Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- October 27, 2022
- Sumo Digital
- 4h median play time
In "Sackboy: A Big Adventure," players control the titular Sackboy, a knitted character, in a 3D platformer game. Sackboy embarks on a grand adventure through multiple levels and worlds, with the goal of saving his friends and the world of Craftworld. The game features various gameplay mechanics, including puzzles, exploration, and creative customization options for Sackboy and his world.
Reviews
- music322 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Sackboy: A Big Adventure" has received widespread acclaim for its vibrant and eclectic soundtrack, featuring a mix of licensed hits and original compositions that enhance the whimsical atmosphere of the game. Players particularly enjoy the dynamic music levels, where gameplay syncs with popular songs, creating an engaging experience. While some critiques mention a preference for more unique or indie tracks over mainstream pop, the overall sentiment highlights the soundtrack as a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The music complements the game beautifully, surprising you with well-known hits like 'Uptown Funk' and 'Toxic,' while having lovely original tracks and renditions of other hits remixed to fit the vibe of the game.”
“The music is fantastic, the different game mechanics were delightful, and those costumes?!”
“The music levels are brilliant, and I couldn't help but smile every time we jumped into Craft World.”
“They didn’t include any music by smaller artists; the soundtrack is as bland as you could get.”
“I really liked the game in the beginning, but as it went on it didn't feel like LBP. All these big songs and music sync levels suck, to be honest. I don't need to hear 'Toxic' or 'Uptown Funk'.”
“The game stutters, the audio de-syncs from the music, and it is noticeable with the bounce pads and the background music 'Uptown Funk'.”
- graphics211 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, charming art style, and vibrant colors, often likened to stepping into a storybook. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the creative design of levels, characters, and animations, which contribute to an immersive experience. However, some users have reported performance issues, such as stuttering on higher settings, indicating a need for optimization despite the overall high-quality graphical presentation.
“Visuals: the graphics are stunning, with a colorful and charming art style that feels like stepping into a storybook.”
“The graphics are stunning, tastefully matched with the music design and mechanics.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, the music is sublime, and it's endlessly fun.”
“They should also optimize the game better for PC because on PlayStation, the graphics are more detailed and have fewer bugs.”
“Brilliant game but for me this is a sorry buggy mess - I get continuous micro-stuttering on a 4080 regardless of graphic settings.”
“Considering I can run Cyberpunk 2077 on medium graphics at 120 fps with no stutters, it makes no sense that I would have stuttering on low graphics on this game.”
- gameplay186 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Sackboy: A Big Adventure" is characterized by a mix of platforming challenges, puzzle-solving, and cooperative mechanics that many players find enjoyable and engaging. While the visuals and soundtrack receive high praise, opinions on the gameplay's depth and challenge vary, with some players noting it can feel repetitive or too easy compared to other platformers like "Super Mario 3D World." Overall, the game offers a charming experience with varied mechanics, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or challenging platforming adventure.
“The combination of platforming challenges, puzzle-solving, and engaging gameplay mechanics made every session enjoyable.”
“The gameplay is fun and the levels are diverse.”
“With its charming protagonist, imaginative levels, and delightful platforming gameplay, it offers a heartwarming and immersive experience.”
“Huge disappointment... the visuals are amazing and I looked forward to buying it, but the mechanics are too easy and boring.”
“Hard to recommend it even on sale, unless it's more than 70% off because it lacks a lot of content and gameplay mechanics to make it fun.”
“The gameplay feels bland and repetitive overall, with side missions that are lackluster and frustrating to complete.”
- story155 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Sackboy: A Big Adventure" is generally viewed as simplistic and reminiscent of classic platformer narratives, focusing on Sackboy's quest to save his world from the villain Vex. While some players appreciate the charming visuals and lighthearted tone, many criticize the plot for being generic and lacking depth, often feeling more like a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for its fun levels and cooperative play, but the story does not leave a lasting impression.
“Vex was the most compelling character and story element; I got the game in large part because of him.”
“The story of Sackboy: A Big Adventure centers around the titular character, Sackboy, on a quest to save his world from impending doom.”
“The story is charming, and the missions are varied.”
“The story didn't really impress me, considering it is simple and minimalist.”
“It's not a total fail when we look at the story throughout the game, but neither is it the most extraordinary ending that you'll remember after some time; rather, it’s a vague, uninspired conclusion that happens abruptly.”
“The plot is as simple as it gets: collect the magic items, beat the big villain, save the world.”
- optimization102 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering issues, even on high-end systems. While some users report smooth performance and good graphics, others find the game nearly unplayable due to frequent frame drops and micro-stuttering, particularly in co-op mode. Overall, while patches have improved performance for some, many still feel the game requires further optimization to fully utilize their hardware.
“The game looks amazing on PC, with high resolution, smooth performance, and cool effects.”
“Performance is very impressive; even with ray tracing and ultra settings, I had no trouble running at over 120fps on a 2080 Super (and i7 6700k from 2015).”
“I'm impressed with the game's optimization.”
“Horrendous stuttering to the point I feel like I'm playing on a crappy laptop and not a computer with an RTX 4070 and a Ryzen 9 7900X3D.”
“I ultimately cannot recommend the Steam port of Sackboy: A Big Adventure (SABA) because of the constant stuttering right from the first level.”
“This is simply a poorly optimized Unreal Engine 4 game.”
- stability44 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and no significant issues, particularly on the Steam Deck and high-end PCs. However, many others have experienced frequent glitches, frame drops, and crashes, especially during specific levels or boss fights, leading to frustration and a lack of recommendation for the game. Overall, while some users find it stable and enjoyable, a notable portion highlights serious stability concerns that detract from the experience.
