So They Turned a Toy Into a 3D Platformer

Sleeper hit of 2024.

Here's to more games where you play as wannabes. But for reals, you can tell a throwback game is great when it makes you wanna not only revisit, but reassess the original appeal of its various inspirations.

One comparison I wanted to add was that this game specifically brought a lot of nostalgia to me for Sonic 1 and CD - the less fast entries in the series where you gotta be more crafty about how you gain speed. And also, some of my personal favorite Classic entries. But I think an analysis on those specifically is due for some other time, I mainly wanted to highlight how Penny rejuvenates that particular appeal in its own unique way.

Gonna be curious about the response to this one, if any. I do think there's room to enjoy both super-twitchy/speedy and more methodical/technical platformers, but Penny really spoke to my preference on the latter and how we don't often see that particular approach to platforming.

Might have some other new releases this year I wanna put a lens on soon, too. Then, we got some classics overdue. Stay Stylish.