Sackboy: A Big Adventure

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are generally positive. Critics such as Impulsegamer, CGMagazine, COGconnected, Easy Allies, Game Informer, GameSkinny, KeenGamer, Press Start Australia, Video Chums, and ZTGD all mention positive aspects of the story. They describe it as charming, engaging, straightforward, and serving its purpose well. These critics appreciate the simple setup of an evil antagonist causing chaos and Sackboy's journey to save his kidnapped friends. They also commend the game for introducing interesting supporting characters and creating endearing moments between Sackboy and other characters like Scarlett. Overall, these critics find the story enjoyable and believe it adds to the charm and appeal of the game. However, there are a few critics who express more negative opinions about the story of Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Critics such as DarkStation and TheSixthAxis find the story clichéd, repetitive, and lacking in drama or character interjections. They believe that the story may not appeal to all audiences and may not keep players engaged. Additionally, Game Revolution mentions that the story is a minor part of the game and serves as a gameplay-focused experience, lacking any big ethical quandaries to examine. These critics feel that the story could have been improved with different themes or a more hands-on approach. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is charming, engaging, and serves its purpose well. While there are some critics who express more negative opinions, the majority appreciate the simple and straightforward nature of the story, as well as the charming and whimsical elements it brings to the game. The positive aspects highlighted by multiple critics, such as the enjoyable journey to save kidnapped friends and the introduction of interesting supporting characters, contribute to the overall positive reception of the story. It is worth noting that while the story may not be groundbreaking or offer deep narrative complexity, it succeeds in creating a charming and enjoyable adventure for players.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for its fun and varied mechanics, with Dexerto stating that it offers "fun and interesting mechanics" and GamingTrend mentioning that players can "jump, roll, slap, and grab through several worlds of handcrafted levels." The game introduces new mechanics at a good pace, according to TheGamer, and Boss fights are unique and require the use of learned skills. The controls are often described as tight and responsive, with Game Informer noting that controlling Sackboy is a joy and Game Revolution stating that Sackboy's actions are more expansive than most 3D platformers. The level design is also highly praised, with Impulsegamer describing it as amazing and GameSkinny mentioning that levels are packed with imagination. While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the gameplay, there were a few criticisms raised. DarkStation mentioned that the gameplay felt less challenging and familiar, resembling The New Super Mario Brothers franchise. Destructoid pointed out that the physics system can be floaty at times, and level gating requires earning a certain number of collectible orbs. VG247 mentioned that the combat, especially without a weapon, felt slightly off in terms of timing. However, these negative aspects were outweighed by the positive feedback from the majority of critics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is excellent. The game is praised for its tight controls, varied mechanics, and imaginative level design. The majority of critics found the gameplay to be enjoyable, with many mentioning the fun and intuitive goals within the levels. The game offers a fair amount of challenge and variety, as noted by Player 2, and can be played in both single-player and co-op mode. The positive feedback from multiple critics, such as Push Square and GameSkinny, further supports the overall consensus that the gameplay of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is very good.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for its stunning visuals, charming arts and crafts aesthetic, and attention to detail. Dexerto commends the game for its "gorgeous stitched look" and "impressive execution of different areas," while Screen Rant mentions that the game retains the papercraft and cloth stitch art style of the LittleBigPlanet series while fully utilizing the new third dimension. The visuals are described as beautiful, with a make-do look that includes stickers, cardboard cut-outs, and balls of yarn, and the materials are detailed and realistic. The graphics are also praised for their high-resolution textures, vibrant color palette, and meticulous material work, creating a unique and visually stunning experience. The handcrafted look of Sackboy's world is also mentioned, maintaining the love and charm of the previous games. However, there are a few critics who mention some negative aspects of the game's graphics and visual design. GamingTrend mentions that the game has a big stuttering problem, which can detract from the overall visual experience. TheGamer also points out occasional stuttering issues and video files failing to load, resulting in broken cutscenes and menus. Additionally, the game streams loading new assets, causing hitching when new models, textures, or effects appear on-screen. These technical issues can disrupt the otherwise positive visual experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are very good. The majority of the critics praise the game for its gorgeous art and design, attention to detail, and real-world craft materials. The visuals are described as stunning, beautiful, adorable, and bursting with detailed and colorful environments. The blend of fantasy with everyday objects is also highly praised, creating a unique visual style that evokes a sense of craft and whimsy. The game's graphics and visual design are considered one of its strengths, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in a visually appealing and charming world.