Amanita Design have tried their hand at different extremes of adventure game design – they’ve made games focusing on Puzzles (Machinarium being the most puzzle-centric), and they’ve made games that are more like fun toys, digital art installations (original Samorost being one). But what was constant throughout all their titles, no matter the focus, is the humour, the style, the charm, the character – all just oozing from both the visual and audio design of their games. You didn’t honestly expect CHUCHEL to become a disappointing exception in that, did you?
No, this is Amanita Design doing what they do best, this time again going closer to that digital toy-ish design of the very first game they’ve developed.
CHUCHEL is a story about a messy hairy creature called Chuchel trying to get and eat a cherry that is constantly getting taken from him by some giant hand or a little creature called Kekel. Shenanigans happen. Don’t expect a more or less cohesive story here, which was usual for most of Amanita Design titles, this time the game feels closer to the silly surreal cartoons closer to The Pink Panther. The developers, aided again by the Czech band DVA like with wonderful Botanicula, just came up with a bunch of silly, funny, creative situations to animate and make interactive, and that’s the whole game.
And you know what? I love it! Unlike the original Samorost, which was pretty limited and despite the playfulness was a bit too obscure, CHUCHEL is a well designed adventure game, which just happens to be less about puzzles and more about making you laugh, while you play around with different things on the screen. It reminded me of the original Gobliiins design, which I always adored, except with zero punishment for your actions. The only “fail” state in this game is if you accidentally solve the room while trying to just look at all the silly things and need to replay it. Which is hardly a “punishment”, even though sadly none of the game animations are skippable.
The game is also incredibly short, yet is so full of FUN STUFF. I can’t even think of any other words to describe that – you just get constantly surprised by the amount of different unexpected interactions, scenes and mini games you go through, while trying really hard not to laugh too loudly if you’re playing late at night. Well okay, that last part might not be relatable for you, since it was about my experience, and I’ve actually failed it and couldn’t hold back the laughter. But point is – the game is fun and funny and makes you all warm and smiling inside.
Watch any of the game trailers, and you will get what this game is. If this is not for you, then the game is not for you. If you’re excited just from watching the videos, get the game now and you won’t regret it.