Review: Frogun

destructoid.com:

The third dimension wasn’t very kind to the platformer. It was heavily ridiculed within its own medium, then quietly died shortly after the turn of the millennium. However, there were enough classic titles that linger in the minds of old people like me. It’s no surprise that we’ve seen a surge of callback titles in the indie circuit like A Hat in Time and Demon Turf.

Frogun knows what it’s about. With its lo-fi PS1-styled visuals and cute mascot character, it wouldn’t look out of place on the console’s collection of platformers. Of course, there’s more than just looking the part, and fortunately, Frogun acts the part, as well. Or is that entirely a good thing?

Frogun (PS4, PC [Reviewed], Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch)Developer: MolegatoPublisher: Top Hat Studios, Inc.Released: August 2, 2022MSRP: $14.99 Complete

We’ve got a collect-a-thon here. Get ready to pick up a lot of rotating things in the environment. Your goal is really just to make it to the end of the level, but it stat-pressures you into collecting all the items, completing stages beneath a certain time threshold and without dying, and while you’re at it, finding all the bonus items. At least the gems buy you hats.

The story follows Renata, who, having been left alone at camp for a few days, ventures into some ruins to find her archeologist parents. Like when a child gets left in a hot car and has to venture into K-Mart. She’s equipped with her frog-like gun, that not only talks (for some reason) but also has a tongue that sticks to walls. It’s kind of like Chameleon Twist, only not as brave and, consequently, not as awkward.

Frogun is a platformer with a capital P. Most of its challenge comes from the traversal of gaps, with instant death if you miss. As