BAKERU

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 139 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
BAKERU Game Cover
BAKERU blends smooth platforming with incredible combat (and a plethora of gameplay variety) to create one of the most fun games I’ve played in a while.
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 139 reviews
gameplay14 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Bakeru features charming visuals and a vibrant art style that evoke nostalgia for classic 3D platformers.
  • The gameplay is engaging with a satisfying combat system that includes combos, parries, and unique transformations, providing depth and variety.
  • Each level is based on different prefectures in Japan, offering unique environments and collectibles that enhance the exploration experience.
  • The game can feel repetitive, with some levels lacking significant challenge and depth, making it easier than expected.
  • Boss fights and certain gameplay mechanics, like the robot battles, are criticized for being sluggish and lacking impact.
  • The collectibles, while charming, may not provide enough meaningful rewards, leading to a sense of aimlessness in exploration.
  • gameplay43 mentions

    The gameplay of Bakeru is characterized by its engaging and fluid mechanics, blending platforming and beat-'em-up elements with a vibrant aesthetic inspired by Japanese culture. While it offers a variety of levels and gameplay styles, including racing sections, some players feel it lacks depth and innovation, leading to a somewhat simplistic experience. Overall, the game is praised for its fun, accessible design and enjoyable mechanics, making it a worthwhile adventure for fans of the genre.

    • “Its engaging gameplay, cultural flavor, and thoughtful design make it a standout action-platformer worth experiencing.”
    • “The character movement is fluid but snappy, the transformations provide a ton of gameplay variety, and the integration of the tanuki drum into the operation of stage gimmicks is just so immersive. It’s like playing a remake of a lost Dreamcast game; it’s so stylized and it’s clear that fun was absolutely prioritized.”
    • “The gameplay of Bakeru combines linear 3D platforming with beat-'em-up combat, and the additional genre-shifting gameplay sections result in a game that's greater than the sum of its parts, all set in imaginative takes on various Japanese locales.”
    • “On one hand it’s polished to perfection, but on the other, it’s just so uninspired in actual gameplay and design.”
    • “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.”
    • “Traversing most of the levels gameplay-wise is just not fun.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its upbeat and catchy compositions, blending Japanese, Western, and synthetic instruments effectively. While some players feel the soundtrack DLC is lacking in variety, the base game's music is described as superb and fitting for the vibrant levels, enhancing the overall charming experience. Many reviewers highlight the nostalgic and playful atmosphere created by the music, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Everything from the characters, the writing, the music, and the levels have been quite enjoyable.”
    • “The music is absolutely fantastic, and the charming graphics give it a nostalgic vibe.”
    • “The soundtrack is top quality as well as the voice acting.”
    • “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.”
    • “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).”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by charming, colorful visuals that evoke a nostalgic, Japanese aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like Goemon and Super Mario 3D World. While technically unimpressive due to its origins on the Nintendo Switch, the art direction and design effectively elevate the overall experience, providing a visually appealing backdrop for engaging gameplay. The PC port enhances this with options for high refresh rates and smooth performance, making it a delight for players who appreciate stylized graphics.

    • “Very pretty and charming visuals, to a borderline Nintendo level of polish.”
    • “Nice, clean, sharp visuals and supports high refresh rates.”
    • “The graphics are a simple, colorful affair with almost every object and surface stylized to look like a traditional festival.”
    • “The game's visuals are... okay.”
    • “But no matter the visuals, if the game that is made from them is boring, then they do not help.”
    • “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.”
  • story24 mentions

    The story of the game is generally considered simple and light-hearted, lacking depth and complexity, with many reviewers noting it feels basic and uninspired. While some appreciate the engaging characters and the nostalgic parallels to classic games, others criticize it as shallow and poorly developed, suggesting that the focus on gameplay and charm overshadows the narrative. Overall, the story is seen as the weakest aspect of the game, with mixed feelings about its execution and relevance.

    • “I originally imported this for the Switch but was delighted to see it release on Steam with English subtitles, so now I can finally understand what the crazy story is.”
    • “The story is fairly straightforward, but there's a good cast of characters to keep things lively the whole way through.”
    • “The story is simple and lighthearted.”
    • “The story is the weakest point of this game.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received positive feedback, particularly on PC, where it runs smoothly at 60fps with customizable graphical settings. While there are occasional performance dips into the high 40s, the transition from the Switch has resulted in significantly improved performance. However, initial performance concerns were noted in Japan, raising questions about the game's future.

    • “Optimization is crazy good.”
    • “Performance is amazing: supporting locked 30fps, 60fps, and uncapped framerate options as well as other graphical settings you can mess with.”
    • “The game didn’t exactly have the best 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.”
  • 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!”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as laid-back and nostalgic, reminiscent of classic N64 Goemon games, with cute and hilarious fun facts that enhance the experience. While some reviewers appreciate the lightheartedness and casual fun, others feel it lacks the depth and storytelling that characterized its inspirations. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a casual and amusing gaming experience.

    • “Laid back, funny, nostalgia for N64 Goemon games -- tons of fun.”
    • “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.”
    • “Honestly, if you just want a casual, funny, fun game to play, this is it.”
  • 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 nostalgia reminiscent of classic ninja games. While the starting town may feel underwhelming, the overall ambiance captures a delightful and vibrant experience.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • 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, making it hard to connect with their journeys.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when searching for hidden objects like the tanuki in expansive levels, which requires extensive scouring of the environment. Additionally, managing energy levels adds to the frustration, as toggling balance features becomes a chore.

    • “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.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    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 extra.”
    • “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.”
  • 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.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players note that the game incorporates elements that slow down gameplay to enhance replayability, primarily through the collection of tanuki, which unlocks robot upgrades. However, some feel that these collectibles do not significantly impact the overall experience, limiting the incentive to replay.

    • “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.”
    • “The variety of choices and paths in the game encourages multiple playthroughs, making each experience feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With different character builds and strategies to explore, the replayability factor is incredibly high, keeping players coming back for more.”
    • “The game feels repetitive after the first playthrough, and there's not enough variety to keep me coming back for more.”
    • “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to replay, as the side quests are lackluster and unoriginal.”
    • “The mechanics are fun at first, but they quickly become stale, making replaying the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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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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