After launching on PC last year, Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip has now made its way to PlayStation 5, bringing its quirky open-world adventure to console players. Developed by snekflat and published by Super Rare Originals, the game offers a lighthearted but also somewhat chaotic journey through the town of Sprankelwater, where Terry, an eccentric protagonist with an ambitious dream of reaching space, takes center stage. With an unconventional approach to open-world gameplay and a strong emphasis on humor, the game carves out its own niche, though not without some rough edges.
At its core, Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip embraces exploration and discovery over a rigid and linear structure. Players are free to navigate Sprankelwater at their own pace, whether on foot, behind the wheel of Terry’s not quite roadworthy car, or even gliding through the air with a paraglider. The town, while compact, is densely packed with interactive elements, hidden secrets, and eccentric characters that bring the world to life. Rather than following strict mission markers, players are encouraged to stumble upon objectives organically, fostering a sense of curiosity. However, this freedom sometimes works against the game, as mission objectives can feel unclear, and some tools lack a meaningful role beyond their initial introduction – which might leave some players feeling a bit lost for a while.
Gameplay is kept simple, making it accessible but occasionally frustrating. Terry can jump, run, drive, and use various items like a bat to smash objects or a net to catch small creatures. While these mechanics offer variety, movement can feel imprecise, particularly when it comes to platforming sections. Jumps lack the tight responsiveness needed for precise landings, and players may find themselves getting stuck on objects or struggling with awkward camera angles in tighter spaces. Driving also comes with its own quirks, with floaty handling that can make navigation unpredictable. Despite these shortcomings, the game avoids becoming overly punishing, keeping the experience light and breezy.
Visually, the game sports a unique aesthetic that combines voxel-like environments with bold, saturated colors and exaggerated character designs. The art direction contributes to the game’s whimsical tone, making the town of Sprankelwater feel lively despite its small size. Having said that, the absence of fast travel, while not a major issue during the core gameplay loop, becomes noticeable when backtracking is required in the later stages.
One of the game’s standout elements is its humor, which is woven into the dialogue, character interactions, and mission designs. From absurd scenarios involving truck drivers to assisting suspicious NPCs without fully understanding their intentions, the game fully embraces its comedic tone. While the main story is relatively short, clocking in at around three to five hours, the charm of the writing and sheer unpredictability of the world keep things engaging. However, the lack of substantial additional/post-game content means there’s little reason to return after completing the main objectives, unless players are particularly invested in finding all collectibles and customization options.
Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip delivers a fun, unconventional open-world experience filled with humor and absurdity. While its exploration and storytelling shine, technical issues, imprecise movement, and a lack of mission variety hold it back from reaching its full potential. Still, for players looking for a short, offbeat adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Terry’s journey to the stars is one well worth embarking on – just be prepared for a few small bumps along the way.
Score: 8.1/10
Press Play Media 