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Ya, after growing up with "real animation" in movies, I scoff and can't really enjoy CGI movies. I'm looking at you, everything made by Pixar. Go learn to draw like Studio Ghibli!
I really appreciate these shorter reviews for games like Astro bot and plucky squire since part of the magic is playing them and they don’t need a 30 minute review to explain why they’re good. Great review as always Austin!
Pro tip: no review needs half an hour. That's an opinion piece in the form of a video essay masquerading as a product review. Twenty minutes into it and he's resorted to doing comparative mythology like he's Joseph Campbell unearthing archetypes or some shit. And at no point in the whole drawn out affair will he do anything as pragmatic as informing the audience of the install sizes across available platforms. There will be a nine minute segment about how the music made him feel on the inside though, and that's something at least. 30 minutes definitely gives you the room to get lost in the sauce and end up with a thing that's more like a self portrait than a summarisation of a commercial product.
@@HueyTheDoctor didnt read all of that because it seems like a waste of time, but it’s very easy for reviewers to make a 30 minute review for a large game and have every part of that be meaningful and non repetitive. There are plenty of reviewers that repeat themselves and go on tangents, but Ralph and Austin aren’t them. Hope that helps.
@@HueyTheDoctor It seems to me that reviews exist on a spectrum of sorts with the more concise, straightforward reviews on one end and elaborate "video-essay-ish" ones on the other end and a whole lot of unique stuff in between. I kinda enjoy having such a huge, ever-increasing amount of offerings. I can see how you might feel different about this if you haven't yet found a specific creator/type of review that resonates with you. By getting to know the style and preferences of various reviewers, i know who's review i wanna watch for a specific game. Sometimes i watch multiple reviews on a single game and enjoy being offered different perspectives. I don't think i'd want reviews to be too similar. When it comes to install sizes: While I agree that providing this information as part of a review makes sense, i reckon that it's not something many people concern themselves with most of the time while watching a review and deciding whether or not to buy a game.
@@HueyTheDoctora high quality review that actually critiques the quality of a game can absolutely last 20 minutes to an hour. There are LOADS of elements to many games that can be thoroughly analysed. Cases justifying why elements of a game are or aren’t good, and attempting to quantify HOW good can take a long time to articulate and demonstrate. Even from a talented writer and critic. Install size is an extremely trivial element of the quality of a game, and will matter to very few people compared to how well designed and enjoyable the actual game is. This was not remotely a pro tip.
I really needed this game in my life RN. It couldn't arrive fast enough. Not every game needs to be nitty gritty M rated or full of aggressive graphical content. Sometimes the more creative the game that can make the character laugh, the far more enjoyable game. I love how the characters interact with the world and how they don't see beyond the limits of the book for example. I love the DJ wizard making CDs for the music.
The art direction for this game is simply fantastic, also there is actually a really cool overlap from the designer. In the Shrouded Fables TCG set, there is a 3 piece Duskull evolution line drawn by James Turner in this exact art style. So, if you're looking to own a few small pieces of genuinely stellar art check them out!
Game is really good and incredibly fun. However, theres many instances on pretty much all chapters that softlock your game and you have to quit to main menu. Normally an autosave a couple minutes before, but it happens far too often. Chapter select doesn tsave your progress midway, and theres a missable trophy that will be hell to get with chapter select. You'd be best gwtting it during your first playthrough, quitting to menu and releoadong save if you fail.
Really well written review. The way you set up the sources of inspiration the lead designers used for making this game and tying that into the plot of the game at the end of your review is really smartly done.
I just finished the 5th chapter, the art design is top notch, really impressive. Puzzles are basic but good. Gameplay wise it’s a bit boring….story is really generic. Definitely not a Tunic killer’s….Hopefully the game will get a bit more complex and challenging as it goes on.
For me, this was a case of style over substance. Looked absolutely gorgeous, with ample charm as the review said. However...it was coma inducing in terms of gameplay. Also, playing on PS5 I had some performance issues (?!). Some pop in (?!) and a barely noticeable, but annoying lag on page turning/ scene shifting.
My 8 year old has been designing his own game (heavily inspired by Hollow Knight) and I'll have to pick this up to keep him inspired. Excellent review.
This year has seen a really good crop of video games. Especially in terms of variety. Just this month we have a beautiful 3d platformer Astrobot, just dumb fun old school shooter Space Marine 2 and now a charmingly innovative side scroller/3d indie. Upcoming is a brilliant RTS sequel Frostpunk 2.
Ive been keeping an eye on this game for a long time. Great to hear that it was worth waiting for, even if it could be a touch longer. I was a little concerned when i checked the store page for the game on Steam and i didn't see a price for the game the day before release.
