In the event you have been born between, let’s say 1990 and 2003 and lived on the web, there’s a great probability you understand all about Mondo Media’s Pleased Tree Buddies. In the event you weren’t, effectively a protracted story quick, they have been a gaggle of cute, cuddly animal pals who dedicated acts that made Itchy and Scratchy seem like Tom and Jerry. As somebody born in 1999, I knew all about these little critters, even after I in all probability shouldn’t have. This made my face gentle up all of the extra after I noticed that they’d lastly made their return in a recreation referred to as The Crackpet Present.
However what precisely is The Crackpet Present? Properly, briefly, it’s a roguelite recreation closely impressed by the Pleased Tree Buddies that struck out by itself final 12 months on Swap and PC. Nevertheless, a licensing deal for its inspiration and an Xbox port later, and right here we’re. The one query is: is the sport any good? Properly, in some regards this recreation has all of the makings of a scores smash, in others this present might have wanted a bit extra focus testing.
All crummy TV puns apart, The Crackpet Present: Pleased Tree Buddies Version is somewhat little bit of a blended bag. The sport itself is a roguelite with some bullet hell components. That’s to say, it’s arduous. Generally infuriatingly so. However some fiendishly intelligent weapon design and encounter layouts imply the sport isn’t unfun. The fight is quick, {smooth} and different. Builds, perks and gadgets can imply the distinction between a profitable run and a failure. The sprint mechanic is responsive and enjoyable. Just about all you’d hope for in a recreation of this fashion is right here.
Nevertheless, greater than another enemy, boss or entice, the largest menace in The Crackpet Present comes within the type of two dreaded Rs: repetition and randomization. To an extent, each of those are to be anticipated in a roguelite. In truth, they arrive with the territory. However The Crackpet Present: Pleased Tree Buddies Version takes this to a different degree, and in a approach, it places your entire basis of the sport in danger.
The sport is structured with a sequence of ranges that gamers can select from. You decide the trail, considering the dangers and rewards every degree supplies, and also you forge onwards. The issue is, these paths are fully random, and generally an merchandise you want, like, as an illustration, a weapon that isn’t a peashooter, is a number of ranges in. Couple this with the excessive problem and good luck making an attempt to take out waves of enemies and surviving. In truth, you may have a greater probability of profitable a duel with a cocktail sword than taking up a number of the late-game ranges and not using a good weapon pronto.
Some phases mitigate this difficulty, permitting you to retailer weapons for future use, however this solely works for one run and in case you die earlier than you may retailer once more, you’re again to sq. one.
The randomization additionally rears its ugly head in upgrading weapons and perks. Not like different roguelites like Hades or Prey: Mooncrash, you may have a restricted diploma of management over what weapons and expertise you improve. You might be given a random alternative of two perks/weapons. Choose one and make investments your hard-earned talent factors.
As for repetition, later ranges or “episodes” as the sport calls them, can characteristic a plethora of rooms. These rooms use one of some layouts, usually characteristic the identical enemies (selection decreases as you progress) and might take so long as thirty minutes to finish. Die as soon as (except you may have a selected, uncommon merchandise), it’s again to the start for you. This wouldn’t be as notable if the degrees or enemies have been different by chapter, however after some time, it may be a slog simply beginning one other run. I spent seventeen hours enjoying The Crackpet Present: Pleased Tree Buddies Version to completion, and I feel I could have been happier with a minimum of 5 of these shaved off.
Now, with all of this being mentioned, there’s something undeniably essential that retains Crackpet from collapsing below the load of those points, and that comes right down to the thrill of its gameplay loop. Dashing, capturing and shifting concerning the stage feels immensely satisfying. As talked about earlier, the weapons are different and enjoyable. The gadgets are even higher, with a wide range of distinctive methods to take out enemies and preserve the tempo shifting. Upgrades made to the character via in-game “sponsorships” really feel significant and will be re-specced at any time. With shorter episodes and a bit extra management over builds, this recreation may change into a really particular gem within the roguelite style.
The aesthetics are additionally immensely charming. You’ll be able to select between a Pleased Tree Buddies theme and the unique recreation. Aside from the host and a number of the character skins, it doesn’t make a giant distinction, however truthfully, each worlds mesh collectively extremely effectively. Hyper gory, humorous and fantastically drawn, the sport is a visible feast. The music can also be frantic, enjoyable and catchy. For all of the occasions I heard the identical tracks play, I by no means as soon as received bored of listening to them. Better of all, the sport does proper by the Pleased Tree Buddies license with a wide range of totally different characters to select from, a model new animated quick made for the sport, and even Lumpy changing the in-game host.
Lastly, to briefly contact upon efficiency and worth, that is fortunately fairly polished. It runs effectively with no noticeable body drops and controls nice. Nevertheless, as of writing, some achievements are damaged (both didn’t unlock or unlocked below circumstances totally different from the directions given) and display screen tearing is reasonably prevalent. As for worth, it is available in at not a nasty value in any respect, though the sport is a bit too padded for its personal good.
Total, The Crackpet Present: Pleased Tree Buddies Version is somewhat little bit of a blended bag, however one which skews a lot additional in direction of the constructive aspect. It’s padded, repetitive and overly randomized, however the robust core mechanics, charming aesthetics and smooth-as-butter gameplay loop make up for these shortfalls.
Most significantly, it does proper by the Pleased Tree Buddies, and that deserves kudos.
