BAKERU

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 95 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
BAKERU Game Cover
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"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.

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Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
monetization2 negative mentions
  • Charming visuals and engaging character designs that evoke nostalgia for classic platformers.
  • Smooth gameplay with responsive controls, offering a variety of combat mechanics and collectibles that enhance the experience.
  • A vibrant and colorful world inspired by Japanese culture, with unique level designs and a fun soundtrack.
  • Repetitive gameplay and linear level design that can lead to a lack of engagement over time.
  • Collectibles often feel meaningless and do not significantly impact gameplay or progression.
  • The story and character interactions are shallow, lacking the depth and charm found in classic titles like Goemon.
  • gameplay29 mentions

    The gameplay of Bakeru is characterized by a blend of linear 3D platforming and beat-'em-up combat, enhanced by racing sections that add variety. While some mechanics may feel simplistic or reminiscent of classic titles, the overall experience is engaging and fun, with responsive controls and stylish visuals that keep players entertained. Despite some elements feeling superficial, the game successfully combines different genres to create a satisfying and enjoyable adventure.

    • “Every level was packed with style and detail and the mechanics felt unique and intuitive.”
    • “The simple action gameplay is easy enough to understand and the punishment for death is light, but still provides enough of a challenge to keep players engaged.”
    • “Bakeru gameplay is fast-paced and very satisfying; controls are responsive and it's very fun to play.”
    • “You can look at them or read them later, but they do not play into the actual gameplay.”
    • “Traversing most of the levels gameplay-wise is just not fun.”
    • “I was drawn in by the parallels to those classics, but they are pretty superficial - it lacks the story, sense of humor, and depth of game mechanics that gave those games their soul.”
  • graphics20 mentions

    The game's graphics are characterized by a colorful and stylized art style that evokes a nostalgic vibe, reminiscent of classic platformers. While the technical aspects may not impress due to lower-poly models, the unique aesthetic and level design effectively enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the smooth performance across various settings, contributing to a visually engaging and enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “Love the music, the trivia you get as a reward for collectibles, and the use of Japanese geography in the aesthetics of the levels.”
    • “The graphics are a simple, colorful affair with almost every object and surface stylized to look like a traditional festival.”
    • “It looks refreshing, the art style is nice and there's a lot of details in the levels.”
    • “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 only thing here is the graphics.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its upbeat and catchy compositions, blending Japanese, Western, and synthetic instruments, which enhances the overall playful atmosphere. Many players appreciate the nostalgic references to classic titles like Mystical Ninja, with a soundtrack that is both memorable and thematically fitting for the game's aesthetic. While some reviewers wished for more variety, the overall sentiment is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “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 in Japanese culture.”
    • “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 music is absolutely fantastic, and the charming graphics give it a nostalgic vibe.”
    • “The music is alright, there isn't that much but it fits the stages well.”
    • “Thing is, I wish it had more of the mystical ninja music feel to it and the open world feel.”
    • “I found myself constantly humming some of the songs from the game in my head.”
  • story19 mentions

    The story of the game is generally perceived as simple and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting it feels superficial and underdeveloped compared to classic titles. While some appreciate the lightheartedness and character interactions, others criticize it as a weak point, overshadowed by enjoyable gameplay and charming aesthetics. Overall, the narrative is seen as a missed opportunity, failing to deliver a compelling or engaging experience.

    • “The story is fairly straightforward, but there's a good cast of characters to keep things lively the whole way through.”
    • “But to be serious, it's a nice little platformer with an original story.”
    • “The action is good, the story isn't too shabby, and the lore is intertwined with Japan as a whole.”
    • “Baruka just flat out feels like a shallow marketing ploy for Japan rather than an actual story and world.”
    • “It simply does not feel like the developers had a story to tell.”
    • “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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, consistently achieving around 60fps at high settings without any stutters or performance issues. Users report a smooth experience across various configurations, making it a reliable choice for players on this platform.

    • “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!”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming blend of traditional and modern Japanese culture, evoking the spirit of a lively summer festival. Players are immersed in a whimsical environment filled with playful elements, engaging music, and a sense of community, despite some shortcomings in the initial setting. Overall, it captures the essence of a mystical ninja adventure with a unique cultural flair.

    • “A good atmosphere, charm, and a certain bite.”
    • “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.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by cute and hilarious fun facts, making it enjoyable for casual play. While some players appreciate the comedic elements, others feel it lacks the depth and storytelling found in classic games. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a lighthearted and funny gaming experience.

    • “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.”
    • “A lot of the humor is funny as well.”
    • “Honestly, if you just want a casual, funny, fun game to play, this is it.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is well-received, with most players experiencing a stable 60fps, though some report occasional dips into the high 40s. The performance is notably better on PC compared to the Switch, offering various framerate options and customizable graphical settings.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game was made to run on Switch, so the performance is much higher here.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for lacking depth and emotional engagement, with reviewers noting that it feels soulless despite the impressive character designs. While the levels are filled with personality and creativity, the overall character arcs do not resonate strongly with players.

    • “The levels are brimming with personality down to the placements of enemies, and the character designs are wonderful.”
    • “There are many great Japanese trivia, and the character design is top-notch.”
    • “It's just soulless; there is no spirit behind it, no creative spark besides the main character designs.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any meaningful growth or depth.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional, with predictable arcs that fail to engage the player.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is subtly integrated into its level design, which showcases various local specialties and unique sceneries, enhancing the overall experience. While it draws on nostalgic references from titles like Klonoa and Ape Escape, the focus remains on creating an engaging adventure rather than overt 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 extra.”
    • “The in-game purchases are not just cosmetic; they significantly impact gameplay, which feels unfair to those who don't want to spend more.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be nostalgic and wholesome, particularly appreciating its connection to fond memories of the original Mystical Ninja on the N64, which evokes a strong sense of joy and comfort.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
11-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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