Rusty Rabbit Review – A Charming Yet Clunky Descent

Rusty Rabbit Review

There’s something inherently alluring about the juxtaposition of anthropomorphic animals and biomechanics. The binary opposition between cute, organic creatures and harsh, man-made machinery instantly generates intrigue. While this premise has been explored before, most notably in titles like F.I.S.T., there’s still plenty of room to push the concept further. With Gen Urobuchi penning the story, could Rusty Rabbit be the entry that finally eclipses its peers and emerges as a standout in the genre of animal-fronted adventures?

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are long gone, snow now blankets the land, and rabbits have taken over. The fluffy survivors have evolved, learning to harness man-made machinery left behind. Scattered remnants of the old world remain, which the rabbits attempt to decipher like ancient texts. Among these are the works of Peter Rabbit, who is worshipped as the savior of the species.

You play as Stamp, a digger who profits from excavation. After crossing paths with a group aiming to delve into the depths of Smokestack Mountain, you decide to join them. The deeper you go, the more secrets you uncover, some tied to the world’s forgotten history, others linked to your estranged daughter.

A Rabbit With a Past

The story unfolds gradually, delivered through brief passages that appear throughout the journey. This slow drip-feed helps build atmosphere and adds a steady pace to the narrative. Stamp also chimes in with his own gruff, ex-militant narration, offering inner thoughts and reflections on the events around him. The supporting cast is varied and distinct, each with their own quirks, but they’re let down by stilted dialogue. Conversations often lack a natural rhythm, leading to moments that feel awkward or forced. While there’s clear ambition behind the storytelling, it ultimately struggles to deliver a truly compelling tale.

Trekking into Smokestack Mountain requires the use of your mech. You must dig through the terrain, collecting junk that can be used to craft items and level up to unlock new abilities. The world slowly opens, allowing you to progress in multiple pathways. Although there is a Metroidvania-like structure, progression is straightforward. There are different biomes, each with different environmental elements, however, the loop remains the same. Doors block certain route,s requiring you to follow a different path until you find a key. While this is conventional within the genre, Rusty Rabbit does nothing to vary the format, making the gameplay feel predictable.

Combat feels dated partly due to the stiff movement and slow attacks. Starting with only a drill, the early portion struggles to find its feet due to the lack of attacking options. This does improve as you unlock new weapons, however, it still struggles to compete with its peers that often include more varied and interesting combat. Boss battles highlight the issue as the sluggish fights lead to hit-and-hide tactics, fostering tedious segments.

Needs a Little Oil

You can return to the hub area at any point. This is where you can upgrade abilities, speak with the townsfolk and much more. Head into the bar for a chat and to learn about side missions or refine your mech for when you return to the mountain. There’s also a random dungeon generator that allows you to venture into the unknown to collect resources. It’s a welcome addition that gives more reasoning for staying in the world after completing areas.

Although apt, the visuals and art direction are underwhelming. Environments have basic textures that make certain parts feel dated. Areas do differ, but not drastically, which adds to the repetition. This is particularly disappointing as the premise is what helps to give the game its own identity. Nitroplus never takes the concept further, which creates a generic adventure that fails to reach the heights of its influences. Mixing in the conventional soundtrack adds to the mediocrity of the experience.

Rusty Rabbit is a game packed with potential, thanks to its intriguing premise, promising gameplay loop, and distinct art direction. Unfortunately, it struggles to capitalize on these strengths. The combat lacks impact, the gameplay loop quickly becomes formulaic, and the visuals feel dated, all of which contribute to an experience that, while occasionally enjoyable, ultimately feels uninspired and forgettable. There are glimpses of here and there, but the game never does quite enough to stand out from the crowd.

***A Nintendo Switch code provided by the publisher***