BAKERU

About

BAKERU is a single player open world action adventure game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Good-Feel Co., Ltd. and was released on September 3, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Bakeru" is an action-packed game set in "Fairy Tale Japan," where you must travel to 47 prefectures to defeat evil spirits and free Japan. Wielding the drum of the Tanuki Clan, battle enemies and traps with simple controls, and transform into famous Japanese heroes like Kintaro and Momotaro using Henge Licenses. The Steam release includes new attacks and an additional Lantern Boss for heightened challenges.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 268 reviews

gameplay33 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

Bakeru is a vibrant and charming 3D platformer that captures the essence of Japanese culture, with beautifully designed levels inspired by various prefectures of Japan.
The gameplay is engaging, featuring a mix of solid combat mechanics, platforming, and unique transformations that keep the experience fresh and enjoyable.
The game is filled with collectibles, including trivia about Japan, which adds an educational element and encourages exploration throughout the levels.

The game can feel repetitive at times, with some levels lacking variety in enemy design and gameplay mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony.
While the combat is fun, it may be too simplistic for experienced players, as the difficulty does not ramp up significantly throughout the game.
The story and character development are minimal, which may leave players wanting more depth and engagement in the narrative.

gameplay
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The gameplay of Bakeru is characterized by its solid and engaging mechanics, blending platforming, combat, and various mini-games like racing and shoot-em-ups, reminiscent of classic PS2 titles. While the game offers a vibrant aesthetic and introduces new challenges throughout, some players noted a lack of difficulty escalation and depth in gameplay evolution, leading to a sense of repetition as the game progresses. Overall, it provides a fun, accessible experience with charming visuals and a nostalgic feel, appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the platforming genre.
- “Most levels are expansive maps full of platforming and combat sequences in the way you'd expect from a PS2-style game, but there are also plenty that shake up the gameplay with racing, shoot-em-up, boss fights, and more.”
- “The core gameplay mechanics revolve around Bakeru's transformative 'henge' powers, which allow him to assume the identities and abilities of legendary Japanese folklore heroes such as Kintaro and Momotaro.”
- “Every level introduces and expands upon new ideas and concepts, brings with it impressive locales across a fairy-tale Japan to visit, and yes, that aforementioned gameplay variety keeps things fresh.”
- “That said, like a Kirby adventure, there isn't much escalation in difficulty and the gameplay doesn't evolve much at all over the course of the runtime.”
- “By the end, I was more than ready for the game to wrap up as I felt I had seen everything it wanted to show me around the 75% mark with all the repetition and undemanding gameplay.”
- “Bakeru doesn’t care to go above and beyond to deliver a genre-defining experience, as it stagnates early on and leaves the player to explore its numerous levels devoid of inventive gameplay.”
music
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, upbeat quality and strong Japanese cultural influences, effectively enhancing the overall experience. However, many reviewers noted that the soundtrack feels limited and repetitive, especially towards the end, with some wishing for a greater variety of tracks. Overall, while the music is enjoyable and memorable, it lacks the depth and diversity that could elevate it further.
- “The music in the game is absolutely glorious.”
- “I adore the visuals and the music, and how much of a love letter this is to Japanese culture and history!”
- “The music is very upbeat with equal amounts of Japanese, Western, and synthetic instruments used in its compositions (I particularly like the Okinawa level music).”
- “The story is fine, but not memorable, and the soundtrack is decent but not particularly long.”
- “There's a lack of music tracks for how much of the game there is.”
- “As great as the music is, it gets a bit repetitive towards the end of the game.”
graphics
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The graphics of Bakeru are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style reminiscent of Japanese storybooks, effectively blending elements of folklore with engaging gameplay. While the visuals may not be technically advanced, they are colorful and charming, evoking nostalgia for classic 3D platformers from the 90s and 00s. Overall, the game's aesthetic is praised for its cultural richness and delightful presentation, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to explore.
- “The graphics are almost stylized like a Japanese storybook or artwork, and the music is also very Japanese, just what you would expect from this type of game.”
- “The art style leans into a cartoonish, almost storybook aesthetic that complements the game's folklore themes perfectly.”
- “The graphics are a simple, colorful affair with almost every object and surface stylized to look like a traditional festival.”
- “While the visuals won't wow you on a technical level (definitely lower-poly models being used to accommodate its original Switch release), its art style does most of the heavy lifting.”
- “The game feels like if Super Mario 3D World was on the PlayStation but had a GameCube-era art style with a PS2 game's cramped and labyrinthine world design.”
story
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The story of the game is generally described as simple and lighthearted, set in a fantastical version of Japan where players control a mischievous tanuki named Bakeru. While the narrative incorporates cultural elements and folklore, many reviewers find it lacking depth and memorability, often feeling like a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a driving force. Overall, the charming characters and engaging art style contribute to a pleasant experience, but the story itself is seen as basic and not particularly impactful.
- “Overall, this is a well-crafted game with lots of love put into it and great story and character writing.”
- “Set against the backdrop of a fantastical version of Japan, the game invites players to step into the shoes of Bakeru, a mischievous tanuki on a mission to thwart the sinister plans of Oracle Saitaro and his festival troops.”
- “The incorporation of cultural legends and regional nuances enriches the narrative, offering players a window into Japan’s rich storytelling traditions without sacrificing fun or accessibility.”
- “The story is fine, but not memorable, and the soundtrack is decent but not particularly long.”
- “The story is nothing special, yet the setting is what kept me engaged.”
