Ice Age Scrat's Nutty Adventure

Instead of being a brand new platformer, Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure feels like a remaster of a game from the early 2000s, and not a very good one either. On the positive side, the level design is pretty good, with areas connecting to one another in a way that feels large-scale, but remains comfortably linear. Otherwise, Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure completely lacks challenge, is extremely repetitive and runs on the Switch about as well as Manny the Mammoth runs after gorging on a bunch of peaches. In short, it's exactly what you’d expect from a licensed game of this type.

55%Game Brain Score

graphics, humor

story, gameplay

55% User Score Based on 105 reviews

Critic Score 53%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

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About

In "Ice Age Scrat's Nutty Adventure" , play as the beloved saber-tooth squirrel, Scrat, on a mission to recover his stolen treasure. Traverse through various hazardous Ice Age environments, face prehistoric creatures, and use Scrat's acrobatics to overcome obstacles. Gather collectibles to unlock special powers and meet familiar Ice Age characters in this hilarious 3D action-adventure game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Ice Age Scrat's Nutty Adventure screenshot

55%

Audience ScoreBased on 105 reviews

graphics10 positive mentions

gameplay5 negative mentions

Stunning graphics that capture the adventurous spirit of the Ice Age universe and evoke nostalgia.
Fun and accessible gameplay, especially for fans of the franchise, with enjoyable boss fights and platforming elements.
Charming character portrayal of Scrat, with humorous animations and sound effects that resonate with fans of the movies.

Significant control issues, particularly with keyboard and mouse, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Numerous bugs and glitches, including clipping issues and unresponsive mechanics that detract from the overall experience.
Repetitive gameplay with a lack of depth, requiring backtracking to collect items and often feeling tedious.

