Trover Saves the Universe
- June 4, 2019
- Squanch Games, Inc.
- 7h median play time
A genius blend of comedic and gameplay excellence, Trover Saves the Universe is arguably the best Oculus Quest title to date.
In "Trover Saves the Universe," you control a Chairorpian worker whose dogs are abducted by a maniacal bird. Tasked with rescuing your canine companions, you join forces with Trover, a purple eye-hole monster. Together, you navigate through a variety of strange and humorous dimensions to save the universe and your beloved dogs.
Reviews
- humor2,121 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Trover Saves the Universe" is a standout feature, heavily influenced by Justin Roiland's signature style from "Rick and Morty," characterized by absurdity, crude jokes, and improvisational dialogue. While many players find the humor consistently hilarious and engaging, some note that it can become repetitive or overly reliant on shock value, potentially alienating those not fond of Roiland's comedic approach. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of irreverent humor, though its appeal may vary based on individual taste.
“In conclusion, Trover Saves the Universe is a must-play for anyone who appreciates humor, quirky characters, and a hero with a purple eyeball for a sidekick.”
“It's a wild ride through the cosmos that had me laughing so hard, I almost forgot about the whole saving-the-universe thing.”
“Hold on to your space helmets, folks, because Trover Saves the Universe is about to take you on a hilarious joyride through the cosmos!”
“I love Rick and Morty and clearly this is set in that universe, but it's just not funny... and from other reviewers, it seems that the humor is 90% of the game.”
“It's not that it's unfunny, but the comedy it does have is formulaic, especially if you're familiar with Rick and Morty, with references to the interdimensional cable episodes in particular.”
“This game had high expectations that it failed to reach with unfunny humor and quite a lot of bugs.”
- gameplay704 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Trover Saves the Universe" is a mixed bag, with many reviewers noting its simplicity and repetitiveness, particularly in combat and puzzle mechanics. While the unique seated VR perspective and humorous dialogue are highlights, the overall mechanics are often described as basic and lacking depth, making the game feel more like a comedic experience than a robust gameplay offering. Fans of Justin Roiland's humor may find enjoyment despite the gameplay shortcomings, but those seeking a challenging or innovative gaming experience might be disappointed.
“The gameplay is a wild mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and sheer lunacy.”
“While the humor and atmosphere of the game were expected, what I did not expect was for the gameplay to have this much depth as there's a little bit of everything with simple, yet satisfying combat, fun puzzles and platforming sections, as well as a sense of exploration since almost every level has collectibles to look out for.”
“Every section of the game is well-executed and while some of them are more ideas-filled than others, it never stopped being fun and that's the most important part in this kind of game, which only makes me desire more since there is unlimited potential here for different worlds with different mechanics, but judging on what is here, there is plenty of variety and each new level adds a new twist into the mix, so the gameplay never gets stale or overly repetitive.”
“The voice acting made the misophonia flare up, the gameplay bored me to death, and the plot was a mess.”
“Gameplay gets stale quickly, especially the fighting and moving boxes and stuff with VR head-tracking.”
“The gameplay is dull.”
- story528 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Trover Saves the Universe" is characterized by its absurd humor and engaging dialogue, reminiscent of Justin Roiland's style from "Rick and Morty." While many players appreciate the comedic elements and unique characters, some criticize the plot for being shallow and repetitive, with a tendency to drag on during dialogue-heavy sections. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, albeit short, comedic experience that prioritizes humor over a deep narrative.
“The story is truly touching.”
“Great story elements and lots of laughs!”
“The story was amazing and the gameplay was great.”
“The voice acting made my misophonia flare up, the gameplay bored me to death, and the plot was a mess.”
“The ending also feels extremely rushed and sudden, as if they had gotten 70% through the final boss one week before release and hadn't even gotten around to writing anything further, and needed to finish both the boss and ending plus bug fixes in under a week.”
“The story's attempt at being cohesive just comes off as random and poorly written.”
- graphics189 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, cartoonish art style that complements the humor and overall tone, reminiscent of the "Rick and Morty" universe. While many reviewers highlight the colorful visuals and smooth performance, some note that the flat 2D design can occasionally hinder gameplay, particularly in platforming sections. Overall, the graphics are considered a significant draw, enhancing the comedic experience and engaging players visually.
