The latest Banjo Kazooie-inspired 3D platformer is here now on Steam. Jump into our Hop ‘n’ Marty review to find out all about it!
Far detached from its boom period on the fifth generation of game consoles, there’s still lots of fun to be had in 3D platformers. Whether it’s the insane movement in Penny’s Big Breakaway, the irresistible charm of A Hat in Time, or the mystique of Cavern of Dreams, I keep coming back to this genre not just out of nostalgia, but because there’s so much potential in it.
Doesn’t this picture just scream “Nintendo 64”?
There’s a lot of characteristics that make these games so special to players past just running and jumping. With Hop ‘n’ Marty, Evilkookey Games seeks to capture all the intricacies that make a great 3D platformer/collect-a-thon. Read on to see if Hop ‘n’ Marty should enter the conversation with the greats in this review!
Hop ‘n’ Marty Review – Story
Hop ‘n’ Marty, being a 3D platformer, isn’t all too concerned with crafting a grand-scale plot. In games like these, the journey and the exploration are the big takeaways. To lay the groundwork, the villainous Captain Hookbeak has captured all the pygmy marmosets and forced them to work as his crew.
Class divide is still present in collect-a-thons.
As Marty the monkey and Hop the frog, it’s up to you to track down all 50 primates and collect hundreds of bananas in the process. The dynamic of the friendly main character and the quick-witted, chirping sidekick is intact, as Hop’s snarky comments bring some hilarity to each and every NPC interaction.
Hop ‘n’ Marty Review – Gameplay
As a traditional 3D platformer/collect-a-thon hybrid, the mechanics of Hop ‘n’ Marty are quite simple. You’ve got your standard double jump, a ground pound, and a spin attack, and that’s all the moveset you’ll need. You can also throw oranges to dispatch baddies from afar or hit targets. It’s muscle memory for weathered platform players and will take mere seconds to master, welcoming its target audience without a cumbersome adjustment period.
Tricky timing will put even the most proficient platformers to the test in Hop ‘n’ Marty.
Where Hop ‘n’ Marty also excels is when you get to control Hop at certain junctures. Hop has an extra-high jump and can shoot his tongue out to grapple to higher points. These little segments are a nice break from the nonstop platforming and offer some nice variety to the mix.
Hop’s got hops.
While 5 levels might sound like a small amount, these areas are positively massive. There’s the obligatory pirate level, and a neat one that takes place in a giant living room. The standout to me was the level that’s chock-full of board games; whether you’re climbing a Jenga tower or battling with Rock-em Sock-em Robots, it’s a perfect complement to the nostalgia factor that Hop ‘n’ Marty exudes.
Rated E for everyone!
I think the most underrated aspect that Hop ‘n’ Marty captured is the tinge of legitimate creepiness that these games have. It’s something ever-present in the aforementioned Cavern of Dreams and subtly inserted into Siactro’s titles like Super Kiwi 64/Toree. It might seem like a tonal shift from the otherwise happy-go-lucky setting, but looking back at Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie, there’s certain portions of those games that are downright unsettling, so the disturbing level deserves some extra appreciation.
There’s some cool cameos from other indie platformers in Hop ‘n’ Marty, like Macbat and Supraland.
The climactic boss fight with Captain Hookbeak at the end of Hop ‘n’ Marty is a real treat. Making great use of the rest of the game’s levels, it’s a memorable final showdown worth finding at least 40 pygmies to reach. As credits rolled, it’s a real shocker that a game of this quality was made thanks to just a handful of people.
Hop ‘n’ Marty Review – Visuals
With a presentation that contains low-poly characters and muddy textures, the Nintendo 64 aesthetic is bar none in Hop ‘n’ Marty. Not only does this capture the look that the devs were looking for, it makes it extremely accessible to play on just about any computer that can render it, meaning that you don’t need a gaming PC of any sort to enjoy it with a high framerate.
Personally, I’m a PB&J-station fan.
Hop ‘n’ Marty Review – Audio
One of the most memorable portions of 3D platformers was its soundtracks, with each level bringing a new, enjoyable track to lose yourself in. Hop ‘n’ Marty is no exception, with some absolute bangers across its levels. The board game level is whimsical, the pirate level is appropriately accompanied by accordions, and the main theme is a joy to get stuck in your head.
Hop ‘n’ Marty Review – What Else?
I was wondering what the price point for Hop ‘n’ Marty would be ahead of its release as I plugged away at it. I was a bit taken aback to see it release at the price of $17.99 USD, due to it being as brief of an adventure as it was. Nevertheless, it’s still a fraction of the cost of a AAA game and perfect for its target audience, so don’t let the price of entry deter you if you’re interested.
Now where have I heard that one before…
Hop ‘n’ Marty Review – Conclusion
If you can’t get enough of the 3D platformer/collect-a-thon subset of games, Hop ‘n’ Marty is undoubtedly going to be more of what you love. It’s a great time, albeit done quicker than you might hope. For a studio as small and young as Evilkookey Games, though, it’s quite an achievement.
So, why should you play Hop ‘n’ Marty?
- Brilliant, cozy 3D platforming and collecting straight out of the N64 era
- Easy to pick up and play, and plenty of variety from start to finish
- An honor to Banjo Kazooie and just about must-play if you love that franchise.
But why shouldn’t you play Hop ‘n’ Marty?
- Only 3-4 hours of gameplay for $18 USD.
- Not verified yet for Steam Deck.
A review code was kindly provided by Evilkookey Games for the purpose of our Hop ‘n’ Marty Review. You can grab Hop ‘n’ Marty now on Steam, and join us on the Qualbert Discord to get nostalgic about your favourite old school 3D platformers!
