Game Review: Marsupilami: Hoobadventure (Xbox Series X)

A 2.5D side-scrolling platformer in the vein of Donkey Country (the more modern ones) and Rayman games like Rayman: Origins and Legends. However, whereas those character’s franchises are more familiar, the Marsupilami franchise is not likely to be known by many, especially those playing the game today.

So, what is Marsupilami? A comic book character created by André Franquin and first appearing in a magazine in 1952. It became a very successful multimedia franchise, with multiple animated series’, a feature film, a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive video game, and so much more. Hell, there’s even an asteroid named Marsupilami. Were you aware?

Not that it really matters as Marsupilami: Hoobadventure doesn’t have much of a story and certainly doesn’t try to teach anyone about the franchise. Instead, it’s a straight-forward platformer for all ages and skill levels, one that turns out to be thoroughly enjoyable and memorable.

Coming from developer Ocellus Studio and publisher Microids, Marsupilami: Hoobadventure is a simple game that puts you in control of one of three Marsupilami. They can run, jump, hop, bounce off walls, attack with their very long tails, and more, and like all great platformers, the controls are fluid and responsive. Moving a Marsupilami through a level, dealing with enemies and avoiding obstacles, is always fun, especially when speed is called for (time trials are present). Rarely will you find fault in the game’s controls when it comes to losing a life, although sometimes the wall bounces can be a bit ‘sticky’.

Losing a life here and there is inevitable though, as this is a platformer with a difficulty curve, and while it never gets too challenging, skills will be tested if you want to do everything in the game. Especially when it comes to the DLC levels, that are as fun as the main game’s levels.

The goal is simple, make it through a level, and chow down on the big fruit at the end. Along the way, pick up small fruit to increase your lives, find hidden collectibles, take shortcuts, and access bonus areas. It’s all very familiar, but done so well, it’s immensely enjoyable. Something helped by the look of the game, bright and colourful with some really lush level designs. As well as the sound of the game, mixing mellow rhythms with energetic blasts. The latter makes for some heart-racing moments, least of all when you’re chasing down the end-world boss.

There are three worlds and twenty-six levels overall, which isn’t actually that much for a game like this. That is less of a problem with the DLC being out as that adds an additional ten levels, but if you’re not aiming for the 100%, the game can be wrapped up in a few hours. Though, why wouldn’t you want to do everything this game has to offer!? It’s so much fun.

You may not know who or what Marsupilami is going in, and you won’t learn anything about it playing the game, but you will come away a fan. All because of the effort put into making a strong platformer.