“It's like the designers chugged a rainbow smoothie and vomited up a kaleidoscope of colors and mind-bending visuals.”
“The graphics alone are a reason to play this if you haven't yet, and want some more Rick & Morty humor in your life.”
“The art style is orgasmic, with vibrant colors, high rendering, and smooth frame rate.”
“One issue I found is that the game's flat, 2D art style makes the platforming a bit more difficult than it needs to be, since it can be hard to tell where in 3D space Trover is at times.”
“And the textures look awful, even on the highest graphic settings!”
“Basically, below-average platformer and gameplay, horrible graphics (but decent music), awful voice acting and annoying characters.”
- music67 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its calming, catchy, and high-quality electronic beats that enhance the overall experience. Several reviewers expressed a desire for the soundtrack to be released for personal enjoyment, highlighting its ability to create a relaxing atmosphere amidst the gameplay. However, a few critiques noted that some tracks felt basic or repetitive, indicating a mixed reception in certain areas.
“The music was nice and mellow and the combat/puzzles were simple; the extras of the upgrades, dialogues, yes/no choices and interactive environment really made the game whole.”
“The music is also fantastic and the electronic beats are shockingly of high quality.”
“The visuals are colorful and pleasing to look at, and the music is super catchy.”
“The soundtrack will make you want to die.”
“The music is nothing special, very basic, and often can be heard badly looping.”
“The music in the flesh level is really annoying though.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting that while it offers opportunities to explore different dialogue and collectables, the overall experience is relatively short, averaging around 4 to 7 hours. Many reviewers appreciate the humor and fun of the initial playthrough but feel that the limited story depth and repetitive mechanics diminish long-term replay value. Overall, it seems to have some replay potential, particularly for those interested in uncovering all dialogue options and collectibles, but it may not warrant multiple playthroughs for everyone.
“Hilarious story, tutorials disguised as jokes, and good replay value (in a way).”
“Super funny, jaw-dropping graphics, relatable characters, interesting story, replayability.”
“First of all, well, the game is absolute fun and it has a good replayability value, where you can travel around the locations and find all the missing power babies to see what happens if you find them all.”
“My only complaint is how short it is, only about 6 or 7 hours of gameplay, with no replayability.”
“However, there is no replay value in the game and it's basically the same thing over and over again.”
“Get it on sale because it has limited replayability.”
- stability35 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth gameplay with minimal glitches, others experience significant bugs, particularly in VR mode, including freezing and the need for restarts. Some users noted that the game runs well on various platforms, but setup can be buggy, and certain gameplay mechanics may lead to frustrating moments. Despite these issues, the humor and unique gameplay mechanics are generally well-received.
“It plays great, has minimal to no glitches, it looks amazing, is very fun to play, and also is very funny.”
“You don't have to have a VR headset to enjoy this; the ported version runs great and feels great to play.”
“But so far it runs great on the deck.”
“It's a very fun and funny game, but it freezes and you have to turn off your PC.”
“There are some glitches that occur now and then, including instances where Trover gets knocked out and won't get up again, thus requiring a complete restart of the game.”
“I really enjoy the brand of humor, but fair warning, the game is pretty buggy in VR.”
- optimization29 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with smooth performance reported on high-end hardware, and no significant bugs or crashes noted. However, some users experienced issues with VR functionality, particularly regarding head positioning after breaks, and criticized the repetitive and stuttering dialogue that detracts from the overall experience. While the game is optimized for VR, it is suggested that it may not fully capitalize on the platform's potential.
“Performance was smooth.”
“Very well optimized, although I noticed if I take off my headset during gameplay and come back (like for a restroom break or a quick snack), my head positioning will be off and no amount of 'reset seating position' in the Steam VR menus will work.”
“Optimized well, playing on a 1080ti, everything maxed out and fully utilizing my 144hz monitor.”
“Trover Saves the Universe is an okay VR experience, but the performance seems extremely poor for a pretty basic looking game.”
“Do you like repetitive, monotone, stuttering characters that repeat the same thing over and over? Because this game would be for you.”
