The Plucky Squire review: A storybook journey

The Plucky Squire review: A storybook journey

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that The Plucky Squire has left quite an indelible impression on me. This 2D adventure game, reminiscent of classics like The Legend of Zelda, is a veritable cornucopia of creativity and imagination, much like the stories I devoured as a child.


In days gone by, a developer named All Possible Futures crafted a tale about a valiant young protagonist. Adored by the populace and cherished by his companions, he was the guardian of the realm. One day, they encountered a publishing house known as Devolver Digital. Together, they brought the saga of The Plucky Squire to light for the world’s delight. Living contentedly ever since were all who immersed themselves in this unforgettable escapade.

It’s dangerous to go alone

The Plucky Squire review: A storybook journey

The Plucky Squire – Chronicles of a Courageous Talebook Hero

The plot shifts when Humgrump unexpectedly uncovers the secret behind The Plucky Squire’s sequence of books. Somehow, his magical abilities develop to the extent that he can cross the boundary between fiction and reality, penetrating the written page. In his upcoming strategy, he aims to eliminate Jot from the story altogether, transforming the 2D animated adventure into a 3D rendered platformer game.

In a unique twist, the game “The Plucky Squire” seamlessly blends two different styles of adventure and art, allowing players to swiftly transition between them. This execution, provided by All Possible Futures, gives the game a distinctive edge. The 3D aspect is incorporated, yet the narrative unfolds much like a classic children’s storybook. As you progress through different zones, it feels as if you’re turning pages in a book, with illustrations appearing and narration accompanying them. Essentially, the game brings a children’s storybook to life on your screen.

Yet, it becomes clear that Jot’s mission to save the kingdom is not the only significant aspect of the story. As he discovers, a larger message unfolds – one of inspiration derived from heroism and courage. This idea is beautifully portrayed through Sam, a young boy who cherishes Jot’s book, eventually writing his own children’s series. If The Plucky Squire manages to preserve its joyful ending against Humgrump’s meddling, this could be the case. Furthermore, characters within the storybook, such as Violet and Thrash, undergo their personal transformations, finding inspiration in Jot’s valor.

Journey forth

The Plucky Squire review: A storybook journey

In essence, The Plucky Squire primarily revolves around Jot engaging in a 2D adventure reminiscent of Zelda, complete with combat against various foes. Throughout the game, his primary tool is his sword, which can be enhanced over time by gathering light bulbs dropped from vanquished adversaries. As an homage to games similar to Zelda, The Plucky Squire demonstrates commendable effort. But All Possible Futures doesn’t limit itself; it offers more than just this nod to the classic series.

In both 2D and 3D realms, All Possible Futures offers a diverse range of genres within its narrative. Inside the storybook, players will stumble upon boss fights reminiscent of Nintendo’s Punch-Out series in boxing matches, rhythmic duels akin to Pong, shooting galleries, and a tribute to Bust-A-Move puzzles. The game transcends traditional boundaries even beyond the book. To gather essential items for progress, the protagonist, Jot, will navigate stealth sequences, participate in space battles, and race through a primordial action section armed with a colossal axe. As one might anticipate when combining all these elements, not everything is seamless. The stealth segments seemed incomplete but were brief. The remaining concepts served as an enjoyable deviation from the conventional Zelda gameplay style, contributing to The Plucky Squire’s distinct identity as a truly original endeavor.

Another factor that made The Daring Squire stand out was the incorporation of mechanics that broke the traditional storytelling barrier, often referred to as fourth wall mechanics. This feature allows players to move in and out of the story at specific points on a particular page, utilizing portals strategically positioned throughout the book. Moreover, this interaction with the fourth wall is not limited to navigation but also extends to certain aspects of the game’s narrative.

The Plucky Squire review: A storybook journey

In this 2D storybook game, as players progress, dialogue bubbles appear in the main world. However, due to Humgrump’s magical mishap, some words on the pages become detached. This creative twist is utilized by The Plucky Squire, drawing inspiration from Hempuli Oy’s Baba Is You. In this game, words can be manipulated to alter the rules of Jot’s environment. For instance, during the game, Jot finds himself on a beach with essential items scattered on islands in a body of water. A statement on the ground reads “Jot is on a beach over water,” but another section shows the word “Ice” has come loose. By transporting this word and switching it with other words, players can transform the water into ice. Although this might seem complex, Minibeard’s hints are scattered throughout the world, and they are always easy to understand for those who need guidance from him.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary powers bestowed upon Jot in this captivating tale. Beyond his knack for leaping from the pages, he possesses the unique ability to mold his narrative from beyond the book’s binding. Players, like myself, embark on a quest to gather scattered stamps across the three-dimensional world, a pursuit that empowers us to manipulate the very book itself and tackle an array of brain-teasing puzzles.

The power of imagination

In a nutshell, the captivating tale of The Plucky Squire, enriched by its creative portrayal of the external world, is reminiscent of games like The Legend of Zelda and generally shines as an engaging adventure. However, one significant drawback lies in the fact that players can amplify Jot’s power throughout the narrative; unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to matter much in the final chapter. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say that during the climactic battle, Jot’s sword strength and abilities are irrelevant. Despite this, the conclusion remains fulfilling. A little more interaction with my hard-earned sword skills at the end would have added an extra layer of enjoyment.

In conclusion, The Plucky Squire is truly an outstanding achievement. Regardless of whether it remained a 2D adventure, watching the captivating story unfold through stunning artwork would still be mesmerizing. The art inside Jot’s storybook is particularly vibrant and colorful. When the game introduces the blended 3D world, whether it’s the detailed objects on the desk or the diverse art styles from various other worlds, it becomes a sight to behold. It’s not often that a game can seamlessly combine so many different visual elements, make them all look fantastic, and weave them together with such an optimistic narrative. All Possible Futures has managed this feat, and it does so without overstaying its welcome, as the game concludes tidily within approximately six to eight hours.

A key aspect of The Tale of The Plucky Squire revolves around instilling hope in its young readers. Similarly, I am optimistic that this game will motivate aspiring developers who engage with it, as it serves as an authentic representation of the potential that lies within the realm of video game development.

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2024-09-17 19:28