The Plucky Squire is an innovative Action-Adventure game developed by All Possible Futures. Released on September 17, 2024, this charming title takes players on a linear, puzzle-filled adventure that draws clear inspiration from classic Zelda titles, especially Link’s Awakening. It blends various gameplay elements from different genres and offers a mix of 2D and 3D segments, all within an imaginative and colorful storybook world. 

Story

The Plucky Squire tells a charming and whimsical story about a hero within the pages of a magical book. I don’t want to give away too much of the story since the game is relatively short, and I’d love for you to experience it firsthand. What I can share is that there’s an evil wizard who quite literally tries to kick you out of the story, setting the stage for an exciting and imaginative adventure.

The narrative is lighthearted and filled with humor, making it enjoyable for players of all ages. However, while the story is cute and engaging, I found myself expecting a bigger twist or a deeper narrative element that never quite came. The adventure remains pleasant from start to finish, but a stronger narrative twist could have elevated it even further.

That said, the game doesn’t necessarily need to be groundbreaking in its storytelling. It fits the tone of the overall experience perfectly, offering a delightful and fun journey with colorful characters and a magical world.

Graphics

One of the standout features of game is its stunning visual presentation. The game feels like two distinct styles merged into one, with both 2D and 3D sections that are equally breathtaking. The 2D portions evoke a storybook charm, with hand-drawn characters and environments that are vibrant and alive with personality. The transition to the 3D world is seamless and equally stunning, with highly detailed, rich environments that remind me of the Pikmin series but with a more refined and polished touch.

The use of Unreal Engine 4 in the game results in smooth performance. My experience on the ASUS ROG Ally was flawless, with the game maintaining a steady 60FPS throughout. The only hiccup I encountered was a single crash, which revealed the engine through a Windows error popup. Aside from this rare issue, the game ran beautifully and felt highly stable.

The dual presentation of both 2D and 3D sections makes it feel like you’re playing two different games in one. The contrast between the flat 2D sections and the lush 3D world adds a unique layer of depth to the gameplay and makes every transition between the two feel special.

Gameplay

At its core, The Plucky Squire is almost a classic Action-Adventure game reminiscent of the beloved Zelda franchise. The game includes a mix of puzzle-solving, monster-fighting, and collecting items called “Lamps,” which allow players to upgrade their abilities as they progress. However, unlike traditional Zelda games, which tend to have an open-world or Metroidvania-style approach, The Plucky Squire follows a more linear path. While there is some light backtracking, it doesn’t feel overwhelming, keeping the focus firmly on progression in the chapters rather than exploration.

Combat is fairly simple, but certain enemies require learning specific strategies to defeat, adding a layer of challenge without being too difficult. The simplicity of the combat ensures that it never feels overwhelming and remains approachable to players of all skill levels.

Throughout the game, you’ll discover abilities that allow you to manipulate the pages of the book in various creative ways—such as freezing or stopping objects, turning pages, and more. There are only three types of sword abilities you can upgrade (in addition to standard sword attack), and with a limited number of lamps available, you’ll need to carefully choose which moves to prioritize.

The gameplay takes strong inspiration from Zelda, especially Link’s Awakening, which is evident in the top-down perspective and the sudden switch to side-scrolling platforming sections. This is reminiscent of the experimentation seen in Link’s Awakening, where Nintendo included monsters from Mario, different angles, no Hyrule and more. The Plucky Squire similarly experiments with gameplay mechanics, and these experiments work beautifully to keep the experience fresh and exciting.

Additionally, the way the game shifts between 3D and 2D sections reminded me of Super Mario Odyssey, where players frequently switch between 3D and 2D platforming styles. This transition is smooth and feels like a core mechanic of the game rather than a gimmick. Entering objects and transferring to 2D graphics also brings to mind Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, another title that plays with dimensional transitions in a creative way.

Some puzzles in the game involve switching words to create objects or solve riddles, a mechanic that gave me strong Scribblenauts vibes. This clever use of language within the puzzle design is one of the many creative elements that keep the gameplay engaging.

They masterfully integrated the book, its story, and the turning of pages, creating a cohesive and immersive experience that feels truly one-of-a-kind.

The game is generally not very hard, and if you find yourself stuck on a puzzle or unsure of what to do next, a helpful wizard character will provide clues to keep you moving forward. The presence of mini-games also mixes up the gameplay, ensuring that it doesn’t become stale. These mini-games range from fun diversions to clever additions that integrate well with the overall mechanics.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of The Plucky Squire is a mixture of genres, ranging from electronic beats to classical music and even some rock tracks. While this variety in the music is appreciated and fits the tone of the game, I didn’t find any particular melody that stood out as memorable or iconic. The music complements the gameplay nicely, but none of the tracks left a lasting impression on me.

This doesn’t detract from the overall experience, though, as the sound design is still solid and adds to the game’s atmosphere. The different musical styles help to keep the various segments of the game feeling distinct and fresh.

Overall

The Plucky Squire is a delightful debut from All Possible Futures, a relatively small studio with a lot of creative energy. The team behind the game hails from United Kingdom, and while this is their first major release, they’ve shown immense potential with this title. It took them around three years to develop the game, and the effort put into creating such a polished and innovative experience is evident.

At around 8 to 10 hours in length, the game strikes a perfect balance between offering enough content without overstaying its welcome. While some may find that the game begins to feel slightly repetitive near the end, I personally enjoyed the pacing and found the overall length to be just right. For players looking for a light, creative, and charming adventure, The Plucky Squire is an easy recommendation.

Available on multiple platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, this is a unique title that is perfect for players seeking a creative experience.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Reviewed on PC.