Developers already known to the public – and linked to the reinterpretation of a classic franchise in partnership with SEGA in Sonic Mania, one of the best titles featuring the blue hedgehog in recent years – created an independent studio called Evening Star and, on February 21, 2024, brought out Penny’s Big Breakaway, published by Private Division.

The game is a fast-paced 3D platformer that brings a lot of Sonic’s 3D titles to life, with low-poly graphics reminiscent of the best PS1 games, but with plenty of charisma and vibrant colors.

A likeable protagonist, perfect for a livestream

A great tribute to the 3D platform games of the late 90s, the game follows the journey of the likeable protagonist Penny and her multi-tasking yo-yo, which allows her to swing in the air, reach extreme speeds, pirouette, perform great maneuvers and jump great distances, while searching semi-open areas (but very straightforward stages with a beginning, middle and end) for optional collectibles, coins, scores to unlock posters at the end of the stages, among other possibilities.

We can also mention the power-ups that are gradually added to the levels, giving a sense of variety to the gameplay which, at first, seems repetitive due to the huge first world, but which introduces the game and the basic mechanics very well.

Penny’s Big Breakaway is a good game to broadcast on a livestream because it’s a new franchise in an already established style, 3D platformers, and it has its own charisma and identity. It provides content in moderate doses, since it has collectibles scattered throughout the levels and it’s a game that encourages you to play the levels quickly and explore them as much as you want as well.

The characters scattered around the levels are interactive, with dialogues and some challenges that interfere with the progression of the game, making the surrounding universe more alive and graceful, not to mention the localization of the game in several languages.

Penny’s Big Breakaway gives us enough content to entertain the audience

To complete the game, around 8 to 10 hours should be enough, while collecting all the items and doing the other tasks in the game can take more than 15 hours. For a game of this genre, it’s a lot of content and it’s built up organically.

In terms of technical criteria, the graphics stand out, with their vibrant but pleasant colors, the replay factor that really makes you curious to explore and re-explore the levels, the game’s sense of humor, the dialogues with the characters, which adds a touch of charisma, even if it’s a small detail, it makes a big difference and brings a universe to life.

The gameplay is fast and fluid, although at times clumsy, making it difficult to stop the speed of your own yo-yo… It’s not a problem or something that spoils the game design in any way, it’s just a different kind of gameplay that works well for the game’s purpose, uses certain physics concepts and requires a certain amount of practice to adapt to during gameplay. So, despite being “a car with no brakes”, Penny is quite pleasant to control.

In terms of performance, the game didn’t require much from my computer and is very smooth, making it a good option for players with less powerful computers and even streamers who want to play something fun and like games in this style.

Penny’s Big Breakaway

PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch (2024)

Performance

Streamability

Audience Engagement

Replayability

Summary

Penny’s Big Breakaway is charismatic enough and shows that the developers behind Sonic Mania are talented enough for solo flights. The gameplay works well and the game holds its own in what it presents, as well as expanding on the universe it’s set in and focusing on the small details, splashing beauty with incredible shades of color and showing the power of 3D platforms, whenever they’re well executed. I feel that Evening Star can show even more, but in its first release it has already delivered a great game.

4.1

STEAM

Ludovicoluka

I have 25 years, I produce content to internet for 4 years and I like retro games, indies and I’m an enthusiast for new launches. I have as my favorite games Donkey Kong Country 2, Super Mario World, Hollow Knight and Red Dead Redemption II, per example. I like to experiment everything and the more, the better, but I never get sick of my comfort games!