Deedlee Doo! Carkour! review: You can do it! Climb the Meowntain!

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The children laughingly inform me that I’ve met my end.” Indeed, it has happened close to a hundred times as my car veered off course in the challenging obstacle course. I then restart, keep tackling the level that always gives me trouble, take a moment, and begin soaring over the gaps, ricocheting off walls, and eventually guiding my car towards the next checkpoint with precision. As I gaze at the floating array of clay obstacles ahead, I know I’m about to endure more teasing, but it will be exhilarating when I manage to navigate through the right sequence of driving, rockets, and mid-air tricks to reach the following destination. That’s Nate Purkeypile’s Deedlee Doo! Carkour!, a fun new entry in the late spring gaming roster.

The Meowntain calls

Purkeypile’s CarKour offers a straightforward concept: You control a clay rocket car in a clay realm, with your objective being to conquer the towering obstacle course ahead – the Meowntain. It won’t be a walk in the park, but your vehicle’s rocket mechanism lets you gather speed off walls and surfaces, launching you through perils (or straight into them). When you meet your demise, you’ll respawn at the last checkpoint you interacted with, giving you multiple attempts. Thankfully, because the challenges and the laws of physics you employ to navigate them become increasingly complex.

The visual aesthetics of Deedlee Doo! Carkour! are delightfully handcrafted, created using clay props assembled by Purkeypile and family. Your car, the obstacles, snakes, cacti, and pigs are all made from clay, scanned, and integrated into the game world. The music also carries a charming, straightforward vibe, with Purkeypile singing a cappella, accompanied by his kids cheering or taunting you if you fail. Overall, it appears as though the entire production was born out of affection.

What bothers me is that the launch pads are made of clay and have numerous crevices. This makes it difficult to find the right angle when attempting to boost from them. However, I’d also describe it as a learning process, where you often fail before eventually landing in the perfect spot for your jumps. It’s all part of the adventure.

This game is similar to “Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy,” “Chained Together,” and “A Difficult Game About Climbing” because it’s designed to be challenging. Deedlee Doo! Carkour! begins with a gradual introduction to its controls, momentum, and essential rocket function. As you progress, you’ll find yourself jumping between canyons and leaping over small floating platforms. It’s not uncommon for sections to seem effortless initially, only to stump you repeatedly in other areas.

Even though it’s challenging, Deedlee Doo! Parkour!’s distinctive movement system offers some shortcuts. It’s not a lengthy game, and you can bypass many obstacles by firing rockets from various positions on your vehicle. The catch is that the rocket must hit a surface and detonate close enough to propel you forward. You have some control in the air, but not much. Your thrust and brake rockets can slightly adjust your direction and momentum, and you can rotate your car, but once you use a rocket jump, your flight path is set. However, by rapidly firing multiple rockets, you can achieve incredible speed, potentially leaping over entire sections if you’re skilled enough. Some may find this too convenient, but I see great potential in how speedrunners might approach this challenge.

Deedlee Delightful

Title character Deedlee Doo and game Carkour present an unusual, endearing, and enjoyable experience. Following The Axis Unseen, it appears as if Purkeypile is flexing his creative muscles by creating something that’s purely entertaining. Although Carkour can be infuriating with its numerous failures due to quirky physics, the sweet taste of success makes it worthwhile. Its playful aesthetic was so amusing that I found myself unable to stay angry for long. For those searching for a fresh physics challenge, exploring the various methods to conquer Carkour is intriguing; however, I’m most eager to witness the speedrunning techniques that will undoubtedly emerge.

The following review is for a digital PC version of the game, provided by the publisher. Mark your calendars, as “Deedlee Doo! Carkour!” will be available for PC gaming on May 12th, 2025.

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2025-05-12 22:12