As the holiday season approaches, the mischievous and lovable character, the Grinch, makes a triumphant return in the whimsical platformer, The Grinch: Christmas Adventures. Developed by Casual Brothers and published by Outright Games, this festive escapade invites players to embark on a merry mission to steal Christmas in the vibrant and enchanting world of Who-ville. With a two-player mode featuring both the Grinch and his trusty companion Max, this title promises a jolly co-op experience. But will this yuletide platformer deliver the holiday cheer we all crave? Our experience at Gamescom gave us an early glimpse into the Grinch’s escapades.
What We Know
In The Grinch: Christmas Adventures, players step into the furry green shoes of the iconic Grinch, accompanied by his loyal dog Max. The game is a festive platformer that captures the essence of Dr. Seuss’s timeless tale. Set in the bustling town of Who-ville, where joy and merriment reign supreme, the Grinch’s heart, quite predictably, is two sizes too small. Seizing this opportunity, players must assist the Grinch in his quest to pilfer all the Christmas presents, avoiding carol singers, enthusiastic Whos, and the extravagant trappings of the holiday season. To accomplish this, the Grinch employs an array of cunning tools and gadgets, including a Santa costume for stealthy maneuvers, a Candy Cane Lasso to help you swing around, and a snowboard for racing through special areas. The Grinch can even hurl snowballs to halt any bothersome creatures in his path.
Visually, the game takes inspiration from Dr. Seuss’s original illustrations, presenting a colorful and whimsical world. A significant feature for some family-friendly play is the local multiplayer mode, allowing up to two players to control the Grinch and Max simultaneously. Designed with younger players in mind, the controls and puzzles offer an accessible experience. Additionally, the game incorporates rhyming elements in its storytelling, a tribute to the unique linguistic style of Dr. Seuss, which will resonate with fans of the beloved author’s work.
What We Saw
During our session at Gamescom, we had the pleasure of meeting with Outright Games to discuss The Grinch: Christmas Adventures. We delved into some gameplay as well, showcasing the Grinch’s antics and his attempts to thwart the festivities of Who-ville.
What We Thought
Bringing Dr. Seuss’s timeless tale to life in the interactive realm is no small feat, yet Casual Brothers and Outright Games seem poised to do justice to this beloved classic. The Grinch: Christmas Adventures is an endearing holiday romp that faithfully captures the spirit of the source material. The attention to detail in maintaining the rhyming narrative style, even across multiple supported languages, is a commendable touch. This ensures that the whimsical charm of Dr. Seuss’s world is preserved for players of all backgrounds.
The gameplay mechanics, particularly the Grinch’s array of quirky gadgets, offer a nice twist to the platforming experience. The inclusion of a two-player mode adds a layer of cooperative fun, allowing players to team up as the Grinch and Max, creating an engaging multiplayer dynamic. The visuals, clearly based on Dr. Seuss’s original illustrations, infuse the game with a vibrant and enchanting aesthetic that captures the essence of Who-ville in a digital form.
While we only scratched the surface during our Gamescom experience, The Grinch: Christmas Adventures shows promise as a delightful holiday diversion. With its faithful adaptation of the source material and engaging gameplay mechanics, it stands poised to deliver a jolly good time for players of all ages, making it a worthy addition to the festive gaming lineup. Gameplay-wise it might be a fairly standard 2D platformer, but it comes packed with charm that couldn’t be better suited to the season it’s being released in.
Press Play Media 