“I wanna make a jigsaw puzzle that’s 40,000 pieces. And when you finish it, it says, ‘go outside’.” – Demetri Martin
Overview
Buddy and Friends on Halloween is a cute and casual puzzle game in which players accompany kitten Buddy and his feline friends as they go trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood!
Developer: Mens Sana Interactive
Released: 25th October 2023
Price: £1.69
This game is being reviewed as part of the Indie Game Collective (IGC) showcase.
Gameplay
Buddy and Friends on Halloween is essentially a jigsaw puzzle game. There are six main images and these can be completed in a range of difficulty settings that are based on the number of puzzle pieces, 60, 135, 240, 375 or 540 adding some replayability. This provides 30 different puzzles in total and they vary from quick and easy to really quite challenging! The puzzle pieces do snap together and snap into position when they are placed correctly making the process slightly easier than a physical jigsaw. The game can also be displayed in either a light or dark mode increasing accessibility.
Narrative and Styling
Each jigsaw puzzle tells part of a brief but wholesome story about friendship and compassion. The story is told through the images themselves but also via a short caption that appears after each of the six puzzle designs is completed. The narrative is not a key part of the game but definitely adds an extra dimension to the experience and is a lovely addition.
Buddy and Friends on Halloween has a charming hand-drawn art style that is simultaneously delicate and cartoon-like. It uses vibrant pastel shades and muted colours to create dynamic images along with soft outlines that have the appearance of coloured pencil to crayon giving a very playful aesthetic. The music is jaunty and slightly spooky featuring upbeat but mysterious-sounding tracks that really fit the theme of the game as well as the delightful visuals. Whilst the Halloween theme is quite prevalent, it is presented in a fun and whimsical way rather than being too spooky!
Summary
Buddy and Friends on Halloween is a simple and undemanding game for the most part. It can be enjoyed in longer sessions or dipped into for a quick puzzle here and there. It offers delightfully whimsical artwork, an upbeat but suitably spooky soundtrack, a brief but uplifting narrative and a small set of jigsaw puzzles available in a wide range of difficulties. It has the potential to provide a good few hours of entertainment, is very family-friendly and is excellent value for money. I really enjoyed this title and I’d happily recommend it for fans of jigsaw puzzles or anyone looking for something casual to enjoy with a cup of tea!
Looking for more wholesome, family-friendly titles? You might also like these reviews:
Hidden Cats in Spooky Town – Another Gem from Nukearts Studio – Shindig: A Wholesome New Point-and-Click Adventure – Teacup – A Charming Tea-Themed Adventure in Little Pond
