Rusty Rabbit review: Buck Bumble

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Nitroplus’ Rusty Rabbit offers a captivating introduction. The main visuals depict a rabbit standing on two legs, sporting a tattered bomber jacket, and munching on a carrot like a cigar, while a village made of salvaged debris rests at the foot of a frosty mountain in the distance. What makes this character even more intriguing is that he pilots a mech suit through Metroidvania-style dungeons and is voiced by Kazuma Kiryu from Yakuza in both Japanese and English versions. However, what appears to be a wildly eccentric action game hides layers of complexity. Strange yet heartwarming, Rusty Rabbit presents itself as a rough-edged, deliberate creation that disguises itself as an ordinary video game, but in actuality, it is a visual novel with a deeply coded character analysis at its core.

Washed up

The main character in this story is Stamp, who might initially appear as a rough-and-tumble action hero with a cigar. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll find that he’s an elderly man who owns a junkyard, known as a “rust-grubber,” someone who scavenges ruins left behind by giants to salvage parts and create functional machines. He possesses the unique ability to hear the ‘voice of the junk,’ enabling him to construct vehicles for his clients based on his knack for understanding how things operate. Stamp has lived a full life, raised a family, and spent decades doing the same old tasks. He’s worn down by age, but all he has is his rust-grubbing trade, which he intends to continue until it eventually falls apart. What more could there be for someone like him?

In a departure from the familiar, Stamp’s daughter vanished from home, seeking answers beyond the ordinary. Delving into the disputed field of archaeology that contradicts the rabbit community’s religious doctrines and worldview, she departed from Stamp following a heated argument. As a lone adventurer, she crossed paths with a questionable rabbit in priestly attire, leading to her involvement with a group of young kits. This newfound association prompted Stamp to assume the role of protector for these inexperienced explorers.

Employing his mechanized excavation tool and extensive knowledge, gained over a lifetime, Stamp found himself at the helm of an expedition that was as much about unearthing hidden truths as it was about uncovering artifacts and battling monsters. In this quest, he might just discover insights into his daughter’s whereabouts and actions.

No country for old bunnies

The primary focus of this game isn’t the hidden conspiracies and mythology, but rather the intriguing mysteries left by humanity that sparked the creation of a religion among rabbits, such as interpreting Peter Rabbit tales as sacred texts. It delves into Stamp’s inner thoughts, offering an insightful perspective on what it means to be an older individual in his twilight years. Despite being set in his ways, stubborn, and grumpy, Stamp also exhibits a deep-rooted passion for his hobbies and work. Remarkably empathetic, he is open to conversations with a young girl about fashion. Instead of spending most of your time battling in dungeons or causing explosions, you’ll find yourself immersed in the mental process behind Stamp assembling a specific engine piece by piece, and possibly even more so than that.

This game character, Stamp, who appears as a silly-looking rabbit, is remarkably human in his depth. Even though some may find the intense focus on minor details and seemingly unrelated monologues off-putting, I found myself captivated by it. The plot twists aside, the intricate details about car parts, naming a car “Princess,” or Stamp’s observations of his customers’ personalities through their responses to his work, were engaging in a unique way. Urobuchi’s writing style is robust and unapologetic, delving deeply into Stamp’s thoughts to portray the mindset of someone deeply committed to their craft.

Dungeon-drilling

Rusty Rabbit doesn’t shy away from trading “enjoyment” for impact. In dungeons, Stamp pilots Junkster, a mechanical rabbit-like exosuit, which carries weapons unintentionally. Junkster is more like a tractor than a Gundam, and its movements and handling demonstrate this. It’s bulky and awkward, a product of years of wear, modifications, and repairs. Although it possesses capabilities for Metroidvania-style gameplay (such as wall-jumping, grappling, shooting), there’s an inherent clumsiness and rigidity that make comparisons to games like Metroid Dread unfavorable on paper. However, these characteristics serve the game’s atmosphere and setting, underlining the idea of an elderly individual using his outdated tool in a circumstance he isn’t completely prepared for.

Instead of focusing on combat, you’ll find that much of your time is spent inside dungeons breaking down blocks and crates. The creatures you encounter, peculiar mechanical oddities born from human decay, serve more as impediments rather than engaging adversaries or exciting challenges. Rapidly pressing buttons and soaring through the air to slash at flying foes isn’t advisable, even though it might technically be possible. Instead, a more deliberate, strategic approach is recommended – something that Stamp is trying to instill in the young rabbits he reluctantly feels responsible for.

Although the gritty style of gameplay aligns well with the narrative, it sometimes becomes irritating due to its self-consciously awkward aspects, like the Mega Man-style boss fights featuring colossal robots armed with screen-dominating, flashy attacks that can be confusing visually and exasperating to manage given Junkster’s restrictions. Fortunately, challenge isn’t a significant problem, and as you keep tabs on the mostly passive mission and upgrade mechanics, you can progress using sheer force and healing items.

The game doesn’t heavily emphasize the Metroidvania genre; instead, it serves as a foundation for the dungeons, with the core gameplay elements taking precedence. The dungeons are mostly small and linear, becoming more intricate and requiring backtracking only towards the end. However, this simplicity can sometimes lead to frustration due to the map not providing detailed information about obstacles. It’s easy to get stuck trying to remember which tools are required to overcome certain obstacles, especially considering the multiple upgrade stages and varying barrier strengths. Luckily, completing everything is not necessary to progress through the story, as most upgrades and backtracking are optional extras you can explore during post-game play. Additionally, a random dungeon feature is available for mining resources when you feel stuck or frustrated with the main dungeons.

Rusty Rabbit stands out as a game created by passionate artisans, eager to delve into unique concepts and ideas. It’s not merely a game designed to boost generic metrics such as fun and pleasure – though those aspects are undoubtedly present. Instead, it presents an engaging experience that challenges players to think more critically about media consumption.

The game invites players to explore intriguing dungeons, immerse themselves in quirky rabbit-themed sci-fi lore, and appreciate the thoughtfully crafted background details that set its unconventional narrative apart. In addition, it may provoke introspection about one’s personal values or offer a glimpse into alternative perspectives on life, as depicted by its unusual premise. All in all, Rusty Rabbit is a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression.

On April 17, 2025, you’ll be able to play Rusty Rabbit on your PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, or PC. For this review, we received a PlayStation 5 access code directly from the publisher.

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2025-04-14 10:28