Genre: Platformer
Developer: Ianthraxx
Publisher: Ianthraxx
Players: 1
Retail Price: 80 Microsoft points ($1)
Availability: Xbox Live Arcade Indie Games
There are many genres covered in the Xbox 360 Indie scene, but there haven’t been many attempts at the 3D platformer. Ianthraxx has taken a whack at it with Plucky’s 3D Adventure. Its unpolished feeling may drag it down slightly, but it still manages to be fun in the end.
There’s no rhyme or reason as to why Plucky, the game’s cutesy lizard-flower creature has set out upon his quest, nor is an objective given. The game employs a simple “get to the flag” formula, while the stages themselves have a similar feel to the challenge levels found in Super Mario Sunshine where you don’t have access to FLUDD. Jumping across the platforms and through the levels can be tricky — sometimes because of the stage design, and sometimes due to the awkward camera.
It's a suprisingly good looking game
The classic adage of “you get what you pay for” is applicable here when it comes to certain aspects. The game looks great, especially when you consider it costs a dollar. But the rough edges might be too much for some gamers to handle. The controls are serviceable, but Plucky is usually far too eager to slide down a wall instead of completing a jump. It would have been nice if he grabbed the edge and climbed up instead, as sometimes the game requires jumps to be too precise for their own good.
The game also employs an odd fish-eye filter on the visuals, creating an awkward and unsettling feeling while Plucky runs about. It’s absolutely no help that Plucky’s animation is jerky and awkward as well. The camera can be controlled by the player and it’s a good thing since zooming out alieviates this issue to some degree, but those sensitive to motion will likely have a rough time here.
Those who can get past those issues will find the actual levels are well-designed and provide a decent challenge. There are four worlds, each with their own conventional platformer theme: forest, space, ice and everyone’s favorite type, lava. Each has their own gimmick — space makes use of conveyor belts, and the ice world has disappearing platforms and slippery blocks. Not even one of the game’s 20 levels have a maximum time limit, but completing them quickly enough will unlock a medal.
If there’s one word to describe Plucky’s 3D Adventure, it’s ambitious. Developer Ianthraxx has put together what feels like a bite-sized piece of a lost Nintendo 64 era platformer. Luckily, it’s available at an equally minuscule price. It may lack the polish of a 3D platformer produced by a professional studio in every aspect, but it’s still a good deal of fun in its own right.
