Side-scrolling platformers are one of my favourite genres of video game, and have been ever since I first played the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario, and Donkey Kong Country back in the days of 16-bit consoles. There’s just something so satisfying about traversing through platforming challenges with pin-point accuracy, all whilst taking down the countless enemies in your path and evading any hazards that could cause you harm. Stitchy in Tooki Trouble looks to replicate the classic vibe of the genre with its adventure, though a lack of originality and some overly simple mechanics do see it falling short of the greats.

Stitchy in Tooki Trouble puts you in the role of the titular scarecrow as he looks to… well… gather his corn. There isn’t some big overarching narrative here that’ll keep you especially invested in the adventure, but hey, the platforming genre has rarely been one that has demanded too much context so it shouldn’t bother gamers too much.

The platforming itself is decent enough throughout, with the level design bringing with it some diversity as you go through each of the thirty stages. Admittedly, the challenge rarely alleviates from simply jumping between platforms, but the range of hazards in your path and the different types of enemies you face off against do add a satisfying sense of variety as you progress further through your journey.

Stitchy in Tooki Trouble

There are three hidden collectible totem pole pieces to be found across each level too, giving players an incentive to explore a little; you won’t have to look too hard though, with most in plain sight with just a few extra double-jumps required to reach. Grab them all in each world and you’ll unlock an additional level that’s a bit more challenging, so they’re certainly worth seeking out – especially since the game itself can easily be beaten in under two hours.

Stitchy himself is easy enough to control and can jump, double-jump, and slam his way through levels, though he could feel a little floaty when moving. There’s just this weighty feeling to his movement that makes him a little clunkier to use when compared to his platforming peers, which is something I had to get used to when I first started playing. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does give Stitchy in Tooki Trouble a bit of a slower pace.

Stitchy in Tooki Trouble

That being said, it suits younger players perfectly, especially with the game’s simple design. Stitchy in Tooki Trouble is by no means a challenging game and is very forgiving with both its level design and invincibility window when you do take damage, so it’s definitely a good starting point for kids who might be new to gaming.

It just lacks a little bit of the spark found in similar titles in the genre, with Stitchy in Tooki Trouble’s core gameplay loop proving a bit too simple and easy-going for me. There wasn’t any moment where I found myself particularly challenged, whilst it also lacked any originality to help it stand out. Nothing in the game was ever bad by any means, but there was nothing on show that I hadn’t seen done plenty of times before in other platformers.

Stitchy in Tooki Trouble

I will give a shout out to the mine cart levels though, even IF they feel like they were lifted straight out of the Donkey Kong Country series. I will never stop enjoying these kinds of levels where you’ve got to pull off accurate jumps in order to stay on the tracks (and grab all collectibles), with each one here not only showing off some of the game’s more challenging sections but also proving to be clever in design. So what if it’s an idea we’ve seen done in the Donkey Kong Country games? I enjoyed their presence here a lot.

The boss battles deserve some praise too, with each offering a test of your skills as you battle three giant creatures. Like the rest of the game, they’re not particularly challenging, but the variety of moves each boss has at their disposal and the length of each showdown ensures that they’re something that you shouldn’t take lightly.

6.5/10

Summary

Stitchy in Tooki Trouble offers a decent platforming adventure that will appeal to younger gamers, even if it is a little lacking in originality and creativity. There’s nothing on offer here that you wouldn’t have seen done before, whilst the easy difficulty and short length means that it won’t be a game that you’ll find yourself invested in for too long either.

Still, it does enough to warrant interest in it if you’re a fan of the platforming genre, whilst it’s also a good game for kids to dive into if they’re just starting out playing video games. Stitchy in Tooki Trouble might be unremarkable in design, but that doesn’t mean there’s not some fun to be had in its zany corn-gathering adventure.

Developer: Polygoat
Publisher: Polygoat
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch (Reviewed)
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