For hard-core avid gamers, Takaya Kuroda’s voice ought to sound acquainted, although his identify might not ring a bell. The Japanese voice actor brings Kazuma Kiryu to life in “Like a Dragon” and “Yakuza.” His work is heard in dozens of different video video games and anime, however his deep and intimidating timbre is so distinct that followers instantly acknowledge him.
It’s one of many causes that “Rusty Rabbit” piqued my curiosity when it was first unveiled. Once I heard Kuroda’s voice popping out of the mouth of an anthropomorphic rabbit, I needed to play the sport. Initially, the marketing campaign appears to observe the standard Metroidvania method. Gamers tackle the position of Stamp (voiced by Kuroda), a scavenger who digs by way of the ruins of Smokestack Mountain, utilizing a mech he calls Junkster.
A DIFFERENT POSTAPOCALYPSE
He earns a residing by discovering screws, bolts and different elements in a postapocalyptic world the place rabbits have inherited the Earth. Humanity has mysteriously disappeared and the bunnies developed and developed a civilization within the ruins. Stamp’s dwelling base is Brass Village, which is provided with small-town facilities equivalent to a bar, ironmongery store, diner and church.
The creatures have arrange a curious civilization with a faith based mostly across the adventures of Peter Rabbit. Gamers begin off delving by way of a dungeon combating rust beasts, when Stamp runs right into a ragtag group of kids who name their gang BB. He helps them, and within the course of, his Junkster is destroyed, and he has to rebuild it and make it extra highly effective in a marketing campaign the place he always runs throughout the kids.
As a grizzled veteran, he aids them when he can, however as he dives deeper within the ruins, gamers uncover extra about Stamp and his misplaced daughter. Slowly, the plot modifications from a easy rebuilding mission right into a rescue coated in a nefarious conspiracy.
AN UNUSUAL STRUCTURE
The narrative isn’t the one unconventional aspect. The story additionally reinforces “Rusty Rabbit’s” novel construction. Usually, Metroidvania titles are lonely experiences the place the protagonist adventures throughout the map, acquires new powers and makes use of these skills to entry gated-off areas. It’s contemplative, nearly like a solitary meditation about private development.
“Rusty Rabbit” is completely different as a result of it’s centered on a city, and Stamp is a personality that’s launched as an remoted previous man set in his methods. That notion modifications as gamers enterprise into Smokestack Mountain, which is split into greater than 10 zones. Stamp traverse these dungeons, which function loads of save factors and portals that return him to the village.
Gamers don’t wander a wide-open map, however reasonably they choose a location and discover it earlier than shifting on. They’ll scavenge junk to promote and level-up Stamp so he acquires extra talent factors. He’ll additionally discover blueprints that permit him to construct extra highly effective weapons with scrap.
As a result of gamers function in manageable chunky zones, it makes backtracking to unlock a brand new space extra environment friendly. The construction additionally helps the marketing campaign really feel much less lonely. Heading again to Brass Village is a requirement as gamers want to purchase provides and switch in quests on the Bar. Stamp also can chat up the locals on the Diner to earn extra credit and unlock extra Blueprints. As they work together with the inhabitants, gamers uncover the lore in dense conversations.
It exhibits that Stamp isn’t a recluse, however a part of a material of that society. He additionally takes on the position of the accountable grownup watching over the younger members of BB whereas additionally uncover clues to the whereabouts to his estranged daughter. Not all of the strands of the drama work, nevertheless it does sufficient to suck gamers into “Rusty Rabbit’s” spell.
ROLE-PLAYING GAME ELEMENTS AND CHALLENGE
The role-playing sport components work equally, turning into a hook that pulls gamers by way of the marketing campaign. Each dungeon dive makes gamers really feel as if they’re progressing and strengthening Stamp, by way of expertise factors. Gamers purchase them by drilling by way of rock and defeating enemies, leveling him up with talent factors.
Though the construction and strategy is intelligent, the remainder of the marketing campaign feels rote. Gamers have 4 distinct weapons which might be wanted to unlock completely different elements of Smokestack Mountain. Gamers will energy up these weapons and achieve new skills that make traversal simpler, additional opening up areas to discover. In the meantime, every zone is punctuated by boss fights which might be unspectacular and fail to current a lot problem, particularly when gamers can purchase potions.
The toughest a part of “Rusty Rabbit” is determining the place to go subsequent after ending one goal. Gamers can find yourself misplaced, unaware of what to do with a brand new capacity, particularly after the marketing campaign broadens. A greater option to monitor areas just like the snapshot function in “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” would have been useful.
Nonetheless, “Rusty Rabbit” does current a refreshing strategy to the style however lacks a compelling imaginative and prescient to make it standout, even with the mesmerizing voice of Kuroda.
‘Rusty Rabbit’
2½ stars out of 4
Ranking: Everybody
Platform: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Swap, PC
Initially Printed:
