Pikuniku – Nintendo Switch | Review

By John Hay
| 21st January 2019
| Review, Switch
| 0

Well, that was fun.

Pikuniku is a fantastic little title on the Nintendo switch that I’d describe mainly as a platformer, but it’s also littered with other gameplay styles that make up challenges within the game.

The story starts out basic enough with a madcap character declaring he will be handing out free money for all your useless junk, but just like real life nothing is free and things are not quite what they seem as you make your way through the world making friends and solving problems.

The gameplay is certainly interesting, for instance, not long after starting you have to play a basketball/pong style mini-game and there are even has rhythm style challenges to name a few. In order to take part in these challenges, you’ll control Piku, a red long-legged creature who everyone thinks is either odd, dangerous or both, but when they meet him turns out to be quite pleasant.

Since Piku is basically just a body and legs and this leads to some funny looking movement mechanics and interesting ways of interacting with the world which the makers have used in interesting ways, leading to some sections being a little bit puzzle/platformer. There are also items you can buy and dress up in that provide extra abilities (or are simply required to move on).

The visuals in this game are brilliant, the colours are all bright and punchy and the art style and music have a real charm to them that really reminds me of LocoRoco, which is a good company to be in.

As you venture into the world and explore you will find areas you can’t access right away and you will have to return to later when you collect the relevant items (which I’m guessing was a little nod to the Metroidvania style). For those collectors out there the game also has a bunch of in-game trophies for you to unlock, so there is plenty of replay value for solo players.

If you are the type who loves to play together, then Pikuniku also has co-op, so you can play through a selection of levels with a friend and work together to beat the challenge the level has set out, the only downside is it’s local only, so if you are billy no mates you’re out of luck.

Final Impressions

I found this game to be a relaxing, take your time, sort of title, where I had fun just rolling and bouncing around in the world listening to the silly sounding soundtrack. Pikuniku, is silly, great fun and a looks lovely and as a bonus its great for kids too, so if you need a co-op partner you can rope in one of the children and you are sure to have a blast.

*Code kindly provided by the publisher for review*

Developer: Sectordub / Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release date: 24/01/2019
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Platform Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch