Barry the Bunny Review

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Fast Facts

Barry the Bunny is a two-dimensional platformer that has you jumping and climbing your way around a number of short, sharp levels. Those that have read a number of the reviews on this site may already know what they are getting in for, seeing that this is a Ratalaika Games title. That is no sleight on Rataliaka. I applaud them for what they do. I merely mean their games have an undeniable style and feel to them. If you’re a trophy hunter, then Barry the Bunny is the game for you. More on that in a bit, so grab your bouncing shoes and get ready to build some bridges in this rapid review.

Your Standard Pixel Graphics Title

When you load up the game, you know that you are not in for a groundbreaking experience. However, not every game needs to be revolutionary in order to be entertaining. Barry the Bunny is as straightforward of a game as you are likely to experience. It takes a tried and tested formula and does what it needs to do. 

Every level is just a few screens wide and over in a matter of minutes. Seconds even for some. You simply need to get from the start gate to the end gate without dying. Simple as. Along the way, you meet a range of enemy sprites, with a small group belonging to each different level/world. Some of these are a little more problematic than others… I’m looking at you, bats! They are all easily dispatched with a single hit. 

As you would expect, the level design grew more complex as the game went on. While never anything too challenging, the number of enemies and obstacles did enough to keep you on your toes. 

Fun Level Design but Lacking Difficulty

Each of the four main worlds in Barry the Bunny had a distinct feel, from the dark and rainy world to one of sunshine, sand and waves to the backstreets of some noir-styled city. The sprites for each world fit the setting and generally provided a nuisance rather than a challenge. I really liked the vibrant colours of the world, and the detail that went into each biome warrants applause.

I think that is where the driving issues lie with Barry the Bunny. It’s not a complex game, but it is also not a difficult one. Yes, there is an extra dimension to them where you can collect three logs of wood to build a small bridge to help a lost bunny get home at the end of each stage. However, the most complex that became was the odd backtrack to get a log from a higher platform. Even then, that was because I challenged myself to collect every hammer and carrot and kill every sprite in each level ever. 

If you are a gamer that likes a challenge, then Barry the Bunny probably isn’t for you. It relly is a case of once you’ve done the first level, you’ve already mastered the game. You might need to jump a few more times, but the gameplay complexity is there.

A Guaranteed Platinum for the Hunters

I mentioned at the start that Barry the Bunny is a trophy hunter’s dream. That’s because you get trophies hurled at you quicker than you can blink. Even the platinum trophy is awarded before you hit 50% completion on the game itself. I’d say it takes around 45 minutes to an hour to platinum the game and maybe three hours or so to complete it. That’s with killing everything and helping every bunny back to their home. 

I’m forgetting one key thing here. I’m 39 years old. I just might not be the target audience for the game. I got my stepdaughters to give it a go; they found it much more challenging and entertaining than I did. 

Blink, and You’ll Miss the Bosses

There are bosses in Barry the Bunny. You are not just building bridges and hurling hammers. However, these bosses appear suddenly at the end of the world, and defeating them is simply a matter of outrunning them. 

The boss battle was simple you with a headstart, jumping over obstacles and running over a bridge of disintegrating blocks—another classic sprite for this sort of game. The boss would then mindlessly leap to their death, and the level exit would unlock. While I may sound slightly cynical in this review, I did enjoy my short time with Barry the Bunny. However, the boss battles were the weakest part of the game by far. 

Junaty Chiptune Soundtrack

Barry the Bunny has a lively chiptune soundtrack which compliments the game well. However, as my attention to the game waned, I ditched the in-game music for the dulcet tones of Motorhead and AC/DC. There was nothing wrong with the music, and it was a great fit, but I needed something to keep me invested in the game, and a bit of old-school rock did the trick.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Barry the Bunny is a fun, if uninventive, way to pass a few hours. If you’re an adult who likes their games, this might not be the best one for you. If you want an easy platinum on your virtual shelf, then by all means, dive right in. Otherwise, this game is probably better played by the children in the house. Either way, it’s another safe game from Ratalaika, who has made a career out of playing it safe and doing everything just fine. 

Rapid Reviews Rating

2 out of 5

2

You can buy your copy of Barry the Bunny from the PlayStation store today.