these influences and inspirations blend well to create a fun experience that while an homage and tribute, still feels like it has its own identity. There is even the inclusion of multiplayer as well, which helps it stand above the games it pays respects to. Combined with the throwback visuals you can choose, and the excellent boss battles, the game just has that IT factor.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is what a licensed game should be. It uses its license well and captures the feel of the classic games in a great way. The only flaw it has is that it can feel a bit short, but a good game should always leave you wanting more. Moreover, it understands what worked about the classics and what did not and avoids the mistakes while highlighting the great points. It does not feel like it is copying its inspiration too much, and does have its own identity by advancing the mechanics it borrowed.
Ultimately Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a game that just works. It is fun and never outstays its welcome. This is a title that is easy to recommend.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
