Penny’s Big Breakaway Review – No Strings Attached

Boutique gaming studio Evening Star Games, with publisher Private Division, has assembled a dream team for their debut release Penny’s Big Breakaway. Does this 3D platformer put on a show worthy of an emperor, or is it already curtains for this new hero?

Penny’s Big Breakaway Review – No Strings Attached

The title of Penny’s Big Breakaway tells all – this titular busker has a knack for tricks with the help of her faithful companion Yo-Yo. However, an audition with the Emperor Eddie quickly goes sideways, with Yo-Yo eating Eddie’s outfit. The Emperor literally having no clothes, this dynamic duo exits stage left while avoiding a penguin army.

What follows are a series of worlds and level sections across multiple areas. In true 3D platforming fashion, players will still be going from one area to another, doing plenty of collecting and jumping along the way. There are plenty of things to do from point A to point B as well; denizens have tasks that require transportation, cool camera shots, and collecting a set amount of items. Not to mention, there are a number of oh-so-desirable hidden collectibles just waiting to be copped.

Penny does has some tricks up her sleeve that will ensure the hunt for a high score is a fun one. Players can do a dash, make a 360 spin, or can ride along like a one-wheeled wonder. Combos are the name of the game, with this title truly shining as a score chaser. Those that master the physics of Penny’s Big Breakaway will be treated to a platformer that pulls from the greats.

However, the road to get there is filled with trial and error. Penny’s Big Breakaway possesses a serious learning curve; one that will have players dropping out and getting captured more often than they’d like. There were instances where we ended up on the wrong side of a game over screen because we were still getting the hang of things; this proves a bit tricky with the amount of air time that Penny and Yo-Yo have and the plentiful bottomless pits and the somewhat rigid camera.

That’s not to mention threats like pesky penguins, conveyor belts, and electric shocks that dot the landscape – sometimes all at once. Boss battles don’t fare much better; we ended up getting frustrated with their reliance on memorization, but some may enjoy this style of play. Still, we can’t deny the uniqueness of playing pool or entering a sumo match with a yo-yo.

Penny’s Big Breakaway does offer a number of concessions to make sure the experience is as smooth as possible. Checkpoints are plentiful, and players can continue after losing all of their lives at the expense of a serious cut to their score. In addition, there are a number of power-ups Penny can buy that soften the challenge quite a bit.

Of course, style and presentation goes a long way too, and Penny’s Big Breakaway provides an all-star performance. Colors pop, characters charm, and the soundtrack is downright harmonic. Paired with its plentiful dad jokes, Penny’s Big Breakaway appeals to gamers of all types.

Penny’s Big Breakaway proves that the art of busking is never easy, but it is always worth it. Those that can wrangle Penny and Yo-Yo’s tricks – and not get caught up in the strings – will enjoy going around the world for a high score.

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