Frogun

Frogun is a must-play for 3D platformer enthusiasts that love retro-inspired titles. As long as you come with tempered expectations and expect a collect-a-thon more than fast-paced platforming, you'll love it.

74%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

grinding, optimization

81% User Score Based on 676 reviews

Critic Score 71%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

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About

Frogun is a cute and charming kids' platformer game with compelling gameplay, fantastic visuals, and good music. In the game, you play as Renata, armed with her parents' invention, the Frogun, to rescue them from the dangerous Beelzebub ruins. Explore colorful levels, from ruins to snow caps and lava swamps, in this lowpoly-aesthetic game, offering single-player, local multi-player, co-op, PvP, and split-screen modes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 685 reviews

gameplay80 positive mentions

grinding44 negative mentions

Charming retro-inspired graphics and art style reminiscent of PS1/N64 platformers.
Engaging gameplay with a unique grappling mechanic that encourages exploration and speedrunning.
Variety of collectibles and challenges in each level, providing replayability and a sense of accomplishment.

Inconsistent controls and grappling mechanics can lead to frustrating gameplay, especially in later levels.
Boss fights feel tedious and do not utilize the game's unique mechanics effectively.
High coin requirements for collectibles lead to excessive grinding, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

gameplay
238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The gameplay of Frogun is characterized by its charming aesthetic and unique grappling mechanic, which allows for both exploration and speedrunning opportunities. However, players have noted issues with clunky controls, frustrating mechanics, and inconsistent responsiveness, particularly in later levels, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a nostalgic platforming feel reminiscent of classics, it struggles with execution, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and polish.
- “Solid gameplay with lots of stuff to collect and do.”
- “Frogun is a very charming game with fun movement, level design, and core mechanics that offer a surprising amount of freedom after you get fully accustomed to them.”
- “The gameplay is challenging enough to be engrossing but not to the point where it's discouraging.”
- “Starts fun but the combination of a finicky main mechanic, bad platforming angles for said mechanic, camera that doesn't follow you, and annoying boss design make the game so frustrating you'll never want to touch it again after an hour of play.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay praises are cut short by the fact that the controls and their execution aren't the best suited for some of the given tasks.”
- “What starts out as a beautiful retro platformer devolves into an exercise in frustration by the later levels; I hate posting a review like this as the game clearly has promise, but the grapple mechanic simply isn't responsive enough for some of the quick successions of grapples the later levels require of you.”
graphics
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, low-poly aesthetic reminiscent of classic PlayStation titles like Mega Man Legends, contributing to a nostalgic and visually appealing experience. Players appreciate the cute character designs and vibrant environments, which enhance the overall atmosphere, although some express frustration with gameplay mechanics that detract from the enjoyment of the visuals. Overall, the art style is considered the standout feature, effectively capturing a playful and engaging vibe that resonates with fans of retro gaming.
- “The art style is fantastic.”
- “I love this game's old-style, low-poly graphics, and its cartoony style and characters. The characters in this game are very cute and well-designed; they are very iconic in my mind.”
- “The graphics nail the PS1 style; it really looks and plays like an HD remaster of a forgotten PlayStation game.”
- “This has a lot of potential, the visuals are very striking for those with a nostalgic streak like myself; however, I just think it lacks too much in regards to the movement and given this is a game that relies heavily on that, it's a pretty damning mark against it.”
- “There are some other nitpick issues with camera and graphic design too.”
- “If there's one thing I could criticize, some of the requirements for getting 100% are a bit ridiculous (like needing to purchase all of the in-game artwork, much of which costs quite a lot of coins), but other than that it's a wonderful little game!”
music
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its catchy and vibrant soundtrack that complements the charming visuals and gameplay. However, some critics feel that certain tracks are forgettable or lack emotional impact, particularly during key moments like boss fights. Overall, while the music enhances the experience for many, it may not leave a lasting impression for all players.
- “The music, and I cannot stress this enough, is so catchy and every track is a whole mood.”
- “The soundtrack deserves special mention, with most of it just being really catchy and in some cases, relaxing.”
- “Tight level designs, gorgeous art style, and kickin' music.”
- “The music for the game is forgettable.”
- “Also most of the music just misses the mark for me, and the sound design feels lacking in polish too, like it just feels rather rushed.”
- “The overall audio design is rudimentary, and especially the songs leave a lot to be desired.”
grinding
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, especially when aiming for 100% completion. After finishing the main game, many report needing to spend several additional hours grinding for coins to unlock all items, which can feel repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the game's checkpoint system. While the initial gameplay is enjoyable, the grind for achievements and collectibles detracts from the overall experience, making it feel unnecessarily prolonged.
- “After mastering every level, you still need to spend 2-3 hours grinding one just to buy out the shop.”
- “To get all achievements you will have to buy everything from the in-game shop, but you will lack ~30,000 coins even after you finish the game with all medals, meaning ~3 more hours just grinding for coins.”
- “A painfully tedious and slow collectathon run; if you die at any point, you lose everything since your last checkpoint.”
story
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The story in Frogun is simple and charming, centering on the protagonist Renata's quest to find her missing archeologist parents in a whimsical world filled with cute characters. While the narrative lacks depth and memorability, collectible notes throughout the levels enrich the lore and provide context to the game’s setting. Overall, the game embraces a nostalgic, straightforward storytelling approach that complements its engaging gameplay and adorable aesthetic.
- “In the shoes of adorable little archeologist apprentice Renata, you go on a quest to find your archeologist parents in some dangerous ruins.”
