LocoRoco Remastered (2017, PS4)

Remaster of: LocoRoco (2006, PSP)
Original Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Original Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Remake Developer: Japan Studio
Remake Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Clear Platform: PS5
Clear Date: 3/8/25

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Why should I care?
Cute blobs, cute tunes.

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Yaho

While watching me play this, my gf posed a question: is the secret to making something cute to just put a tiny face on a big guy? I think she’s onto something.

LocoRoco is a two-button platforming game in which you actually mostly control the world instead of the titular little guys. Using the L and R buttons you tilt the world of LocoRoco, and pressing them both at once jolts the world causing them to “jump.” The reason for this is that the LocoRoco are a peaceful kind and don’t actually know how to fight. As such, the planet guides them on their way to defeating the invading Moja Troop.

Your objective, as stated in the game’s main menu, is to “increase LocoRoco numbers to attain world peace.” Wow! Each stage starts with just one little fella, and you have to tilt and tumble him around and make him eat berries so he can grow in size. As he gets bigger, you can split him into his constituent parts at your convenience by pressing circle — certain environmental hazards will force this state upon you as well. Simply hold the button to reform.

Throughout each stage, you should also be on the lookout for the MuiMui, the humanoid friends of the Locos. There are three in each stage to rescue, alongside “Loco House parts” to find (the Loco House is a separate mode in which you can build your own level). At the end of each stage is a tree sapling. The LocoRocos you’ve accumulated will sing to the tree to cause it to sprout and vanquish the Moja from the area.

And boy do those Locos love to sing! Tying the game’s pleasingly colorful visual aesthetic together is its whimsical and varied soundtrack. Each stage features a track of one of many genres, and they all also feature vocals, sung by the LocoRocos themselves. There is a variety of colors of Locos, and they all have their own vocal stylings. The language they sing in is also totally made up, making it all the goofier. I love it.

Its undeniably strong sense of style is what makes LocoRoco a game worth seeing through. I’ll admit I got a bit weary of its mechanics by the end. They can be frustratingly unwieldy at times, and while I understand that that’s at least partially intentional, it doesn’t alleviate the annoyance much. While I usually love scouring platformers for collectibles, by the end of this one, I just wanted to get through the levels. I had to, though, because this is the kind of game I’d love to see Sony return to. It wasn’t that long ago that they were making this sort of thing!

Here’s hoping world peace is just around the corner too.