Tamarin initially appeared to be an ideal title: a platformer (a genre we enjoy), featuring retro-inspired music and appealing visuals reminiscent of titles like Ratchet & Clank. Developed by the small studio Chameleon Games, Tamarin faced previous delays, but has now been released on PC, XB1, and PS4. The final product, however, presents a somewhat uneven experience.
The narrative is quite standard: the titular Tamarin, a primate, aims to restore the forest’s natural order by repelling an insect invasion and rescuing captive birds and dragonflies. While story isn’t always paramount in platformers, the focus remains on engaging gameplay elements such as jumping, puzzles, and action sequences.
Tamarin’s pre-release materials showcased a visually striking and charming aesthetic. The actual in-game experience deviates somewhat from this expectation. While the protagonist retains a degree of visual appeal, noticeable edge glow and aura effects around characters and objects can resemble compression artifacts. Rendering hair effectively is a known challenge, as evidenced even in Final Fantasy VII Remake with the attention surrounding Cloud’s hair. The levels and enemy designs lack significant detail and variety. Despite some competent lighting effects, it’s evident that Tamarin lacks the budget and resources typically associated with AAA titles. This is not necessarily a critical flaw.
The audio component stands out as a positive aspect. The soundtrack evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the Amiga era. The melodies incorporate elements of retro-electronica and chip music commonly found in the demo scene. The soundtrack’s quality suggests potential inclusion in curated collections of retro and game music on platforms like Spotify or Instant Remedy.
Control responsiveness represents a significant area for improvement in Tamarin. While functional, the controls feel somewhat imprecise, and the camera exhibits a tendency to drift towards a default position. This behavior proves frustrating, requiring players to actively compensate for the camera’s movement while simultaneously controlling the protagonist and navigating the 3D environment. This lack of precision can increase the difficulty of certain sections, particularly in a platforming context. Addressing this through future updates would be beneficial. However, this assessment is based on the current, tested state of the game.
As previously noted, Tamarin exhibits a degree of generic design. While narrative complexity is not always a defining characteristic of successful platformers (e.g., the consistent Bowser-kidnaps-Princess trope in the Mario series), the game’s world-building feels underdeveloped. The story largely relies on a recurring hedgehog character who provides exposition and unlocks new abilities and weapons.
The combat system presents an unconventional approach. While Tamarin can perform standard platforming maneuvers like jumping and rolling on enemies (similar to Spyro), the character also gains access to a machine gun. This mechanic involves Tamarin walking upright and engaging in ranged combat against insects. This juxtaposition is both bizarre and somewhat morbidly amusing. However, the aiming precision suffers from the same issues that affect general movement. In specific locations, Tamarin can execute super jumps via button combinations; otherwise, players must rely on planned jumps and rolling techniques.
In conclusion, Tamarin possesses appealing elements, including its charming visual style, 3D platforming gameplay, and enjoyable soundtrack. The game is playable and can provide entertainment, particularly in shorter sessions. However, small studios face challenges in gaining visibility for their products. Prioritizing the creation of a polished, focused product, rather than compromising on essential elements in an attempt to emulate AAA titles, is often a more effective strategy. In a competitive market, compounded by the release of remastered classics, breaking through the noise proves difficult. While the ambition demonstrated by the small studio behind Tamarin is commendable, control issues and other minor flaws prevent it from surpassing mediocrity, similar to (New) Super Luckys Tale.