“Cons: not yet VR optimized.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious, with repetitive tasks such as collecting power babies and replaying levels detracting from the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the inability to skip dialogue and the simplicity of gameplay as contributing factors to the monotony, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. Overall, the grinding elements are seen as a significant drawback, making the game feel longer and less engaging than it should be.
“No tedious movement required.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Replaying the whole adventure again or just replaying some levels after reaching the end in order to collect the remaining power babies can feel a bit tedious since some dialogue cannot be skipped.”
“It's tedious bullshit, and I can't believe anybody paid full price for a game with something so fundamental to gameplay being this crappy.”
“Collecting green power babies loses its charm after a while and becomes tedious.”
- emotional24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game elicits a strong emotional response, with players forming deep connections to the character Trover and finding the story both touching and humorous. Many reviewers highlight the heartfelt moments and the blend of comedy and emotional depth, although some express confusion about the ending. Overall, it offers a wholesome VR experience that resonates with players on multiple levels.
“The story is truly touching.”
“By the end of the game, I felt a strong emotional connection with Trover as he reluctantly becomes your friend throughout your tumultuous journey.”
“This game is funny as hell, and I actually found myself getting emotionally attached to Trover and invested in his little story.”
- character development13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Character development in "Trover Saves the Universe" is highlighted by engaging character design and humorous dialogue, particularly through the interactions with Roiland's character. However, many reviewers feel that the overall depth of character development is lacking, with some noting that the relationship between characters is more effectively conveyed through gameplay mechanics than through narrative. While the humor and creativity are appreciated, the story and character arcs are often described as shallow and simplistic.
“I really enjoy it; I need to try it again now that I have an Oculus, but yeah, Roiland is hilarious. Great writing, character design, character development—it's good.”
“It really is nice to have him just talking to you throughout missions. It does a lot for character development and just feels nice.”
“In summary, 'Trover Saves the Universe' has its moments of humor and creativity, but it is marred by a shallow story, simplistic gameplay, repetitive humor, and a lack of depth in both design and character development.”
“The level and character designs are decent, and the overall experience was alright, but that's it.”
“This progression in mechanics builds a tangible relationship between the two characters that is more meaningful than just character development through dialogue.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Trover Saves the Universe" is described as a delightful blend of silliness and bizarre charm, perfectly capturing the humor of "Rick and Morty." Players appreciate the game's engaging and interactive environment, filled with quirky characters and a sense of exploration, making it a memorable experience driven by its unique storytelling and comedic elements. Overall, the atmosphere is characterized as a captivating mix of madness, fun, and continuous action.
“The atmosphere is silly whilst also fascinatingly weird, and the characters you will meet on your journey are overwhelmingly funny.”
“Instead of this, all these jokes create a perfect and unforgettable atmosphere of pure madness, fun, and never-ending action.”
“The atmosphere is silly whilst also fascinatingly weird and the characters you will meet on your journey are overwhelmingly funny.”
“This is one of those games that you play for the story and atmosphere.”
“While the humor and atmosphere of the game were expected, what I did not expect was for the gameplay to have this much depth as there's a little bit of everything with simple, yet satisfying combat, fun puzzles and platforming sections, as well as a sense of exploration since almost every level has collectibles to look out for.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is well-received, with no microtransactions or exploitative practices reported. Players appreciate the announcement of upcoming free DLC, enhancing the overall value without additional costs.
“A few other things I appreciate: Trover was designed for VR but plays great without it, no bugs or performance issues, they've announced upcoming free DLC, no microtransactions or other money-hungry funny business.”
Critic Reviews
Trover Saves the Universe Review
Trover Saves the Universe is a short and sweet VR platformer wrapped in one of the most ridiculous and funny video game stories you’ll ever see.
87%Trover Saves the Universe Review
Trover Saves the Universe is a great addition to the PSVR lineup, offering some solid gameplay with a comedy flavoring that brings it to the next level.
90%Trover Saves the Universe review
Trover Saves the Universe is a very funny adventure game that doesn't offer the same brand of gameplay as Astro Bot Rescue Mission, but Justin Roiland's humour makes it much more appealing.
70%