(Hums the Wallace and Gromit theme) Sorry guys, but when you grow up watching Wallace and Gromit as a kid and Wallace and Gromit’s The Curse of The Were-Rabbit is one of my favourite movies to watch! This game is exactly what you would expect from a Wallace and Gromit game and my god did the developers Aardman, Atlas V, No Ghost, Albyon, and Reynard Films know how to deliver such a smooth and amazing experience! Are you ready to go on holiday with a British classic who makes everyone want their own dog like Gromit? Fancy some cheese and crackers? Well, let’s strap in, hold onto our hats, and let us shoot off to a whole new planet, this is Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway!
Gromit, Old Pal, I’ll…Need Assistance
Story
Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway sets you off on a crazy fun first-person experience where you’re a contraption called Auto-Caddy created for a golfing holiday to Bognor Regis which doesn’t go to plan otherwise this wouldn’t be a Wallace and Gromit game and without the hiccups and changes then where would the great adventure be right? RIGHT!
Now Wallace doesn’t exactly use any type of transport to get to this seaside resort, oh no they take a rocket! Unfortunately, that doesn’t go to plan, and although Wallace thinks it’s Bognor we are actually in space! Now with the help of Gromit, Beryl, Auto-Caddy, and Wallace we must fix the rocket and return home! What could go wrong right?
I’m Just Crackers About Cheese!
Gameplay
Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway puts you in the perspective of Auto-Caddy, Gromit, and even Wallace. Playing the game really immerses you really making you feel like you are part of the Wallace and Gromit universe.
In this narrative adventure, you will have to fix a spaceship, complete puzzles, and mini-games such as an asteroid shooter and each mini-game has the option to be able to be played again from the menu. Explore iconic locations such as West Wallaby Street and even the strange world in space.
You will encounter all types of alien creatures, some that are truly adorable, and I wish I could take one home! The best part about this game is the fact the humour is still exactly like all the shows and movies.
I had a good few moments where I was laughing, it truly was just an enjoyable journey that took me back to memories of my childhood. If you don’t know any of the characters, then let me introduce you!
Wallace is the accident-prone inventor, who is lovable in every way, plus a true legend from Aardman Studios who absolutely loves cheese that he will always have cheese and crackers in his suitcase and of course loves tasting every sample of cheese even the cheese on the moon. “I love cheese Gromit”!
Gromit is Wallace’s loyal canine companion that everyone loves, he doesn’t talk but is always making sure Wallace keeps out of trouble! The true definition of Man’s Best Friend! He is the brains of all the operations and always works hard!
Beryl is a new character we are introduced to; she is Wallace and Gromit’s new A.I. who guides us on our journey and is slightly bossy but extremely helpful in completing our mission and ensuring the duo on kept on track!
Auto-Caddy is Wallace’s newest contraption created to help carry Wallace’s golf clubs, and golf balls and assist on the pairs golfing holiday in Bognor, using a scan-and-grab feature, happy to find any lost golf balls and making sure Wallace can get the perfect golfing shot.
Plus a few extras that you will meet along the way… NO SPOILERS.
A few extra gameplay mechanics including collectibles, you can find in different parts which are stone carvings with images, using the scan on Auto-Caddy they are very easy to find, so looking for them won’t be a problem at all.
Jamtastic!
The Mixed Reality Mode
Okay, so we have seen some interesting games where your home, room, or where you are is mixed into the virtual reality this could include themes like Zombies, Aliens, and more. Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway decided to experiment with their own twist introducing the Jamtastic shooting game! Mixed reality lets you become the star in 30 jam-packed levels.
A toaster will pop out toast, hot cross buns, and other bready substances. You are asked by Wallace to be his top tester for his new jam-to-toast delivery system. Testing out the invention which I had a blast at firing jam at toast, even getting the best scores! Just a nice fun firing game!
Cracking Good Job, Gromit!
Graphics and Audio
Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway has such a beautifully designed art style, it uses the same style as in the shows and movies and if no one knows, Aardman creates animated motion pictures, and each model is created using clay which you can see also whilst playing.
The environments you will explore have had a lot of love and work put into plus this creates a smoother experience. The audio is just phenomenal with the famous theme which is just one of the best to truly take you back, that will be enjoyed by both new and old fans.
The voice acting is perfect, Ben Whitehead has completely kept the work Peter Sallis did for the voice of Wallace fantastically! Plus, the voice for Beryl if no one recognises it is Professor Sprout from the Harry Potter franchise better known as Mariam Margolyes!
GERONIMOOOOO!!!
Comfort
Wallace and Gromit in The Grand Getaway have no issues whatsoever when it comes to motion sickness as you don’t move around, use a teleporting system to move to locations, and with its high frame rate for the game there is no stuttering whatsoever.
So, you can enjoy your Wallace and Gromit experience without the feel of throwing up your cheese and crackers!
Final Thoughts
Wallace and Gromit will always be one of my all-time favourite British franchises, I have also been a fan of Aardman Studios’ work for years some of their work includes Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, and Flushed Away plus of course Wallace and Gromit. If you want a really enjoyable narrative adventure then definitely check this out, I need more Wallace and Gromit VR games, and I can’t wait to see what is next in store!
Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway is AVAILABLE NOW! On Meta Quest
GAMERHUB RATING: FIVE (Out of FIVE) JOYSTICKS
(Thank you to Keymailer and teams at Aardman Studios, Atlas V, No Ghost, Albyon, Reynard Films and Astrea for providing a code for this review)
