Bakeru review

In Japan, the Ganbare Goemon (literally, “Go for it, Goemon!”) franchise was profoundly popular. With it’s blue-haired lead rooted in folklore, Goemon would star in 23 mainline games, 8 spin-offs, and even inspire a manga and television series. But the rest of the world barely got to know Goemon. Publisher Konami believed the property was too culturally specific, leading to only five games ever making their way overseas.

But if you ever managed to play any of the Goemon titles, you’d immediately understand the appeal. The property tackled a variety of genres, yet traits like a whimsical attitude, a cartoonish rendition of feudal Japan, and references to other popular gaming franchises were all habitual. Best of all, Goemon games felt playful, delivering a variety of mechanics and often shrouding an inventory of secrets to be uncovered.

Trading the Pipe for Drum Sticks

Yet, without a single new entry in 19 years, Konami has seemingly forgotten about their pipe-wielding character. Undoubtedly, Good-Feel president and former Goemon director Etsunobu Ebisu misses the jovial ninja as much as we do. While Bakeru’s lead might be a shape-shifting tanuki rather than an outlaw hero, Good-Feel’s game channels the spirit of a Goemon title. Anyone with even a passing interest in action-platformers should immediately seek out Bakeru.

Adhering to tradition, Bakeru keeps the exposition delightfully brief. Animated cutscenes detail the nefarious Oracle Saitaro and his yokai entourage attempting to seize control of a fairy tale-esque Japan. Countering his ambitions sends you moving across an overworld map of the country. You’ll visit all the different prefectures, sightseeing across embellished environments that range from sandcastle-filled beaches, and aquatic resorts, to locales that flaunt the colors of Japan’s fall foliage – all before acquiring an airship for a final assault.

Of Hyottoko and Ninja Octopi

Pleasingly, the levels aren’t modest, frequently letting Bakeru loose in spacious playgrounds with plenty of explorational opportunities. Across each locale are multiple festival lanterns that you’ll need to smash open before the level goal of a tower drum is accessible. But that’s hardly the only thing you’ll be searching for. From a trio of capsules that hold souvenirs, trivia shared by a poop-like character, and later, tanuki that are particularly well-hidden, you’ll be scouring the alcoves of each stage. But there’s just one small gripe here: the tanuki search isn’t available from the start, requiring players to replay levels.

But it’s hard to be upset about collectible hunting when there’s a lot to like about each stage. Sure, there’s the occasional expanse of emptiness that Bakeru will have to cross. But there’s also a ton of amusing visual gags. Watermelon monsters split into perfect segments when struck while construction workers drop the massive guilders they carry when attacked. And occasionally, a majestic castle, stunning sky, or sea of cobalt-colored roofs slide into Bakeru’s backdrop, reminding of Japan’s abundant visual charms.

Have Drum, Will Damage

Although Bakeru’s stages have an excess of trash mobs, eliminating enemies isn’t a complete chore. The talented tanuki is armed with a pair of taiko drumsticks that can be pounded with a pat on your Joy-Con’s triggers. Occasionally, combos provide a sense of rhythm, with alternating taps sending Bakeru bounding toward his next enemy. But when a foe is too far, the protagonist is repositioned next to an enemy, which can be dangerous. On the upside, you have a forgiving health bar. And you can use the currency earned from defeating opponents to extend it further.

And while I would have appreciated a steady rhythm delivering more damage, some Bakeru’s other moves offer a useful alternative. By holding both bumpers, you can build up a charged attack. And if you entice a group of foes to surround you, the move is one of the most efficient methods of elimination. While you can’t block in the middle of a combo, Bakeru has some precision parries that can be helpful.

Don’t Forget Your Momotaro Form!

But you can also opt to collect tear-shaped power-ups to build up a gauge that powers your Henge licenses. Once acquired, these let the Bakeru shapeshift into different forms. Although most are combat-centered, providing a greater range or powerful area-of-effect attacks, one permits the tanuki to shrink in size and access new areas. For better or worse, Good-Feel rarely forces you to change into a specific form. As such, it’s easy to get into a groove and overlook these abilities outside of boss battles.

Like the old Ganbare Goemon games, Bakeru varies the types of action to help offset fatigue. Occasionally, you’ll hop into a robot dog for some Mario Kart-style races, get into dogfights, or square off in mecha-nized showdowns.  Sure, none of these mini-games are sophisticated enough to stand on their own. But they do ensure that the title’s cadence is stirringly syncopated. As such, Bakeru deserves to be just as prolific as old Goemon.

Bakeru was played on Switch with review code provided by the publisher.