Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering Loddlenaut by developer Moon Lagoon:
Loddlenaut: (The Explanation)
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a deep-sea janitor with a love for adorable sea creatures, Loddlenaut on the Nintendo Switch has you covered! On the surface, it may seem like a simple cleanup game, but once you dive deep (pun intended), you’ll discover it’s a heartwarming, cozy experience filled with environmental care and aquatic cuteness.
In Loddlenaut, you play as an intergalactic cleaner tasked with purging the oceans of planet GUP-14 of all its waste in a wetsuit. Armed with a trusty laser gun and a relentless passion for tidying, you’ll be clearing away plastic, sludge, and rusty cans to restore the underwater world. But it’s not all work—befriending the delightful Loddles, which resemble fluffy axolotls, makes this eco-quest even more charming. Each Loddle you save returns to a clean, safe habitat, making you feel like the ocean’s MVP!
The mechanics are simple but satisfying. With limited oxygen and an inventory that fills quickly, you’ll need to manage your time carefully as you clean each area. Luckily, there are air-refilling flora and booster packs that make navigating the depths a breeze. Plus, the crafting system lets you upgrade your gear, adding layers to the gameplay while keeping it accessible and chill. It’s a perfect mix of laid-back fun with just enough challenge to keep you hooked.
Visually, Loddlenaut isn’t aiming for ultra-realism, but it nails the cozy vibe with colorful, soft, and slightly minimalist underwater environments. Watching the ocean clean up before your eyes and seeing plant life return is extremely satisfying. The design of the Loddles—those squishy little water buddies—is so endearing that you’ll find yourself smiling every time you interact with them. Sure, it might not rival other underwater titles in terms of visual fidelity, but the charm factor makes up for it. There is a setting in the game’s graphic options that lets you toggle the pixel level in the game giving some freedom to clean up the overall look of the game world.
The sound design in Loddlenaut helps you sink deeper into the relaxed atmosphere. Gentle underwater sounds, paired with a soothing soundtrack, create a sense of calm that perfectly complements the act of cleaning the ocean floor. Every zap of your cleaning tool and every bubble rising from your oxygen tank feels just right. It’s as if the sound design was custom-made for a deep-sea spa day—except you’re also saving the environment!
At its core, Loddlenaut is a game about restoring balance to a polluted world, and it does so with an adorable, laid-back approach. While the repetition of cleaning and revisiting areas might not appeal to everyone, the rewarding loop of seeing a once-dirty world rejuvenate before your eyes is incredibly satisfying. If you’re looking for a cozy game with a peaceful vibe, adorable sea critters, and a focus on environmental care, Loddlenaut is absolutely worth diving into. It’s like Powerwash Simulator—but with more fish!
Loddlenaut: (The Gameplay)
Game Specifications:
Developer: Moon Lagoon
Publisher: Secret Mode
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Adventure
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: September 19, 2024
Price: $19.99
File Size: 708 MB
Nintendo.com Listing
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