So there I was, tangled up in this game called Ruffy and the Riverside. What a ride. Imagine a little bear, kinda Ewok-ish from Star Wars—yup, that’s Ruffy. You’re in this 3D world, frolicking around solving puzzles, collecting stuff. Sounds fun, right? Well, mostly. There’s this weird charm about it, but man, some parts are a slog.
So Riverside, Ruffy’s world, is under threat from—wait for it—a giant cube. Seriously. Ruffy’s the hero, collecting letters to save the day. You’ve got this big hub world with smaller zones to jump into, kinda like Mario 64 vibes, if you’re into that. And let’s not forget the characters. Colorful cast? Check. But those ladders. Why so tricky? Climb dead center or you’re toast. Who came up with that?
Anyway, Ruffy’s main gig is swapping stuff—materials, colors, you name it. Some puzzles are straightforward, others are head-scratchers. Sometimes I’d just flail around hoping something would click. You solve one, feels awesome. But then some are just annoying trials. If puzzle games are your jam, you might feel differently. Not always clicked for me, you know?
The controls, oh boy. Ruffy’s got speed, not so much finesse. Platforming’s touchy. Plus, the checkpoints can be infuriating. Mess up, and you’re redoing the same stuff. Collect coins, buy hearts, or snag costumes. Handy for puzzles too—buy your way out sometimes, if you’re stuck.
Now, let’s chat puzzles. Early on, you swap waterfall water with leaves to climb, or turn stone pillars into floating wood platforms. Clever. But the letter quest becomes rinse-and-repeat. Solve a symbol puzzle once—cool. Three times in a row? Yawn.
Sound and visuals, though—a quirky mix. Music’s playful, pairs nicely with Ruffy’s antics. The hand-drawn look? Bright yet simple. Lots of laughs in the writing, but man, that intro drags a bit. Trims would help.
So, this Ruffy and the Riverside? Fun jaunt with some hiccups. I played on the Switch 2. It’s packed with stuff to do, but puzzles can be head-scratchers. That swapping thing? A neat twist that stands out. Rough edges, sure, but it’s got heart. Dive in if you feel like it. Maybe it’ll surprise you, like it did me. Or not. Who knows?
