A few things surprised me when reviewing Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4. First of all, the fact the franchise had actually reached a fourth installment at a point, even if this game in particular feels a lot simpler (and cheaper) than its predecessors, being a 2D platformer instead of a pseudo-open 3D one with polygonal visuals. The second surprise was the fact that Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4: Bush Rescue Returns, this brand new Nintendo Switch release, was actually a remaster of a game released eight years ago, exclusively on PC. I was very curious as to why this iteration passed by without making a fuss. Was it that bad? Was it a hidden gem? Or maybe this was just a bang-average game (like all other Ty titles) that just failed to make an impression? Well, let’s find out.

So, we’re talking about what was once a 3D platforming series, previously backed by big publishers, having to severely shrink in size and scope due to its now independent nature. Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 is a very straightforward 2D platformer, with simpler visuals (characters have that weird Flash-like animation that often feels a bit jarring) and progression. Go from the beginning of the level to its end, defeat some enemies, collect gems, interact with the very occasional NPC, and so on. It’s almost like when Nintendo went from Super Mario Sunshine to New Super Mario Bros, with the difference that their decision was based on nostalgia, whereas Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 feels more like a victim of a shrunken budget.

That’s not to say there aren’t hidden secrets or reasons for replaying those levels once you’ve beaten them for the first time. There’s always a small branching path or hidden portal that takes you to some additional areas where you can obtain MacGuffins and other goodies. Some of those areas can only be accessed with special boomerangs or other items acquired further down the line, somewhat incentivizing replayability. There’s not a lot in Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 that feels exciting to unlock (there are tons of costumes, but they don’t look that great in motion), but hey, there’s an incentive at least.

As for the rest, well, the controls are simplistic, but can feel a bit wonky at times. Ty, the titular character, has a really weird gliding ability, but one which makes him fall down so quickly, it’s almost like the forces of gravity are working against whatever the hell is even making him glide in the first place. The upside to this borderline basic 2D gameplay loop, however, is the fact that you don’t have to worry about faulty and dated camera controls anymore.

There are a handful of passable minigames as well, a bit of voice acting, some passable yet unexciting music… nothing about this game is bad (as a matter of fact, none of its predecessors were bad either), but it’s hard to even continue talking about it.

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4: Bush Rescue Returns lacks a bit of the charisma seen in its predecessors, a consequence of them being 3D platformers, with this one just being a bog-standard 2D side-scroller. It does feel cheaper than any other Ty game, but it is still quite fun, though. It might not be that creative, but it’s certainly less janky and less buggy. It’s also a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch, given how you can enjoy it in short bursts in portable mode. No wonder there aren’t even ports for other systems. The Switch isn’t lacking on 2D platformers, and this one doesn’t exactly have a lot of elements that make it stand out, but Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 is still fine. If you’re a fan of the genre and have some disposable income, you could do a lot worse.

 

Graphics: 6.5 Even though it looks more modern than the ultra-dated 2000s polygons featured in its predecessors, this 2D iteration of Ty looks a bit cheap at times, namely on its wonky character animations.	Gameplay: 7.0 The platforming can feel a bit wonky at times, but not having to deal with camera controls automatically makes this game better to play than its predecessors.
Sound: 6.5 Slightly less exciting than its predecessors when it comes to its soundtrack. It lacks the Kirkhope vibes from the other games. The voice acting is still bang-average, at the very best.	Fun Factor: 7.0 The level design isn’t anything to write home about, and the game as a whole oozes a “budget” vibe, something not seen in any other Ty game. It’s still quite fun, though. It is best enjoyed in shorter bursts on portable mode.
Final Verdict: 7.0

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4: Bush Rescue Returns is available now on PC and Nintendo Switch.

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch.

A copy of Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4: Bush Rescue Returns was provided by the publisher.