Space Otter Charlie
- March 18, 2021
- Wayward Distractions
- 6h median play time
Otters are adorable. They’re also not usually found in space. But this one is.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Space Otter Charlie" is a puzzle-platformer game set in space where players control a crew of otters trying to save animal-kind after humanity's demise. The game features zero-gravity physics that add a unique twist to traditional platforming, as well as various gear and upgrades to discover and use. The game is filled with funny otter puns and promises a fun and engaging experience.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Charming and cute art style with fun characters and engaging humor.
- Smooth controls and intuitive gameplay, making it accessible for players of all ages.
- Interesting zero-gravity mechanics and a variety of puzzles that keep the gameplay enjoyable.
- The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more content.
- Some players experienced bugs and issues with controls, particularly when exiting certain areas.
- Lacks replayability and customization options, such as key bindings and sound adjustments.
- gameplay21 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Space Otter Charlie" is widely praised for its fun, intuitive mechanics and smooth controls, making it accessible for both adults and kids. Players appreciate the game's engaging puzzles, unique movement mechanics, and the gradual introduction of new elements that keep the experience fresh. While the gameplay is enjoyable and reminiscent of classic platformers, some reviewers note that its relatively short length may limit replayability.
“Short and interesting 2D platformer with unusual (in a good way) mechanics.”
“The story was cute and whimsical and the gameplay was intuitive and fun - it had a great pace, introducing new gameplay elements and difficulties at natural increments.”
“The movement mechanics are very unique and smooth which makes it very easy to learn, the gameplay is really fun with many weapons and possibilities for attacking the various enemies in each of the well-designed levels.”
“Overall, it's a fantastic game, although it may not be worth the release price for 5-6 hours of gameplay.”
“The boss fights on the main objective levels were fun and engaging but not too difficult once you figured out their mechanics.”
“This game gives a new dimension of gameplay where you explore things in space.”
- music12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for being fun, upbeat, and atmospheric, enhancing the overall enjoyment of gameplay. Many players appreciate its catchy tunes, which contribute to a vibrant and engaging experience, even in challenging moments. However, some users noted a lack of customization options for sound settings, which slightly detracts from the overall experience.
“Fortunately, it happens at the end, so Charlie still gets an enthusiastic thumbs up for 8 hours of good time, with clear and colorful visuals, peppy music, jovial characters and mood, and much, much flying and bouncing around.”
“The music was so fun that even in the areas I struggled and died a lot in, I still was having fun and enjoying myself.”
“Cute characters, atmospheric music, and fun gameplay; this is a gem amongst a tidal wave of mediocre recent releases.”
“Granted, it keeps with its theme almost to a negative; seeing the stars of space in every level does start to get really old over its runtime, and the music doesn't entirely help enhance the experience despite being thematically appropriate.”
“A lack of bindable keys and options like sound adjustment against music means that it does lack in configurability.”
“Unable to bind custom key layouts, including minimal options for sound level adjustment (only allowed to change music volume).”
- story12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is described as cute, whimsical, and engaging, featuring a likable protagonist, Charlie the otter, on a quest to explore derelict ships and find a new home. While some players found the narrative a bit short, they appreciated its humor and pacing, which complemented the fun gameplay and beautiful level designs. Overall, the story adds a charming layer to the game, making it enjoyable for a single playthrough.
“The story was cute and whimsical and the gameplay was intuitive and fun - it had a great pace, introducing new gameplay elements and difficulties at natural increments.”
“I loved the story and the humor too, there were some great otter puns and at no point did it feel like the story was dragged out.”
“I've really enjoyed playing this game, I love the art direction and story (a bit short), overall a great game that I recommend.”
“The story was cute and whimsical, but it felt shallow and lacked depth.”
“While the gameplay was intuitive and fun, the narrative didn't engage me as much as I had hoped.”
“The main story experience was underwhelming, leaving me wanting more substance and character development.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics of Space Otter Charlie are praised for their clear, colorful visuals and charming art style, reminiscent of classic platformers while incorporating modern elements. Reviewers highlight the enjoyable animations, creative enemy designs, and a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the overall gaming experience. The combination of fun graphics and engaging gameplay contributes to a nostalgic yet fresh feel.
“The animations and the art style are done nicely, overall a great experience.”
“I was constantly admiring the artwork.”
“Space Otter Charlie reminds me of old-school platformers like Commander Keen and Jetpack, but with modern mechanics and graphics.”
“At times, movement reminded me of Dandara, ricocheting bullets like SteamWorld Heist, and visuals similar to No Way Home - making it a well-packaged and enjoyable game.”
“Space Otter Charlie reminds me of old-school platformers like Commander Keen and Jetpack, but with modern mechanics/graphics.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring witty writing and funny character interactions that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever puns and amusing premise, which contribute to a lighthearted adventure. The combination of engaging gameplay and humorous elements makes it a recommended title for those seeking a fun and entertaining journey.
“I loved how the personalities of the characters came through using only the small amounts of dialogue they had with witty and funny writing.”
“The game is clean, well put together, and overall a humorous adventure that definitely is recommended!”
“I loved the story and the humor too, there were some great otter puns and at no point did it feel like the story was dragged out.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its charming characters and engaging music, creating a delightful blend of a friendly, cute environment with a captivating space vibe. Reviewers highlight its ability to stand out among recent releases by effectively capturing the essence of space while remaining accessible and enjoyable for younger audiences.
“Cute characters, atmospheric music, and fun gameplay; this is a gem amongst a tidal wave of mediocre recent releases.”
“At times, it has a very atmospheric vibe going on, and it really did feel like some real space jams.”
“The atmosphere of space is captured while still being friendly and cute for the kids.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that while grinding for achievements can be somewhat tedious, particularly with the "all aboard" achievement requiring significant energy, there are effective grinding spots available, such as one on the first planet.
“The achievement 'All Aboard' might be a bit grindy, because you need a lot of energy, but you can return to earlier planets.”
“Grinding achievements isn't really enjoyable; 'All Aboard' feels particularly tedious.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its limited replayability, with users expressing that there isn't much incentive to play through it multiple times.
“lacks replayability”
“The only downside I can think of is that there is not too much in terms of replayability.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game's performance is generally good, players have noted significant optimization issues on the PC port, particularly the absence of customizable key bindings for both controllers and keyboards.
Critic Reviews
Space Otter Charlie Review
Otters are adorable. They’re also not usually found in space. But this one is.
70%Space Otter Charlie
Space Otter Charlie is a fantastic family-friendly puzzle title that will make you smile throughout. A fun multiplayer mode allows you a break away from the solo action. A well balanced difficulty keeps it interesting and ensures that it doesn't become too challenging. Lovely graphics, excellent audio and well thought out controls make this a joy to play. + Bright and vibrant colours. + A wonderful Sci-Fi audio. + Pun based dialogue. + Simple controls. + Good value for money. - Not long enough, I wanted more. (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.)
80%- 90%
