Platypus Adventures

Platypus Adventures is a family-friendly third-person action-adventure and 3D platformer developed and published by solo developer David Richards under the studio Figtree Digital. Released in 2022, the game is a passion project explicitly designed to capture the spirit of classic 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, and Crash Bandicoot, all set within a vibrant Australian landscape.

Plot: Cosmic Mystery in the Outback

The game's narrative focuses on the protagonist, Platy the Platypus, who can be played as either male or female. The once-peaceful Australian wilderness is shattered when a mysterious meteorite impacts nearby. This extraterrestrial object unleashes a hostile alien force that possesses and corrupts the local fauna, disrupting the tranquil community of native animals.

An unprovoked attack on a nearby village forces Platy to step up as the unlikely hero. The quest involves traversing the diverse landscapes of Australia to confront the cosmic evil, uncover the deep mystery behind the invasion, and ultimately save their home from the strange, eye-possessing powers influencing the locals.

Gameplay: Exploration and Traversal

Platypus Adventures blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and light combat across its expansive environments:

• Traversal: Befitting a platypus, Platy possesses a versatile move set focused on environmental interaction. Players can swim through river systems, climb trees and rocky surfaces, swing across gaps using ropes, and slide down slopes. This emphasis on diverse movement is key to navigating the vertically complex levels.

• World Design: The game features a huge, traversable world modeled after classic Australian biomes, ranging from lush rainforests and sandy beaches to the arid outback. The environment is dynamic, featuring a day-night cycle and weather systems.

• Exploration and Collectibles: The world is packed with hidden treasures, secrets, and collectibles like bush tucker (native foods used for sustenance and aid). Exploration is highly encouraged to find powerful equipment and sustain Platy on the epic adventure.

• Combat: Platy confronts a range of colourful enemies and multiple bosses. The combat is often described as hack-and-slash or beat 'em up, with the player relying on melee attacks and eventually ranged weapons, and defensive maneuvers like parrying.

The game is a loving tribute to Australian nature, showcasing exclusively native flora and fauna, and has been continuously updated (including an engine upgrade to Unreal Engine 5) and supported by the solo developer, making it a charming and unique entry in the third-person adventure genre.