Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-Beard takes the animated world of the film and comic universe into a family-friendly platforming adventure that mixes humor, exploration, and light action. The story begins shortly after the events of the movie, with Spiking-Beard stealing a golden feather missing several gems, setting off a continent-spanning chase as Chickenhare, Meg, and Abe attempt to recover them before the villain can. The plot is straightforward and carries the breezy tone of its cinematic roots – simple good-versus-evil storytelling that works well for younger players but offers little narrative surprise for veterans. Still, its color-filled world and cheerful writing ensure an engaging tone that captures the charm of its source material.
Gameplay revolves around dynamically switching between the three heroes, each with distinct abilities. Chickenhare glides through the air, Abe slides and uses his shell to smash or protect, and Meg delivers fast, combo-driven attacks for crowd control. This character-based design adds strategic variety to puzzles and platforming challenges, though movement and jump mechanics occasionally feel slippery, requiring players to rely on visual indicators for precise landings. Collectible treasures, coins, and completionist goals add depth for those pursuing full mastery, rewarding exploration and careful timing.
The platforming levels mix side-scrolling sections with 3D corridors reminiscent of classic mascot adventures. While the structure keeps navigation clear and manageable, some areas feel constrained by invisible walls, and combat is relatively straightforward with most enemies defeated in a single hit. Boss encounters offer slight variation, but the focus remains on timing, environmental navigation, and exploiting each character’s unique skills rather than complex battle systems.
Visually, the game leans heavily on bright, cartoon-style graphics that echo the aesthetic of the film series. Environments are colorful and lively, featuring hand-crafted sets and occasional perspective shifts that enhance spatial awareness and level variety. While the PS5 hardware delivers smooth frame rates, there are occasional rough edges in texture quality and character models, particularly during asset loading, which can slightly disrupt immersion. Still, the overall presentation successfully captures the charm of the Chickenhare universe.
The audio complements the whimsical presentation with cheerful sound effects and a playful score. Voice acting appears primarily in cutscenes, while in-game characters rely on sound cues and brief effects to punctuate movement and interactions. Music and ambient sounds support the adventure without becoming intrusive, although the soundtrack is more serviceable than memorable. Together with responsive controller inputs, the audio-visual combination maintains a cohesive, accessible experience.
Completionist players benefit from the game’s layered collectibles and structured level design, offering reasons to replay stages to achieve full mastery. While the platforming lacks high-level difficulty and the combat remains basic, the adventure succeeds in providing a light, engaging, and visually appealing journey that balances accessibility with modest challenges. For younger audiences or families seeking a colorful, straightforward platformer with humor and exploration, Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-Beard delivers a satisfying and charming experience.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 