Advanced Game Search
Ruffy and the Riverside

Ruffy and the Riverside

PCPlayStationXboxNintendo
Released

Release Date: June 26, 2025

Arcade, TPP, 3D Platformers, Indie Games, Action Adventure, Singleplayer

A third-person action adventure game with clearly outlined platforming bits. In Ruffy and the Riverside we play as the titular bear. He is capable of manipulating the game world by copying and pasting textures, changing the characteristics of objects and surfaces.

7.6

OpenCritic

9.1

Steam

Rate It!
Ratings
[1:18] - Launch Trailer Videos: 2
Screenshot Images: 16
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

Ruffy and the Riverside is a production on the border of action adventure games and platformers, based on the unusual idea of manipulating textures. It was developed by the independent German studio Zockrates Laboratories.

Gameplay

In Ruffy and the Riverside we watch the action from a third-person perspective (TPP).

Open world

The game provides us with an open world divided into regions, which we explore in the skin of the titular little bear - Ruffy. While travelling through the land of Riverside, the protagonist meets its inhabitants and accepts various quests from them. Apart from missions pushing the story forward, there are various side tasks waiting to be completed.

Platforming adventures

Exploring the game world involves the need to jumping on platforms, avoiding traps and bypassing terrain obstacles, riding on hay bales and rolling boulders, as well as solving environmental puzzles. We must not only demonstrate agility and reflexes, but also rely on our brain cells.

Replacing textures

Ruffy has the power of SWAP, which allows him to manipulate the environment. Thanks to it, the protagonist can copy selected textures and paste them in another place, thereby changing the specifics of a given object. For example, we can turn water into lava (to eliminate an enemy lurking in it or destroy a wooden box floating on it), a waterfall into vines (which we can climb), a stone into a log of wood (which can serve us as a makeshift raft) or a wall into rubble (thus opening a new passage).

2D challenges and collectibles

The icing on the cake is another unusual ability of Ruffy's, which allows him to "jump into walls", turning them into additional 2D stages straight from classic platform games. The list of attractions is topped by collectibles waiting to be found, like butterflies, coins, or dream stones.

Read More

Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

Xbox One

Xbox One

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Zockrates Laboratories

Publisher: Phiphen Games

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Ruffy and the Riverside Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
CPU SSE2, 4 GB RAM, graphic card DirectX 10, 6 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/10/11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Ruffy and the Riverside Video Game.

7.6

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 67% of Critics. There are 80 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Life is Xbox: 83 / 100

Ruffy and the Riverside feels like a platformer straight from the past, in a good way. Clearly inspired by the greatest 3D platformers out there, it stands out as a varied, beautiful, and fun take on the genre, and has the potential to be remembered for years to come.

Full Review

PlayStation Universe: 9 / 10 by John-Paul Jones

Unlike other seemingly similar efforts that want to tempt players down 3D platformer memory lane for a concentrated hit of nostalgia and leave it at that, Ruffy and the Riverside doesn't just take that well-worn idea and repackages it, but instead adds something refreshingly compelling to the formula. Though some minor flaws and polish issues do abound, they aren't enough to take the shine away from one of the most charming and thoughtful 3D platformers in ages.

Full Review

Output Lag: 8 / 10 by Paula Vaynshteyn

Ruffy and the Riverside is an enjoyable, nostalgic, and collectible-filled trip down a memory lane littered with 3D platformers, while still managing to feel entirely new thanks to interesting new mechanics.

Full Review
91%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (202)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Charming Art Style and Music: Many users praised the game's vibrant, storybook-style graphics and catchy soundtrack, which evoke nostalgia for classic platformers.
  • Unique SWAP Mechanic: The ability to swap textures and materials to solve puzzles is highlighted as a creative and enjoyable feature, allowing for innovative gameplay and exploration.
  • Engaging Collectathon Elements: Players appreciated the variety of collectibles and side quests, which added depth to the gameplay and encouraged exploration.
  • Cute and Whimsical Characters: The characters, especially the hand-drawn 2D sprites, were noted as endearing and added to the game's charm.

The main cons of the game

  • Limited Use of SWAP Mechanic: Several reviews mentioned that the SWAP mechanic felt underutilized, with restrictions on what can be swapped and limited creativity in puzzle-solving.
  • Excessive Dialogue and Cutscenes: Users criticized the game for having too much dialogue that slows down the pacing, with many conversations feeling unnecessary or repetitive.
  • Simplistic Gameplay: Many players felt the puzzles and platforming elements were too easy, lacking challenge and depth, which could make the gameplay feel repetitive over time.
  • Technical Issues: Some users reported performance problems, such as frame rate drops, bugs, and a lack of customizable settings, which detracted from the overall experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • More Freedom with SWAP Mechanic: Players expressed a desire for a more expansive application of the SWAP mechanic, allowing for greater creativity in problem-solving and interaction with the environment.
  • Improved Puzzle Complexity: Many reviews suggested that the puzzles could benefit from more complexity and variety, as well as clearer guidance on what can be done with the SWAP mechanic.
  • Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions included the need for a better map system, fast travel options, and more customizable controls or settings to enhance the user experience.
  • Less Linear Gameplay: Some players hoped for a less linear structure, with more opportunities for exploration and discovery without being guided through the narrative.

Summary

  • Overall, while "Ruffy and the Riverside" has been well-received for its charm and creativity, there are notable critiques regarding its execution and depth, suggesting potential areas for improvement in future updates or sequels.

Summary generated on: