Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind

Bubsy's first outing is, to put it nicely, not the best thing out there in terms of 2D platformers. While developed to be a contemporary right alongside Sonic and Mario, Bubsy offers an adventure that is likely best left forgotten. It's a floaty mess with a character and camera that are never really working together. Bubsy always feels like he's walking on a puddle or banana peels (which, ironically, is an obstacle in the game). You can go from 1 to 100 on a dime, but the levels are designed in such a way that going at top speed will result in your immediate death, either through an enemy, obstacle, or something else that buzzes in from offscreen. I'm not sure if it's because Bubsy is dead-center in the screen, or if his model is too big, or if the game scrolls too quickly, but this game is not a joy to play through. Top this with levels that feel slapped together with no cohesion, hitboxes that make no sense, and an overabundance of 90's 'tude, and it just doesn't have much there.

What is there doesn't really feel substantial, but at least hints and the type of game that Bubsy could have been. The music and sound is playful and catchy, and there are a few moments now and then where it actually feels like a game. These moments, however, are rare. Another point the game has going for it is a very enjoyable use of colour and assets. While they certainly aren't put together in any meaningful or interesting way, the game has tons of bright and fun characters and backgrounds. Sadly, these highlights are always put on the backburner as playing comes across as a struggle. A game should never feel like a chore to play. One should never feel like they're battling the game in order to have fun. This is the case, though, for Bubsy - a battle that you will lose.