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Rain World Review

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There is one golden rule I’ve learned to abide by from my reviewing of video games over the years – “Never judge a book by its cover”. 

There are so many games that I have looked at, taking in the press blurb, the description and any images, that should have ensured that they would not be for me. Then there are the instances that come from loading up said game, playing two minutes of it, still in the understanding that it may not suit. 

Rain World provided those assumptions. At least initially. But this is a game that deserves the time, begging for you to soldier on through the early motions as you get to experience an amazing adventure that digs into you, with hooks. 

rain world review 3
Are you ready to learn about the slugcats in Rain World?

Rain World sees you presented with a sequence that focuses on a family of cute little creatures called slugcats. A hybrid of a cat and a slug we presume. In the sequence, there is a terrible storm, and one of the slugcats gets separated from the family, falling down a drain into the depths below. You play as that slugcat. 

Your task is to crawl out of the depths and find your family again, taking in a huge adventure in which you crawl over ancient civilisations and through hidden dangers. You have to survive against predators and feed yourself. But you also have to avoid the rain and find shelter. There’s a great story running through Rain World, one told without words or voices. It’s also hugely atmospheric as you get to grow to love your little slugcat, intent on reuniting it with its family more than anything else. 

At times Rain World is brutal. It is also difficult and frustrating, but it will keep pulling you back in to try again. You will die loads in this adventure, but like those 16-bit games it has been inspired by, there is always a way to learn and get better. 

Rain World provides a little tutorial at the beginning, but very soon you will find yourself on your own, left to get used to how, um, sluggish the slugcat is at first. It crawls across the ground, up and down objects at a speed that is so slow that it is hard to get used to. You crawl through pipes to access the hundreds of rooms on offer in this world, hunting for food, whether to be in fruit or the capturing and eating of flies to keep your strength up.

rain world review 1
Go hunting in Rain World

When it rains, which it does a fair bit – hence the Rain World title – you’ll be left to find shelter, as you look to hibernate. Yet as you progress through this adventure you will learn to grab objects, action small jumps, and throw projectiles at things. You’ll also get to repel creatures that are attacking you. If you do die, and you will, you lose a karma score that stops you from entering certain areas, but keep with Rain World and it very soon immerses you, particularly as you understand the controls and pace. In fact, it becomes pretty relaxing. At least as relaxing as a game in which you face certain death, pretty much every minute. There is a ton to take in here though, loads of exploring and the chance to take in a variety of areas, all as you look to spend hours in this rainy world. 

Visuals and things are a bit of a homage to those 16-bit games of old, but Rain World is a much more beautiful delight. The colour scheme and the level designs are brilliant and diverse, with some cracking environments found across the whole game. The creature design is interesting too, and you will soon begin to love your slugcat, especially in the outstanding, comic-drawn cutscenes. 

The soundtrack is equally as wonderful, with a brilliant score becoming your companion as you travel from level to level. It is simple, but haunting throughout. 

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Visually, this is a delight

Rain World does have a danger of being dismissed out of hand, especially in the early moments. It doesn’t hold your hand, you fast get lost and the difficulty is trying. But exploring this world and experiencing the adventure of your beloved slugcat is, ultimately, rather amazing.

A lengthy game with a host of hours of play behind it, Rain World will give you the opportunity to experience a world of wonder, danger, and slugcats.

SUMMARY

Pros:
  • A great introduction to the wonders of the slugcat
  • An amazing adventure
  • Beautiful visuals
  • Wonderful soundtrack
Cons:
  • Can be pretty brutal at times
  • No hand holding
Info:
  • Massive thanks for the free copy of the game go to - Akupara Games
  • Formats - Xbox Series X|S (review), Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
  • Release date and price - 11 July 2023 | £20.99
Gareth Brierley
Gareth Brierleyhttp://www.garethbrierley.co.uk
I am an actor and a writer. I act quite a bit on stage, a little bit on tv and never on tuesdays. I have had some of my writing published and have written for TV and stage. I have been playing games since they begun and don't seem to be getting any better.
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<b>Pros:</b> <ul> <li>A great introduction to the wonders of the slugcat</li> <li>An amazing adventure</li> <li>Beautiful visuals</li> <li>Wonderful soundtrack</li> </ul> <b>Cons:</b> <ul> <li>Can be pretty brutal at times</li> <li>No hand holding</li> </ul> <b>Info:</b> <ul> <li>Massive thanks for the free copy of the game go to - Akupara Games</li> <li>Formats - Xbox Series X|S (review), Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC <li>Release date and price - 11 July 2023 | £20.99</li> </ul>Rain World Review
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