The Plucky Squire

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,063 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Plucky Squire Game Cover
The Plucky Squire is a game oozing with charm and positivity, and the clever word and book based puzzles will keep you gripped from start to finish.
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"The Plucky Squire" is a single-player action-adventure game with a wholesome story about storybook characters exploring a 3D world. The game features stellar visuals, amazing music, and humor that will make you laugh, despite its occasional bugs. However, be prepared for lots of grinding as you jump between 2D and 3D realms to save your friends.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,063 reviews
story169 positive mentions
stability47 negative mentions
  • The art style is charming and visually stunning, creating a delightful storybook atmosphere.
  • The game features creative puzzles and engaging mini-games that keep the gameplay fresh and entertaining.
  • The narrative is heartwarming and relatable, exploring themes of creativity and inspiration.
  • The gameplay is overly simplistic and lacks depth, making it feel more like a children's game.
  • The game frequently interrupts the player with dialogue and tutorials, hindering the flow of gameplay.
  • There are numerous bugs and technical issues, including soft locks and performance problems, particularly on the Steam Deck.
  • story562 mentions

    The story of "The Plucky Squire" is a charming, albeit simple, narrative that unfolds within a children's storybook, blending 2D and 3D gameplay elements. While the art style and character design are praised for their creativity and appeal, many reviewers noted that the plot lacks depth and complexity, often feeling linear and predictable. Despite its shortcomings, the game is seen as a delightful experience, particularly for younger audiences, with engaging puzzles and a whimsical atmosphere that captures the essence of childhood storytelling.

    • “The concept, story, narration, and characters are all superb.”
    • “The story is great, it's full of cheeky references to classic video games, and it's absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “The vibrant storybook visuals and fairytale-like narration are really attractive, and the puzzle mechanics were fun and engaging.”
    • “The problem with this game is that the story isn't interesting at all.”
    • “The story just isn't particularly interesting and on almost every single page, the game forces you to stop walking, so some of the characters can engage in fairly generic and tedious dialogue.”
    • “I will just say that the story itself is pretty basic, which is not bad but simply not what I was hoping for in advance.”
  • gameplay540 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Plucky Squire" is characterized by its charming art style and innovative mechanics that blend 2D and 3D environments, offering a unique experience. However, many players find the gameplay to be overly simplistic and linear, with repetitive mechanics and a lack of challenge, often feeling hand-held through puzzles and narrative. While the game introduces a variety of mini-games and mechanics, it frequently fails to fully explore or utilize them, leading to a sense of missed potential.

    • “The gameplay is fun and intuitive, the graphics are gorgeous with the nice lighting and the structure of pages, book covers or other surfaces being so nice and detailed.”
    • “Its innovative mechanics, seamlessly blending 2D and 3D environments, keep the gameplay exciting and unpredictable.”
    • “The gameplay variety is something that can easily last for another playthrough - there is plenty of combat, puzzles, mini-games, and collectibles to keep you busy.”
    • “However, the gameplay loop is very simplistic and the additional powers you get aren't used very extensively.”
    • “The gameplay is simple (if not primitive) to the point of dullness, the few interesting puzzles and gameplay sections that are there are often immediately spoiled by your companions, the mini-games are fun but have bizarre difficulty spikes while the rest of the game is piss-easy, there's barely any flow or pacing as the game constantly interrupts you to explain something, and it has no respect for your time as everything takes way too long (the animations, the unskippable dialog and cutscenes).”
    • “The game doesn’t trust the player to figure things out, constantly hand-holding through every new mechanic.”
  • graphics322 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning and charming art style, which effectively blends 2D and 3D elements to create a delightful storybook aesthetic. Many reviewers noted the vibrant visuals and attention to detail, making the game visually appealing and immersive. However, some players experienced performance issues and bugs that detracted from the overall experience, despite the graphics being a standout feature.

