Sometimes people will ask why a particular franchise made a return. Remember a few years ago when Bubsy the Cat made his big, ahem, comeback? A lot of folks were asking, “Why?” And they’ll likely do the same with Glover, which found success years ago on PlayStation and Nintendo 64. He’s back, with a port of his classic adventure provided by the good folks at QUByte Interactive.
In the game, you portray…well, a glove. (Not Danny Glover, you sillies.) He’s making his way through a magical world in order to stop his evil counterpart. Also, a glove, mind you. This means traversing through some cleverly designed levels both on foot (finger?) and with the help of bouncy balls.
It’s a bit odd, to say the least. And the original release had its fair share of problems, keeping it far from the greatness of Super Mario 64. But QUByte has remained true to the original core of the game, warts and all, for its re-release. Glover still feels like a product of the past, complete with nostalgic visuals and sound, and interesting tricks to work your way through levels.
That said, the controls still don’t feel as smooth as they should, and there are still problems – like glitches – that keep this game from reaching greatness. While it is nice to see Glover again, it doesn’t quite fit as smoothly as one would think.
Does Glover Bring Great Gameplay?
There are some neat aspects to Glover that might attract some fans. For instance, the ability to use certain balls in situations to get through. Like, for instance, being able to use a bowling ball to barrel down certain areas. Part of the fun of the game is figuring out certain puzzles so you can get ahead.
However, the gameplay…hasn’t aged well. Part of the problem is that it’s too easy to fall into certain traps, or even lose a life entirely. The game itself is well designed, but just needed a few tweaks to handle better. It just feels too loose for its own good.
If you can grasp it, however, Glover does have a bit to offer. Along with the nicely designed stages, there are also bonus games that have a bit to offer. One particular favorite has you flying through the skies with your beloved glove. I mean, Super Mario 64 it isn’t, but it does mix things up.
There’s also retro-themed stuff, including a gallery filled with concept art and even a time trial mode for you speedrunners. So there is decent value here for your dollar, if you feel like, ahem, handing over your cash.
But I can’t help but think that Glover could use more refinement in the controls department. It just feels too difficult to grasp at times. Even on the easy difficulty setting, you’ll run into spots that will make you facepalm. Maybe a patch from QUByte could fix that. Here’s to hoping.
Glover Provides a Helping Hand To Presentation
As far as the game’s presentation goes – well, a huge remaster this ain’t. QUByte opted to keep this one looking nostalgic, and that’s not entirely a bad thing.
It is charming to see these old-school visuals come to life again. And very little about the game has changed, for better or for worse. On the one hand, the levels look great and move along pretty smoothly. But on the other, the camera is very problematic, and glitches pop up here and there. Again, a good time for a patch, if QUByte thinks it’s worth the effort.
With the sound, there are very minor changes, and the soundtrack is…well, unique, let’s say. It’s mostly carried over from the original game, but hardly the stuff of magic. Still, if you fondly remember how it sounded on earlier platforms, you’ll be content here. Just don’t expect next-level stuff.
Should You Hand Over Your Cash For Glover?
I’m mixed when it comes to a game like Glover. On the one hand, it’s great to see it re-emerge at a time we’re appreciating classics. But it also reminds us why it wasn’t an ideal game to begin with upon release. The controls aren’t that impressive, and too often frustration sets in, even on an easier difficulty setting.
Most of the other aspects of the port are handled well, but Glover still comes up short with its grasp. Nostalgic fans and lovers of old-school platformers should have no trouble digging in. For everyone else, though, maybe wait for a five-finger discount.
GAMERHUB RATING: 2.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to QUByte Interactive for providing a review code! Glover is available now for Xbox, PlayStation,Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Looking for more old-school goodness? Check out our reviews of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered and Accolade Sports Collection!
