The Plucky Squire Review (PS5)

There’s a special kind of magic in The Plucky Squire that charmed me right away. It’s like a tribute to childhood wonder, filled with quirky characters, clever puzzles, and a leap between 2D and 3D worlds. This kind of title doesn’t come around often. I loved it, and here’s why.

Welcome to the Land of Mojo!

You’ve got Jot, our hero and “Plucky Squire,” living inside a children’s storybook. Alongside his friends, Violet, a budding witch, and Thrash, a rockin’ troll—they’re on a mission to save the vibrant world of Mojo from the villainous Humgrump, who’s throwing a tanty. Humgrump realises he’s destined to always lose, so he kicks Jot out of his own story. But no worries. Jot can leap from the pages into a fully realised 3D world, which may seem like a novel idea, but as well as being fun, it’s a necessary part of the story, and it works.

So, You Want to Be an Adventurer?

Whether you’re fighting Humgrump’s minions with your trusty pen-sword, solving puzzles, or hopping in and out of 2D and 3D worlds, the game constantly surprises with its inventiveness. I absolutely loved jumping into a Magic: The Gathering-style card to grab an Elven Bow—one of many grin-worthy moments. The way the game plays with dimensions is super clever, especially the word puzzles. You can knock words out of sentences to change the environment around you, like opening a gate to create a new path or even transforming a “tiny” frog into a “huge” one (and yes, it’s absurdly cute!).

The Friends Along the Way

You’ll encounter all sorts of characters like Moonbeard, a super sorcerer DJ, and Pip, the bravest little mouse around. Oh, and Page, the helpful bookworm. These characters (to name a few) often lend you a hand on your journey. As Jot’s adventure unfolds, you’ll unlock and upgrade sword skills like the Spin Attack and Sword Throw to tackle the increasingly tricky challenges Humgrump’s dark forces throw your way.

Worlds of Wonder

The transitions from being in the book to “real life” are smooth and well thought out. I always enjoy seeing Jot pop into his 3D form. Whether you’re mowing down enemies or solving puzzles, the gameplay is moreish. And again, the frogs! The details! It’s a massive dopamine hit and so satisfying.

Play Minigames and Collect Inspiration

The game has tons of fun minigames to mix things up, from firing that magical Elven Bow to boxing honey badgers. Collecting light bulbs (inspiration) along the way is key to unlocking upgrades for Jot, making him stronger as you progress. You’ll also uncover hidden art scrolls throughout the land, and we all love a collectible, right?

Accessibility Options and Family Appeal

As a parent, I appreciate the heaps of family-friendly appeal. I can play it in front of my kids (which makes a pleasant change from my usual late-night gore-filled gaming sesh), and they love it too. Plus, they’ve put a lot of thought into the accessibility features, which is an instant win from us here at Unruly Folk. Options like invincibility and hidden portal reveals ensure anyone can enjoy the game. You can choose between the more challenging Adventure Mode, or opt for Story Mode with weaker foes and jump assists.

Final Thoughts

From start to finish, The Plucky Squire was a delightful experience that had me smiling at every turn. It’s an all-age winner for anyone who still has a sense of awe about the world. The loveable characters, thoughtful mechanics, and beautifully crafted visuals make this one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played in a long time. So, if a lovely, heartwarming, family-friendly game that’s packed with imagination sounds like something you’d enjoy, you know what to add to your catalogue next.

Game: The Plucky Squire
Genre: Action, Adventure, Puzzle
Platform: PlayStation 5 (also available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC & Xbox)
Dev & Pub: All Possible Futures | Devolver Digital
Age Rating: All Ages