In the world of video games, it's not often that a beloved animated series gets a proper gaming adaptation. But when it does, the excitement is palpable, especially for fans of the show. Bluey, the Australian animated series that has captured the hearts of children and adults alike, has finally made its way into the gaming realm with Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen on the Switch 2. As an avid Bluey fan and a parent, I was eager to dive into this new adventure, but was it worth the hype? Let's find out.
A New Adventure, But Is It Worth It?
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen takes players on a journey through the imaginative world of Bluey, Bingo, and their parents. The game begins on a rainy day, with the family gathered around, drawing a story to pass the time. It's a heartwarming scene, but it sets the stage for a tale of adventure and mischief. The story is written by the show's creator, which adds an extra layer of authenticity, but it also raises a question: is Bandit, the cheeky father, a little too mean in this game? Personally, I think the game could have benefited from a more nuanced portrayal of Bandit, but it's a minor quibble.
The game plays out like a light version of The Legend of Zelda, with a massive map to explore and puzzles to solve. The main goal is to gather enough goose food, a different fruit in each level, to clear the Golden Guardian at the end. The game is pretty easy overall, but the timed puzzles were annoying, and having to trudge back to the start to do them again only added to that frustration. In my opinion, the game would have been better served with a more intuitive puzzle design, especially for younger players.
One thing that immediately stands out is the lack of co-op play. The game is zoomed out enough that letting a second player fetch some of these items from the edges of the screen could have made the world feel far less laborious. It's a missed opportunity, especially for parents who want to play with their kids.
A Flat Experience?
The game's movement is slow, and the puzzles end up feeling repetitive or too difficult if your kid is younger. The draw of having new Bluey content when it doesn't seem like there'll be any for a while is huge, but the game part is just a bit flat. The art style, inspired by the Dragon episode, is fantastic, but the gameplay doesn't quite match up. The lack of combat makes it great for little ones to play and explore by themselves, but it also means that the game's giant maps, which hide all these little things to collect at the extremities of the map, are a slog to get around.
Pricing and Value
Normally, I don't talk about pricing too much in reviews, but the game is far more expensive on consoles, and more so on Switch 2. Compared to the version you can download onto your mobile or tablet, and there's nothing else added to the game to make that jump in price more palatable. In my opinion, the game is overpriced, especially considering the lack of co-op play and the repetitive puzzles.
A Mixed Bag
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a mixed bag. The story is authentic and heartwarming, and the art style is fantastic. But the gameplay is just a bit flat, with slow movement and repetitive puzzles. The lack of co-op play and the overpriced console version are also disappointing. Overall, I'd rate the game 3.5/5. While my kid was keen to see the game through to the end, we just had to get the Gold Pen back. It's not something I've been asked to boot up again, but the draw of new Bluey content is huge. Perhaps a patch with voice acting and co-op play would have made it a more enjoyable experience for all ages.
