Though I’m an adult, I’d like to think that I’ve retained most of the sparkling imagination that I had as a child. And while video games really have been a great way for me, and a majority of the gaming community at large, there really isn’t anything that captures the magic I felt bringing my imagination to life as a child.
Enter a beautiful little indie game called, Lil Gator Game. Certainly a title that looked interesting enough, though different when compared to others like it, the moment I saw this game and learned about its premise, I knew that I had to play it for myself.
Having played Lil Gator Game to its fullest 100% completion, I can say for sure that there isn’t another game that came out in 2022 that I had a better time with than MegaWobble’s adorable little key to my heart.
Lil Gator Game Review Biggest Takeaways
- Lil Gator Game is the perfect example of a simple yet effective game done right.
- The gameplay loop is highly addictive and will keep you playing for hours.
- Its story is actually very sweet and is filled with nostalgic feelings about being a kid.
- There are tons of fun things to find in its enjoyable world to explore.
Final Score: 10/10
A World Full of Imagination
When it comes to playing Lil Gator Game, it really does take most of what we know from modern video games and throws it out the window. Instead of fighting big bosses where you have to learn patterns, you have stagnant cardboard monsters that sit there with a smile on their faces as you tear through them with a plastic lightsaber.
Lil Gator Game is entirely built on the premise of imagination. So in addition to all enemies being cardboard, you have a fantastic arsenal of toys or other inanimate household objects that you’ll use as weapons in order to complete the story that unfolds within this title’s runtime.
And the game, even with its short length of about five or so hours, is completely packed to the gills with things to do and find. It really is a fun time of just exploring and feeling like a kid again in a big world.
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Breathe of the Wild Without the Danger
This title is most definitely Breathe of the Wild but with the training wheels on. But that’s actually a very good thing. Not only is it the perfect way for younger gamers to begin to feel comfortable with these sorts of action games, but it’s also a benefit for veteran gamers as well.
Personally, while I’m a fan of Breathe of the Wild, I couldn’t get through most of it because it’s such a large and terribly difficult game at times. Lil Gator Game delivered the experience that I wanted from Breathe of the Wild but with the spin that I needed in order to fully enjoy what was being offered to me.
Lil Gator Game features many mechanics that Breath of the Wild holds such as gliding, smashing pots for currency, swinging around fantastical weapons, and exploring a vast environment that’s just as horizontal as it is vertical. This was just the thing I needed to prepare myself for Tear of the Kingdom ahead of its launch.
An Organic Coming-of-Age Story from a Gator’s Perspective
Another reason to love Lil Gator Game is its storytelling. There are about 50 different characters to meet and learn about in this title, and not one of them is uninteresting. And though there isn’t any voiced dialogue being spoken, each character’s own personality still shines through perfectly with the text dialogue that’s been used to bring them to life.
And no two characters are the same. Especially with kids in real life, personalities can differ strongly from one to the other, and I think that MegaWobble perfectly translated that here. I loved how polite that the titular Lil Gator could be to other kids, as it made me feel a connection to them, and care about them as the story went on.
Their sister, Big Sis, also found a place in my heart even though she wasn’t included much in the story. I connected with her as an adult who wishes that they had more time to play pretend and forget about adulting duties more often. And as an older sibling that spent less and less time with siblings as life started to get more complex, I could also level with her there too. The story hits perfectly for all kinds of players.
A Cozy Completionist Paradise
If you’re looking for a very fun completionist experience, then this title really has a good thing going. I typically don’t even try to get 100% complete in most games these days due to their length, but I knew I had to get the full experience the moment I began to play.
You have challenges to complete, enemies to exterminate, and friends to meet along the way who will give you better and brighter weapons and gear to use on your quest. As I said, the game takes about five or so hours to complete in full, so you won’t have a problem getting all you need pretty quickly, though it’s incredibly fun the entire way through.
An Adventure Awaits
I couldn’t possibly recommend Lil Gator Game enough. For its low price of about $20, you honestly cannot beat just how perfect this game actually is. It made me feel like a kid again as I played, and that’s a feeling that’s absolutely priceless.
This game reminded me of some of my favorite titles to play as a kid, where combat or being good weren’t necessarily the key to having a good time. Back at the Barnyard, Cars, Dog’s Life, and Toy Story 2, all come to mind instantly.
Those games made me the gamer I am today, and I’d like to think that Lil Gator Game is doing the same for the newer generation that’s getting their hands on games for the first time, as this truly is a special game. I can only hope this title inspires more developers to create even more games like this one.
Lil Gator Game is available right now on Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac for $19.99.
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