New Super Lucky’s Tale

Genre: 3D Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

New Super Lucky’s Tale is a 3D Platformer that is somewhere between a port and a remake of the Xbox One game Super Lucky’s Tale. It’s not entirely a new game, but virtually every part of it has been reworked for the better, with improvements to the camera, animations, new levels, new story elements. So while this Nintendo Switch game isn’t entirely original, it is nevertheless an experience that is exclusive to the Switch.

On the whole, what we have here is a solid 3D platformer, no more, no less. This game doesn’t seek to reinvent the genre pioneered by the likes of Mario, Spyro, and Banjo-Kazooie, but to place itself beside those great franchises and show that it has the chops to be mentioned in the same sentence as them, and it largely succeeds.

Super Lucky’s Tale feels extremely polished, with graphics that, while not the most impressive the genre has seen, are nevertheless quite good, with nice character designs, quality animation, and large, interesting worlds. The sound, also, is pretty good, with a fully narrated opening story, and decent sound effects throughout.

As for the gameplay itself, again, this is pretty standard 3D Platformer stuff, done well. Lucky’s most unique move is his ability to dive into dirt and pop up again, something that feels pretty unique mechanically and has a nice, visceral feel to it thanks to the Switch’s HD rumble. And the level design is also… pretty good.

I’ve been saying “pretty good” a lot, and that’s because, for all its quality, Super Lucky’s Tale doesn’t do anything that truly stands out for the genre. There are no glaring flaws here, but there aren’t any truly stand-out elements either. It’s all just… pretty good.

Well, almost all. There are a few little annoyances here and there. Firstly, the camera, improved as it is, suffers from the common issue of 3D Platformers of the golden age of the genre, requiring players to fiddle with it fairly frequently. Nothing horrible, but worth mentioning. Also, Lucky himself moves pretty slow. Again, not game-breaking, but it’s noticeable enough to merit a mention.

Still, these minor issues and the overall lack of originality may keep New Super Lucky’s Tale from true greatness, but they definitely don’t stop it from being an absolutely solid game that fans of Platformers should absolutely consider adding to their library. While it may not bring anything especially new or extraordinary to the genre, this game is so lovingly polished that it still stands as one of the finest 3D Platformers on the Switch.

tl;dr – New Super Lucky’s Tale is a 3D Platformer that takes the Xbox One game and reworks numerous parts of it to create an entirely new and improved experience. This is a solid, polished Platformer through and through, and even if it doesn’t bring anything especially new to the genre, it is still an excellent addition to the Nintendo Switch library, and fans of 3D Platformers should definitely give it a try.

Grade: B+

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2019 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Best Port/Remake, Best Game for Kids and Casual Players

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