“10/10! I have a really bad computer and it still runs great!”
“Very solid Sony non-exclusive game. I've been playing it on the Steam Deck and it runs great there with medium settings, still getting 60fps.”
“The game runs great, and I feel like they put an effort into making this.”
“Getting constant frame drops and screen freezes.”
“Not only was there a long period last year when an update made it impossible to boot up the game on the Steam Deck, now a boss fight later in the game freezes every time it is attempted.”
“Overall I cannot recommend the game because the constant glitches are ridiculous, especially since Sumo Digital is a larger company and so many indie developers manage to make better games.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming and nostalgic qualities, evoking feelings of joy and innocence reminiscent of childhood. Players appreciate the charming characters, imaginative levels, and delightful sound design, which together create a wholesome experience that can elicit laughter and even tears. While the narrative may lack depth, the overall atmosphere and engaging gameplay provide a satisfying emotional journey for players of all ages.
“The narrative, while not groundbreaking, is filled with heartwarming moments and engaging characters that add depth to the overall experience.”
“It made me smile and laugh in a way that made me feel like a kid again, and that's enough in my book.”
“The utter cheerfulness of the game actually almost made me cry; it's very heartwarming and I adore it to bits. The way the music progresses and changes during the level is very satisfying, and each first run of every level will leave you in awe with the soundtrack alone.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers high replayability, particularly for players aiming for 100% completion through collectibles, achievements, and various level objectives. While many find the levels enjoyable to replay, some note that once gold medals are achieved, the incentive to replay diminishes. The inclusion of co-op play, online multiplayer, and numerous secrets enhances the game's longevity, though some players feel it may lack depth beyond the initial playthrough.
“Graphically stunning, fun to play alone or with a friend, and the replay value in each level is super high to coax you to obtain 100% completion for all of the possible cosmetic items.”
“Honestly though, if you like games that make you want to 100% things this is it, replay value is high, because you will have to go back over and over to find stuff you missed.”
“A lot of content and replayability (longer than most 3D platformers, has co-op side levels, tons of costume collectibles, online multiplayer for the whole game, trials and remix levels, level goals like score rewards and beating them deathless).”
“The levels are fun to replay to get gold on, but once you've gotten gold on the levels there isn't much incentive to replay them again, so there are varying degrees of replayability in my opinion.”
“With no online community levels or any replay value other than cute cosmetics, this game has no longevity past the 25-30 hour mark.”
“Game has little replayability (I played and beat it on PS4).”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for being family-friendly, engaging, and genuinely funny, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. Players appreciate the cheerful visuals, catchy music, and creative levels that enhance the comedic experience, particularly in multiplayer settings. However, some critics note that the humor may not resonate as strongly for those familiar with similar titles, suggesting a lack of originality in certain aspects.
“New storytelling, cheerful colors, funny costumes, music that makes you dance, and fun gameplay.”
“You can work together or compete with each other, and it is always hilarious and exciting.”
“It's got everything you could ask for: tight controls, hilarious multiplayer mayhem, levels that are bursting with creativity, eye-popping visuals, and a soundtrack that'll have you humming along for days.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious and frustrating, often requiring significant time investment to complete side missions and achieve 100% completion. Players find the repetitive nature of the challenges and the difficulty of certain tasks detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel less rewarding. While some aspects of the gameplay are enjoyable, the grinding elements are frequently criticized for being overly demanding and time-consuming.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Mario 3D clone but more grinding and non-inspiring levels or characters.”
“Sackboy™: A Big Adventure is a cool and flashy platformer game by the looks, but the gameplay feels bland and repetitive overall. The side missions (Knitted Knight Trials) are lackluster and very annoying, making the game feel frustrating to complete. After finishing the game, you are thrown into an extra world that is extremely difficult and likely impossible for most players, as it is too time-consuming and mind-boggling.”
“I played this game on PS5 to 100% completion, and unless you choose not to buy out the costume shop, you'll be farming currency for hours upon hours.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating and whimsical qualities, featuring stunning visuals and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the old-school charm, vibrant worlds, and immersive environment, making it a visually appealing and engaging platformer despite some gameplay shortcomings. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics, cozy ambiance, and top-notch music creates a memorable and enchanting atmosphere.
“The amazing music complements the visuals perfectly, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The game's stunning visuals, vibrant worlds, and catchy soundtrack create a captivating atmosphere that draws you in from the moment you start playing.”
“The game is extremely well polished, has a great atmosphere, is amazingly colorful, and levels are filled to the brim with eye candy.”
- monetization7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with several users noting the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases, which they appreciate as it avoids the pitfalls of cash grabs often seen in the industry. This lack of monetization is seen as a refreshing change, especially for a co-op and multiplayer title.
“Fortunately, there are no microtransactions in the game.”
“I loved the Little Big Planet games growing up, and to be honest, I thought this was going to be another cash grab that successful game companies make just for money and they butcher the game.”
“No microtransactions, no monetization, no BS.”
“No microtransactions, no monetization, no BS.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers noted that while the set and character design were visually impressive, the high level of polish may have overshadowed the intended craftsmanship of the characters, potentially hindering deeper character development.
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character's unique story.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
“The backstories are rich and well-crafted, adding layers to the characters that enhance the overall narrative experience.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with any of the protagonists.”
“I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed with their growth throughout the game.”
“The dialogue options are limited, which stifles any meaningful character development and makes interactions feel forced.”