    • “The visuals are stunning!”
    • “The art style is gorgeous and well animated, accompanied by well-written dialogue that gives the feeling of being in a storybook while also fleshing out the book's world and inhabitants as living, breathing beings.”
    • “The incredible graphics and unique art style make every moment a visual treat, from the storybook world to the vibrant 3D settings.”
    • “Overall ok story, pretty creative and I love the art style but the amount of softlocks and bugs I had to deal with completely killed any momentum it had going for it while playing.”
    • “While it does explore the idea of interacting between a 2D and 3D world, I found the 3D art style to be more 'generic' than its incredibly stylish 2D counterpart and so is true with the gameplay.”
    • “The game also seems to be poorly optimized, with several moments of intense lag, and some strange graphical glitches at several points as well.”
  • music101 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its charm, catchiness, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting that it complements the vibrant visuals and immersive storytelling. However, some critiques highlight that certain tracks can feel generic or low-quality, suggesting that a stronger soundtrack could have elevated the experience further. Overall, while the music is enjoyable and fits well within the game's context, there are mixed opinions on its originality and impact.

    • “The music is incredible and matches the intensity of play.”
    • “The story, art, and music are all top notch and come together to create a beautiful game that makes you feel like a little kid again.”
    • “The graphics and soundtrack are excellent; it's a unique twist on the old Zelda formula.”
    • “The music couldn't be more generic.”
    • “The game looks so 'lively' but the music can just make the whole experience boring or, at best, mediocre.”
    • “Also, the music is terrible and monotonous; even though every biome has a different leitmotiv, it's all so lifeless and corporate.”
  • stability55 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches, frame drops, and game-breaking bugs that often require restarts. While some players found the gameplay enjoyable and noted improvements on platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall consensus is that the game is currently too buggy, impacting the experience and necessitating quality of life adjustments. Many reviewers expressed hope for future patches to address these stability concerns.

    • “Now runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck OLED, just a solid game.”
    • “Runs great on a ROG Ally too.”
    • “There’s noticeable stuttering, frame drops, and even game-breaking bugs, so be prepared to deal with some frustrating glitches.”
    • “Next, the glitches and bugs are so bad that they, several times throughout the game, cause the game to freeze completely or slow down so much that you have to reboot your game system and restart from your last save.”
    • “It’s hard grasping the fact that a game this buggy passed beta testing and quality control before its release.”
  • grinding46 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over uninspired minigames, excessive dialogue, and slow-paced gameplay that disrupts the flow. Many reviewers noted that the combat feels shallow and upgrades lack impact, leading to a sense of boredom as players are forced to engage in monotonous tasks and currency farming. Overall, the experience is marred by a lack of engaging mechanics and an overabundance of hand-holding, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than an enjoyable adventure.

    • “The tedious characters, uninteresting combat, and excessive hand-holding damage the fun.”
    • “The gameplay stops you constantly to show more text and tedious story narrative.”
    • “Running around to whack anything that might give you currency, puzzles that are easily solved but take a tedious amount of time to complete, shallow combat exacerbated by the amount of fighting needed to progress, upgrades that never feel like upgrades, and the autosaving which I hate oh so much.”
  • humor40 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently praised for being clever, charming, and engaging, with many players finding themselves laughing throughout their experience. While the writing and voice acting are highlighted as strong points, some reviewers noted that the humor could benefit from more mature or witty jokes, especially given the game's visual style. Overall, the game delivers a fun and lighthearted experience, though some aspects, like the sidekick characters, received mixed feedback regarding their comedic value.

    • “The humor is spot-on, and it's a pleasant experience, although it can get a bit frustrating at times due to the auto-save not tracking your progress properly.”
    • “Do expect a super cute, super funny, and very fun experience with the plucky squire.”
    • “Despite some of the dialogue going on a bit long, the writing is very clever and humorous, with good narration and interactions with characters.”
  • optimization38 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering, frame drops, and game-breaking bugs, particularly on PC. While some users experienced smooth performance on the Steam Deck and noted impressive visuals, others faced issues like input delay and memory consumption, leading to a general consensus that the game is poorly optimized for PC. Overall, the technical performance appears inconsistent, with some players achieving high frame rates while others struggle with lag and glitches.

