Max Mustard is a VR platformer that blends the charm of old-school platformers with the immersive experience that virtual reality offers – somewhat akin to Astro Boy and Lucky’s Tale. Published by Toast Interactive and released for the Meta Quest and Steam, the game places players in a vibrant, quirky world where they take on the role of the titular hero Max as he embarks on a quest to save mudpups from the evil Stubbins. With its mix of first-person power-ups and third-person platforming, Max Mustard has a lot to offer, as it embraces what VR can bring to the genre.
At its core, Max Mustard nails the essence of classic platformers while adding the unique touch of VR. The narrative is lighthearted and straightforward, focusing on Max’s journey to defeat Stubbins and rescue his furry friends. The charm of the story lies in its simplicity, which works well within the context of the game, keeping the focus on gameplay rather than overly complex storytelling that’s not needed here. That said, while the premise is engaging, it sometimes feels a bit predictable and formulaic, compared to how the developers themselves describe the game.
Where Max Mustard truly shines is in its gameplay mechanics and how they use VR. The game’s combination of first-person and third-person perspectives is one of its most intriguing features. Players will switch between these perspectives as they navigate the hand-crafted levels, adding variety to the experience. The first-person sections, particularly when using power-ups, feel satisfying and immersive, while the third-person platforming segments evoke a sense of nostalgia for classic platformers like Mario or Crash Bandicoot. The 40 levels offer plenty of content, though certain mechanics get repeated a bit too often, leading to occasional moments of repetition.
The game’s VR integration adds an interesting layer to the platforming experience, allowing for more dynamic camera shifts and environmental interaction. However, the controls can sometimes feel a bit unwieldy, especially during more intense platforming segments. There are moments where the precision required for jumps or actions in the third-person perspective clashes with the immersive but less accurate nature of VR controls. While this doesn’t ruin the experience, it can lead to occasional frustrations, particularly for players who are less familiar with VR platformers – if you have experience with the original Lucky’s Tale, you’re probably fine here as well.
Visually, Max Mustard is a treat. The game’s vibrant color palette and imaginative world design draw players in, and each level is filled with inventive set pieces, from lush forests to towering castles, with plenty of small details that make the world feel alive. Though not pushing the boundaries of what VR can achieve graphically, the art style is charming, complementing the lighthearted nature of the game. The use of VR really elevates the visual experience, with expansive landscapes that players can appreciate by simply looking around and visually explore, and animated cutscenes that provide a fun, cinematic feel.
On the audio front, Max Mustard provides a solid soundtrack that matches the tone of the game. The music is upbeat and catchy, helping to keep the momentum going as players navigate each level. The sound effects are equally playful, from the bouncy noises of Max’s jumps to the more dramatic soundscapes that accompany boss battles. Voice acting is present but not particularly memorable, as it mainly serves the purpose of delivering story beats and dialogue.
While Max Mustard brings plenty of fun and innovation to the table, the game can occasionally struggle with pacing, particularly in later levels where platforming challenges can feel either too drawn out or unnecessarily difficult due to small control issues. Additionally, while the perspective shifts between first-person and third-person are refreshing, the first person bits can sometimes feel tacked on, as if the game hasn’t fully settled into one cohesive style. Having said that – it’s still one of the best examples we’ve seen, so we’re mostly just nitpicking.
Ultimately, Max Mustard is a delightful addition to the VR platforming genre. It blends nostalgic platforming with the immersive possibilities of VR, offering a solid adventure with plenty of charm. Minor control issues and small pacing problems exist, but fans of platformers and VR enthusiasts will find a lot to love here. A gem in the niche VR platformer genre.
Score: 8.4/10
Press Play Media 