Okabu

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2011
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 28
  3. Negative: 5 out of 28
  1. DarkStation
    Nov 9, 2011
    70
    This isn't a game for me, nor is it a game for most kids I think, but it isn't hard to see what Sony saw in Okabu. As a game, it's not much fun, and as an aesthetic piece of entertainment, it's neither here nor there. However, it continues a proud, understated tradition for the PSN: make non-violent games that champion color, intelligence, and goodwill amidst the sea of edgy-ness that our beloved medium is wont to overproduce. Now if only the game design had matched the script, we'd have another Flower on our hands.
  2. GameSpot
    Oct 18, 2011
    70
    Okabu is a colorful and fun puzzle adventure, though it suffers from a few technical issues.
  3. ZTGD
    Nov 2, 2011
    68
    Okabu will certainly hold some appeal to those of you who have young children; it would be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with them. However, for everyone else, the game just doesn't do enough to keep you hooked, and even a pretty smile and a lovely tune cannot avert your attention away from that fact.
  5. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Jan 2, 2012
    60
    This feels like an educational game because the main theme is all about saving nature. You play as two clouds that have to clean up the polluted Okabu-world. The art design is quite attractive, but the puzzles that you need to solve are too simple to be interesting. [December 2011, p.101]
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  6. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Dec 3, 2011
    60
    The delightful mood means you could never hate this pretty little slice of whimsy. [Christmas 2011, p.104]
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  7. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Oct 27, 2011
    60
    Its charming world and creatures will keep most kids entertained, and playing with them as you explore the world can be rewarding. With most puzzles able to be solved in a few minutes' time, Okabu can be repetitive and slightly dull, but if you can get past the slow start there is an enjoyable game to be found here.
  8. Digital Spy
    Oct 19, 2011
    60
    It's innovative and fun, yet never feels preachy despite the underlying message it's attempting to convey. Gameplay defects do spoil the party somewhat, especially when playing on your own, but parents seeking a good wholesome game on the PlayStation Network for their children can't go far wrong with this.
  9. GamesRadar+
    Oct 18, 2011
    60
    There's a good foundation here and some simple fun to be had if you're willing to put up with the bugs and methodical pace.
  10. Telegraph
    Oct 18, 2011
    60
    The fact that Okabu is the work of just five people is remarkable: this is an ambitious undertaking for such a small team, but there's no denying that on occasion here it feels that Hand Circus has bitten off more than it can chew.
  11. 1UP
    Oct 26, 2011
    58
    Okabu would be a much better game if it only had the confidence to display itself proudly to the player. Until it gains some courage, we are left with a hampered game that never quite play as good as it looks.
  12. Gaming Age
    Oct 18, 2011
    58
    When it's not being repetitive, it's full of fun and you could potentially carry the team if your co-op player doesn't have the digitary dexterity needed to complete some of the more hectic tasks.
  13. IGN
    Oct 18, 2011
    55
    Okabu's beautiful art and amazing music can't save it from mediocrity. If the level design were more creative, the puzzles or tasks a bit less obvious, and the co-op different from the campaign it might have been something truly special. Sadly, though, Okabu is beautiful but totally superficial.
  14. Game Chronicles
    Nov 28, 2011
    50
    If you really feel like inflicting some permanent damage on an unsuspecting 5 year old then by all means pick this title up. Otherwise, just put in LittleBigPlanet and be considered the cool adult in the room.
  15. Eurogamer Italy
    Nov 17, 2011
    50
    Good graphics, evocative art direction and a funny soundtrack aren't enough: Okabu mechanics are weak, very repetitive and most of all too easy. If you are looking for a challenging puzzle-game, you should definitely look into another direction.
  16. Cheat Code Central
    Oct 21, 2011
    50
    A game with a message doesn't have to be boring, but this one doesn't work very hard to break free from the stereotype. Okabu is just a little too generic to be worth your time, which is a shame, considering I would have liked to play a fun game about saving the planet.
  17. Edge Magazine
    Oct 19, 2011
    50
    It's too easy and basic for adults and likely too mellow for children drawn in by its bubbly aesthetic. It's a shame, because Okabu's is a quietly charismatic world, one destined to be overlooked thanks to its grind of an opener and failure to match its visual vigour with mechanics that haven't been used better elsewhere.
  18. IncGamers
    Oct 18, 2011
    50
    I can't really recommend Okabu to anyone who plays a lot of games or who fancies a real brain-teaser, but those wanting to introduce a younger non-gamer to your favourite pastime may have a way of doing so.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 6 out of 9
  1. violentvito
    Sep 14, 2013
    9
    Smooth controls and cute fun game play. Simple but fun for someone not as skilled at gaming. Co-op is the only way to play this game. NotSmooth controls and cute fun game play. Simple but fun for someone not as skilled at gaming. Co-op is the only way to play this game. Not really made for gamers, it targets more of the casual crowd. I however had fun playing it with my non gaming wife.… Full Review »
  2. iBash
    Nov 20, 2011
    3
    While the design and presentation have their charm, the game itself cannot live up to it.

