Ruffy and the Riverside – A Magical 3D Platformer of Copy and Paste

Introduction

In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of indie games inspired by the 3D platformers of the 90s. Ruffy and the Riverside joins this trend by recapturing the magic of classics like Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie, while adding its own refreshing twist. From the very first minutes, the game radiates both nostalgia and novelty, thanks to its lighthearted world and its unique texture-swapping mechanic. The result is a joyful and surprising experience designed to make players smile as they explore, solve puzzles, and relive the golden age of 3D platformers.

Story and Setting

The story follows Ruffy, a little bear chosen to save his world. Riverside is under threat from the evil Groll, an ancient creature intent on destroying the World Core and plunging the land into chaos. To stop him, Ruffy must travel across multiple regions and collect the magical letters that power the Core of Riverside.

The narrative tone is light and humorous, full of quirky characters that add charm to the adventure. Pip, the sarcastic bee; Sir Eddler, a chivalrous mole; and Silja, a wise turtle advisor, are just a few of the personalities that bring the world to life with funny dialogues and optional missions.

The setting blends fantasy with whimsy: giant mushroom forests, tropical beaches, quaint villages, and more. It’s clearly designed for all ages—accessible and appealing to younger players, yet nostalgic and charming enough for adults who grew up with the classics.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At the heart of Ruffy and the Riverside is the SWAP mechanic, allowing Ruffy to copy the texture or material of one object and paste it onto another, altering its properties. This forms the basis of nearly every puzzle and challenge. You can copy vines from a wall and apply them to a waterfall to make it climbable, or turn stone into wood so it floats like a raft. The sense of discovery and creativity makes solving puzzles deeply rewarding.

Gameplay combines 3D exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving. Riverside is structured around a central hub connecting seven regions, reminiscent of Mario 64’s castle. Each area introduces puzzles tied to SWAP, light platforming challenges, and plenty of collectibles—ranging from butterflies and dream stones to hidden creatures and coins. Exploration is free-flowing, with curiosity rewarded by secrets and optional content.

There are also plenty of side activities: hay bale races, helping a ghost fish decorate its grave, scaring sharks out of a pool, lighting torches, and more. This variety gives the game a fun, theme-park vibe.

Platforming isn’t the main focus, nor is combat (which is sparse and simple). Even bosses often require puzzle-solving rather than brute force. Retro-style 2D sections serve as bonus levels, cleverly using SWAP in tighter spaces. For accessibility, hints can be purchased from characters in exchange for coins.

Level design is spacious but manageable, with some repeated challenges and occasional restrictions on SWAP creativity. Controls are a bit loose—Ruffy moves quickly, making jumps tricky—and the camera can be clumsy in tight areas. Some ladders and checkpoints are also awkward. Still, the experience remains creative, lighthearted, and fun.

Art Direction and Technical Aspects

The art style stands out immediately: 2D hand-drawn characters coexist with colorful 3D environments, producing a Paper Mario-like effect. Initially odd, it quickly grows on you and gives the game its unique identity.

The environments are varied and vibrant, with intentionally low-poly design that evokes the Nintendo 64 era. Each biome feels distinct, supported by consistent artistic direction.

Performance is stable on PC and modern consoles, though minor bugs like clipping or texture hiccups appear occasionally. The camera and controls, as noted, could use refinement, but the game doesn’t rely on combat AI, so its simplicity doesn’t detract. All menus and text are localized into Spanish, making it highly accessible.

Sound Design

The soundtrack is upbeat and catchy, with distinct melodies for each region that support the adventure’s tone. Not every track is unforgettable, but together they enhance the whimsical atmosphere. Sound effects lean into humor, from comical footsteps to exaggerated slaps. Characters speak in playful Banjo-Kazooie-style gibberish, which adds charm.

Overall, the audio supports the game’s cheerful identity and accessibility, ensuring it works well for a wide audience.

The Good

• Creative and fun texture-swapping mechanic

• Colorful, varied world full of surprises

• Distinctive cartoon aesthetic with strong personality

• Lots of collectibles and optional activities

• Cheerful soundtrack and humorous sound effects

• Fully localized text, accessible for all audiences

The Bad

• Controls feel imprecise at times, with a clumsy camera

• Certain challenges and minigames repeat

• Limited freedom in puzzle-solving

• Slow start with overly long tutorials

Conclusion

Ruffy and the Riverside is a love letter to 90s 3D platformers, infused with fresh ideas and undeniable personality. The SWAP mechanic sets it apart, rewarding creativity and curiosity with playful solutions.

Despite some rough technical edges and unpolished controls, it’s a charming, heart-filled adventure perfect for players seeking something fun, light, and imaginative. Ruffy may not reach the polish of larger productions, but it has something many bigger games lack: soul.

Final Score: 8/10

Recommended for:

• Fans of classic 3D platformers like Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie

• Puzzle lovers who enjoy creative problem-solving

• Families looking for an accessible, kid-friendly adventure

• Players seeking a cheerful, lighthearted game full of humor and surprises

Available on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch