Outright Games, in collaboration with 3DClouds, has just released PAW Patrol World – a brand new 3D action adventure set in the vibrant and hugely successful universe of the beloved canine heroes. While perhaps not intended for adult gamers, it unquestionably strikes a chord with its intended audience of children aged three to eight. Featuring four distinct open worlds inspired by the TV series, including Adventure Bay, Jake’s Mountain, The Jungle, and Barkingburg, players assume the roles of their favorite PAW Patrol pups. Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, and Everest are all equipped with their unique skills, and the narrative centers around the upcoming PAW Patrol Day festival and the antics caused by Mayor Humdinger and his Kitten Catastrophe Crew, offering young players an engaging storyline to follow that aligns well with the show.
Navigating these worlds is a lot of fun, especially for the younger audience. The game’s controls are intuitively designed, ensuring an easy learning curve. The tutorial effectively introduces basic movements and interactions, allowing players to freely explore and partake in missions. The addition of well-placed blue paw indicators further assists players in finding their way, making sure they never lose their path. As players progress, they embark on missions that require swapping between the pups to utilize their unique abilities. This interaction mechanic keeps the gameplay engaging and aligns with the collaborative spirit of the PAW Patrol team and makes sure all pups play their part.
Collectibles play a significant role, offering an extra layer of exploration. Gathering dog treats to unlock outfits, vehicle stickers, and emotes provides a satisfying sense of progress. The game’s well-crafted world design ensures that collectibles are scattered generously, making exploration rewarding and enjoyable and not too difficult for kids. While the gameplay loop is straightforward, the simplicity caters perfectly to its target demographic. However, it’s worth noting that the lack of diverse interactions might leave older players wanting more depth. Additionally, the co-op mode, while enjoyable and a great addition for bigger families, can sometimes devolve into a frantic race to complete tasks, though this should rarely be a problem when joining in as an adult.
Visually, PAW Patrol World impresses with its clean and detailed character models, capturing the essence of the beloved characters. The open worlds are thoughtfully designed, although they might feel a bit sterile and lacking in bustling activity. This is in sync with the show itself, but it might stand out more when you’re able to roam around freely. The game maintains a consistent visual quality throughout, avoiding muddy textures and maintaining a vibrant color palette.
The sound design shines, featuring recognizable voice lines and a soundtrack that perfectly complements the PAW Patrol universe. The inclusion of the classic catchphrases also adds an extra layer of authenticity for young fans. However, it’s important to address a few areas of improvement. The camera controls, set as default, could certainly be better. Additionally, the gameplay mechanics, while well-suited for young players, might benefit from more varied interactions to keep older kids and parents engaged as well.
In conclusion, PAW Patrol World offers a charming and accessible adventure for its target demographic. It succeeds in creating a kid-friendly open world with recognizable characters and a delightful narrative. While the gameplay loop might be too straightforward for older players, it provides an enjoyable experience for young fans of the series. The game’s visual and auditory fidelity successfully captures the essence of PAW Patrol, ensuring an immersive experience for fans and their parents in what’s possibly the best PAW Patrol game yet.
Score: 7.8/10
Press Play Media 