Revenge of the Savage Planet: A Wild, Wacky Metroidvania Adventure!

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Last year towards the end, I caught my initial peek at Revenge of the Savage Planet during a virtual presentation. At first glance, I believed I had inadvertently joined a different live stream due to the vibrant, striking visuals and foreign world that seemed eerily familiar. However, unlike its predecessor, Revenge of the Savage Planet offers a shift in perspective, transitioning from a first-person viewpoint to a third-person one. While it may appear as a minor adjustment, it’s actually much more significant than you might think. Some could even argue that developer Raccoon Logic has introduced an entirely fresh aesthetic and atmosphere for the series, and I sincerely hope this new direction continues in future installments.

As a passionate fan, let me assure you that while there have been numerous updates (which I’ll delve into shortly), for those who cherish the nostalgia of Journey to the Savage Planet, there’s no need to worry. The core gameplay loop of exploring, gathering resources, and crafting upgrades remains intact. However, developer Raccoon Logic has significantly enhanced the day-to-day gameplay experience, making Revenge of the Savage Planet resonate more with the Metroidvania genre compared to its predecessor.

Initially equipped with just a pistol and jetpack, veterans will recognize the early scenes, but action swiftly ensues. Alongside your reliable pistol, handy jetpack, and proton tether, you’ll soon acquire additional tools like the Goo Gun. This device allows you to paint the surroundings and splatter enemies with various solutions. Besides the basic choices such as water for putting out fires or cleaning up messes, there are more intriguing substances in store. For instance, Ferro Goo may be challenging to traverse, but its conductive nature enables you to transfer electricity from one area to another. When needing to intensify a situation, lava-like goo is effective, just be cautious not to step on it.

I’ve got a special fondness for Green Goo. It might be the initial one you encounter, but seeing your character take an entertaining tumble as they try to navigate its slippery surface never fails to amuse. The decision by Raccoon Logic to switch to a third-person perspective seems quite sensible once you witness it in action. Despite the numerous dangerous creatures and perilous environments scattered across the planets you’ll visit, Revenge of the Savage Planet prioritizes humor. The comical antics such as sliding on goo, flying through the air after an explosion, and kickboxing those bug-eyed, raccoon-like characters are inherently funny. However, I think their impact would be less significant if presented in first-person perspective.

Regarding the humor, the game Revenge of the Savage Planet is overflowing with it! Whether it’s through the witty one-liners from your robot companion EKO or the amusing FMV ads and messages at your base, the game certainly knows how to make people laugh. Humor can be tricky in any medium, but especially in video games. I found most of the humor enjoyable, but I must admit that some of the in-game ads and infomercials with a gross-out theme might not sit well with all players – so beware when you encounter an ad for a rather unpleasant product called “Burger Squirts,” I’ve given you fair warning!

It’s fortunate that many of these videos allow for skipping, and you have the option to reduce (or completely turn off) EKO’s commentary and assistance, although some aspects can’t be bypassed. The game Revenge of the Savage Planet boasts an appealing, colorful design, but the 30 FPS cap on PlayStation 5 gives a less smooth experience than expected. Navigating slopes, rail grinding, and flying through the air is more manageable from a third-person perspective, however, the same can’t be said for combat. Even with aim assist and auto-targeting activated, shooting feels off.

At times, the user interface might seem overly busy. Although I appreciate the quick scanning tool for identifying nearby items, I sometimes found it challenging to determine exactly what the game was guiding me towards, particularly when it’s not directly in my field of view. Similarly, the in-game map appears to be missing any icon markers or custom waypoints, which seems unusual. Fortunately, technical problems are minimal, but I did encounter a few situations where the sounds of enemy grunts and battle cries persisted even after the responsible creatures had been defeated.

Revenge of the Savage Planet Review: Final Verdict

From a Metroidvania enthusiast’s perspective, Revenge of the Savage Planet doesn’t exactly break new ground when it comes to game design, but it certainly polishes and expands upon the blueprint set by its forerunner. It presents a rich tapestry of alien landscapes, each one brimming with mystery and ripe for exploration. Whether you embark on this journey alone or team up with a friend in co-op mode, there’s an abundance of excitement (and the occasional chuckle) to be found.

SCORE: 8/10

According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a score of 8 signifies “Excellent.” Although it has a few small flaws, this rating indicates that the artwork achieves its purpose effectively and makes a lasting impression.

Note: For our review of Revenge of the Savage Planet, we received a PS5 code directly from the publisher. This review is based on version 1.00.

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2025-05-05 16:14