I was discussing my disappointment the other day in PlayStation, and how it could let a studio like Bluepoint Games close down without an effort to save it. And, unfortunately, most of us just came up with the same answer – they’re just not about fun anymore. Now, they still make games, mind you; and they still know how to innovate in places. But gone are the days of classic platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, replaced with GAAS monstrosities that aren’t the same. That, friends, is why I’m happy to see a game like Big Hops.
Developed by the indie team at Luckshot Games, this bouncy 3D platformer focuses on an unlikely hero frog named Hop. He finds himself sucked from his world and forced to collect goods in an effort to please a devil imp. Meanwhile, he’s also seeking out airship parts that can get him home. He does this by traversing the world, using his tongue in sticky situations (hey, now). He can also acquire helpful fruit power-ups to help him get around.
This game just eschews charm. Lots of it. It’s a delight to look at, and the music is bouncy and upbeat. I’m also a fan of the cute voice acting, too. But it’s the gameplay that hooks you, with lots of hidden stuff and great ways to get around. There are segments that are a bit limited, but not enough to affect the flow of the game.
Even though the ending is a bit disappointment, it’s about the journey here. And for a suitably priced indie effort, Big Hops delivers. It’s a joyous surprise that reminds us of the days of old, while keeping modern ideas in mind. It pays off beautifully, into an adventure you shouldn’t miss.
Big Hops Will Make You Jump For Joy
You control Hop, a frog that cares for his family and loves exploring. But one day, he digs a little too deep, accidentally shooting himself into an alternate world. It’s here that a devilish imp challenges him, but he’s more than up to the task. So he collects Dark Drops to suit this guy, while at the same time going after airship parts for someone that can get him home.
Along with that, Hop also comes across some fruit growing on trees. These aren’t just for nourishment, but also for activating certain power-ups in the world. For instance, growing branches that can help him overcome an obstacle. He can also use his tongue for many things, like activating switches and swinging on floating orbs to get around.
It’s not a perfect system, as sometimes you’ll fall from trial and error. But there’s no denying that Luckshot Games pours on the classic innovation here. Big Hops just feels absolutely charming throughout, with lots of places to explore and new stuff to find. This includes examining bugs and saving them for later, or, hey, eating them if you feel the need. (It’s weird but a bit funny.)
With vast worlds to jump into and neat puzzles to solve (nothing too difficult), Big Hops delivers on classic fun that we’ve been yearning for. I do wish the story didn’t end so abruptly, and some segments feel a little bit too contained for their own good. (Also, mine carts. Because of course, mine carts.) But overall, it’s a lovely package and a throwback to when a game didn’t need to go all out on features. Just be fun, dang it.
How Does Big Hops Leap With Its Presentation?
As for the visuals and sound, Big Hops keeps it simple, but still wins as a result.
The visuals are a colorful delight. Each world explodes in beautiful colors, and vast hills that are begging to be discovered. This is all backed by Hop’s cute little animations. That said, it would’ve been nice to see secondary characters move around more. Ah well. And the frame rate is zippy smooth, with only slight hitches here and there.
Likewise, the sound delivers, too. I love the voicework here, not going over the edge but giving each character just the right amount of oomph. Plus the music is a pleasant surprise, sticking with you throughout the journey. I also liked the minimal but smooth audio effects.
Invest In Big Hops!
It could use a little smoothing over, and maybe some touch-ups to its conclusion. But Big Hops more than comes through in other places. It’s a lot of fun to play and experiment with, especially with its powerful fruit. And I love the visuals, reminding me of a simpler time in gaming when business decisions weren’t the order of the day.
Luckshot Games gives us Big Hops at just the right time, reminding us that sometimes we just need a game to give us joy. That’s something a lot of companies need to learn these days.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Many thanks to Luckshot Games for providing us with a review code! Big Hops is available now for Steam/PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch!
Need more 3D platforming fun? Check out our review of Gex Trilogy!
