BAKERU

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 105 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
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

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 105 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Bakeru features a vibrant and charming art style, with levels inspired by various prefectures of Japan, making exploration enjoyable.
  • The combat system is engaging and offers depth with mechanics like parrying, dodging, and various transformations, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
  • The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on PC with a consistent frame rate, and includes a wealth of collectibles that add to the overall fun.
  • Some players find the level design repetitive and lacking in challenge, with many levels feeling linear and easy.
  • The game has been criticized for its awkward control scheme, particularly the use of bumpers for attacks, which can feel unnatural.
  • While the game is visually appealing, some reviewers feel it lacks the depth and charm of its spiritual predecessor, the Goemon series, leading to disappointment.
  • gameplay37 mentions

    The gameplay of Bakeru is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of 3D platforming and beat-'em-up mechanics that, while polished and visually appealing, often lacks depth and innovation. Players appreciate the variety in level design and the engaging, fast-paced action, but some feel that the game fails to fully utilize its mechanics, resulting in a somewhat uninspired experience. Overall, it offers a fun adventure with a light-hearted tone, though it may not reach the heights of its genre-defining inspirations.

    • “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.”
    • “Every level was packed with style and detail and the mechanics felt unique and intuitive.”
    • “Bakeru gameplay is fast-paced and very satisfying; controls are responsive and it's very fun to play.”
    • “On one hand it’s polished and technically competent, but on the other, it’s just so uninspired in actual gameplay and design.”
    • “The game never reaches its full potential and doesn’t use any of its mechanics effectively.”
    • “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.”
  • music24 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its upbeat and catchy compositions, blending Japanese, Western, and synthetic instruments effectively. Many players appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like "Mystical Ninja" and "Okami," with a soundtrack that enhances the charming visuals and overall gameplay experience. While some noted a desire for more variety, the music is generally described as superb and integral to the game's delightful atmosphere.

    • “The music is absolutely fantastic, and the charming graphics give it a nostalgic vibe.”
    • “Thematically, visually and musically, I find this game to be a gem; I couldn't help but smile and laugh as I played it.”
    • “The soundtrack is really good, reminds me a lot of Okami's.”
    • “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.”
    • “Thematically, visually and musically, I find this game to be a gem; I couldn't help but to smile and laugh as I played it.”
  • graphics24 mentions

    The graphics of the game, primarily designed for the Nintendo Switch, are generally considered unimpressive on a technical level, featuring lower-poly models. However, the vibrant art direction and nostalgic aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like Goemon and Super Mario 3D World, elevate the overall visual experience. Players appreciate the colorful, stylized environments and the smooth performance on PC, which offers various graphical options without issues.

    • “Super fun combat, really great art/graphics.”
    • “While the visuals won't wow you on a technical level, its art style does most of the heavy lifting.”
    • “The music is absolutely fantastic, and the charming graphics give it a nostalgic vibe.”
    • “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.”
  • story21 mentions

    The story of the game is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting it feels shallow and more like a marketing ploy than a compelling narrative. While some appreciate the light-hearted tone and the cast of characters, the overall consensus is that the story fails to engage or offer meaningful content outside the main plot. Despite its shortcomings, the game is still enjoyed for its charming experience and fun gameplay.

    • “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.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with most players experiencing a stable 60fps and minimal stuttering, despite occasional dips into the high 40s. It offers various performance options, including locked 30fps, 60fps, and uncapped framerate settings, making it a significant improvement over its Switch counterpart. Overall, the performance is considered excellent and well-optimized for PC.

    • “Performance is amazing: supporting locked 30fps, 60fps, and uncapped framerate options, as well as other graphical settings you can adjust.”
    • “I'm so happy this game is on Steam, so I don't have to deal with the Switch's performance issues!”
    • “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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it consistently achieves around 60fps at high settings without any stutters. Users report a smooth experience with an uncapped framerate, 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 jolly summer festival. Players are immersed in a lively environment filled with playful elements, engaging music, and whimsical interactions, 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.”
    • “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.”
  • 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 designs are 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 to be tedious, as searching for hidden objects like the tanuki in expansive levels can become a monotonous task. Additionally, managing energy levels adds to the frustration, making the gameplay feel more laborious than enjoyable.

    • “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, creating a unique and engaging experience that feels fresh throughout. The game appears to blend nostalgic elements from other titles while focusing on tourism, which may imply a potential for in-game purchases related to these experiences.

    • “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential content is locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
    • “The in-game purchases are not just optional; they are almost mandatory if you want to keep up with other players.”
  • 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, although the primary incentive for replaying is limited to collecting tanuki for robot upgrades. Overall, while there are opportunities for replay, the rewards may feel minimal.

    • “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 just rehashed versions of what you've already done.”
    • “The replay value is severely lacking; I found myself bored after completing the game once, with no new content to explore.”
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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