    • “Beautifully realized and well-optimized, this game runs at over 120 fps despite auto-selecting my CPU’s integrated graphics instead of my dedicated card.”
    • “PC play runs smoothly and the game looks beautiful.”
    • “Even the game runs smoothly without crashes or other issues, which is a rarity these days (I'm looking at the big companies).”
    • “There’s noticeable stuttering, frame drops, and even game-breaking bugs, so be prepared to deal with some frustrating glitches.”
    • “The game also seems to be poorly optimized, with several moments of intense lag, and some strange graphical glitches at several points as well.”
    • “I was getting input delay; the game is not optimized at all for PC. Tabbing out, I realized it was eating all my memory.”
  • emotional36 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and wholesome storytelling, evoking nostalgia and a sense of childhood wonder. Players appreciate the rich narrative and the touching themes related to creativity and the impact of art, although some moments may feel forced or slow down the experience. Overall, it is celebrated as a delightful, family-friendly adventure that successfully delivers warmth and joy.

    • “Heartwarming, story rich, this game is getting my vote for Game of the Year for sure.”
    • “The amount of love put into the art and the life and character given to the various artists there is genuinely sweet and heartwarming.”
    • “Without giving away too much, it explores the effect art can have on us in childhood, and the importance of passing that on to the next generation, and it's presented in a very heartfelt way.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a whimsical and charming tone, enhanced by its music, creating a mostly chill experience. However, some players feel that it lacks depth and can be overly simplistic or hand-holdy, which may not appeal to everyone. Overall, while the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, it is also seen as a potential weak point for those seeking a more challenging experience.

    • “What really got me was the music and the atmosphere.”
    • “That's one of the reasons why I feel like the atmosphere of the game is truly a weak point.”
    • “It must be stressed that this is in no way meant to be a 'hard' game, but rather a comfy romp through a mostly chill atmosphere, and may also seem a tad too hand-holdy, so if that kind of thing doesn't seem like your thing, you may want to pass (though I'd still urge you to give it a go).”
    • “The characters are charming, and the whimsical tone adds to its playful atmosphere.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game features charming storybook-style designs, with the main character remaining somewhat vague while secondary characters exhibit minimal backstory and slight growth. However, the frequent interruptions from excessive dialogue and overly guiding explanations hinder player agency and deeper engagement with the characters. Overall, while the aesthetic is appealing, the depth of character development is limited and simplistic.

    • “The storybook style character design is cute and charming.”
    • “The writing and character designs are cute, but the constant interruptions with needless dialogue and hand-holding explanations make it very difficult to do anything of your own initiative.”
    • “The main character is left somewhat vague, while most secondary characters do show some of their backstory and a slight character development; nothing too complex though.”
    • “The writing and character designs are cute and all, but the constant interruptions with needless dialogue and hand-holdy explanations make it very difficult to do anything of your own initiative.”
    • “The main character is left somewhat vague, while most secondary characters do show some of their backstory and a slight character development; nothing too complex though.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers around 8-10 hours of gameplay, but many users note a lack of replayability beyond collecting items, with some mechanics feeling underutilized. While it is described as packed with content, the overall experience does not encourage multiple playthroughs, as the challenge level remains relatively easy.

    • “While the game is relatively short, it's packed with content and replayability.”
    • “8-10 hours of gameplay with little to no replayability.”
    • “From there, other flaws would be some mechanics not being as overly used as you'd want to, its lack of replayability for anything other than collectibles, some small UI bugs, and characters getting stuck before starting cutscenes (characters eventually get teleported, so no softlocks).”
    • “The 'challenge' difficulty is still quite easy with some difficulty spikes on certain sections, mainly the outside-the-book sneak sections where enemies surprisingly are not as blind as you'd expect from other sneak games.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, as players feel that the advertising created high expectations for a metroidvania/adventure experience that ultimately was not met. Many users express disappointment, suggesting that the promotional material misrepresented the game's content and quality.

    • “I was looking forward to it so much and the advertising made it seem like the exact kind of game I'd love, but it falls short in so many ways.”
    • “I saw the advertisement and expected a metroidvania/adventure game sort of like Supraland, and all three characters being playable with different gimmicks.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

Buy The Plucky Squire

Play time

10hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
8hMain story
9hCompletionist
3-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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