The Smurfs Village Party expands the Smurfs gaming franchise. I’ve covered The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf and Smurfs 2 – The Prisoner of the Green Stone and enjoyed every moment. However, this latest endeavour focuses on a blend of genres. Accordingly, this could muddy the water and dilute the experience. Yet, I was confident the developer would get things right.
This adventure title was developed by Balio Studio and published by Microids. Furthermore, it has many mini-games to entertain and thrill its audience. The adventure portion is a solo experience that explores a 3D open-world perspective. The multiplayer action, on the other hand, can be enjoyed by 1–4 players in a fixed-screen arena.
The Smurfs Village Party treads old ground.
Upbeat and moralistic stories beat at the heart of every Smurf plot. Consequently, this latest romp into the blue people’s world treads old ground. Though this isn’t original, it matters not! The Smurfy language, simple tasks, and mountains of collectables make it a straightforward but fun title.
Pupa Smurf has organised a village party. This massive event is filled with music, food, and games. Subsequently, he requests the assistance of every available Smurf. Your task is to explore the large kingdom and help every Smurf complete their job. Sadly, Gargamel hates festivals and fun and will try to stop you at all costs.
Straightforward ideas.
As an adventure title, The Smurfs Village Party rarely breaks the mould. Essentially, you are asked to gather resources, find collectables, and help every Smurf you see. Alongside this, there is treasure to discover, costumes to make, and mini-games and races to compete in.
The mini-games are relatively simple and have Mario Party vibes. Moreover, there is a hearty blend of sports, memory, and skill activities to test you. During the adventure mode, these games are played against the computer. However, once you complete the adventure, you are free to play the party mode. Alternatively, you can try each activity against your friends on one TV screen.
The Smurfs Village Party isn’t perfect.
Though I enjoyed the basic exploration, the fun mini-games, and the straightforward quests, visually, it was a bit of a mess. The textures are all over the place and the camera is sadly woeful. Furthermore, some assets are solid and others can be ghosted through. This hit-and-miss quality wasn’t expected as it left an unpolished finish.
However, the mini-games all looked fantastic. The fixed-screen perspective was great, and I loved the crisp graphics and interesting settings. Accordingly, it feels as if the developers focused on the mini-games and the adventure element suffered as a consequence.
The audio is a mixed bag as well. The music was fun, upbeat, and energetic. The result was a fulfilling soundtrack that added a jovial layer to the game. Additionally, the sound effects are silly and enjoyable to listen to. Yet, the repetition was like a dentist’s drill going off in my head! The soulless one-lines are tedious, loud, and annoying. If I hear the words “A Smurf in a Smurf’s shoe”, or the marching Smurf quote one more time, I think I’ll scream!
Janky controls.
During the mini-games, the control system is exceptional. The responsive inputs are well-considered, and every task is well-explained. Subsequently, the mini-games are suitable for gamers of all ages. Disappointingly, though, the adventure element falls short again. You’ll clip the scenery, crash into walls, and struggle to complete tasks. The camera system affects the controls more than it should. Sadly, it is not varied enough and I struggled to navigate the vast world. Had this been improved, The Smurfs Village Party would benefit.
The adventure option is filled with collectables, tasks, and other enjoyable layers. However, its simplicity creates a feeling of tedium. Unfortunately, like Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed, too much of a good thing can become overwhelming. Therefore, had this been reduced and the difficulty increased, the gameplay would have been better balanced.
The Smurfs Village Party is a Jekyll and Hyde game.
There are so many reasons to play and enjoy The Smurfs Village Party. The multiplayer action is great, especially if you have kids. Furthermore, the open world is colourful and interesting. What’s more, if you love simple tasks and collectables, then this will float your boat. However, the adventure mode feels like an afterthought and it is rough around the edges. Despite these shortcomings, I enjoyed it and I recommend buying it here! Can you fulfil Pupa Smurf’s wishes? Help the Smurfs, avoid Gargamel and enjoy the festivities.
