Oh man, where do I even start with this whole Ruffy and the Riverside thing? So, picture this: a 3D action-adventure game where you’re gallivanting around this open world with this bear guy named Ruffy. Think of an Ewok, but with a serious knack for changing up the landscape. It’s like, colorful and playful, and there’s tons of stuff to snag as you wander around. My brain tells me it’s fun, but there are these annoying hiccups that sometimes make you wanna toss the controller.
Okay, okay, Riverside is in a bit of a pickle thanks to this looming cube thing hell-bent on wrecking the place. So Ruffy’s gotta play the hero card and hunt down these letters to fire up this world core doodad. The setup? Sort of a mash-up between Super Mario 64 and just running around like a maniac. There are quirky folks along the way and these nutty challenges – like, why do ladders insist you cling to them just right or else you’re toast?
Here’s the cool bit though: Ruffy can totally absorb and swap stuff around – objects, materials, colors, you name it. Some puzzles are like, “Oh, duh, obvious solutions here,” but then others make you feel like your brain’s in a blender. So, when you finally crack one after ages, it’s a mini victory dance moment. But gee, sometimes you’re just flailing around hitting stuff, hoping something clicks. If this kind of puzzle vibe sets off your lightbulb, you’ll have a blast. If not, well, prepare for a ride.
Now, controlling Ruffy? It’s a mixed bag. He zooms around like a caffeinated squirrel, but precision? Ha! Not always his thing. And then this checkpoint system, oh boy, it sometimes punts you way back, making you redo stuff ‘til you wanna scream. Collect coins, spruce yourself up with hearts or funky outfits, heck, I liked splurging on a solution or two just to speed things up, you know?
To spill about the puzzles: you’re swapping waterfall water with leafy walls or turning stone into floaty wood. It’s all neat till you realize some challenges are just rehashes of others, and you’re like, “Haven’t I been through this rigmarole already?” Repeat stuff too much and it starts feeling like a grind.
And the sounds? They’re a hoot. Light giggles paired with Ruffy’s goofy footloose antics. The visuals? They blare simplicity and punchy colors like a kid’s scribble on a wall. Gotta mention, though – the intro? Too chatty for its own good. Silence is gold (or maybe silver in gaming intros).
Overall, Ruffy and his big ol’ Riverside romp is pretty endearing despite its rough patches. It runs swell on Switch 2, which is where I dabbled with it, packed with goodies for those completionists slinking about. Sure, some puzzles might rub you the wrong way, but that whole swapping thing? Kind of genius. It’s got its quirks, but you’ll likely enjoy dipping your toes into Riverside’s wacky waters.
