Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Initial release date: February 21, 2024
Developers: Christian Whitehead, Evening Star
Engine: Retro Engine, Star Engine
Composers: Tee Lopes, Sean Bialo
Genres: Platform game, Adventure
Publishers: Private Division, Take-Two Interactive
Penny’s Big Breakaway is a one-of-a-kind 3D platformer with entertaining themes that can often get lost in the shuffle. That being said, the variety of modes of transportation and relaxed overall atmosphere make for a nice experience.
Pretty much anything created by anyone associated with Sonic the Hedgehog has the ability to pique my curiosity. When I heard Penny’s Big Breakaway was being developed by the same team that created Sonic Mania, one of the best 2D platformers in years, I was eager to give it a try. Now that I’m finished, I’m glad I did, because it’s full of intriguing mechanics that I hope to see enhanced in future games.
Penny’s Big Breakaway’s key gimmick is the use of the titular character’s yo-yo. The majority of the game involves you sprinting and hopping around areas, using the yo-yo to swing, zip around, and bat away adversaries. Each stage contains things to gather and NPCs with demands that you can complete, with the collection goods needed to unlock different challenge stages. There’s a lot of things to play with, and the stages are somewhat replayable.
There are numerous combos you may perform with the yo-yo, which is encouraged by the game’s combo counter. One of Penny’s Big Breakaway’s major features is its versatility, which allows you to freely experiment with the game’s overall mobility system and learn new strategies that may help you finish a level faster.
The game offers 11 settings, each with a distinct amount of stages. Though a few unique power-ups kept things intriguing, toward the end, I was eager to be finished. The main foes, penguins who try to swarm you in order to arrest Penny, are an interesting concept, but as the game progresses, they become more of a hindrance than a creative enemy type.
The bosses, on the other hand, are highly imaginative, with each demanding you to accomplish a unique act. One has you slamming their heads against a pool table, while another has you shooting the weights off a scale. Though the last battle drags on a bit, I thought the boss fights to be generally a highlight of the game, as they make use of the game’s yo-yo elements in innovative ways.
The images in Penny’s Big Breakaway may be both attractive and overwhelming. The scenery and colors are lively and attractive, giving each of the game’s sections a distinct and unique feel. At the same time, the character designs are appealing, yet they sometimes come out as bit overdesigned.
When the visuals work, they complement the great music well and create a very nice atmosphere. Surfing on waves or maneuvering through a hot bath world is surprisingly peaceful, considering the hectic and fast-paced platforming that takes place almost constantly.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 84%
Controls: 86%
Aesthetics: 88%
Content: 80%
Accessibility: 83%
Value: 82%
Overall: 84%
FUN-FILLED ADVENTURE!
Summary:
“Penny’s Big Breakaway” is a colorful and lively platformer that combines the fun of classic adventure games with a modern touch. The gameplay is fluid and exciting, with inventive level designs and plenty of goodies to encourage exploring. The controls are responsive, making Penny’s acrobatic movements enjoyable and intuitive. Visually, the game stands out with bright sceneries and unique character designs that bring the world to life. While the material is on the short side, “Penny’s Big Breakaway” provides a lovely escape with its bright, optimistic mood, which is ideal for platforming fans.