Remake of forgotten classic. Putty Squad has had a controversial arrival on the PlayStation 4, back in the early nineties this game would have been met with the highest praise for its graphics and excellent lack of linearity. Now, it just seems confusing on the matter why it has arrived on next gen? Let alone at such a steep price tag. . Thus for this confusion; the game has hit overall poor journalistic reaction. With a touch of the silent treatment.
However. No interpret for concern if like myself, you want a game that plays with that arcade vibe and does it well. Somewhat twenty years later, & heck! Still serves up one of the greatest old school 2D platforming experiences I’ve ever had!
Putting the understandably dated Nick Park (Wallace and Gromit) themed visuals aside, it looks quite charming; colourful enough not to be considered poor quality. If anything, each new enemy gave me at the very least a good ol smile for its character design.
On a structural note platforms and chasm is expertly placed and bonds well with a remarkably tight control setup to create a variety of challenge and entertaining (if just recycled) environments.
Without a doubt the strong focus on this game is power-ups. Which frankly is ill-balanced, most notably the inflate ability- This allows your hero (Putty) to transform into an air balloon for a cost of some health overtime. In this form he can go almost wherever he feels like. Making progress far easier to the point it ruins the flow of each stage. The benefit here course, is this ability if used constantly will cause repeatable deaths upon the player..
On the matter of deaths; representatively the game’s difficulty curve is not for the faint of heart! No continues, or auto-save which is a standard for todays gaming community. You will also notice that health meter in the northern centre does not recharge after a stages completion. From a critical standpoint, this will be looked down upon as “primitive ways in gaming”. But in-that, I find the whole durability choice the development team decided a refreshing re-welcome to the old. Adjust, or get use to viewing the title screen saying “game over” in no time flat.
Despite its considerable age. Putty Squad PS4 remains a prime example of the sort of arcade 2D platforming we need. More this, than just graphical prowess on next gen is welcome.
Enjoyable level design, precise controls and decent enough challenge. Gameplay is entertaining, if just easy once you know how to exploit our avatars finer abilities. All combine to create what remains a great game.
Haven’t even scratched the surface on extra modes/ stickers/ and hidden levels. Regardless. If what you’ve read hasn’t won you to the Putty army yet? These features will hardly matter.
Brilliant game for any fan of two dimensional platforming.