I really enjoyed my time with the game but I think in trying to appeal to a younger audience it lost some of the creativity I think it was capable of. Don't get me wrong, I fully expect that was a design decision and that's perfectly fine but in the end the puzzles and mini games were simpler than I think I personally would have liked. That being said I'm tempted to play with my little nephew at Xmas! He's maybe a bit young for the puzzles but I could guide him through those being that they are this simple :)
Very creative game, but it honestly feels like a neverending tutorial level, like I get it's for a younger audience but it constantly takes control away to show or tell you something you already know. I lost count of how many times it repeats info or explains puzzles you already solved like 5 minutes ago.
That's more like it shillup. I wanna see more videos like this, dedicated videos for indie stuff. Plucky squire is getting a lot of love right now and it deserves it, but Another Crabs Treasure should have gotten one too.
Austin review: short concise to the point Ralph review: (using space marine 2 as an example) long bloated AC Valhalla in a video form Give your channel to Austin already
I'm confused about why this video isn't 45 minutes of rhetoric about game design/narrative that somehow both smothers the topic while also failing to elucidate whether the game is even worth playing. Did Ralph not write this one? Do I need to look for that shiny, sexy Austin logo on my shill up vids from now on before venturing to click? All I know is my gut says... maybe? Perhaps? What was the question again? I just wanted to know if the thing I'm looking at slaps or shits the bed. Thank you to Austin for keeping it real enough to deliver that much.
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Bruh I'd rather set my money on fire then give it to this crap.
Between this and the Space Marine 2 review, this is the SkillUp equivalent to Barbenheimer
Lol underrated comment
Yes
Niel ?
I'll be telling my grandkids about this moment
The Plucky Space Marine
Astrobot and Plucky Squire what a great few weeks for cute clever games
I don't know where to start lmao
And a new Zelda next week
Shame Plucky had a game breaking bug on ps5. Chapter 6. Bombs don't spawn in wizards house.
Too bad Plucky Squire is dum as hell
Two Skill Up reviews in one day??
This is why I joined the force..
No
We're eating good tonight boys
RIP the youtube algorithm
How queer!
Excited to play it this weekend. Plucky Squire and Astro Bot within 2 weeks is a great combo!
I never was into drawing but I always loved hand drawn animation. It should be used way more in many art forms.
Ya, after growing up with "real animation" in movies, I scoff and can't really enjoy CGI movies. I'm looking at you, everything made by Pixar. Go learn to draw like Studio Ghibli!
@@Keithustus The Boy and The Heron looks amazing after all!
I really appreciate these shorter reviews for games like Astro bot and plucky squire since part of the magic is playing them and they don’t need a 30 minute review to explain why they’re good. Great review as always Austin!
Pro tip: no review needs half an hour. That's an opinion piece in the form of a video essay masquerading as a product review. Twenty minutes into it and he's resorted to doing comparative mythology like he's Joseph Campbell unearthing archetypes or some shit. And at no point in the whole drawn out affair will he do anything as pragmatic as informing the audience of the install sizes across available platforms. There will be a nine minute segment about how the music made him feel on the inside though, and that's something at least. 30 minutes definitely gives you the room to get lost in the sauce and end up with a thing that's more like a self portrait than a summarisation of a commercial product.
@@HueyTheDoctor didnt read all of that because it seems like a waste of time, but it’s very easy for reviewers to make a 30 minute review for a large game and have every part of that be meaningful and non repetitive. There are plenty of reviewers that repeat themselves and go on tangents, but Ralph and Austin aren’t them. Hope that helps.
@@HueyTheDoctor It seems to me that reviews exist on a spectrum of sorts with the more concise, straightforward reviews on one end and elaborate "video-essay-ish" ones on the other end and a whole lot of unique stuff in between. I kinda enjoy having such a huge, ever-increasing amount of offerings. I can see how you might feel different about this if you haven't yet found a specific creator/type of review that resonates with you.
By getting to know the style and preferences of various reviewers, i know who's review i wanna watch for a specific game. Sometimes i watch multiple reviews on a single game and enjoy being offered different perspectives. I don't think i'd want reviews to be too similar.
When it comes to install sizes: While I agree that providing this information as part of a review makes sense, i reckon that it's not something many people concern themselves with most of the time while watching a review and deciding whether or not to buy a game.
@@HueyTheDoctora high quality review that actually critiques the quality of a game can absolutely last 20 minutes to an hour.
