Bluey: The Videogame

Bluey: The Videogame Review

Wesley Thorne / 22 Feb 2024

Bluey has leaped from the small screen to the realm of interactive entertainment with Bluey: The Videogame. Hailing as a beloved animated series from Australia, the show has been praised for tackling a wide array of themes with a blend of humor and heart. Now, the Blue Heelers family steps into the video game world, aiming to provide an experience as captivating as the episodes that inspired it.

Bluey: The Videogame impresses with its visuals straight out of the gate. It's clear that the developers at Artax Games took great care in replicating the show’s distinct 2D animation style. The game features a collection of 2.5D environments, adding depth to familiar locales like the Heeler household and the beach. Fans will appreciate the game's true-to-source aesthetics and the involvement of the original voice cast, creating an authentic Bluey experience.

Venturing into gameplay, Bluey: The Videogame is anchored by a sweet, holiday-themed treasure hunt. However, despite the game's cute premise, the gameplay mechanics are underwhelming. The puzzles are repetitive and the platforming is less than smooth, burdening players with imprecise controls. Additionally, the inclusion of several mini-games—Keepy Uppy, Ground is Lava, Magic Xylophone, and Chattermax Chase—provides variety but ultimately falls flat due to lackluster execution and occasional glitches.

Clocking in at just over an hour, the narrative concludes abruptly, leaving players yearning for more content and a proper ending. The final level, in particular, lacks the narrative resolution that could have rounded off the journey satisfyingly.

While Bluey: The Videogame offers multiplayer capabilities, the experience doesn't necessarily scale well. When played in groups, players can often find themselves dealing with character freezes and teleportation issues, which can cause confusion and irritation, especially for younger gamers.

In conclusion, Bluey: The Videogame falls short of expectations. Though visually pleasing, the game embarks on a minimalist approach that doesn't quite capture the depth and innovation of its television counterpart. More a piece of merchandise than a substantial gaming experience, it may charm young fans initially but fails to offer lasting engagement or value for its price point.