![Ruffy and the Riverside [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW](https://i0.wp.com/www.useapotion.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ruffy-review.jpg?resize=1077%2C640&ssl=1)
Ruffy and the Riverside is a bold attempt to bring back the magic of 90s platformers with a fresh and inventive twist, with its adventure making for an endearing and fun journey. It’s got a unique mechanic, plenty of charm, and a lovingly crafted world that’s easy to get lost in, and whilst not everything lands perfectly, there’s enough personality and creativity here to outweigh its small stumbles.
Check out some screenshots down below:
Players take on the role of Ruffy, a two-dimensional bear-like creature on a quest to save his vibrant homeland of Riverside from a mysterious cubic force. The structure is familiar: a central hub world with themed areas branching off it, each offering a mix of exploration, platforming, puzzle-solving, and plenty of collectibles to gather. If you’re a fan of platformers from the 90s and early 00s, you’ll feel right at home here.
But Ruffy and the Riverside isn’t content with relying on nostalgia alone – it introduces a central gameplay twist in the form of the Swap mechanic, which sees Ruffy scanning objects in the environment and essentially pasting their properties onto others. Need to climb a waterfall? Swap it with a leafy wall. Want to float across water? Turn a stone platform into wood. This mechanic is the heart of the game, and when it clicks, it creates a ton of satisfying ‘a-ha’ puzzle moments that really help set the game apart from similar releases in the genre.
The swapping system opens the door to some truly inventive level design, and whether reconfiguring obstacle paths or solving environmental puzzles, it encourages experimentation and lateral thinking. It adds a layer of strategy and creativity that’s often missing from many modern platformers, proving that there’s still plenty of room for innovation across the established tried-and-tested formula.
“Ruffy and the Riverside doesn’t reinvent the 3D platformer, but it certainly carves out its own special space in the genre with its creative swapping mechanic and gorgeous presentation.”
That being said, there are some moments in Ruffy and the Riverside where the implementation isn’t always perfect. Some puzzle solutions feel more like guesswork than clever design, and others suffer from vague visual cues or unclear objectives that can see trial and error become common – especially when solutions only become apparent after wandering or interacting blindly with objects. Still, when the mechanic works as intended, it brings genuine satisfaction… just expect a few moments where you’ll be left scratching your head as you wonder what you need to do.
Oh, and gamers who like their platformers to be real collectathons? Ruffy and the Riverside has got you. There’s a huge amount to find: from coins and costumes to magical letters and secrets tucked into side quests, you’ll easily spend hours with the game if you’re looking to find EVERYTHING. The game also keeps things fresh by adding surprises like mini-games or new gameplay mechanics to break up the main loop when playing, ensuring there’s a steady rhythm of discovery, reward, and experimentation that gives it a satisfying sense of momentum (particularly for those chasing full completion).
That being said, the platforming can be a little bit iffy in places. Ruffy has decent mobility, but his movement lacks the precision you’d expect in trickier sections, whilst the camera – while functional – sometimes drifts at odd angles or struggles to keep up in tighter spaces. Minor frustrations like this can leave some moments of Ruffy and the Riverside feeling a bit more frustrating than they needed to be.
Check out some screenshots down below:
Still, the gameplay itself is solid throughout, whilst the gorgeous combination of 2D, hand-drawn characters in a 3D, low-poly world helps gives the game a distinct and memorable aesthetic. It’s reminiscent of Paper Mario but with a flavour of its own, with Ruffy and the many quirky characters he meets across his journey all expressive, endearing, and full of personality.
The environments are colourful and varied to ensure that levels are a treat to play through too, and whilst they occasionally suffer from visual clutter, it felt great to scavenge through every nook and cranny in true collectathon fashion. The performance on the PlayStation 5 is also great, with the lack of technical issues complemented by a solid frame rate.
The audio design helps reinforce the game’s charming tone, with the upbeat and whimsical soundtrack perfectly matching the game’s playful vibe. Sound effects are equally well-crafted and consistent with the cartoon style – it’s just a shame that there isn’t any voice acting, which could have really helped bring the world to life. Still, it’s a small complaint, especially since everything else is so wonderfully presented in the game.
Ruffy and the Riverside Review
Ruffy and the Riverside doesn’t reinvent the 3D platformer, but it certainly carves out its own special space in the genre with its creative swapping mechanic and gorgeous presentation.
The swap system is clever and adds meaningful depth, the world is charming, and there’s enough content to keep players engaged for hours. And sure, it has some rough edges such as the floaty controls, camera quirks, and occasional puzzle that doesn’t hit the mark, but the overall experience remains fun and imaginative throughout.
Developer: Zockrates Laboratories
Publisher: Phiphen Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Website: https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10012974
