Review georgeypoorgey 4/5 · Jun 13, 2024
Just like Sonic, it sucks and rocks
Penny's Big Breakaway is that one girl in highschool who was lanky, awkward, and made embarrassing jokes but also won State for Pole Vaulting.
Like there is so much to complain about with Penny's Big Breakaway. The mechanics can be janky, the glitches are ever present needing active avoidance, and the story meanders to a slump. And if any of …
Penny's Big Breakaway is that one girl in highschool who was lanky, awkward, and made embarrassing jokes but also won State for Pole Vaulting.
Like there is so much to complain about with Penny's Big Breakaway. The mechanics can be janky, the glitches are ever present needing active avoidance, and the story meanders to a slump. And if any of those are deal breakers for you, I think you are totally justified in not liking PBB.
But if you instead prize things like locomotion, music, and visuals, you will probably forgive Penny for her sins. The mechanics are a little crusty, but once you get used to it, Penny can really cruise. Like you could play this game like Tony Hawk- trying to get one big combo the whole stage. And you are encouraged to reach for high scores because the music gets you into a groovy flow that pushes the player toward excellence. Moving to each new world was exciting just because I wanted to hear the funky, thematic, and energizing tunes. That and each world is gorgeous. The Sonic Mania team created a 3D experience that captures the essence of Sonic stylistically.
I think Penny's Big Breakaway is an interesting first test for what Evening Star can and will do when separated from the enormous IP that is Sonic the Hedgehog. I hope they continue to make games that are energetic, beautiful bops.
