Rusty Rabbit Review (PS5, Nintendo Switch & PC)

When you first hear the name Rusty Rabbit, you might think it’s a light, simple game about a cute bunny hopping around. Well, there’s a lot more to it than that. Developed by Nitroplus, a studio known for its visual novels, Rusty Rabbit is a surprising mix of fast-paced action, exploration, and emotional storytelling.

Rusty Rabbit has made quite a splash in the gaming world recently, especially for fans of the Metroidvania genre. The game offers a unique premise: a rabbit piloting a mech suit in a rust-covered world, embarking on an adventure that blends dungeon crawling, crafting, and an intriguing narrative. So, let’s dive into the review and see what makes this game so special, beyond just being a cute bunny in a mech suit.

A Mysterious World

At first glance, Rusty Rabbit seems like just another action game where you run, jump, and smash through levels. However, the game’s setting adds an interesting twist that keeps things fresh. Earth has entered a new ice age, and humanity has disappeared. Over time, rabbits have taken over the planet and now live in a world filled with the ruins of human civilisation. These ruins are known as “Smokestack Mountain”, and the rabbits refer to humans as “giants”. These giant structures are sacred to the rabbits, who now explore them in search of treasure and hidden knowledge.

Stamp, the protagonist, is one such rabbit who spends his days digging through these ancient ruins. He’s a rust digger, and his job is to uncover old technology and artefacts from the past. The catch? The deeper you go into Smokestack Mountain, the more dangerous it becomes. And the more secrets you uncover, the more you realise there’s more to the world than what you’ve been told. Stamp’s journey begins when he stumbles upon a team of rust diggers known as the “BBs.” Now, after a chance meeting, he joins them in exploring deeper parts of the ruins.

As players explore Smokestack Mountain, they’ll discover more about the world and its mysterious past. Hidden away in the ruins are records stored in devices called “D-TAMs.” Surprisingly, some of the D-TAMS contain information about Stamp’s estranged daughter. What starts as a simple treasure hunt soon turns into a race to uncover the truth about the past and the world Stamp thought he knew. The game does an excellent job of making you feel like you’re a part of this mysterious world, and the deeper you go, the more interesting the story becomes.

A Father’s Journey

After Stamp discovers the D-TAMs, things start to get a lot more personal. These records, scattered throughout the ruins, begin to reveal pieces of his past he never expected to find. At first, the D-TAMs just seem like bits of old information about the world. But as Stamp digs deeper, he uncovers records that appear to belong to his estranged daughter. Now, this discovery completely changes the direction of his journey. What was once just a routine treasure hunt quickly turns into something far more meaningful.

Stamp soon realises that these records might hold the key to understanding what happened to his daughter. The further he goes into the ruins, the more he uncovers about her life, and it becomes clear that she’s in danger. Instead of just exploring for loot, Stamp’s main goal shifts to finding answers about his daughter’s fate. He’s not just a rust digger anymore; he’s a father on a mission to reconnect with his family.

As Stamp follows the trail deeper into Smokestack Mountain, the emotional weight of his journey hits harder. The records aren’t just about the past; they’re about his connection to his daughter and the secrets he never knew. With every new D-TAM he uncovers, the stakes get higher, and the action becomes much more meaningful. Players are not just fighting enemies or solving puzzles for the sake of progress. It is tied to Stamp’s journey, making all the battles and exploration a bit more fun and personal.

Dash, Smash, and Jump

One of the best parts of Rusty Rabbit is the fast-paced gameplay that makes players feel like they’re constantly on the move. The game is all about dashing, smashing, and jumping through levels at lightning speed. With Stamp’s mech suit, players can dash around quickly, smash through obstacles, and jump across gaps without missing a beat. Notably, the game does a great job of keeping players engaged by making sure they’re always in motion.

The “dash” mechanic is especially fun. You’ll find yourself zooming through the ruins, racing to get from one area to the next. The speed makes this side-scrolling action game feel exciting, and you can almost feel the wind in your fur as you dash past obstacles. It’s not just about moving fast, though. There’s also a lot of strategy in using your dash to avoid enemy attacks and get the drop on them. The fluid movement helps players stay in control and makes navigating the environment feel smooth and enjoyable.

Smashing through obstacles is another highlight. Whether it’s breaking down walls, clearing debris, or knocking over enemies, the smashing mechanic feels super satisfying. Regularly, players will have to smash through blocks or walls to uncover hidden areas or loot. This keeps the exploration fun and rewarding. And of course, jumping is a key part of the platforming. Therefore, players must time their jumps perfectly to cross tricky gaps or reach high platforms. The jumping mechanics are simple, but they feel great when you land that perfect jump and land on solid ground.

Puzzling Exploration

Exploration is a huge part of Rusty Rabbit. The ruins of Smokestack Mountain are filled with hidden paths, secrets, and treasures. While it’s tempting to rush through the levels, the game rewards players for taking their time and exploring every nook and cranny. Of course, there are plenty of collectables, including materials and parts that can be used to upgrade your mech suit. These materials are important for improving combat abilities, so exploring is definitely worth your time.

In addition to loot, Rusty Rabbit has plenty of puzzles to keep players engaged. The ruins are full of environmental obstacles, and solving these puzzles will help you unlock new areas to explore. Some puzzles require you to use your mech’s abilities creatively, while others involve finding hidden items or using the environment to your advantage. Interestingly, the puzzles are never too difficult. They encourage players to pay attention to their surroundings, as some of the best rewards are tucked away in secret rooms or hidden paths.

Ultimately, this action game strikes a nice balance between action and exploration. Players will never feel like they’re stuck in one area for too long, and the puzzles add variety to the gameplay. Whether you’re fighting enemies or solving environmental puzzles, there’s always something new to discover, keeping the game interesting from start to finish.

Making the Mech

One of the coolest aspects of Rusty Rabbit is its RPG-like progression and customisation system. As players explore the ruins, they’ll collect parts and materials that they can use to upgrade their mech suit. These upgrades are essential for surviving deeper into the ruins, where enemies get tougher and the challenges grow more intense. Players can improve their mech’s speed, attack power, and defence, making it a more powerful tool for battling enemies and solving puzzles.

The customisation options are simple but effective. Players can mix and match different upgrades depending on their preferred playstyle. Whether you want to focus on speed, strength, or defence, the game allows you to tailor your mech to suit your needs. In addition to upgrading the mech, Rusty Rabbit also lets players improve Stamp’s abilities through battles. As you fight enemies, you’ll earn experience points and materials that players can use to enhance their combat skills. This RPG-style progression system keeps things interesting and ensures players always work towards something.

Verdict

Rusty Rabbit offers a lot of fun, with fast-paced action and a story that brings real emotional depth. The dashing, smashing, and jumping mechanics feel smooth and engaging, keeping players hooked as they move through the game. Additionally, upgrading your mech and improving abilities adds a nice RPG vibe that makes the gameplay satisfying.

However, the game does have some flaws. The combat can feel repetitive. While the action is fast and fun, the same enemies appear too often. Some of the bosses also lack excitement and don’t present much of a challenge. If you’re into complex or strategic combat, you might be disappointed here.

The story, though emotional, can feel predictable. The mystery behind Stamp’s daughter is interesting, but it doesn’t have many surprising twists. For some, it might feel stretched out a little too long. The platforming and controls, though mostly fine, occasionally feel clunky, especially when trying to make precise jumps.

Despite these issues, Rusty Rabbit is still an enjoyable game. It’s a light, fun adventure that’s easy to get lost in. If you’re looking for a casual action-platformer with a heartwarming story, it’s definitely worth playing.