For a title that began development in 2020, announced in 2022, and is slated to launch soon, The Plucky Squire from All Possible Futures draws several parallels to Team Asobi’s Astro Bot. They’re both straightforward in their appeal and playtime, not wasting any time on extraneous sections that bog down the pacing and emphasizing a linear experience while constantly keeping things fresh. They’re also both visual treats, though in different ways (with their scales differing wildly in terms of grandiosity).

However, perhaps the most distinct similarity is they’re both meant for a wide range of audiences, from kids to adults who have grown up with these kinds of experiences. In a sense, The Plucky Squire isn’t just about calling back to the classics in new and intriguing ways but also channeling one’s childhood. Where storybooks and characters were larger than life, going beyond two dimensions and having a distinct impact on our upbringing. It’s comfortable and nostalgic, manifesting the atmosphere of simpler days while presenting a compelling gameplay journey.

"The realization that maybe the story isn’t predetermined manifests in heart-warming ways."

The Plucky Squire is about Jot, a renowned hero in the Land of Mojo. His life is pretty simple: When he’s not saving the day against the villainous sorcerer Humgrump, he’s writing stories that the populace is enraptured by. However, upon setting out one day to foil another scheme by Humgrump, the latter reveals the shocking truth – that their world is nothing more than a story. Using his powers, he ejects Jot from the book and closes it.

Of course, this does little to deter Jot, who ventures across the desk of Sam, the book’s owner. By meeting up with a mysterious, omnipotent bookworm, he eventually gains the power to reopen the book and turn its pages to return to Mojo and stop Humgrump’s schemes.

Though players primarily control Jot, other characters assist in his journey, like Violet, a trainee witch who also dabbles in art; Thrash, a mountain troll and drummer; and Moonbeard, an overtly chill wizard who also drops some sick beats when things are all too peaceful. While their personalities can initially prove a little two-dimensional – which fits within the story’s context and overall set-up, though their dialogue is passable – they eventually expand in interesting directions.

There’s a running theme of Violet and Thrash leaving Jot to handle everything. So when he disappears, however briefly, panic sets in and eventually morphs into both characters slowly emerging as heroes in their own right. The realization that maybe the story isn’t predetermined manifests in heart-warming ways.

"While the 2D sections can feature side-scrolling platforming, it’s when Jot ventures off the page and into the real world where things get interesting."

While the premise of Jot having to stop Humgrump because it could adversely affect Sam’s chances of being a writer when he grows up sounds contrived, it fits the overall theme of deciding one’s destiny. It’s impressive how the narrative works on so many different levels, even though it’s presented in such an approachable fashion, further aided by narrator Philip Bretherton, who lends an air of elegance to the proceedings.

On a gameplay level, The Plucky Squire is an action-adventure title that brings The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past to mind. The top-down movement and slashing bushes to discover Hearts and currency are very similar – Jot even has a charged slash that can be unlocked, and his sword serves as a boomerang to retrieve items from a distance when thrown. However, the combat adds several contemporary touches as well, from three-hit combos and jumping attacks to dodge-rolls. The result is a comfy mix of old and new, with decent enemy variety to keep you on your toes (though it’s not difficult, even in Adventure Mode).

While the 2D sections can feature side-scrolling platforming, it’s when Jot ventures off the page and into the real world where things get interesting. Not only does the combat change significantly, like more forward momentum with strikes, but so does the exploration. One section involves sneaking past some less-than-friendly beetles, and while it may seem straightforward enough, things quickly ramp up in complexity. There’s extensive traversal between the 2D and 3D worlds, not unlike A Link Between Worlds.

The page-turning mechanic is also well executed. When first starting, Jot encounters puzzles that involve rearranging sentences to produce different outcomes, whether you’re changing the layout of a forest or emptying a moat of water. However, by exiting through special portals and moving towards the book’s edges, you can turn the page to a previous section in the story. Perhaps there’s a word that doesn’t fit your current predicament. Return to an earlier page, and you might find a word that serves as the solution.

"Rounding out The Plucky Squire’s solid gameplay and story-telling are the visuals and music. The former is just a joy to behold – the 2D artwork while exploring the Land of Mojo is brightly colored and clean, animating beautifully."

For example, one puzzle involved singing creatures that blocked pathways during the day. After returning to a previous page and retrieving a word, I changed it to nighttime, causing them to sleep and open up new paths while blocking others. Trying to juggle these two aspects while finding the best way to progress made for a fun puzzle experience. Of course, I also liked experimenting with words to create unorthodox outcomes, like giant gates and deflated insects.

Those mysterious portals also play a part during side-scrolling sections, as you’ll navigate through the dark, avoiding hazards and enemies to progress. The overall approach to the puzzles and platforming is quite robust, growing even more so as you progress further.

Of course, sometimes, Jot needs to venture outside of his story to find items that could help in specific situations. This leads to other sections, like a turn-based mini-game against a dignified elven archer who thinks you’re allied with Humgrump and won’t give up her bow. It leads to another sequence where Jot goes Rambo mode and wields the bow to take down flying bugs. Several other sections await, whether it’s a shoot ’em up sequence or a Punch-Out!!-style boxing mini-game, and they keep the gameplay fresh, even if they’re not too mechanically deep.

Rounding out The Plucky Squire’s solid gameplay and story-telling are the visuals and music. The former is just a joy to behold – the 2D artwork while exploring the Land of Mojo is brightly colored and clean, animating beautifully. When venturing into the 3D realm, the contours, shading, and lighting are immediately apparent, granting a more lifelike and realistic feel to the surroundings (and even to enemies who venture off the page).

"Overall, The Plucky Squire is a magical experience. Its story-telling and action may not initially overwhelm you, but it quickly unfolds into a unique adventure with plenty of heart."

The two styles work excellently in tandem, capturing their respective environments very well. While the music didn’t immediately strike me as amazing, it offers catchy, easy-breezy beats tunes. Moonbeard shouldn’t quit his day job to become a DJ by any means, but at least his beats added a nice comedic air.

When looking at The Plucky Squire as a whole, it’s easy to compare it to other titles that have come before. Some sections are similar to this SHMUP or action title and so on. What makes the experience stand out is how it leverages these different tropes and genres uniquely while keeping to its tone and overall world-building. If there’s any particular knock against the title, it can sometimes feel a little too easy. I know that’s supposed to be a given with Jot’s role and whatnot, but still.

Overall, The Plucky Squire is a magical experience. Its story-telling and action may not initially overwhelm you, but it quickly unfolds into a unique adventure with plenty of heart.

This game was reviewed on PC.