- “The music is actually pretty good, and while the story is simple, it's precious and really fun-loving.”
- “Really charming, old-fashioned game where you get a simple and amusing story with a lot of cute characters, with familiar level themes.”
- “Also, there's a story in the game, but it just kind of happens.”
- “Otherwise, the story, the world, the level design, and boss design are each quite ordinary.”
- “Frogun’s story is nothing to write home about, but is somewhat reminiscent of console platformers from the 32-bit era.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
50%
38%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing severe stuttering and framerate issues on the native Linux client and Steam Deck, particularly in fullscreen mode on ultrawide displays. Conversely, others report smooth performance, maintaining high framerates without drops, suggesting that while the game has potential for optimization, it currently suffers from inconsistencies and technical shortcomings.
- “There are a decent amount of different side-objectives across each level that encourage players to replay and optimize their performance.”
- “Well optimized, I never dropped below 144fps throughout my time playing.”
- “The first technical issue is that the native Linux client (what you'll be playing on Linux or the Steam Deck by default) has extremely egregious stuttering and framerate issues that happen regularly during gameplay, and the fullscreen mode stretches on an ultrawide display.”
- “Sadly, the game is poorly optimized.”
- “Even within the first few levels, I found lots of little skips you could take with the grapple, so I can only imagine how optimized the game could become.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and charming vibe, providing a satisfying and lighthearted experience without a sad narrative. While the sound design is decent, some players feel that the emotional impact of level completions and boss fights could be stronger. Overall, the game is appreciated for its simplicity and fun, making it a refreshing choice for those seeking a joyful gaming experience.
- “I really need this kind of wholesome vibe in my life right now, and her always smiling face fit the bill perfectly.”
- “It's refreshing to play a game that is simple, satisfying and wholesome, no sad story, just fun.”
- “Frogun is a heartfelt addition to the wider platformer genre, bringing some fun new ideas and charm to the table.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game suffers from various glitches and bugs, including sound issues and unpredictable camera behavior, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in exploiting these glitches for movement, they are largely unintended and highlight a lack of polish. However, the game reportedly runs well on the Steam Deck, indicating some stability in that environment.
- “Also runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “The other issue I have with this game is the glitches and bugs.”
- “Only real complaints I had in my main story playthrough were sound glitches and a steep difficulty spike in the second half where multiple frograpples in different directions were really hard to pull off.”
- “As it stands, most of the enjoyable movement comes from glitches anyways, such as being able to pull yourself onto a ledge by grabbing a surface directly at its ledge and holding forward, but that's not to the game or the developers' credit; it's unintended as far as I'm aware.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
55%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers enjoyable elements like collectibles and varied playstyles that encourage multiple playthroughs, some players feel that certain aspects, such as boss fights, detract from its longevity. With 36 stages and a focus on 100% completion, many find enough fun to warrant revisiting, though nostalgia for older games also influences perceptions of replay value.
- “There are 36 stages in total, so going for 100% completion in every single one of them might take a while, but I found most of them to be fun enough to have some replay value.”
- “Frogun is delightful - it's a great collectathon with a lot of variety and replay value!”
- “Never is it explored further than this, and by that fact alone the boss fights kill any sort of replayability and longevity this game has.”
- “Obsessions with speed running, collectibles, time attacks, and old poorly designed video games that they have fond memories of because they were young and had nothing better to do than be at the mercy of lives, continues, and replay value that were all fronts to extrude quarters and perceived value out of their expensive game, and not because they were well designed.”
- “There is more than enough to enjoy in the game, with around a five-hour campaign to play through and the added replayability of finding collectibles that you may have missed the first time.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and absurd elements, which not only entertain but also encourage players to reflect on deeper existential themes. Players appreciate the charming atmosphere, funny dialogue, and engaging gameplay, all of which contribute to a lighthearted yet thought-provoking experience. Overall, the blend of humor and fun mechanics enhances the game's appeal.
- “Yes, I would crash into a wall trying to platform with the funny frog gun.”
- “Good style, fun movement, cute character, funny dialogue, and charming atmosphere do wonders for this game.”
- “The gameplay itself is actually really fun; it reminds me in some ways of Sonic Adventure 1 (my personal favorite platformer, which, funny enough, Renata does the game's iconic pose).”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its charming presentation, engaging style, and lighthearted elements, which contribute positively to the overall experience. While it may lack deep immersion and narrative depth, the fun movement, cute characters, and humorous dialogue create an enjoyable environment that stands out in a landscape focused on realism and immersion. Overall, the game successfully embraces its identity as a playful video game, offering a refreshing contrast to more serious titles.
- “Good style, fun movement, cute character, funny dialogue, and charming atmosphere do wonders for this game.”
- “This game goes to show that a charming presentation, setting, and premise can make a game great despite a lack of immersive atmosphere and deep narrative.”
- “Furthermore, in an era where every major video game release is trying to de-gamify, focusing on atmosphere and immersion, it's a breath of fresh air to see a game like Frogun, content with being, well, a video game.”
- “Music and atmosphere are decent!”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The character development in the game is highlighted by its fun and charming main character design, which is complemented by appealing graphics and visuals. Players appreciate the overall aesthetic and gameplay, contributing to a positive experience with the character's portrayal.
- “The main character design is very fun and charming.”
- “I love the graphics and the visuals, the gameplay, the cute character designs, all of it!”
- “The main character design is great.”