- “Overall, I am very dissatisfied with this game; the art and everything amazing has been wasted on poor storytelling, poor level layout, and poor enemy design.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring cute and funny character designs, entertaining boss fights, and a laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of classic N64 titles. Players appreciate the quirky collectibles and amusing facts presented in a humorous way, although some feel it lacks the depth and storytelling of its inspirations. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a casual and fun gaming experience.
- “The game is also funny and entertaining in general.”
- “Collectibles are both souvenirs from all across Japan or funny facts about Japan (and some non-Japan subjects) from a character that dresses like a golden poop.”
- “The weird fun facts you get from Scoop were cute and presented in a hilarious manner, so I recommend trying to find as many as you can.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
Character development in the game is characterized by charming and whimsical designs that contribute to an inviting atmosphere, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of certain characters, with some feeling underutilized or lacking depth. Overall, while the main character designs are praised for their creativity, some reviewers noted a lack of spirit in the broader character development. The vibrant levels and enemy placements enhance the overall personality of the game, showcasing a blend of engaging design and cultural references.
- “The character designs are equally charming, with Bakeru himself exuding personality and whimsy, making the overall experience feel inviting and warm.”
- “The levels are brimming with personality down to the placements of enemies, and the character designs are wonderful.”
- “There are many great Japan trivia and character design are top notch.”
- “It's just soulless; there is no spirit behind it, no creative spark besides the main character designs.”
- “Character development, story, platforming, combat, level design.”
- “The bright colors, enemies and character design, level design, and even the plot show the influence clearly.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly at 60fps with minimal stuttering and offers various graphical settings. While there are occasional performance dips, the game generally performs better than its Switch counterpart, providing a satisfying experience for players.
- “I mostly played this on the Steam Deck and was very pleased with the performance, both docked and handheld. I really appreciate the button glyphs matching whatever controller I'm using (it even detected if I was using the Switch or Xbox layout).”
- “The game was made to run on Switch, so the performance is much higher here.”
- “Performance is amazing: supporting locked 30fps, 60fps, and uncapped framerate options, as well as other graphical settings you can adjust.”
- “The game didn’t exactly have the most hot initial performance in Japan and it has left me concerned for the future of Good Feel’s new and exciting IP.”
- “It does have some performance dips into the high 40s at worst, but most of the time it is just a flat 60fps.”
- “I'm so happy this game is on Steam so I don't have to deal with the Switch's performance issues.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it consistently achieves around 60fps at high settings without stutters or performance issues. Users report a smooth experience with an uncapped framerate, making it a reliable choice for portable gaming.
- “It runs great on the LCD model of the Steam Deck - mostly 60fps at the highest settings (there aren’t a lot though, just texture/draw distance/AA/resolution/V sync).”
- “Runs great, no stutters, uncapped framerate with AA.”
- “The game runs great on the Steam Deck too!”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant party vibe, influenced by a festival-themed storyline where enemies engage in playful dancing, creating a non-threatening environment. It effectively blends traditional and modern Japanese culture, evoking a sense of charm and nostalgia reminiscent of classic ninja games, while immersing players in a lively summer festival ambiance.
- “A good atmosphere, charm, and a certain bite.”
- “The main antagonist is taking over Japan with a big festival, so most enemies are dancing around, which leads to a non-threatening atmosphere.”
- “In its fullest spirit, it is a new legend of the mystical ninja / Ganbare Goemon game, right down to the notes in the music, the playfulness, the boss battles, and an atmosphere heavily infused with Japanese culture.”
- “A mixture of traditional and modern Japan that creates the atmosphere of a jolly summer festival.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the skill required, others feel that it can become tedious, particularly when searching for hidden objects or managing energy levels. The repetitive nature of these tasks can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially during longer play sessions.
- “After a long play session, this game can become tedious at times.”
- “You’d think looking for the hidden tanuki would be fun, but in practice it’s tedious searching for a well-hidden object in big levels as you spend huge amounts of time scouring every corner.”
- “Running out of energy to attempt balance makes it tedious to toggle on and off to prevent you from running out.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally engaging, evoking feelings of nostalgia and charm reminiscent of classic titles from the PS1 and N64 eras. The sense of cleverness in discovering gameplay mechanics adds to the overall wholesome experience, making it a delightful journey for fans of retro gaming.
- “Very charming 3D platformer that made me feel like I was playing a PS1 game; and I mean that in the best possible way!”
- “Very nostalgic and wholesome.”
- “Mystical Ninja was one of my favorite games on the N64, and playing this game as its successor made me feel good.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
Players note that the game incorporates elements that slow down gameplay to enhance replayability, although collecting certain items primarily serves to unlock robot upgrades rather than significantly altering the experience.
- “The game slows down to enhance replay value, and while collecting a few tanuki doesn't directly impact gameplay, it allows you to unlock robot upgrades.”
- “Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making it easy to dive back in for more.”
- “The variety of choices and paths available ensures that no two runs feel the same, keeping the game fresh and engaging.”
- “They slow the game down to give replay value, but getting them doesn’t do anything meaningful. Collecting a couple of tanuki only allows you to unlock robot upgrades.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is not explicitly addressed in the reviews, but it suggests that the level design serves as a promotional tool for local specialties, enhancing the overall experience without repetitive scenery. This approach may imply a focus on engaging gameplay rather than aggressive monetization strategies.
- “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the full experience.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
- “The in-game purchases are not just cosmetic; they significantly impact gameplay, which feels unfair to those who don't want to spend extra.”