Game Review: Lil Gator Game (Xbox Series X)

Lil Gator Game is a charming tribute to The Legend of Zelda, aimed at a younger audience, but with enough depth for adults to enjoy too. It’s a great example of simplified entertainment, with solid messages about growing up, responsibilities, and sometimes stopping to have just a little bit of fun.

Taking place in a world of vibrancy, adventure, and anthropomorphic animals, players take on the role of a young alligator child. An excitable child that loves live roleplaying games, especially the ones his older sister devised. Alas, she has grown up and has college work to do, so is unable to play anymore.

Desperate to get her involved, the Lil Gator comes up with a plan. Along with his friends, and the inhabitants of a small island, they will create the grandest game ever and show the older sister how much fun can had.

As the player, your task is to explore the island and complete quests for your friends. All while battling ‘monsters’ (cardboard cut-outs), collecting materials to build the town, and recruiting NPCs to take part in its transformation.

It’s very simple stuff, but goodness, is it charming.

A major aspect of why it has so much charm is the modest and pleasant story. The word one might use to sum it up is ‘wholesome’, but it’s not without some comedic aspects and ‘camera winks’ either.

Another major aspect of the game’s charm is how it plays. A third-person action/adventure that lovingly apes elements of The Legend of Zelda, but from a more laid-back perspective. It’s fun to control the Lil Gator, it’s fun to wander the island, and it’s fun to unlock new items to make exploration even more fluid.

Items like bracelets that give you more stamina, allowing you to climb to greater heights. Items like a glider that allows you to float across the island, and items like a shield that you can use like a sled. There are loads to unlock, and while most are purely cosmetic, it’s fun to find them all.

Alongside this are an abundance of quests that are always very simple to complete, but enhance the playfulness of the world. From dealing with a sidekick who isn’t up to the task, to finding a grilled cheese sandwich, to getting a mother off the phone so she can have a tea-party with her daughter, and getting a ‘vampire’ an ice-cream because they can’t go in the sun. Lil Gator game has a lot of imagination, and is constantly cute.

Of course, this level of simplified gameplay, does result in a very short runtime, and everything in the game can be wrapped up within three hours. However, that works in its favour as it never overstays its welcome. Instead of being glad to see the sun set, you’ll wish you had more time to play.