Penny&s;s Big Breakaway

"Penny&s;s Big Breakway is a faithful homage to a simpler time in the industry. As a 3D platformer, it excels at showcasing why the genre is timeless."

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway captures the playful energy of early 2000s platformers but struggles with bugs and outdated issues, making it a visually appealing yet flawed experience."

"It’s a shame so many problems weigh on this otherwise enjoyable adventure. Even with the screen-crowding, bugs, and depth-perception troubles, I still look back fondly on the superb level design and movement mechanics. But because of those important detractors, Penny’s …"

"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 …"

"It’s already been a busy year for game releases, but I’m so glad I took time off from the high-stakes, melodramatic adventures of ecoterrorists or the comically action-packed exploits of galactic fascist pawns for Penny’s good-ol’-fashioned sense of fun. Here’s …"

"Penny’s Big Breakaway is a 3D platformer that harks back to the old days, creating a positive nostalgia effect, especially for its music and graphical choices. Its core and ideas work, proving to be original and well-thought-out. Even the aspects …"

"An ingenious combo-driven challenge that&s;s speedy and fun."

"Overall, Penny’s Big Breakaway is a stylish 3D platformer with a novel world, that is limited by dodgy control and imprecise platforming. The game is frustrating at worst but sleek like Sonic 3 (on Genesis) at best."

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a very pleasant foray into 3D platforming at the turn of the millennium. Somewhere between SEGA evocations and Nintendo suggestions, the Evening Star production convinces and entertains mainly thanks to the yo-yo gimmick, capable of inserting …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway brings the essence of 32-bit platform games to 2024, with an extremely satisfying character to control in a game that comes within inches of excellence, if not for some very frustrating bugs."

"A compelling game lies at the heart of Penny&s;s Big Breakaway. If you&s;re willing to give it the proper staging and some time to practice, it will put on a great show as a speedy platformer with a fun learning …"

"A creative fusion of familiar platformer elements that improves with time and investment, and proof that Evening Star is more than just the Sonic Mania crew."

"Penny’s Big Breakaway is a game in which the idiomatic expression “first you find it strange, then you understand it” is perfectly applied. The first impact causes some strangeness and confusion to more modern gaming sensibilities, but as we progress …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is, in a way, a platformer I&s;ve always dreamed of: I&s;ve always wondered what it would be like if Sonic had a smooth transition to 3D and this seems to be the answer. Jokes aside, the game …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a fantastic debut from Evening Star and a must play for platformer fans everywhere."

"Penny’s Big Breakaway might be a bit unrefined, but behind the occasional bugs and argumentative camera is one of the best momentum-based 3D platformers I’ve ever played, with unique movement mechanics that rival Sonic at his absolute best."

"3D platformers can still be done well, it turns out. All you have to do is focus on the action, fix the camera in place, and fine-tune the controls. Things like the narrative still need your attention, just not as …"

"With layered yet totally approachable gameplay mechanics and a fully-realised world to put those mechanics in, Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a breakout success that should be experienced by absolutely everyone with a passing interest in 3D platformers. Every moment I …"

"Penny’s Big Breakaway may not work all the time, but when it does, it&s;s an incredibly fun and incredibly charming game that is almost impossible to stop playing."

"Wielding enough creativity and originality in its approach, Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a classic case of the good of its premise outmatching the occasional bad of its execution. As annoying the technical state in parts is, let alone some of …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway combines retro gameplay with modern indie innovation to create a stylish 3D platformer that plays well and radiates creativity."

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a melting pot of fresh ideas and slow-cooked nostalgia that&s;ll caress the palate of the speedrunners and score-chasers out there, while potentially cooling a little thanks to some technical flubs and awkward controls. If you&s;ve got …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is big on ambition, for a studio the size of Evening Star they have turned in a title that is a cut above the 3D action adventure norm, most of the time. At its best, Penny&s;s is …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a fun 3D platformer with great locomotion, but a whole host of bugs and checkpoint issues spoil the good time."

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is an enjoyable audition, clogged by the usual 3D platform trappings but fun and colourful enough to get away with it. Hopefully this is the first of many adventures to come."

"Penny’s Big Breakaway achieves what it sets out to do in many areas, creating a stylish game with a fun, rich moveset that incentivizes and rewards masterful play, but is hampered by a few design flaws and a steep difficulty …"

"While definitely rough around the edges, I thoroughly enjoyed Penny&s;s Big Breakaway. There is a lot to get out of its levels whether it&s;s a faster time, higher score, or all of its collectibles but I don&s;t even need a …"

"A charming indie platformer with a fun central gimmick and excellent movement options, let down by garish visuals and some deliberate retro foibles."

"While Penny’s Big Breakaway maintains everything that wowed players in Sonic Mania’s presentation, Evening Star’s transition into 3D isn’t without some stumbles and trips. A few fixes, like being able to bind the dash button away from the swing button, …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a tremendous achievement by Evening Star, expertly combining tight controls, excellent level design, and a raft of creative ideas, all while throwing in a hefty dose of pure speed. Though the Switch version can feel a …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway embodies the best of the era it&s;s emulating and showcases just what Evening Star is capable of when not tied down by an existing IP. Its surprisingly technical platforming and momentum-based systems make for a satisfying play, …"

"So, Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a flawed gem in the end. Once you&s;re comfortable with the controls, the fundamental gameplay works very nicely indeed, and there are some fantastic levels (especially in the latter half) which really accentuate this game&s;s …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway is a loving homage that accurately captures what was both fun and awkward about the early days of 3D platformers."

"Penny’s Big Breakaway is a delightful breath of fresh air for the 3D platforming genre. It doesn’t just feel like a love letter to Sonic, but rather a number of mascot platformers from back in the day that captured our …"

"Penny&s;s Big Breakaway isn&s;t one of the genre&s;s greats, but it&s;s a very unique and fun 3D platformer."

""Goes up and down like a yo-yo.""

"Penny’s Big Breakaway is an interesting game and its trailer draws attention but the actual presentation isn&s;t as good as expected. The issues obfuscate the qualities and, for that reason, the game may not please most players, especially if you …"

"Penny’s Big Breakaway is a good game but its show isn&s;t surprising and the commands don&s;t always flow like I&s;d prefer. There aren&s;t big issues nor big qualities to highlight, making it recommended especially for people who love 3D platformers …"