Revenge of the Savage Planet Review: An adventure that’s anything but boring
, by Enzo
With Revenge of the Savage Planet, the devs at Racoon Logic are back with a sequel that does more than simply recycle the formula of its predecessor. Instead, it aims to take things a step further. A spiritual successor to Journey to the Savage Planet, which delivered a relatively compact but well-crafted experience, this new adventure embraces a larger and slightly more ambitious structure. Players once again step into the shoes of an employee working for a shady space corporation, sent out to colonise or exploit distant planets. The tone is established right from the start, as satire, absurdity and social commentary take over in a universe that never takes itself too seriously.
An art direction that’s as appealing as ever
Visually, the game makes a strong impression from the very first minutes, staying true to the style of its predecessor. Environments are bursting with vibrant colours, with each planet boasting its own distinct visual identity. Players will explore fluorescent jungles, rocky landscapes populated by bizarre creatures, and organic ecosystems featuring some rather unsettling shapes. The developers have clearly taken their imagination up another notch, and it's a joy to see.
The game's identity also relies heavily on its humour. Absurd advertisements, ridiculous corporate messages and quirky item descriptions are all designed to bring a smile to your face, if not outright laughter. Its satire of capitalism and big corporations works particularly well, giving the experience a refreshing sense of personality.
Exploration remains at the heart of the experience
The core gameplay once again revolves around exploration and discovery. Players are encouraged to scan their surroundings, analyse local wildlife and vegetation, and gather resources to upgrade their equipment. Jetpacks, grappling hooks and experimental weapons: each new tool introduces fresh possibilities and grants access to previously unreachable areas.
The game can be played solo, but it truly comes into its own in co-op. Exploring planets together, coordinating movements and sharing discoveries add another layer to the experience. Both the pacing and exploration feel more dynamic as a result. This well-integrated co-op mode is undoubtedly one of the game's biggest strengths.
A more open structure, but not always even
The biggest new feature in Revenge of the Savage Planet is its multi-planet structure. Whereas the first game offered a single world to explore, this sequel takes players across several distinct environments. This added variety is welcome and regularly helps keep things fresh. However, this greater freedom comes at a cost: the pacing can occasionally feel uneven. Some areas are less inspired or give off a sense of déjà vu. The game gains in scale, but loses a little in terms of overall cohesion.
Beyond its less linear structure, the game also offers plenty of welcome gameplay options. Our arsenal is considerably more varied than in the previous instalment, thanks to the introduction of our trusty 3D printer. There's also an entire creature-collection feature, with dedicated rooms where captured specimens can be displayed. While these additions don't bring much depth to the gameplay, there's something undeniably satisfying about filling out our very own wildlife and plant sort of Pokédex..
Varied mechanics and solid performance, but combat leaves quite to be desired…
The gameplay blends platforming, gunplay and environmental puzzle-solving in a satisfying way. Platforming sections are often well-designed, requiring both precision and careful thought, particularly when combining different gadgets. Combat, however, is one of the game's weaker aspects. While encounters can be dynamic and occasionally unpredictable, they ultimately lack depth over the long run. Enemy encounters quickly become repetitive, and fights gradually lose their intensity.
From a technical standpoint, we noticed a few imprecise collision issues, a somewhat temperamental camera during certain platforming sections, and a handful of minor bugs. Nothing particularly game-breaking, but these shortcomings serve as a reminder that the project's ambitions occasionally outpace its technical execution.
Tested on PC. See our rating policy here.
7/10
Revenge of the Savage Planet is a more ambitious sequel that succeeds in expanding its universe while retaining its identity. Larger, more varied, but also less uniform, the game offers a refreshing experience. Its well-executed exploration, visual world, and unique, off-the-wall humor make it an adventure worth checking out, especially in co-op. Not everything is perfect, specially when it comes to combat and pacing, and it lacks a few QoL features, such as the ability to mark the map with waypoints. Overall, the journey this game offers remains original enough to warrant your attention.
- + The humor is as unique as it comes
- + Interesting exploration and verticality
- + You end up wainting to collect all the flora and fauna
- + Local co-op
- - The story is not very engaging
- - The game is a bit short
- - Difficulty level is too low
- - Lack of certain QoL measures