Game Review: Newt One (Xbox Series X)

A vibrant, relaxing, and charming game, Newt One is an uncomplicated 3D platformer from developer DevNAri and publisher Whitethorn Games.

Players take on the role of Newt (a fairy of some kind) as they prepare for their birthday and their ascension to being the new ‘Forest Elder’. However, there’s a problem. All the other Elders of the different realms have vanished and with them, the colour of their worlds. It’s up to Newt to travel to the different realms, restore life and colour, and find the missing Elders.

Also she might be the chosen one. Whatever that means.

It is an unnecessarily detailed story that means very little once you start playing the game as what Newt One offers is basic. The goal of each level being to touch every part so colour returns. Do that, pick up items that make it even easier such as the wand, and get to the end. Each level has its own obstacles and challenges, but there’s nothing that will test a person’ patience. Aside from the poor controls of Newt.

Developers looking to create 3D platformers really need to get a few things right. The levels need to be varied and imaginative, the challenge should increase, and the controls should be spot on. Newt One manages to accomplish two out of three of these but fails in the controls department.

The fluidity needed for a 3D platformer is not here. Newt moves like a vehicle, backing up rather than turning around and just slides all over the place. If that wasn’t bad enough, her jump is incredibly inconsistent resulting in a lot of falls. Which the developer seems to have compensated for by making ‘death’ a non-issue. Fall in Newt One and you’ll start from the last platform you fell from.

However, respawn once and your perfect run is lost, and the game rewards you for doing this per level. Alongside finding hidden parrots, colouring 100% of the level, and finding every single collectible musical note. Why? So you can unlock costumes and hidden levels at the end of the game.

There’s a lot jammed into Newt One, which should make for good value, except gameplay is so repetitive it all just ends up feeling like padding to distract.

All that being said, the game is charming and relaxing. It’s a less intense de Blob, and seeing a world transformed from monochrome to colour is satisfying. The visuals are nothing to get excited about, but it does have some nice ambient sounds and whimsy musical moments.

If you’re going for 100% completion, you’re looking at around two to three hours of play time here. Just don’t expect to love every minute of it.