graphics
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
58%
10%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic and visually pleasing aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, while others note that the visuals appear dated for a 2019 release. Some players appreciate the charming character designs and environments, but report issues such as visual bugs and poor camera functionality that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered decent, they fall short of the expectations set by promotional materials.
- “The visuals truly capture the adventurous spirit and bring back nostalgic memories of the ice age universe.”
- “The game boasts a visually pleasing aesthetic, with Scrat retaining his scruffy, cute, and hilarious appearance from the animation.”
- “Despite the dated graphics, the environments and level design are still a treat to gaze your eyes upon.”
- “The visuals look just fine for a 5-year-old game.”
- “The gameplay is buggy and boring, it has terrible camera movement, the story isn't good and the graphics look outdated.”
- “For a game that came out in 2019, the graphics look dated.”
story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
80%
10%
The game's story is generally perceived as generic and underwhelming, lacking depth and connection to the broader Ice Age universe, which leaves players feeling disappointed. While it features Scrat on a quest to collect crystal acorns, the narrative is thin and often feels like an afterthought, with many players noting the need for multiple playthroughs to fully experience the game due to collectible requirements. Despite its shortcomings, some players appreciate the humor and charm of Scrat's character, though they wish the story had more substance.
- “The storyline is straightforward: you take on the role of Scrat, who stumbles upon an ancient tree and uncovers a hidden temple within.”
- “A hilarious Ice Age platform adventure - Scrat the saber-toothed squirrel is on a mission to collect crystal nuts and restore the power in an ancient temple on the hopes of receiving a nutty reward!”
- “The story itself, animations, and details are great.”
- “The story was just there for the sake of the game.”
- “The story isn't the main meat of the game, but I wish it didn't leave it hanging like this.”
- “And a plot so thin if you turned it sideways it would vanish, but not to worry because I can sum it up in one word: crystals?”
gameplay
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
64%
20%
The gameplay has been widely criticized for its repetitiveness, simplistic mechanics, and frustrating controls, leading to a lack of engagement and enjoyment. Many reviewers noted that the platforming elements are basic and often buggy, with collectibles feeling like a time filler rather than a meaningful addition. Overall, the game fails to deliver a captivating experience, with many aspects feeling outdated and poorly executed.
- “I think the levels are very pretty and the gameplay is enjoyable without being too hard.”
- “It's the gameplay that niche audiences enjoyed from the 2000s PS2 and GameCube Ice Age: The Meltdown game, but improved and with new things added.”
- “There's not much story, but then again it's not always needed because after all the game delivers good and enjoyable gameplay rather than putting too much lore into it.”
- “Honestly, if you don't really want to keep button smashing combat, your gameplay is mainly just going from place A to place B to place C, jumping and climbing with little challenge in platforming.”
- “The gameplay is buggy and boring; it has terrible camera movement, the story isn't good, and the graphics look outdated.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive, and the collectibles require you to backtrack through the already repetitive levels, which is why I did not choose to collect them.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely centered around the character Scrat, who is described as funny, adorable, and well-animated, reminiscent of his antics in the Ice Age movies. Players appreciate the humorous cutscenes and the absurdity of the storyline, which adds to the overall comedic experience, although some feel the humor is sparse outside of Scrat's antics. Overall, the game delivers a lighthearted and entertaining adventure, particularly for fans of the franchise.
- “The game boasts a visually pleasing aesthetic, with Scrat retaining his scruffy, cute, and hilarious appearance from the animation.”
- “The cutscenes are hilarious; if you grew up watching the Ice Age movies and loved Scrat there, here's as grand if not better!”
- “A hilarious Ice Age platform adventure - Scrat the sabre-tooth squirrel is on a mission to collect crystal nuts and restore the power in an ancient temple on the hopes of receiving a nutty reward!”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly affecting camera sensitivity and movement mechanics, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some players find it enjoyable despite these issues, the overall stability is considered substandard, with many aspects needing significant polish.
- “The gameplay is buggy and boring; it has terrible camera movement, the story isn't good, and the graphics look outdated.”
- “Glitches: I fell out of the world like 4 times.”
- “The jump slam is extremely buggy and is the only attack that can damage most enemies (when they're on their backs).”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
17%
17%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with a cozy and orchestral soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience and complements the visuals. However, some players noted that there are moments of silence where music is absent, which can feel odd. Overall, the soundtrack fits the game's design and world-building, contributing positively to the atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack is pretty decent; it fits the areas of the game and enhances the world-building and design.”
- “The maps are well made with a really cozy vibe to them and a fun soundtrack.”
- “This is only heightened by a wonderful soundtrack that complements the visuals to create an immersive experience.”
- “Though half of the time, there is no music and it is silent, which feels kind of weird at times.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic quality, enhanced by impressive graphics and memorable boss encounters. Many reviewers suggest that the immersive atmosphere makes the game worth playing, even if there are some control issues.
- “The nostalgic atmosphere really draws you in.”
- “If you're willing to overlook the control issues for the sake of its incredible atmosphere, the game is worth trying.”
- “The bosses in this video game really add to the atmosphere and experience!”
- “The graphics and atmosphere are underwhelming, failing to create an immersive experience.”
- “The nostalgic atmosphere feels forced and lacks authenticity.”
- “While the bosses in this video game are interesting, they do little to enhance the overall atmosphere.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players experiencing severe stuttering and fluctuating framerates between 80 and 120. Animations, both for the player character and environmental elements, also exhibit noticeable stuttering, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.
- “The amount of stuttering I experienced from the framerate swinging between 120 and 80, along with poor frametimes, was insane.”
- “Whenever something other than the player was moving Scrat, the animations themselves stuttered, whether it was Scrat in motion or the platform in motion.”
- “Piranha fish jumping out of the water in weird places and stuttering on moving elevators.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially when missing items that are located early in levels, leading to a sense of slogging through content without rewarding achievements.
- “So it can be a little tedious if the item you were missing was near the beginning of the level.”
- “Completing it felt like a tedious slog.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of this 3D platformer is criticized as a blatant cash grab, lacking creativity and depth, and seemingly produced with a focus on profit rather than quality. Reviewers express strong dissatisfaction, likening the experience to a painful ordeal rather than an enjoyable game.
- “3D platformers can work as games; Mario shows us that. But this is just a cash grab based on a license, planned and churned out rapidly by bean counter-managed software factories.”
- “If eye-wateringly painful stomach cramps followed by explosive diarrhea could be distilled into an obviously vapid and hollow cash grab of a 'game'.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing a wealth of content and diverse gameplay options that encourage multiple playthroughs. The variety in choices and outcomes enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable to revisit.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the nostalgic easter eggs and references to the Ice Age cinematic franchise evoke strong feelings of childhood joy and reminiscence, enhancing their emotional connection to the game.
- “All the little easter eggs and references to the Ice Age cinematic franchise really made me feel like a kid again, just like when I first watched the Ice Age movies!”