Hollow Pond’s Loot Rascals is creating quite the fuss. Very few games have the same feel it provides. It’s seriously a unique action game that you have to experience to understand. The story’s narrator is a perfect fit for the space adventurer’s helper. Not to mention, being comic relief for the high stakes story. The game has some turn based action that keeps you shifting cards. Making you think out the tough decisions.

Loot Rascals Review

Title: Loot Rascals

Platform: PC [Reviewed] and PlayStation 4

Genre: Indie, RPG, Adventure

Developer: Hollow Ponds

Publisher: Hollow Ponds

Players: 1

Release Date: March 7, 2017

Price: $14.99

Story

Loot Rascals begins as the player is sent to fix a broken machine. This machine was sent into space to create a settlement that could support human life. While on the way to fix the machine, the player crashes. Losing the broken bot in the process. Your task is to recover it by any means necessary. This requires the player to traverse five levels of enemies and various bosses. The story of Loot Rascals is a range from humorous to mysterious. While still retaining a bit of seriousness when needed. Although, the protagonist and aliens don’t have much to say about the craziness that happens.

Gameplay:

The main goal is to find the portal to the next zone. However, creatures called Rascals stand in your way. Obviously, these aliens do their best to make the goal difficult to achieve. The Rascals stay in either attack or defense mode. In attack mode, the alien gets the first chance of attacking you. While defense mode grants the opposite effect. Loot Rascals plays similarly to a Strategy RPG. The player and the aliens take turns moving on small plates. However, you aren’t really working to clear a stage. It’s more like battling to get them out of the way.

Abilities:

There is a bonus to attacking monsters, as some of them will drop loot. The loot can come in one of two forms as well. There’s a simple money drop of spare coins. Then, there’s loot that buffs characters too. The loot drops in the form of cards and you equip them to gain some strength. These cards get progressively better, as the enemies get tougher. However, to gain their full benefit, they must be moved into a specific arrangement. Also, you can learn abilities for defeating certain monsters. After fighting some mini bosses, abilities, such as: healing, teleporting, and ranged attacks add more flair to the adventure.

Enemies and Bosses:

There are several enemies in Loot Rascals. Each one being unique and very alien. There’s also an interesting dynamic with their facial features. Different faces can reveal a few things about the enemies. If the enemy has little health and attack, it will be pest until you finally corner it. Others run away from you. While some want to attack you. This keeps you on your toes at all times. Especially, since you have a meager 5 hit points. You can earn more health, as you progress, but only by defeating mini bosses. These creatures have given names, lots of health, and even greater attack too.

Animation and Design:

Not many games can claim to be designed by a master of animation. However, this game’s artwork is certainly proof of this. Loot Rascals is animated by Dave Swatpaz, best known for his work on Cartoon Network’s hit show, Adventure Time. Loot Rascals has nearly flawless animation and gorgeous cutscenes too. The characters are cute, memorable, and overflowing with emotion. Each of the five levels are meticulously designed and have their own unique elements as well. Making each level stand out on its own.

Pros

High replay Value

Fun storyline

Enthralling gameplay

Unique looking characters and world

Cons

Little Action

Final Rating

Overall Thoughts: 9 Out of 10 Loot Rascals is an enjoyable, yet challenging experience. The story is nice was and and the characters are beautifully animated. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is a certain oomph missing throughout the game, which would put it over the top. Even then, you should give this game a try. Loot Rascals is a rare gem that shines through. It’s obvious special attention was given to it in so many areas. I’m definitely interested in what Hollow Ponds creates next.

For the sake of transparency, the publisher provided a digital code for review purposes.