    This is basically a puzzle or riddle game. There is    While the design and presentation have their charm, the game itself cannot live up to it.

    This is basically a puzzle or riddle game. There is a little demand for dexterity in the levels, but it's mostly about "solving" them, knowing what to do, not skillfully executing it. The problem: the game tells you the solutions. Every time. The whole game through. Each step is explained and spelled out to the player even if he has been doing the same action in several levels before. Big, colourful arrows show you exactly where to go. Unskippable cutscenes tell you how everything works and will stick unbearably long on important spots or goals. In every level, even if you've done all of it before. Combine this with there not being many options to do anything else than what is expected and you will start to wonder why this wasn't made into a cartoon movie instead.

    Even if the game wouldn't be so pushy and blatant, you'd get bored rather soon because of the limited variety. You have four characters to play as and each has one ability which can be used in a few ways, but it gets very repetitive very soon. Okabu doesn't even demand you to pick the correct characters as, save for the very final level, the two you may play are selected by the game. Not a single time do you have to combine their abilities in some way, you just go from task to task and switch to the character that can do it.

    The controls work fine but also feel very bothersome. For instance, the two cloud whales, Nimbe and Kumolo cannot take in water or oil when ridden by one of the characters, so you have to be flying to and fro over the map to put them down, pick them up again and so on, unnecessarily making the levels feel even longer than they already are and adding to the tediousness.

    There is combat of sorts against the Doza and their bots and it can get very annoying. Especially the homing missiles will drive you crazy as they keep following you for much too long. You must also consider a lot of the abilities are of a passive nature, so while using them, you won't be steering Nimbe and Kumolo directly which makes it even more of a pain to dodge the attacks, homing or not. Yes, it can be done, it's no bullet hell game or anything even close, but as everything in this game, it feels more bothersome than it should.

    However, you cannot die. When you get hit, you fall to the ground and lose the character you've been carrying or any items or liquids you had with you. This will require you to fly around and gather your stuff anew, resulting in a lot of eye rolling. On the final boss level, this borders on absurdness. You must use the abilities to defeat the boss and its minions, but while you do it, you cannot control the characters which does, however, not stop them from attacking and of course, as you can hardly dodge, hitting you, forcing you to fly away and pick up the characters again, starting the action again and so forth and so on.

    So, frankly, the gameplay mostly sucks. The story is very simple, if not simplified: the evil Doza and their machines are polluting the land and the poor natives must stop them. On the way, the garbage problem is being solved by simply throwing garbage (poisonous, no less) onto the dumpster.

    Now one might look at the game and forgive its simplicity by arguing it's obviously a kids' game, but I find it a bit hard to imagine children of the age the game might looks like it was made for will find the patience to play this game and I still don't think that even for the children, it had to be made this simple to figure out (aka read orders), The levels are rather long, too.

    So that's all the bad stuff, what's on the plus side? Well, it has a coop mode for two players, every level can be played with it. The presentation is kind of cute with mostly very catchy music and nice art design.

    Overall, Okabu is a game that feels more like a chore than fun. When games tell you every little step to take, they become work, a job to do and this is pretty much what this game feels like.    … Full Review »
  3. BoilerHorty
    Oct 25, 2011
    4
    I only played through the first level of the demo., but I really did not feel this game was worth playing further. The art style is sharp andI only played through the first level of the demo., but I really did not feel this game was worth playing further. The art style is sharp and looks nice. The character designs are different and interesting, but the gameplay mechanics felt like this was designed for mobile touch gaming or potentially Move. If this was designed for Move, then I suggest you play it that way because it felt really lackluster with the standard controller. As for the action, the puzzles were boring, the controls for the fights were pretty lose... All in all, there seems to be plenty better PSN games to spend your time/money on.… Full Review »
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