Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is a nice new 3D platforming adventure set in the vibrant world of 2020’s Summer in Mara, offering a lovely and fitting gaming experience for the summer season. Developed in collaboration between Chibig and Talpa Games, this standalone follow-up title showcases the adorable protagonist, Koa, as she embarks on an exciting new journey to overcome challenges set by mischievous pirates who have disrupted the peace in the village of Qualïs. This review is based on our time with the game on a PlayStation 5.
The game presents a seamless transition from the farming-exploration elements of Summer in Mara to a more fast-paced platformer reminiscent of classic PS2/PS3-era platforming titles, while retaining a familiar look and feel. Players can dive into eight distinctly different worlds, each featuring its own unique ecosystem, from lush forests to icy glaciers, and pirate villages brimming with activity. While the narrative mostly takes a back seat to the platforming action, the focus on completing thirty exhilarating levels keeps players engaged throughout the adventure.
Controlling Koa feels fluid and fun, with a moveset that includes running, dashing and bomb jumping. You also have the ability to chain sprinting, jumping, and rolling together for graceful maneuvering. The gameplay loop encourages players to replay levels at different paces, offering a dual experience of leisurely exploration and high-speed racing to secure gold medals. The levels are filled with numerous collectibles as well, which players can use to unlock cosmetics, outfits, and even island improvements back in Qälis.
Visually, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara excels with its charming “chibi”-like art style and lively animations – which carry over nicely from Summer in Mara. The colorful environments and cheerful characters embody the essence of a sunny summer adventure, making it a delight to explore and interact with the world. However, some players may find the level design lacking in originality, as many obstacles and challenges feel familiar from other platforming games, giving this one a slightly generic feel compared to AAA platformers like Ratchet & Clank.
The game’s accessible difficulty caters to both newcomers and experienced platformer fans, making it suitable for family gaming sessions. While the levels offer satisfying challenges, the game can be completed in around five hours, but additional replay value stems from attempting to achieve high scores and uncovering hidden secrets. If you don’t typically go for those, this is going to feel like a rather short adventure to you.
One minor drawback lies in the lack of further character development for returning characters from Summer in Mara, which might leave some players who haven’t experienced the previous game feeling slightly disconnected from the story, and Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara would have benefited from more narrative emphasis. Additionally, certain side-levels and underwater segments may not match the pace and quality found in other parts of the game.
In conclusion, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara provides a refreshing new take on the world introduced in Summer in Mara, transforming it into a fresh 3D platforming adventure. Its engaging gameplay, colorful visuals, and charming characters make it a worthwhile experience, particularly for players seeking a lighthearted and accessible platformer. While definitely not groundbreaking, the game succeeds in delivering a summer-themed platforming treat for all ages, especially those fond of classic platforming games like the ones they used to play one of two decades ago.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 