There are LOADS of elements to many games that can be thoroughly analysed. Cases justifying why elements of a game are or aren’t good, and attempting to quantify HOW good can take a long time to articulate and demonstrate. Even from a talented writer and critic.
Install size is an extremely trivial element of the quality of a game, and will matter to very few people compared to how well designed and enjoyable the actual game is.
This was not remotely a pro tip.
I really needed this game in my life RN. It couldn't arrive fast enough. Not every game needs to be nitty gritty M rated or full of aggressive graphical content. Sometimes the more creative the game that can make the character laugh, the far more enjoyable game. I love how the characters interact with the world and how they don't see beyond the limits of the book for example. I love the DJ wizard making CDs for the music.
The art direction for this game is simply fantastic, also there is actually a really cool overlap from the designer. In the Shrouded Fables TCG set, there is a 3 piece Duskull evolution line drawn by James Turner in this exact art style.
So, if you're looking to own a few small pieces of genuinely stellar art check them out!
Literally sitting here in front of the ps store to wait for the download for this gem to be available , can't wait!!!
Imma play it after I finish and platinum Astro bot. The art direction for it looks gorgeous😩
Where is this PS store?
@@TommyAngelo1337 playstation store for playstation console owners
IT IS INDEED AMAZING 😍😍
You never fail to surprise us!
This is the kind of game that we need, the kind that breathes creativity back into the games industry. Definitely picking this up, thanks Austin!
Game is really good and incredibly fun. However, theres many instances on pretty much all chapters that softlock your game and you have to quit to main menu.
Normally an autosave a couple minutes before, but it happens far too often.
Chapter select doesn tsave your progress midway, and theres a missable trophy that will be hell to get with chapter select.
You'd be best gwtting it during your first playthrough, quitting to menu and releoadong save if you fail.
Really well written review. The way you set up the sources of inspiration the lead designers used for making this game and tying that into the plot of the game at the end of your review is really smartly done.
this was really really well written good job Austin! Really loving your style and you're really finding your voice it's great!
When the main criticism of a game is that there needs to be more game, it is already a good sign.
Astrobot. Caravan Sandwitch. Plucky Squire. It’s the era of the feel good game, and I’m here for it.
double upload? you spoil us good sirs.
One of the most beautiful games ever made
Was already interested in this game but this video got me more hyped, thank you Austin!
Im a huge fan of LoZ and between worlds. This game was right up my alley. I hope it does well and gets a sequel or more works from this company.
2024 started out slow but now we're getting banger after banger, my GOTY list is getting tough!
Made me nostalgic for a time i didmt even know existed in my life
I just finished the 5th chapter, the art design is top notch, really impressive. Puzzles are basic but good. Gameplay wise it’s a bit boring….story is really generic. Definitely not a Tunic killer’s….Hopefully the game will get a bit more complex and challenging as it goes on.
Been looking forward to this one for a while so glad to hear the positive review, going to buy it soon!
For me, this was a case of style over substance. Looked absolutely gorgeous, with ample charm as the review said. However...it was coma inducing in terms of gameplay.
Also, playing on PS5 I had some performance issues (?!). Some pop in (?!) and a barely noticeable, but annoying lag on page turning/ scene shifting.
Graphics 11/10
Literally the art is insanely vibrant
I have a feeling that the plucky squire is going to be what HiFi Rush was for me last year. That suckerpunch of innovation and creativity.
My 8 year old has been designing his own game (heavily inspired by Hollow Knight) and I'll have to pick this up to keep him inspired. Excellent review.
Plucky Squire is also on PS+, so I will definitely give it a go.
This year has seen a really good crop of video games. Especially in terms of variety. Just this month we have a beautiful 3d platformer Astrobot, just dumb fun old school shooter Space Marine 2 and now a charmingly innovative side scroller/3d indie. Upcoming is a brilliant RTS sequel Frostpunk 2.
Just finished. This is the game about the games you made up in your head whilst daydreaming. Chef’s kiss
looking forward to getting into this when I get home. Having it on PS Plus makes it a no-brainer
I cant believe it. Two great reviews on the same day!
I love how his sword is a fountain pen nib. It leans further into the drawing creator plotline.
My god this looks amazing. I can see more stories for Jot in the future!
The Less Plucky Squire, wishlist it for 2026!
Need fan art of Titus with Jot and Astro Bot on his shoulders lol
Lmao Jot prepping for a dust up made me chuckle. Looks like a really fun experience
One of my most anticipated this year.
That's some certainly unique presentation of the game world. This game ooozes with charm.
Ive been keeping an eye on this game for a long time. Great to hear that it was worth waiting for, even if it could be a touch longer.
