(Image credit: Rabid Rat)
Before diving into Bumpkin & Sprout at Digital Dragons, the delightful poster instantly captivates. Starring as the titular heroes from the Polish animation studio Rabid Rat, this upcoming indie game offers a 3D co-op platformer experience with the flexibility of solo play. On a mission to tidy their forest and stand against the Pollution Spirit’s trash-spewing monstrosities, our mushroom protagonists present a simple yet vital eco-adventure.
Far from being just an educational game for youngsters, Rabid Rat’s creation presents a vibrant 3D world brimming with solo and cooperative exploration opportunities. The experience is peppered with platforming puzzles and exhilarating hack-n’-slash action, not to mention a map mode dedicated to non-combative exploration. Explore Bumpkin & Sprout further on the Steam page, where its stunning handmade visuals come to life. In just 30 minutes, the irresistible charm of the demo completely absorbed me.
Calling out to fans of titles reminiscent of Fable and Mass Effect, Bumpkin & Sprout captivates with its mysterious allure even when played solo. As I delve into a fresh game at Digital Dragons, sans co-op partner, I get to choose a character. I pick the younger, sprightlier mushroom hero, Sprout, as opposed to his more mature, bearded counterpart.
The duo’s age difference subtly reinforces the game’s universal appeal for players young and old. It’s arguably more child-friendly compared to the eerie nature of Little Nightmares 3. But the coziness diminishing soon faces serious themes of nature conservation. Sprout meets heaps of refuse at every corner, along with mischievous minions dispatched by the toxic spirit to disrupt the environment.
Eliminating these trash piles grants power-ups, released as floating bubbles. These aids range from speed-boosting roller skates and an umbrella for parachuting to mysterious items likely useful later. Facing enemies reminiscences of Mario’s Goombas, Sprout can simply knock them aside. I eventually discover a powerful ground-pound attack executed by double jumping and activating the right trigger.
While exploring, I delight in the game’s imaginative nods to ecological themes. For example, interacting with a tin opener unveils a bridge across a waste-filled river, transforming everyday objects into surprisingly essential tools.
The level design, ripe with these ingenious quirks, truly stands out. While a discarded toilet adds grime to the environment, a lighter transforms into a hot air balloon, highlighting the forest’s vertical exploration. Such touches cleverly align with Bumpkin & Sprout’s eco-friendly themes, showcasing Rabid Rat’s artistic prowess.
After half an hour of solo adventures, I yearn to experience the multiplayer mode of Bumpkin & Sprout. Imagining how Rabid Rat has adapted these engaging mechanics for a duo, I think of renowned cooperative experiences like It Takes Two or Rayman Origins, one of the best PS3 local co-op games.
As Bumpkin & Sprout edges closer to its release date, I’ll eagerly await another opportunity to play—and next time, I’ll be sure to BYOB: bring my own Bumpkin. Explore the best co-op games to enjoy in the meantime.