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game's music, with several mentioning the use of licensed tracks that fit perfectly with the game's vibe. Gaming Age, for example, highlights the music as a big highlight, mentioning the mix of well-known songs with original music that complements the game. Screen Rant also praises the music stages, noting how enemies, platforms, and actions follow the beat of popular songs, creating an immersive experience. The inclusion of licensed music, covers, and original pieces in various genres such as funk, house, pop, and disco is described by AusGamers as a treasure trove that enhances the interplay between music and level design. While the majority of critics had positive opinions, there were a few minor negatives mentioned. CGMagazine mentions that there were certain parts of the game where the lack of sound cheapened the overall experience. Additionally, TheSixthAxis notes that the use of licensed tracks started to wear thin after a while. Game Revolution also suggests that the implementation of licensed music could have been more focused, potentially improving the overall design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are exceptional. The game's music is described as a standout feature, with a fantastic score and a blend of licensed and original tracks. The integration of music into the gameplay creates delightful moments, as mentioned by Game Informer. The use of licensed tracks, including elite tier songs, adds to the enjoyment and creates a pure happiness experience, as highlighted by GamesRadar+. The positive opinions of the majority of critics indicate that the Sound Design and Music of Sackboy: A Big Adventure greatly contribute to the overall immersive and enjoyable experience of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Sackboy: A Big Adventure are varied, but overall, there is a positive sentiment towards the performances. Dawn French's portrayal in particular is highlighted as a standout performance by Impulsegamer and Push Square. GameSkinny also praises the voice acting, specifically mentioning the excellent performances by Richard E. Grant and Dawn French, noting that the A-list cast adds to the overall experience of the game. COGconnected also commends the strong voice work, particularly from Richard E. Grant as the antagonist. GamesRadar+ describes the voice acting as a delight, with notable performances from Richard E. Grant, Dawn French, and Simon Greenall. On the other hand, CGMagazine criticizes the game for lacking voice acting for the majority of the dialogue, which they believe detracts from the overall quality of the experience. Game Revolution mentions that Sackboy's voice, which is described as somewhat creepy and toddler-like, lacks characterization and impact. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Sackboy: A Big Adventure is generally positive. The performances by Dawn French and Richard E. Grant are particularly praised, with their contributions adding depth and enjoyment to the game. The A-list cast is seen as a positive aspect by GameSkinny, further enhancing the overall experience. While there are some criticisms regarding the lack of voice acting for certain dialogue and the characterization of Sackboy's voice, the positive sentiment towards the voice acting outweighs the negatives. The voice acting is generally considered to be a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its overall appeal and enjoyment.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the critics had mixed opinions. Dexerto praised the PC port, mentioning that it had few faults and offered features like custom resolutions and DLSS, running well on different devices. Player 2 also had a positive experience, stating that the game handled varied configurations and hardware well, with tweaking options available. However, GamingTrend mentioned consistent stuttering and disappearing options on certain setups, while TheGamer highlighted occasional stuttering issues and broken cutscenes and menus due to failed video file loading. TouchArcade specifically mentioned that the game ran smoothly at 60fps on the Steam Deck, but camera issues arose if the game ran below 60fps. On the other hand, the critics unanimously agreed on the smooth technical performance of Sackboy: A Big Adventure on the PlayStation 5. KeenGamer and Press Start Australia both praised the game for running smoothly at 60 FPS with fast loading speeds. VGC mentioned some cutscene and level-end glitches, but they were not considered major issues. ZTGD also had a positive experience, stating that the game ran smoothly with quick loading times on the PlayStation 5. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the technical performance of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is generally solid on both PC and PlayStation 5. The PC version offers customization options and runs well on different devices, but it has some issues such as stuttering, disappearing options, and broken cutscenes and menus. On the other hand, the PlayStation 5 version provides a smooth experience with fast loading times, although some minor glitches may occur. It is worth noting that the critics' opinions varied slightly, with some experiencing more technical issues than others. However, the overall sentiment suggests that the technical performance of the game is satisfactory on both platforms.

In terms of the positives, several critics highlight the replay value of Sackboy: A Big Adventure. GamingTrend mentions the game's customization options and online or local co-op, which can enhance the replayability factor. Screen Rant also notes that the game encourages replayability by hiding collectibles and secrets in levels. CGMagazine praises the inclusion of activity cards, which helps organize and track collectibles, appealing to those who enjoy collect-a-thons. Destructoid mentions that the game offers a lot to scour for, making it a game that can keep players busy for a while if they go for a 100% rating. The presence of co-op play is also highlighted by Destructoid and adds to the game's replay value. However, there are some negative aspects to consider. COGconnected mentions that the game lacks challenge and has repetitive gameplay design, which may affect the overall replay value. Game Revolution also notes that despite the presence of collectibles and costumes, the game lacks a hook to keep gamers coming back. Press Start Australia mentions that the game's slower action and longer levels may make it feel repetitive, potentially impacting the desire to replay. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Sackboy: A Big Adventure offers replay value through various features. Many critics mention the presence of collectibles, hidden areas, and customization options as factors that contribute to the game's replayability. Critics such as GameGrin, GameSkinny, and Video Chums highlight the challenges and optional tasks that provide additional replay value. The inclusion of time trial stages and the desire to 100% the adventure are also mentioned by several critics, including Push Square and TheSixthAxis. The game's co-op play, both online and local, is praised by multiple critics, such as GamingTrend and Destructoid. Despite some critics mentioning the lack of challenge and potential repetitiveness, the overall sentiment is that Sackboy: A Big Adventure offers enough content and features to keep players engaged and coming back for more.