"Not Quite A Treasure, More Like A Treat"
Nintendo had never had a game fully devoted to the character of Toad, but with the release of "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" this would quickly change. While a game small in scope, "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" aimed to provide some fun puzzle box gameplay while controlling everyone's favorite mushroom, (Captain) Toad. It definitely supplied some fun and thematically distinct levels to explore, but lacked depth and replayability throughout.
The game is really simple in practice: Toad must find his way to the end of each level to progress to the next. On the way he can collect gems (which require a certain amount collected to progress further in the story). Additionally, there is an optional challenge to complete for each level, as well as a small hide-and-seek minigame where you try and find "Pixel Toad". Overall, there isn't a whole lot of depth behind the game's 70+ bite-sized levels, and without completing challenges or "Pixel Toad" hunts the game is likely to last less than 3-4 hours.
However, the puzzle interactions in the environments of each level are interesting enough. Many consist of interacting with the environment via spin-wheels or tapping on various objects with the touchscreen, avoiding enemies and hazards, finding keys for locked doors, or slight platforming challenges. It's a small mix of pretty simple content, but I liked how it was implemented with each level's theme. I just wish that Toad's movement was more interesting, as he pretty much only waddles around the map slowly with each level (save for times where he is sprinting due to an upgrade).
Each level is focused on a particular type of challenge, whether its avoiding a bunch of Boo's, shooting turnips from a moving cart, racing away from flying fire dragons, or slowly making your way through an elaborate maze (among others). There was a decent variety in how you would approach each level - its a shame that once you complete these goals, there isn't really a point of replaying many of the sections again.
The visuals and sound design are consistent with Nintendo quality, though I wish that there was more diversity in the game's musical score for the menus / victory themes. Colors were pretty vibrant and each map had its own look and feel to it.
Overall, "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" was a fun-enough title to play through, but it lacks a lot of reason to revisit upon completion. It has a good presentation, solid level variety, and a bit of charm mixed in, but it doesn't have the most compelling gameplay loop. I can Recommend it for a first time playthrough, but I doubt that many will want to replay it upon completion.
Final Verdict: 7/10 (Good)
Nintendo had never had a game fully devoted to the character of Toad, but with the release of "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" this would quickly change. While a game small in scope, "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" aimed to provide some fun puzzle box gameplay while controlling everyone's favorite mushroom, (Captain) Toad. It definitely supplied some fun and thematically distinct levels to explore, but lacked depth and replayability throughout.
The game is really simple in practice: Toad must find his way to the end of each level to progress to the next. On the way he can collect gems (which require a certain amount collected to progress further in the story). Additionally, there is an optional challenge to complete for each level, as well as a small hide-and-seek minigame where you try and find "Pixel Toad". Overall, there isn't a whole lot of depth behind the game's 70+ bite-sized levels, and without completing challenges or "Pixel Toad" hunts the game is likely to last less than 3-4 hours.
However, the puzzle interactions in the environments of each level are interesting enough. Many consist of interacting with the environment via spin-wheels or tapping on various objects with the touchscreen, avoiding enemies and hazards, finding keys for locked doors, or slight platforming challenges. It's a small mix of pretty simple content, but I liked how it was implemented with each level's theme. I just wish that Toad's movement was more interesting, as he pretty much only waddles around the map slowly with each level (save for times where he is sprinting due to an upgrade).
Each level is focused on a particular type of challenge, whether its avoiding a bunch of Boo's, shooting turnips from a moving cart, racing away from flying fire dragons, or slowly making your way through an elaborate maze (among others). There was a decent variety in how you would approach each level - its a shame that once you complete these goals, there isn't really a point of replaying many of the sections again.
The visuals and sound design are consistent with Nintendo quality, though I wish that there was more diversity in the game's musical score for the menus / victory themes. Colors were pretty vibrant and each map had its own look and feel to it.
Overall, "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" was a fun-enough title to play through, but it lacks a lot of reason to revisit upon completion. It has a good presentation, solid level variety, and a bit of charm mixed in, but it doesn't have the most compelling gameplay loop. I can Recommend it for a first time playthrough, but I doubt that many will want to replay it upon completion.
Final Verdict: 7/10 (Good)