I was a little concerned when i checked the store page for the game on Steam and i didn't see a price for the game the day before release.
Thank goodness for Austin. 🎉
Great review. I'll be sure to check this out. Thanks austin
Great review. Between this, Caravan sandwitch and Thank godness you're here, I'm really not looking at any AAA games right now. these are better.
Looks gorgeous, one for the kids at Christmas
Looks amazing!
Game looks great.
Can’t wait to play it at some point.
Astro not, plucky squire & space marine 2. Sept Been a good month
Thank you for giving us two uploads in the same day man, great work. Btw, this game feels like my childhood dream.
I’m really looking forward to this game!
I'm a grown ass man, yet i've been looking forward to this.
I just got the steam notification that it was available, now I need to find an excuse to leave work early.
i love how he says book
Just watching this game makes me smile 🙂
Been waiting on this one, let’s see if it’s any good.
Hey there, im just curious how long does this game take to beat?
Devolver said it takes 8-10 hours for the main story
Le me downloading the game while watching the review doing happy noises :3
A feel good videogame if I ever saw one. 😃
This looks great
I really enjoyed my time with the game but I think in trying to appeal to a younger audience it lost some of the creativity I think it was capable of. Don't get me wrong, I fully expect that was a design decision and that's perfectly fine but in the end the puzzles and mini games were simpler than I think I personally would have liked.
That being said I'm tempted to play with my little nephew at Xmas! He's maybe a bit young for the puzzles but I could guide him through those being that they are this simple :)
Very creative game, but it honestly feels like a neverending tutorial level, like I get it's for a younger audience but it constantly takes control away to show or tell you something you already know. I lost count of how many times it repeats info or explains puzzles you already solved like 5 minutes ago.
2 for one, what a time to be alive!
This looks like a fun iPad app too
Incredible review Austin!
Wait was that some rhythm heaven?
Game breaking bug in chapter 6 really fucking hurt because I WAS having a lot of fun … now I have to wait until they patch it to finish. Bullshit
5:53 it's Baba is You, not Bubba is You. The character is not a shrimper in the U.S.'s deep South!
2 in 1 day? Is this compensation for Final Shape?
Astro Bot and this game are saving the gaming industry.
I’m sorry…that love for WHAT?! 0:36
Still kinda lame it’s 138.99 pln in Poland
♥ Thank you! ♥
Space marine 2 AND the plucky squire reviews on the same day? Damn, what a treat.
DOUBLE RAINBOW OHMYGOD
How does it run on Steam Deck? :D
Woah 2 reviews in a span of a few hours.
I'm gonna get myself a lottery ticket.
this game looks GOTY worthy
In looks only sadly
Two videos in a day! Woot!
Love that i get this for free with ps extra
Looks quite similar to It Takes Two
That's more like it shillup. I wanna see more videos like this, dedicated videos for indie stuff. Plucky squire is getting a lot of love right now and it deserves it, but Another Crabs Treasure should have gotten one too.
where is waldo?
Way too much out for my damned wallet. Marvel, Zelda, Iron Meat, Space Marine, this...
dude hasnt shut up about this game for months and he didnt even get to review it 😭
Where's the Wukong review?
Ralph tryna show who’s the boss by letting Austin drop a review same day
Getting a lot of crashes on PS5. 🤔
Austin review: short concise to the point
Ralph review: (using space marine 2 as an example) long bloated AC Valhalla in a video form
Give your channel to Austin already
Buggy and bad story/dialog which is unskipable... 6/10 imo
Austin is awesome!
austin should have his own channel
Austin the true reviewer lol. Jokes aside I’m totally looking forward to this game.
I think this will be a "wait for a sale" game for me
It's literally in the ps plus collection lol
I trust you over IGN any day, keep em coming!!
IM HERE AUSTIN YOUR BIGGEST FAN ITS ME HERE TO WATCH YOUR REVIEW
I'm confused about why this video isn't 45 minutes of rhetoric about game design/narrative that somehow both smothers the topic while also failing to elucidate whether the game is even worth playing. Did Ralph not write this one? Do I need to look for that shiny, sexy Austin logo on my shill up vids from now on before venturing to click? All I know is my gut says... maybe? Perhaps? What was the question again? I just wanted to know if the thing I'm looking at slaps or shits the bed. Thank you to Austin for keeping it real enough to deliver that much.
We did not deserve this, you guys spoil us with two reviews in one day.
Not for me sadly. Condescendingly handholding and simple game.
Not every game needs to be difficult.
Pokemon profile pic opinion on video game quality invalid
i need more people to take up drawing as a hobby.
Is there wild bastards review coming? i hope so :3