Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes and their antics span many genres and platforms. Their hard-hitting work ethic, colourful or sexy outfits, and witty one-liners attract the attention of fans from many generations. I admit, I love a good superhero tale and I’m desperate for my children to follow suit. I’m hopeful that PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is the key to getting them hooked! It should be the perfect option thanks to its simple gameplay, vivid colours, and lighthearted plot.
Developed by Petoons Studio and published by Outright Games, this is a side-scrolling adventure title. Its single-player action allows your little ones to put on their PJs, gain superpowers, and save the world. Though this is perfect for a younger audience, more mature children and adults will find the action tedious, stripped back, and repetitive. However, keep in mind that it was created primarily for a very younger audience, so complexity is out of the question.
PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night was a hit with the kids.
If you are familiar with the franchise, bear with me while I cover the basics. The cartoon comprises three children who are ordinary by day but gain superpowers at night. They are Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko, and between them, they quash evil plots and save the unsuspecting city. PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night captures their heroic exploits as they stop Romeo, Luna Girl, and Night Ninja’s dastardly plots.
So, the story isn’t going to win an Oscar for originality, but it matters not. My kids loved exploring the familiar locations while tackling the well-known villains. Each level is easy to overcome thanks to the simple objectives and repetitive structure. This deja vu approach was painful to watch, yet my kids adored the rigidity and basic gameplay.
Faithful adventure mechanics with a basic twist.
PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night stays faithful to many much-loved adventuring mechanics. You must explore, collect items, and overcome bosses while using your special powers and teamwork. The developers have cleverly incorporated each of these elements while maintaining a simplistic approach. Every task has a clear UI associated with it, and verbal commands guide you throughout. Sadly, however, as an observer, this made the action tedious and mind-numbing! But my kids loved the user-friendly style and the lack of parental guidance.
The gameplay reminded me of the Paw Patrol franchise, as the similarities are uncanny. In this, you must collect two hundred gems and three hero symbols. In PP it’s pup treats and dog tags. There is also a focus on basic movement and the need for certain characters to perform specific tasks. Subsequently, there were smiles all around, as each playable character was used equally on every stage.
Disappointingly, though, every key task was either automated or restricted to one-button mini-games. Now, I know Petoon Studios is focused on a child-friendly approach, but this was perhaps a step too far. An option to adjust the gameplay would have been welcomed, especially for older siblings. Furthermore, there was a fun inclusion of vehicular levels. These character-specific rides broke up the standard side-scrolling approach and added some much-needed variety.
PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is not “Next Gen”, but it looks good regardless.
Gamers are screaming out for ultra-realistic or movie quality graphics. Unfortunately, PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is nowhere near that level, yet it looks good, regardless. Utilising the familiar cartoon style, fans of the franchise will love controlling their favourite characters. Sadly, though, each level is painfully repetitive in both look and design. Fortunately, however, the developers attempted to counteract this with minor theme changes, but the lack of complexity was alarmingly obvious on every stage.
Unfortunately, ‘Groundhog Day’ didn’t stop at the graphics. No, the audio was pretty repetitive as well! The characters keep repeating the same instructions about collecting gems or climbing walls. It was infuriating to listen to, yet my kids loved the encouragement and gentle reminders. Moreover, they also enjoyed the similarities to the TV series thanks to the excellent action and high-energy soundtrack. Though I wasn’t its biggest fan, some of the dialogue was witty and it made me chuckle many times.
Straightforward controls.
The developer’s understanding of its key audience was spot on! How they approached the button layout and the simplicity of the controls was excellent. Unlike some kids games that require parental guidance, PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night, does not. The on-screen reminders and barrage of audio commands assist the little player’s abilities in playing this unaided.
Though the gameplay was repetitive and easy, my kids cared not and they’d have played this for hours if allowed. Fortunately for more skilled gamers, there is some replay value thanks to the collectables and stage scoring system. Furthermore, the achievement list demands perfection, so it will require you to invest many hours even though it’s not challenging.
PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is simple, colourful, and perfect for kids.
I wasn’t a massive fan of PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night, however, what I think matters not. This isn’t a game aimed at adults and its key audience in my household adored it. They loved the colourful graphics, loud audio, and silly story. Becoming a superhero was great fun and I’m sure your kids will love it too. Therefore, I recommend you buy it here! Put on your PJs, become a hero, and stop those supervillains.
